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This is a '''list of the best-selling music artists''' of all time. The measure is the total number of singles and albums sold world-wide (singles and albums weighted equally, paid digital downloads included too). This is a '''list of the best-selling music artists''' of all time. The measure is the total number of singles and albums sold world-wide (singles and albums weighted equally, paid digital downloads included too).


Warning: The claims made on this page are only as reliable as the references given. In certain cases on this list, sources are not given at all. Furthermore, the references themselves may be based on estimates made by non-reliable sources such as news articles, fan sites, record label statements (not worldwide), etc. In reality, building such a list from a neutral point of view and based on facts, is quite difficult. However, a group of Misplaced Pages editors are working hard to make sure this list is as accurate as possible. NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS HIGHLY INACCURATE AND MANY NOTABLE EXCLUSIONS EXIST (I.E. MARIAH CAREY), BUT REVISIONS ARE IN PROCESS NOW AND AN UPDATED LIST WILL BE POSTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. Warning: The claims made on this page are only as reliable as the references given. In certain cases on this list, sources are not given at all. Furthermore, the references themselves may be based on estimates made by non-reliable sources such as news articles, fan sites, record label statements (not worldwide), etc. In reality, building such a list from a neutral point of view and based on facts, is quite difficult. However, a group of Misplaced Pages editors are working hard to make sure this list is as accurate as possible. NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS HIGHLY INACCURATE AND MANY NOTABLE EXCLUSIONS

{| class="wikitable"
!# !! Name !! Albums !! align="center" | Worldwide Sales !! Nationality !! Years Active !! Genre !! Source

|- align="center"
| 1 || align="left" |] || 19 || align="right" | WMA's "Best Selling Artist Ever" || ] ||70s-00s || R&B/Rock/Pop||
|- align="center"
| 2 || align="left" |] || || align="right" | 400,000,000+ ||] || 60-70s, 90s || Pop/Rock || EMI/Guinness estimate ||
|- align="center"
| 3 ||align="left" |] || || align="right" | 300,000,000 ||] ||50-60-70s || Rock, Country ||
|- align="center"
| 4 || align="left" |] || 12 || align="right" | ~300,000,000 <!-- It's very unlikely that Led Zeppelin sold just as much singles as they did albums (200m) as they were an AOR artist.--> || ] || 60s-70s (1969-1979)|| Rock ||
See also: Discussion #1
|- align="center"
| 5 || align="left" |] || 16 || align="right" | ~275,000,000|| ] || || Rock/Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 6 || align="left" |] || 450 || align="right" | ~250,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1959-) || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 7 || align="left" |] || 60+|| align="right" | 250,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s (1958-2005) || Rock/Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 8 || align="left" |] || 54 || align="right" | ~230,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1964-1981) || Rock || 60.5 million in the US
|- align="center"
| 9 || align="left" |] || 14 || align="right" | ~230,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 10 || align="left" |] || 43 || align="right" | ~220,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1972-1976,1989-1991,1997-) || Rock/Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 11 || align="left" |] || 21 || align="right" | ~220,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1990-) || Rock/Pop ||
]
See also: Discussion #1
|- align="center"
| 12 || align="left" | ] || 21 || align="right" | ~200,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1970-1983,1994-1995) || Rock || 73 Mil US ||
|- align="center"
| 13 || align="left" |] ||10||align="right"|~200,000,000|| ] || 80s-00s || Rock || 57 mil US ||
|- align="center"
| 14 || align="left" |] || 80 || align="right" | ~200,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1969-) || Latino Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 15 || align="left" |] || 22 || align="right" | ~190,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1975-1995) || Rock ||
]
See also: discussion #11
|- align="center"
| 16 || align="left" |] || 10 || align="right" | ~180,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1985-2000) || R&B/Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 17 || align="left" |] || 30 || align="right" | ~180,000,000 || ]/]|| 70s-00s (1980-1992) || Rock || ]
]
|- align="center"
| 18 || align="left" |] || 26 || align="right" | 160,000,000 || ] || 70s-80s (1974-1982) || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 19 ||align="left" |] || 88 || align="right" | +150,000,000 || ] || 60s-80s (1969-1988) || R&B/Pop/Motown/Disco ||]]
|- align="center"
| 20 || align="left" |] || 11 || align="right" | ~150,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1983-) || Rock || 50.5m.US
|- align="center"
| 21 || align="left" | ] || 45 || align="right" | ~150,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1968-1976, 1984-) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 22 || align="left" |] || 16 || align="right" | ~145,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1989-2001)|| Country || 105m.US
|- align="center"
| 23 || align = "left" | ] || 41 || align = "right" | 136,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1969-2004) || Rock ||
|-align="center"
| 24 ||align="left" | ] || 11 || align="right" | 130,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1982-) || R&B/Pop/Calypso || ]
|- align="center"
| 25 ||align="left" | ] || 30 || align="right" | ~120,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1967-) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 26 ||align="left" | ] || 13 || align="right" | ~120,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1984-1986,1998-)|| Eurodance/Euro Disco || BMG June 2003
|- align="center"
| 27 ||align="left" | ] || 15 || align="right" | ~120,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1974-1979)|| Rock || 89 million in US
|- align="center"
| 28 ||align="left" |] (韦唯) || || align="right" | ~120,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1986-) || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 29 ||align="left" | ] || 29 || align="right" | 110,000,000 || ]/] || 60s-00s (1975-1979) || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 30 ||align="left" | ] || 13 || align="right" | ~110,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1986-2000) || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 32 ||align="left" | ] || 43 || align="right" | 105,000,000+ || ] ||60s-00s (1977-1983) ||Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 33 ||align="left" | ] || 27 || align="right" | 100,000,000+ || ] ||70s-00s || Metal ||
|- align="center"
| 34 ||align="left" | ] || 56 || align="right" | 100,000,000+ || ] || 60s-00s (1963-1980) || popular || 70.5 million in US
|- align="center"
| 35 ||align="left" |] || 37 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 36 ||align="left" |] || 15 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1976-) || Rock/Pop|| *(10m.US)
|- align="center"
| 37 ||align="left" |] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s || Pop/Standards || ]
|- align="center"
| 38 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-80s (1958-1961) || Pop/Country/Rock || '''Note''': no references given here
|- align="center"
| 39 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1972-) || Opera ||
|- align="center"
| 40 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-60s (1958-1963) || Pop/Country ||'''Note''': No references given here
|- align="center"
| 41 ||align="left" | ] || 750+ || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1982-) || Classical ||
|-
| 42 ||align="left" | ] || 92 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1992-) || Classical ||
|- align="center"
| 43 ||align="left" | ] || 8 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1981-1985) || R&B || 21.0 mililion in US
|- align="center"
| 44 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 100,000,000+ || ] || 60s-00s (1981-1983)|| Country || '''Note''': No one is disputing these references anymore, so there is no reason to leave long messages in this column
|- align="center"
| 45 ||align="left" | ] || 29 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-90s (1977-1983) || ]|| ]
|- align="center"
| 46 ||align="left" | ] || 28 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1993-1998) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 47 ||align="left" | ] || 24 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1978-1983,1989-1993) || Rock || 78 mil.US,
|- align="center"
| 48 ||align="left" | ] || 43 || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ]/] ||60s-00s (1975-1990) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 49 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s|| Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 50 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~100,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s|| Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 51 ||align="left" | ] || 6 || align="right" | ~90,000,000+ || ] || 90s-00s (1999-2000) || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 52 ||align="left" | ] || 50+ || align="right" | ~90,000,000+ || ] || 50s-00s (1959-)|| Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 53 ||align="left" | ] || 21 || align="right" | ~90,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1980-1995,2002-)|| Rock || *(61 mil. albums US)
|- align="center"
| 54 ||align="left" | ] || 14 || align="right" | ~90,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1987-1988) || Rock|| 55.5mil.US
|- align="center"
| 55 ||align="left" | ] || 50 || align="right" | ~90,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1965-1976) || Rock || *35m.US,
|- align="center"
| 56 ||align="left" | ] || 30 || align="right" | 90,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1975) ||R&B/Funk/Disco/Pop || *(23 mil.US) '''Note''': No references given here for 90 million WW figure
|- align="center"
| 57 ||align="left" | ] || 30 || align="right" | ~90,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 58 ||align="left" | ] || 14 || align="right" | ~87,000,000 || ] || 60s-70s (1969-1980) || Rock ||See also: discussion #22
|- align="center"
| 59 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 85,000,000 || ] || 40s-90s || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 59 ||align="left" | ] || 24 || align="right" | ~82,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1980-) ||Rock, Pop, Country || *(48 mil. US), ]
|- align="center"
| 60 ||align="left" | ] || 24 || align="right" | ~85,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1980-) ||Metal || *(32 mil. US),
|- align="center"
| 61 ||align="left" | ] || 19 || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1976-1978) || Synth Pop || See also: discussion #19
|- align="center"
| 62 ||align="left" | ] || 54 || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] ||60s-00s (1970-1972,1999-) || Rock ||]
|- align="center"
| 63 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 50s-80s (1956-1987) || || ] See also: discussion #19
|- align="center"
| 64 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || ||
|- align="center"
| 65 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Traditional Arab, Modern, Pop || *(35 mil. US)
|- align="center"
| 66 ||align="left" | ] || 41 || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1992-1995) || Rock || *(38 mil. US)
|- align="center"
| 67 ||align="left" | ] || 25 || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s (1972-1985) || R&B ||
|- align="center"
| 68 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~80,000,000 || ] || 30's-90's || Folk ||
|- align="center"
| 69 ||align="left" | ] || 5 || align="right" | 76,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1999-) || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 70 ||align="left" | ] || 3 || align="right" | ~76,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1996-2000) || Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 71 ||align="left" | ] || 27 || align="right" | ~75,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1981) || Rock/Pop || 40mil.US,
|- align="center"
| 72 ||align="left" | ] || 41 || align="right" | ~75,000,000+ || ] || 60s-00s (1970-1989) || Rock || '''Note''': no reference given here
|- align="center"
| 73 ||align="left" | ] || 13 || align="right" | 74,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1981-2005) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 74 ||align="left" | ] || 6 || align="right" | ~73,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s (1999-) || Country/Pop ||'''Note''': No references given here
|- align="center"
| 75 ||align="left" | ] || 28 || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1993-1997) || Rock ||'''Note''': No references given here
|- align="center"
| 76 ||align="left" | ] || 10 || align="right" | 70,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1985-1993,2000-) || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 77 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 70,000,000 || ] || 60s-80s (1970-1975) || Pop/Rock || reference needed
|- align="center"
| 78 ||align="left" | ]|| || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1988-1991) || Latino Pop || ],
|- align="center"
| 79 ||align="left" | ] || 5 || align="right" | 70,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1988-1991) || New Age/Celtic || '''Note''': No references given here for WW figure
|- align="center"
| 80 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || ||
|- align="center"
| 81 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Country || ]
|- align="center"
| 82 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1974-1976) || Pop/Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 83 ||align="left" | ] || 14 || align="right" | ~70,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s (1984-1996) || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 84 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 65,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1987-1994,2000-) || Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 85 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~65,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Country || *54 mil. US
|- align="center"| ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Pop/R&B/Disco ||
|- align="center"
| 86 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 65,000,000 || ] ||90s-00s (2000-) ||Rap || *(22 mil. US)
|- align="center"
| 87 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 60,000,000+ || ] || 90s-00s (1994-) || Rap ||
|- align="center"
| 88 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 60,000,000 || ] ||70s-00s (1980-1997) || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 89 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s (1981-1998) ||Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 90 ||align="left" | ] || 8 || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 80s-90s (1987-1991) || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 91 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Pop/Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 93 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s-70s|| Rock ||*(30 mil. US)
|- align="center"
| 94 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| R&B ||
|- align="center"
| 95 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 30s-00s || Vocal ||
|- align="center"
| 96 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 40s-90s || Vocal || *(25 mil.US)
|- align="center"
| 97 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s || Rock || *(36mil.US)
|- align="center"
| 98 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s ||Alternative || *(29 mil. US)
|- align="center"
| 99 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s ||Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 100 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 60s-90s || Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 101 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 40s-00s || Country ||'''Note''': no reference provided
|- align="center"
| 102 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 60,000,000+ || ] || 70s-00s || Pop/Standards ||
|- align="center"
| 103 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s ||R&B/Pop|| *(27mil.US),
|- align="center"
| 104 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~60,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 105 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~55,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 106 ||align="left" | ] || 4 || align="right" | 55,000,000+ || ] || 90s-00s || R&B|| ]
|- align="center"
| 107 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *53,000,000 || ] || 70s-80s || Rock || 22m.US,
|- align="center"
| 108 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *52,000,000 || ] ||80s-90s ||Rock || 24m.US
|- align="center"
| 109 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 52,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 110 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 55,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Latin Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 111 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 52,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Classic || ]
|- align="center"
| 112 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~51,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s || Standards/Jazz ||
|- align="center"
| 113 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Country || 46m.US
|- align="center"
| 114 ||align="left" | ] || 4 || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 115 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *~50,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s ||Rock || 22m.US,
|- align="center"
| 116 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | *~50,000,000 || ]/] ||70s-90s || Rock/Pop || 36m.US
|- align="center"
| 117 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~57,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 118 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s||Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 119 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Country/Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 120 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s ||Alternative|| '''Note''': this artist is NOT listed as one of the 200 best-selling artists by RIAA
|- align="center"
| 121 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 122 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 30s-60s|| Jazz ||
|- align="center"
| 123 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 60s, 90s-00s || Rock/Pop/Folk ||
|- align="center"
| 124 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Rock || 50mil.US
|- align="center"
| 125 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 60s-70s || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 126 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Rock ||
|- align="center"
| 127 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 70s-90s|| || ]
|- align="center"
| 127 ||align="left" | ] || 400+ || align="right" | ~50,000,000+ || ] || 60s-00s || Pop || Greek gvt,official culture award 2003.
|- align="center"
| 128 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s|| || ]
|- align="center"
| 129 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~50,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Pop/Dance ||
|- align="center"
| 130 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 48,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 131 ||align="left" | ] (劉德華) || || align="right" | 48,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 132 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 46,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || J-Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 133 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 46,000,000 || ] || 50s-00s || IRS ||
|- align="center"
| 134 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 45,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s ||Pop || ]
|- align="center"
| 135 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~48,000,000 || ] || 90s || Rap || *(38mil.US)
|- align="center"
| 136 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~45,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s|| Pop/Rock/Dance ||
|- align="center"
| 137 ||align="left" | ] |||| align="right" | 45,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s ||Pop/Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 138 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 44,000,000 || ] || 80s-00s || Rock ||
|- align="center"

| 140 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 43,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s|| ] ||
|- align="center"
| 141 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 42,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s||Rock || *(30 mil. US)
|- align="center"
| 142 ||align="left" | ] || 4 || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 90s-00s || Rock || ]
|- align="center"
| 143 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 40,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s || Mexican ||
|- align="center"
| 144 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | +40,000,000 || ] || || Country ||
|- align="center"
| 145 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 40,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Pop ||
|- align="center"
| 146 ||align="left" | ] || 15 || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 70s-00s|| Metal || ]
|- align="center"
| 147 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Rock || *(20mil.US)
|- align="center"
| 148 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 60s-00s || Metal || *(27mil.US)
|- align="center"
| 149 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | ~40,000,000 || ] || 60s-70s || Rock || *13.5mil.US
|- align="center"
| 150 ||align="left" | ] || || align="right" | 40,000,000 || ] || 60s-90s (1961-1996) || Rock ||

Revision as of 12:42, 29 December 2005

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This is a list of the best-selling music artists of all time. The measure is the total number of singles and albums sold world-wide (singles and albums weighted equally, paid digital downloads included too).

Warning: The claims made on this page are only as reliable as the references given. In certain cases on this list, sources are not given at all. Furthermore, the references themselves may be based on estimates made by non-reliable sources such as news articles, fan sites, record label statements (not worldwide), etc. In reality, building such a list from a neutral point of view and based on facts, is quite difficult. However, a group of Misplaced Pages editors are working hard to make sure this list is as accurate as possible. NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS HIGHLY INACCURATE AND MANY NOTABLE EXCLUSIONS