Notes^ Certification systems have been established periodically throughout the past half century, thus databases are not able to cover all sales. Some (or all) records released and sold prior to the certification system's establishment year may not be found within the available searchable certification databases. Year of establishment (from largest market to smallest based on units each market generates respectively): USA: 1958 Japan:1987: (online certification-publishing covers certifications issued since 2003) United Kingdom: 1973 Germany: 1975 France: 1973 Canada: 1975 Australia: 1997 (online certification-publishing covers certifications issued since 1997, however there is evidence of earlier certifications) Spain: 2004 (online certification-publishing covers certifications issued since 2004, however there is evidence of earlier certifications) Mexico: 1999 Brazil: 1990 Netherlands: 1978 Argentina: 1980 Sweden: 1987 (published at end of each year) Switzerland: 1989 (online certification-publishing covers certifications issued since 1989, however there is evidence of earlier certifications) Austria: 1990: Poland: 1995 Finland: 1971

Some records have yet to reach a level of either the gold or the platinum award-levels, and some records have yet to reach a multi-platinum status. The tables above include markets, the databases of which contain figures of 300,000 and above. Certification numbers might overstate sales if stores order more albums than they are able to sell, due to certifications generally being determined by shipments, not actual sales. Record labels must also pay a fee; therefore, they may not always apply for a certification each time a record reaches an accredited status, meaning certifications might not be visible in the databases for more than a short period of time after an album is released. A large percentage of music markets experienced a decline in sales due to music piracy which began in 1999–2000; consequently, associations opted to reduce their certification volumes. See the changes in Certification-award-levels in the following markets: USA (Note that U.S. certification-awards for singles before 1989 were: Gold=1,000,000 and Platinum=2,000,000) United Kingdom Germany France Canada Mexico Brazil Netherlands Argentina Sweden Switzerland Finland A report in 2009 by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry revealed that 95% of music downloads are done illegally. Illegal downloads are not included in the certifications and figures of artist's sales. The tables are to include two sources only for each claimed figure. 200 million to 299 million records

Vote For Band Or Artist