What is redemption and why does it matter?
A fan authenticates and plays or downloads on or after street date. Qualifying pre-orders are reported when redeemed.
For chart-reporting purposes, redemption means the fan authenticates and plays or downloads the purchased digital album on or after street date. A paid pre-order without redemption is not reported.
How it works for the fan
The fan signs in and presses play in the artist’s player. There is no separate redemption code or claim step. Downloads are optional where the artist and team allow them; a download is not required to establish playback redemption.
When pre-order sales can be reported
A pre-order is reported at redemption rather than at purchase. Redemption means the fan’s first play or download on or after street date, so qualifying pre-orders can be reported in the week fans redeem them rather than the week they paid.
What that means for first-week numbers
Reporting follows redemption, so a long pre-order window does not spread units across the weeks before release. Those units are reported in the week fans redeem them, which starts on street date, as fans come back to listen.
Why it matters for clean sales
Redemption is one part of clean reporting. Account authentication, payment checks, purchase limits and offer requirements also apply. Together they reduce abuse without guaranteeing that fraudulent activity cannot occur.
What it means for your campaign
Units are reported at redemption, so your release-week messaging has to get fans to play the album, not just buy it. Your EVEN team plans that messaging with you, usually using Fan Connect email and SMS.
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