Using figures compiled from VGMdb, I looked to see how exactly how important Digital Releases are to the sum of music.
Code:
Year DR/Total Percent
2012* 218/1435 15.19%
2011 561/3365 16.67%
2010 408/3516 11.60%
2009 331/3406 9.72%
2008 330/2801 11.78%
2007 279/2368 11.78%
2006 149/2148 6.94%
2005 77/1746 4.41%
2004 42/1594 2.63%
2003 23/1224 1.88%
2002 19/ 964 1.97%
*(as of Jun 14, 2012)
While the increase is not overwhelming in the last few years, it's worth admiring. Now, there may be some skewed figures. This does not include albums which are not listed on VGMdb. Furthermore, the counts include Bootlegs (more prevalent on CD?), and everything else for that matter.
I thought it was interesting to look at on behalf of VGMdb. As everyone knows, in order to survive in the business world, you have to adapt and innovate with the times, and can't just catch up after everyone else has moved on. I've seen a lot of new practices with digital albums: Releases through multiple venues/publishers. Different versions that are similarly labeled. Tracks being added to albums at later times.
I think in the next few years, we'll have to change some fundamental aspects to not only adapt, but provide some interesting new forms of connectivity. Perhaps track lists that are directly linked to Bandcamp album RSS feeds. Maybe artist music pages that are integrated directly with Soundcloud or BandPage (Facebook). Twitter hashtag alerts for album updates from artist accounts could even happen. Then, whatever new trends and technology is poised for tomorrow, we can be on top of that too.