It turns out that streaming numbers cannot alone send one to the No. 1 Artist of the year title. No matter the size of her stages, Billboard's Greatest Pop Artist of 2025, is not Taylor Swift.

Since October 2025, Taylor Swift's name has been taking on every possible chart, and several of Billboard's, as well. 'The Life of a Showgirl' had come in late, but made up for Swift's pause earlier last year with chart-topping tracks.

Billboard's Greatest Pop Stars of 2025 list, however, ranked the songstress as only the 2nd biggest. Apart from being markedly editorial and not audience-influenced, Taylor Swift's half-yearly attendance seems to have kept her from taking the No. 1 spot, which is yet to be announced.

Taylor Swift is closely followed by Lady Gaga (No.3), Kendrick Lamar (No.4), Sabrina Carpenter (No.5), and the K-Pop Demon Hunters Cast (No.6). Tate McRae, Morgan Wallen, Doechii, and Tyler, the Creator take up the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th places on the Billboard list. The 1st place will be announced on January 30, 2026.

Despite not topping it, it was Billboard's very chart records that Taylor Swift bashed in only 2 months.

Taylor Swift Billboard bash

In 2025, Taylor Swift achieved unprecedented Billboard chart success, headlined by her album 'The Life of a Showgirl'. Being her 12th album so far, it broke the all-time first-week record, selling over 4 million units.

The album earned her a 15th No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and secured her fifth year-end chart crown. Her record now stands as being the only act with more than three year-end No. 1 albums. Overall, 'The Life of a Showgirl' spent 12 nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. 

Swift now lingers in the purgatory of second place on Billboard's Greatest Pop Artists of 2025 list. With her 2026 littered with era-turning engagements and football matches, who is to say she might not maintain her place?

What do you think of Taylor Swift not being the No. 1 Greatest Pop Artist of 2025? Let us know in the comments below!

Written by

Adiba Nizami

Edited by

Hriddhi Maitra