You're missing the point as far as the whole "the industry has the power thing" and you're taking it out of the context of the charts (where the industry has little to no control over consumers) by mentioning that the industry releases music. They release, but out of those releases they don't determine what the public pays for. Consumers control the charts; without consumption there would be nothing to chart and without the consumers' interest no songs would rank higher. Drawing from that, sales are the more reliable way to determine consumer interest, not radio.
The RIAA is a part of the industry. Their certifications program is based on the success of tracks which is in turn based on consumer intent. The RIAA, a part of the industry and an organization that certifies for success, does not certify based on radio impressions; that is because radio impressions do not generate revenue for the artist or label based on consumer intent. Revenue for the label and artist based on consumer intent is generated by sales and by streaming.
All they do is certify, they don't control anything else or any kind of significant charts. You misewell throw VEVO Certified in the mix.
