List of best-selling albums

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

This is a list of the world's best-selling albums of recorded music. The criteria are that the figure must have been published by a reliable source and the album must have sold at least 20 million copies worldwide. This list can contain any types of albums, including studio albums, greatest hits, compilations, various artists, soundtracks and remixes. The figures given do not take into account the resale of used albums.

All albums included on this list have their available claimed figure(s) supported by at least 30% in certified copies. The percentage amount of certified sales needed increases the newer the album is, so albums released before 1975 are only expected to have their claimed figures supported by at least 30% in certified copies. However, newer albums, such as 21 and Come Away with Me, are expected to have their claimed figures supported by at least 70% in certified copies. Certified copies are sourced from available online databases of local music industry associations. This is the reason why albums that would otherwise make the list, such as The Sound of Music, Parallel Lines, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Spirits Having Flown, Janet, Believe, Bolo Ta Ra Ra, Human Clay, and Back to Black, have not been included.

As a result of the methodology that the American and Canadian certification-awarding bodies (the RIAA and Music Canada respectively) use, each disc in a multi-disc set is counted as one unit toward certification, leading to many double albums on the list—such as Pink Floyd's The Wall and the Beatles' The Beatles—being certified with a number double the number of copies sold there. Such albums have the certifications for the number of copies (not discs) shipped indicated. Conversely, the American certification level for double albums that fit onto one compact disc, such as the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack reflect the actual number of copies sold.

Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 65 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album.^[1][2][3] Although sales estimates for Thriller have been as high as 110 million copies, these sales figures are unreliable.^[4] Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Madonna follows up with four while The Beatles, Celine Dion and Shania Twain each have three.

Groupings are based on different sales benchmarks, the highest being for claims of at least 40 million copies, and the lowest being for claims of 20–29 million copies. Albums are listed in order of number of copies sold and thereafter by the artist's first name. Markets' order within the table is based on the number of compact discs sold in each market, largest market at the top and smallest at the bottom.^[5]

Legend

colors
	Studio albums
	Greatest hits and compilations
	Soundtracks
	Live albums

40 million copies or more

Artist	Album	Released	Genre	Music recording sales certification List of music recording certifications (millions)	Claimed sales (millions)
Michael Jackson	Thriller	1982	Pop, rock, R&B	48.1  * US: 32 million[6] * JPN: 1.8 million[7] * UK: 4.27 million[8] * GER: 1.5 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[10] * CAN: 2 million[11] * AUS: 1.12 million[12] * MEX: 1.6 million[13] * NLD: 800,000[14] * ITA: 100,000[15] * SWE: 400,000[16] * ARG: 500,000[17] * SWI: 300,000[18] * AUT: 400,000[19] * FIN: 119,061[20] * NZ: 180,000[21][22] * IFPI HKG: 15,000[23] | 65-70[1][2][3] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | AC/DC | Back in Black | 1980 | Hard rock | 25.9  * US: 22 million[6] * UK: 100,000[8] * GER: 1 million[9] * FRA: 600,000[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 840,000[12] * ITA: 50,000[15] * ARG: 160,000[24] * SWI: 100,000[18] * AUT: 50,000[19] | 50[25] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Pink Floyd | The Dark Side of the Moon | 1973 | Progressive rock | 22.7  * US: 15 million[6] * UK: 2.7 million[8] * GER: 1 million[9] * FRA: 400,000[10] * CAN: 2 million[11] * AUS: 980,000[12] * ITA: 100,000[15] * ARG: 120,000[24] * POL: 70,000[26] * AUT: 100,000[19] * NZ: 240,000[27] | 45[28][29] |- |- style="background:#EEF7FF" | Whitney Houston / Various artists | The Bodyguard | 1992 | Soundtrack/R&B, soul, pop | 27.4  * US: 17 million[6] * JPN: 2 million[30] * UK: 2.1 million[8] * GER: 1.5 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 350,000[12] * BRA: 750,000[31] * NLD: 100,000[14] * SWE 100,000[16] * SPA: 500,000[32] * ARG: 240,000[24] * SWI: 250,000[18] * AUT: 200,000[19] * NOR: 200,000[33] * FIN: 92,500[20] | 44[34] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Meat Loaf | Bat Out of Hell | 1977 | Hard rock, progressive rock | 20.6  * US: 14 million[6] * UK: 2.1 million[8] * GER: 500,000[9] * CAN: 2 million[11] * AUS: 1.68 million[12] * NZ: 255,000[27] | 43[35] |- |- style="background:#FAFAD2;" | Eagles | Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) | 1976 | Rock, soft rock, folk rock | 32.2  * US: 29 million[6] * UK: 600,000[8] * CAN: 2 million[11] * AUS: 560,000[12] * IFPI HKG: 15,000[23] | 42[36][37] |- |- style="background:#EEF7FF" | Bee Gees / Various artists | Saturday Night Fever | 1977 | Disco | 19  * US: 15 million[6] * UK: 500,000[8] * GER: 1.5 million[9] * FRA: 200,000[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 770,000[38] * HKG: 15,000[23] | 40[39][40] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Fleetwood Mac | Rumours | 1977 | Soft rock | 27.9  * US: 20 million[6] * UK: 3.3 million[8] * GER: 1.25 million[9] * FRA: 300,000[41] * CAN: 2 million[11] * AUS: 910,000[12] * NZ: 150,000[42] * HKG: 15,000[23] | 40[43][44] |} 30–39 million copies Artist Album Released Genre Music recording sales certification List of music recording certifications (millions) Claimed sales (millions) Shania Twain Come On Over 1997 Country, pop 29.6  * US: 20 million[6] * JPN: 100,000 [7] * UK: 3.3 million[8] * GER: 750,000[9] * FRA: 300,000[41] * CAN: 2 million[11] * AUS: 1.05 million[12] * BRA: 100,000[31] * MEX: 100,000[13] * NLD: 400,000[14] * ITA: 50,000[15] * SWE 180,000[16] * SPA: 100,000[32] * BEL: 100,000[45][46] * ARG: 120,000[24] * SWI: 150,000[18] * AUT: 25,000[19] * NOR: 300,000[33] * DEN: 100,000[47] * FIN: 38,958[20] * NZ: 315,000[22] | 39[48][49] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin IV | 1971 | Hard rock, heavy metal | 29.0  * US: 23 million[6] * UK: 1.8 million[8] * GER: 750,000[9] * FRA: 600,000[41] * CAN: 2 million[11] * AUS: 560,000[12] * BRA: 100,000[31] * NLD: 100,000[14] * ARG: 60,000[24] * SWI: 50,000[18] | 37[50] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Michael Jackson | Bad | 1987 | Pop, funk, rock | 20.3  * US: 9 million[6] * JPN: 1,000,000[51] * UK: 3.9 million[8] * GER: 2 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[10] * ITA: 1 million [52] * CAN: 700,000[11] * AUS: 420,000[12] * MEX: 350,000[13] * SWE 200,000[16] * SPA: 300,000[32] * AUT: 200,000[19] * FIN: 51,287[20] * NZ: 135,000[53] * IFPI HKG: 15,000[23] | 34-45[54] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Alanis Morissette | Jagged Little Pill | 1995 | Alternative rock | 24.8  * US: 16 million[6] * UK: 3 million[8] * GER: 1 million[9] * FRA: 300,000[41] * CAN: 2 million[11] * AUS: 980,000[12] * BRA: 500,000[31] * NLD: 400,000[14] * SWE 200,000[16] * ARG: 60,000[24] * POL: 50,000[26] * SWI: 50,000[18] * NOR: 50,000[33] * AUT: 100,000[19] * FIN: 65,860[20] | 33[55] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Celine Dion | Falling into You | 1996 | Pop, Soft rock | 20.2  * US: 11 million[6] * JPN: 800,000[7] * UK: 2.1 million[8] * GER: 1.25 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[41] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 910,000[12] * BRA: 100,000[31] * NLD: 600,000[14] * SWE: 200,000[16] * SPA: 200,000[32] * BEL: 200,000[45] * ARG: 60,000[24] * POL: 100,000[26] * SWI: 150,000[18] * NOR: 150,000[33] * AUT: 100,000[19] * FIN: 51,952[20] * NZ: 180,000[21] * HUN: 25,000[56] | 32[57] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | The Beatles | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | 1967 | Rock | 13.1  * US: 11 million[6] * GER: 500,000[9] * CAN: 800,000[11] * AUS: 280,000[12] * BRA: 100,000[31] * ARG: 300,000[24] * NZ: 90,000[22] | 32[58] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Eagles | Hotel California | 1976 | Rock, soft rock, folk rock | 21.5  * US: 16 million[6] * UK: 1.8 million[8] * GER: 500,000[9] * FRA: 1 million[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 560,000[12] * SPA: 400,000[32] * SWI: 100,000[18] * AUT: 25,000[19] * FIN: 30,933[20] * NZ: 135,000[21] * HKG: 15,000[23] | 32[59] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Mariah Carey | Music Box | 1993 | Pop, R&B, Rock | 19.0  * US: 10 million[6] * JPN: 2.2 million[60] * UK: 1.5 million[8] * GER: 1 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[41] * CAN: 700,000[11] * AUS: 860,000[12] * BRA: 100,000[31] * NLD: 600,000[14] * SPA: 400,000[32] * AUT 100,000[61] * SWE 100,000[16] * SWI: 200,000[18] * NOR: 50,000[33] * AUT: 100,000[19] * FIN: 47,382[20] | 32[62][63][64][65] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Michael Jackson | Dangerous | 1991 | Rock, Funk, Pop | 17.6  * US: 7 million[6] * JPN: 400,000[7] * UK: 2 million[66] * GER: 2 million[9] * FRA: 2 million[67] * CAN: 600,000[11] * AUS: 700,000[12] * BRA: 350,000[68] * MEX: 600,000[13] * NLD: 300,000[14] * SWE 300,000[16] * SPA: 600,000[32] * SWI: 250,000[18] * AUT: 200,000[19] * FIN: 61,896[20] * NZ: 90,000[22] * CHI: 125,000[69] * MAL: 175,000[70] | 32[71] |- Various artists Dirty Dancing 1987 Pop, rock, R&B 17.9  * US: 11 million[6] * UK: 1.5 million[8] * GER: 2 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 770,000[12] * BRA: 100,000[31] * NLD: 100,000[14] * SWE 100,000[16] * POL: 50,000[26] * SWI: 250,000[18] * HKG: 7,500[23] | 32[72] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Celine Dion | Let's Talk About Love | 1997 | Pop, Soft rock | 19.3  * US: 10 million[6] * JPN: 1 million[7] * UK: 1.8 million[8] * GER: 1.5 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[41] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 420,000[12] * NLD: 500,000[14] * SWE: 240,000[16] * SPA: 400,000[32] * BEL: 200,000[45] * ARG: 120,000[24] * POL: 200,000[26] * SWI: 300,000[18] * NOR: 200,000[33] * AUT: 100,000[19] * FIN: 97,744[20] * NZ: 135,000[73] * HKG: 40,000[23] * URY: 3,000[74] | 31[75] |- |- style="background:#FAFAD2;" | The Beatles | | 2000 | Rock | 21.6  * US: 11 million[6] * JPN: 2 million[7] * UK: 2.4 million[8] * GER: 1.65 million[9] * FRA: 600,000[41] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 700,000[12] * BRA: 250,000[31] * ITA: 50,000[15] * SWE 160,000[16] * SPA: 500,000[32] * ARG: 120,000[24] * POL: 100,000[26] * SWI: 150,000[18] * NOR: 150,000[33] * AUT: 150,000[19] * DEN: 200,000[76] * POR: 120,000[77] * FIN: 77,466[20] * NZ: 225,000[21] | 31[78] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Adele | | 2011 | Pop, soul | 22.3  * US: 11 million[6] * JPN: 100,000[79] * UK: 4.8 million[8] * GER: 1.6 million[9] * CAN: 800,000[11] * AUS: 980,000[12] * MEX: 300,000[13] * NLD: 450,000[80] * ITA: 480,000[15] * SWE: 120,000[81] * SPA: 300,000[32] * ARG: 80,000[82] * BEL: 180,000[46] * POL: 200,000[26] * SWI: 40,000[18] * NOR: 30,000[83] * AUT: 20,000[19] * RUS: 10,000[84] * DEN: 150,000[85] * POR: 40,000[86] * FIN: 83,234[20] * IRE: 270,000[87] * GRE: 6,000[88] * HUN: 12,000[89] * NZ: 180,000[90] * CHI: 20,000[91] * VEN: 10,000[92] 30[93][94] The Beatles Abbey Road 1969 Rock 14.4  * US: 12 million[6] * GER: 500,000[9] * FRA: 150,000[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 210,000[12] * ARG: 500,000[17] * NZ: 75,000[22] | 30[95] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Bruce Springsteen | Born in the U.S.A. | 1984 | Rock | 19.6  * US: 15 million[6] * UK: 900,000[8] * GER: 1 million[9] * FRA: 400,000[41] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 910,000[12] * FIN: 108,913[20] * NZ: 240,000[21] | 30[96] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Dire Straits | Brothers in Arms | 1985 | Rock | 17.7  * US: 9 million[6] * UK: 4.1 million[8] * GER: 500,000[9] * FRA: 1 million[41] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 1.19 million[12] * ARG: 30,000[24] * SWI: 350,000[18] * FIN: 116,784[20] * NZ: 360,000[27] * HKG: 15,000[23] | 30[97][98] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Whitney Houston | Whitney Houston | 1985 | Pop, R&B | 17.2  * US: 13 million[6] * UK: 1.8 million[8] * GER: 500,000[9] * FRA: 100,000[41] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 280,000[12] * NLD: 100,000[14] * SWE 200,000[16] * BEL: 15,000[45] * SWI: 50,000[18] * AUT: 50,000[19] * NOR: 50,000[33] * DEN: 10,000 * FIN: 10,000[20] * NZ: 15,000[21] * HKG: 20,000[23] | 25[99] |- |- style="background:#EEF7FF" | James Horner | Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture | 1997 | Soundtrack | 18.1  * US: 11 million[6] * JPN: 1 million[100] * UK: 900,000[8] * GER: 1.25 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 350,000[12] * NLD: 175,000[14] * SWE 160,000[16] * SPA: 400,000[32] * BEL: 150,000[45] * POL: 140,000[26] * ARG: 60,000[24] * SWI: 200,000[18] * AUT: 100,000[19] * NOR: 100,000[33] * FIN: 73,509[20] * NZ: 60,000[101] * HKG: 20,000[23] | 30[102] |- |- style="background:#FAFAD2;" | Madonna | The Immaculate Collection | 1990 | Pop, Dance | 19.4  * US: 10 million[6] * JPN: 800,000[7] * UK: 3.6 million[8] * GER: 750,000[9] * FRA: 1 million[10] * CAN: 700,000[11] * AUS: 840,000[103] * BRA: 500,000[31] * NLD: 300,000[14] * SWE 50,000[16] * SPA: 300,000[32] * ARG: 180,000[24] * SWI: 50,000[18] * AUT: 50,000[19] * DEN: 50,000[104] * FIN: 92,500[20] * NZ: 105,000[21] | 30[105] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Metallica | Metallica | 1991 | Thrash metal, heavy metal | 19.9  * US: 16 million[6] * UK: 300,000[8] * GER: 500,000[9] * FRA: 300,000[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 560,000[12] * MEX: 600,000[13] * NLD: 200,000[14] * ITA: 50,000[15] * SWE 100,000[16] * ARG: 300,000[24] * POL: 50,000[26] * SWI: 100,000[18] * NOR: 50,000[33] * AUT: 100,000[19] * FIN: 112,856[20] * NZ: 150,000[22] | 30[106] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" Nirvana Nevermind 1991 Grunge, alternative rock 16.7  * US: 10 million[6] JPN: 600,000[107] UK: 1.2 million[8] GER: 1 million[9] FRA: 1 million[10] CAN: 1 million[11] AUS: 350,000[12] BRA: 250,000[31] MEX: 200,000[13] ITA: 100,000[15] SWE 200,000[16] ARG: 300,000[24] BEL: 150,000[46] POL: 100,000[26] SWI: 50,000[18] AUT: 50,000[19] FIN: 46,830[20] NZ: 105,000[21] 30[108] Pink Floyd The Wall 1979 Progressive rock 17.6  * US: 11.5 million[6] * UK: 600,000[8] * GER: 2 million[9] * FRA: 1 million[10] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 770,000[12] * ITA: 100,000[15] * ARG: 200,000[109] * POL: 70,000[26] * SWI: 100,000[18] * NZ: 210,000[21] * HKG: 15,000[23] | 30[110] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Santana | Supernatural | 1999 | Rock | 20.5  * US: 15 million[6] * JPN: 200,000 [7] * UK: 600,000[8] * GER: 1 million[9] * FRA: 600,000[41] * CAN: 1 million[11] * AUS: 280,000[12] * BRA: 250,000[31] * MEX: 300,000[13] * NLD: 200,000[14] * SWE 80,000[16] * SPA: 300,000[32] * BEL: 100,000[45] * ARG: 120,000[24] * POL: 100,000[26] * SWI: 200,000[18] * AUT: 100,000[19] * FIN: 50,291[20] * NZ: 60,000[21] | 30[111] |- |- style="background:#FFFFFF;" | Guns N' Roses | Appetite for Destruction | 1987 | Heavy metal, hard rock | 21.3  * US: 18 million[6] * JPN: 200,000[7] * UK: 600,000[8] * GER: 500,000[9] * FRA: 200,000[41] * CAN: 1 million[11] * BRA: 250,000[31] * MEX: 100,000[13] * ITA: 50,000[15] * SWE 50,000[16] * ARG: 180,000[24] * SWI: 50,000[18] * AUT: 50,000[19] * FIN: 25,000[20] | 30[112][113] |} 20–29 million copies Artist Album Released Genre Sales (millions) Source ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits 1992 Pop 29 [114] Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet 1986 Hard rock 28 [115] Spice Girls Spice 1996 Pop 28 [116][117] Various artists Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture 1978 Soundtrack 28 [118] Britney Spears ...Baby One More Time 1999 Pop 28 [119] Linkin Park Hybrid Theory 2000 Nu metal, rap metal, alternative metal 27 [120] Bob Marley & The Wailers Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers 1984 Reggae 25 [121] Carole King Tapestry 1971 Pop 25 [122] Madonna Like a Virgin 1984 Pop, dance 25 [123] Madonna True Blue 1986 Pop 25 [124] Mariah Carey Daydream 1995 Pop, R&B 25 [125] Norah Jones Come Away with Me 2002 Jazz 25 [126] Phil Collins No Jacket Required 1985 Pop, Rock 25 [127] Queen Greatest Hits 1981 Rock 25 [128] Simon & Garfunkel Bridge over Troubled Water 1970 Folk rock 25 [129] U2 The Joshua Tree 1987 Rock 25 [130] Backstreet Boys Backstreet's Back / Backstreet Boys 1997 Pop 24 [131] Backstreet Boys Millennium 1999 Pop 24 [131] Ace of Base Happy Nation/The Sign 1993 Pop 23 [132] TLC CrazySexyCool 1994 R&B, hip hop 23 [133] Ricky Martin Ricky Martin 1999 Latin pop 22 [134] Cyndi Lauper She's So Unusual 1983 New wave, pop rock, synthpop 22 [135] Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory? 1995 Britpop, rock 22 [136] Bon Jovi Cross Road 1994 Hard rock 21 [137] Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP 2000 Rap, hip-hop 21 [138] Avril Lavigne Let Go 2002 Pop rock, alternative rock, post-grunge 20 [139] The Beatles The Beatles 1968 Rock, Pop 20 [140] Boston Boston 1976 Hard rock 20 [141] Britney Spears Oops!... I Did It Again 2000 Pop 20 [142] Eric Clapton Unplugged 1992 Acoustic blues, folk rock 20 [143] Def Leppard Hysteria 1987 Pop, Hard rock 20 [144] Celine Dion The Colour of My Love 1993 Pop / Soft rock 20 [145] George Michael Faith 1987 Pop, R&B 20 [146] Green Day Dookie 1994 Pop punk, punk rock, alternative rock 20 [147] Lionel Richie Can't Slow Down 1983 Pop, R&B, soul 20 [148] Michael Jackson HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I 1995 Pop, rock, R&B 20 [149] Michael Jackson Off the Wall 1979 Soul, disco, R&B 20 [150] Prince & the Revolution Purple Rain 1984 Pop, rock, R&B 20 [151] Shania Twain The Woman in Me 1995 Country, pop 20 [152] Shania Twain Up! 2002 Country, pop, world music 20 Supertramp Breakfast in America 1979 Progressive rock, art rock 20 [153] Tina Turner Private Dancer 1984 Pop, rock, R&B 20 [154][155] Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman 1988 Folk rock 20 [156] Usher Confessions 2004 R&B 20 [157] Various artists Flashdance: Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture 1983 Soundtrack 20 [158] Whitney Houston Whitney 1987 Pop, R&B 20 [159] Shakira Laundry Service 2001 Pop, Rock 20 [134][160][161] Best-selling album by year worldwide The charts of the best-selling albums by year in the world are compiled by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry annually since 2001. These charts are published in their two annual reports, the Digital Music Report and the Recording Industry in Numbers. Units sold include physical copies and digital downloads. Year Album Artist(s) Nationality Sales (in millions) Source 2001 Hybrid Theory Linkin Park  United States 8.5 [162] 2002 The Eminem Show Eminem  United States 13.9 [163] 2003 Come Away with Me Norah Jones  United States 18.0 [164][165] 2004 Confessions Usher  United States 12.0 [166] 2005 X&Y Coldplay  United Kingdom 8.3 [167] 2006 High School Musical Various Artists — 7.0 [168] 2007 High School Musical 2 Various Artists — 6.0 [169] 2008 Viva la Vida Coldplay  United Kingdom 6.8 [170] 2009 I Dreamed a Dream Susan Boyle  United Kingdom 8.3 [171] 2010 Recovery Eminem  United States 5.7 [172] 2011 21 Adele  United Kingdom 18.1 [163] 2012 8.3 [173] 2013 Midnight Memories One Direction  United Kingdom /  Ireland 4.0 [174] 2014 Frozen Various Artists — 10.0 [175] 2015 25 Adele  United Kingdom 17.4 [176] See also List of best-selling albums by country List of best-selling music artists List of best-selling remix albums List of best-selling singles Lists of albums List of best-selling albums of the 21st century References Colin Stutz (ed.). 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