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| EURO 200 CHART RULES
Consolidated & Editorially Enhanced Version Revised rules effective January 1, 2026 1. Purpose & Governance The EURO 200 Chart Rules exist to safeguard the integrity, transparency, and editorial independence of the Euro 200 chart. Their purpose is to ensure that every listed recording reflects genuine popularity across Europe, based on verifiable consumer behaviour and authentic artistic output. These rules apply equally to all labels, distributors, artists, and independent creators. While all parties are free to market and package their releases as they choose, only recordings that comply with these rules are eligible for chart inclusion. The rules are issued by APC Chart, in collaboration with the Euro 200 chart management team. The chart manager holds final authority in interpreting the rules, resolving disputes, and determining eligibility. 2. Data Sources & Eligibility (Sales, Airplay, Streaming) 2.1 Data Collection The Euro 200 is compiled using: Sales data (physical singles, CD tracks, digital downloads) Airplay data from more than 1,800 major radio and TV stations across the EU, UK, Norway, Switzerland, and Ukraine Streaming data from all major platforms available in these territories All data is collected over a 14 day rolling period and refreshed weekly. 2.2 Valid Consumer Activity Only genuine consumer behaviour counts toward the chart. The following actions are prohibited and may result in disqualification: Providing dealers with free or discounted stock to stimulate sales Purchasing recordings on behalf of others Artificially inflating streams or sales through bots, farms, or coordinated manipulation Interfering with sales tracking systems or submitting false data Offering financial or material incentives tied to chart performance Bundling recordings with unrelated or excessive gifts Any activity intended to distort chart performance If chart management identifies irregularities, it may remove affected data or exclude the recording entirely, with immediate effect. 3. Definition of Tracks 3.1 General Eligibility All tracks from a physical album released within the EU are eligible for chart inclusion via airplay or streaming. Downloads or streams of album tracks not officially released as singles are also counted. Tracks recorded in different languages by the same artist are combined into a single chart entity. 3.2 Minimum Track Length Since January 1, 2024, a track must have a minimum duration of 100 seconds (excluding fade outs) to qualify for the Euro 200. 4. Combining Formats & Versions For chart purposes, sales and streams of different formats are combined when they represent legitimate variants of the same track. All formats must contain the featured track Unpublished remixes or alternate versions may be included if they accompany a current Euro 200 single There is no maximum number of physical or bundle formats per title The editorial team determines whether versions are sufficiently similar to be combined. 5. Authenticity & Release Integrity To maintain editorial credibility, APC Chart applies strict authenticity standards. 5.1 Only Official Releases Are Eligible A track must be distributed through recognized channels (labels, verified artist accounts, accredited distributors). User generated uploads, unofficial edits, or unlicensed derivatives are excluded. 5.2 Non Authentic Edits Are Not Eligible The following are automatically excluded: slowed + reverb edits sped up / nightcore / phonk / batidγo variants without official release TikTok derived extended versions created solely to meet runtime requirements any derivative not explicitly approved by the rights holder These formats fall outside APCs editorial scope. 5.3 Artificially Extended Tracks Tracks must meet the 100 second minimum through genuine musical content. Disqualifying practices include: adding silence looping identical segments stretching short TikTok audio any manipulation intended solely to meet eligibility thresholds 5.4 Verifiable Artist Identity Eligible tracks must be attributed to a verifiable artist with: a consistent catalog a legitimate digital presence identifiable authorship Aliases created solely for algorithm targeted edits or AI generated uploads are not eligible. 5.5 AI Generated Audio Recordings created primarily or entirely by generative AI systems are excluded unless: a human creator is clearly identified rights are cleared the release meets all other chart criteria Unattributed AI audio is excluded by default. 5.6 Editorial Discretion APC Chart reserves the right to exclude any recording that: undermines chart integrity is misleading, manipulative, or non authentic exists primarily to exploit algorithmic trends lacks artistic or editorial merit Such recordings may be removed at any time. 6. Additional Editorial Notes (Newly Added for Clarity) To strengthen transparency and future proof the chart, the following clarifications are added: 6.1 Geographic Scope The Euro 200 reflects pan European performance. Data from territories outside the EU+UK+Norway+Switzerland+Ukraine region is not included. 6.2 Release Date Integrity Tracks must have a verifiable release date. Retroactive uploads, backdated releases, or metadata manipulation may result in exclusion. 6.3 Multi Artist Attribution Collaborations must list all primary artists. Featuring credits follow industry standard metadata rules. 6.4 Catalogue vs. Current Releases Catalogue tracks remain eligible as long as they meet all criteria. Viral resurgence does not affect eligibility. 6.5 Editorial Independence No label, distributor, or artist may influence chart methodology, weighting, or editorial decisions. |
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