When you scroll through social media and see artists holding sleek black-and-green awards, you might wonder: how many streams does it take to get a Spotify plaque? Unlike traditional RIAA gold or platinum certifications, Spotify plaques are not based on one standardized formula. Instead, they’re a mix of recognition, promotional marketing, and sometimes custom-made trophies that reflect an artist’s streaming milestones.
This guide explores what a Spotify plaque is, how artists receive them, what stream counts matter, and how fans and independent musicians should understand the recognition behind them.
What Is a Spotify Plaque?
A Spotify plaque is a commemorative award given to artists when their songs or albums hit major streaming milestones on Spotify. Unlike RIAA plaques, which represent certified sales, Spotify plaques are more symbolic. They highlight streaming success, celebrate viral moments, and serve as a tangible reminder of an artist’s achievements on the platform.
For example:
Billie Eilish received a Spotify plaque for surpassing 1 billion streams on her hit Bad Guy.
Drake and Bad Bunny have received plaques celebrating billions of streams across multiple tracks.
Even emerging artists have been awarded Spotify plaques once they cross significant streaming thresholds.
How Many Streams Are Needed for a Spotify Plaque?
Here’s where things get tricky: there is no single universal rule. Unlike RIAA’s gold (500,000 units) and platinum (1 million units) thresholds, Spotify doesn’t publicly announce fixed plaque criteria. Instead, plaques are typically awarded for major milestones, such as:
100 million streams (common entry-level plaque)
500 million streams (major global recognition)
1 billion streams (the “Billion Club”)
Spotify even maintains a playlist called “Billions Club”, which features every song that has crossed 1 billion streams. When an artist joins this playlist, Spotify often sends them a plaque to commemorate the achievement.
Real Data on Streaming Milestones
As of mid-2024, over 500 songs have surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.
Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You leads the platform with more than 3.7 billion streams, cementing his place in Spotify history.
According to ChartMasters, an artist needs around 20–30 million monthly listeners to realistically achieve a billion-stream milestone within a few years.
So while you don’t get a Spotify plaque for, say, 10,000 streams, you might for 100 million — but the biggest recognition is reserved for billion-stream songs.
Does Spotify Automatically Send Plaques?
Not always. Spotify plaques are usually part of marketing campaigns. For example:
Billions Club Campaigns: Spotify actively mails plaques to artists when they hit the billion-stream mark. Billie Eilish, Post Malone, and The Weeknd have all received these.
Regional Campaigns: In some countries, Spotify teams award plaques for local hits crossing 100 million streams, even if they don’t hit global milestones.
Custom Orders: Some artists order their own unofficial Spotify plaques from third-party companies like Awardco or Music Plaques, which replicate the style of official ones for fan engagement or merch.
The Difference Between Spotify Plaques and RIAA Certifications
To fully understand Spotify plaque recognition, it’s important to contrast it with traditional industry certifications:
| Recognition Type | Awarded By | Criteria | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify Plaque | Spotify (marketing team) | Based on major stream milestones, usually 100M–1B+ | Billie Eilish Bad Guy (1B plaque) |
| RIAA Certification | Recording Industry Association of America | Gold = 500K units, Platinum = 1M units, Diamond = 10M units | Drake Scorpion (Platinum) |
The main difference: RIAA certifications are official and legally recognized, while Spotify plaques are celebratory and symbolic.
Can Independent Artists Get a Spotify Plaque?
Yes, but it’s rare. Independent musicians typically don’t have the marketing push of major labels, making it harder to hit milestones like 100 million streams. However, it’s not impossible:
Viral hits like Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road (initially independent before label signing) prove that independent artists can break into Spotify’s top charts.
Distribution platforms such as DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby allow indie artists to upload music to Spotify, meaning plaques are achievable if songs go viral.
Some independent artists also buy custom plaques from third-party sellers to celebrate personal milestones (like 1 million streams). While these aren’t official Spotify awards, they still act as motivational keepsakes.
The Psychology Behind Spotify Plaques
Artists crave recognition, and fans love tangible symbols of success. A Spotify plaque represents more than just numbers:
Validation: It confirms an artist’s music is resonating with millions worldwide.
Marketing Tool: Social media posts featuring plaques often go viral, boosting streams even further.
Motivation: For independent musicians, plaques act as milestones that encourage further creation.
Spotify plaques work much like YouTube’s Creator Awards (Silver Play Button at 100K subscribers, Gold at 1M, etc.), reinforcing community-driven recognition.
FAQs
Q: Do you need 1 billion streams to get a Spotify plaque?
A: Not always. While billion-stream songs get official Spotify plaques, many artists have received plaques for 100 million or 500 million streams as well.
Q: Can fans buy Spotify plaques?
A: Yes, but these are unofficial. Websites like MusicPlaques or TrophySmash sell replicas for personal use. Official plaques only come directly from Spotify.
Q: Are Spotify plaques the same as RIAA certifications?
A: No. RIAA awards are based on sales equivalents (downloads, physical albums, streams), while Spotify plaques only reflect streams on Spotify’s platform.
Q: How long does it take to get a Spotify plaque?
A: This depends on the artist’s popularity. Top-tier artists like Taylor Swift can reach 100 million streams within weeks of release, while indie artists may take years (if ever).
Q: What happens when a song reaches the Billions Club?
A: Spotify adds the track to its official “Billions Club” playlist and often sends the artist a commemorative plaque.
Conclusion
So, how many streams to get a plaque from Spotify? There’s no single answer, but generally plaques are awarded at 100 million, 500 million, and especially 1 billion streams. These awards aren’t the same as RIAA certifications—they’re celebratory, not regulatory—but they carry huge cultural weight.
For artists, a Spotify plaque is both recognition and marketing gold. For fans, it’s proof that the music they love has reached a global audience. Whether you’re chasing your first million streams as an independent musician or following your favorite superstar into the Billions Club, the Spotify plaque stands as one of the most iconic achievements in today’s streaming-first music industry.
