Chart Methodology
SondSurge charts rank released independent music using verified activity that happens within our platform. Here's how it works — in plain language.
Released music only
Only tracks marked as released with a valid public release link can enter SondSurge charts. Unreleased songs, demos, and works in progress are never charted.
We don't count DSP streams
SondSurge directs listeners to your official release pages. We cannot — and do not — measure streams, completion rate, replays, or retention on external platforms.
Tastemaker-weighted upvotes
Upvotes are the main ranking signal. Each upvote adds the voter's tastemaker score to a track's weighted score, so listeners with proven taste carry more influence.
Recent momentum matters
Velocity — the rate of recent verified SondSurge activity — can move tracks up, but it stays secondary to weighted support on the flagship and genre charts.
Saves, shares & comments
Saving, sharing, and meaningful comments may contribute to ranking. These actions are weighted to reward genuine engagement and protected from spam.
Outbound DSP interest
Clicks from SondSurge to your Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or other release pages support the score as a sign of real listener interest — but they don't outweigh upvotes.
Curators are tastemakers
Curators influence charts through their tastemaker score, just like listeners. Paying for a review never buys a ranking, a vote, or a guaranteed chart position.
Chart Boost vs. Chart Position
A Chart Boost is a paid promotional placement shown in a featured slot above the numbered chart. It increases visibility, but it does not receive a chart rank, does not change a track's chart position, and cannot guarantee or directly purchase a spot on the ranked chart. Paid boosts are capped so they can never dominate the organic score.
Protecting the charts
We monitor for manipulation — self-voting, repeated saves, duplicate comments, share farming, coordinated spikes, and suspicious account patterns. Activity that violates our integrity rules may be limited, excluded, or removed, and affected tracks may be recalculated.
We don't publish exact formulas, multipliers, fraud thresholds, or individual tastemaker scores to protect the integrity of the charts.