Billboard will now take paid-for streams into account in compiling its Hot 100 chart.
The move is the biggest shake up in the US charts since the inclusion of digital downloads and will see plays from Spotify, Rhapsody and others count towards a song's chart position.
The overhaul is a venture between Billboard, stat stans Nielsen SoundScan and American record industry body the National Association of Recording Merchandisers.
Streams will be included in chart tallies for the first time on Wednesday when Billboard will also launch a new On-Demand Songs chart. The LA Times report that Nielsen SoundScan captured 4.5 billion streams in the first 70 days of this year.