The Independent Albums chart (previously titled Top Independent Albums) ranks the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays (EPs) in the United States, as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine.
In addition, exclusive album titles which are only sold through individual retail sites may also be included in the chart, following a revised chart policy announced on November 7, 2007.
[5] Since 2002, Billboard.biz has annually published an end-of-year list of the top 50 best selling independent albums.
Billboard also independently announced the highest selling album for 2001.
Jason Aldean has topped this chart five times since its inception, twice with his 2009 album Wide Open.