Editing RIAA certification (section)

{{short description|Sales certification from the Recording Industry Association of America}}
[[File:RIAA logo colored.svg|thumb|Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) seal that appears on award plaques]]
In the United States, the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) operates an awards program based on the certified number of [[album]]s and [[single (music)|singles]] sold through retail and other ancillary markets.<ref name="RIAA Certification Criteria">[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=criteria RIAA certification criteria]. Retrieved on September 11, 2006</ref> Other countries have similar awards (see [[music recording certification]]). Certification is not automatic; for an award to be made, the [[record label]] must first request certification.<ref name=certification>{{cite web |url=https://riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=certification |title=Apply - RIAA |website=RIAA.com |access-date=2016-01-23}}</ref> The audit is conducted against net shipments after returns (most often an artist's royalty statement is used), which includes albums sold directly to retailers and one-stops, direct-to-consumer sales (music clubs and [[mail order]]) and other outlets.