Content ID is YouTube's automated, scalable system that enables copyright owners to identify YouTube videos that include content that they own.
YouTube only grants Content ID to copyright owners who meet specific criteria. To be approved, you must own exclusive rights to a substantial body of original material that is frequently uploaded by the YouTube user community.
YouTube also sets explicit guidelines on how to use Content ID. We monitor Content ID use and disputes on an ongoing basis to ensure that these guidelines are followed.
As the copyright owner, you provide YouTube with a reference copy of your eligible content. YouTube uses the reference to scan uploaded videos for matching content. When a match is found, YouTube applies your preferred policy: to monetise, track or block the video in question.
The major steps for using Content ID are:
-
Set up your content owner.
When you've been approved for Content ID, your YouTube Partner Manager creates your content owner, which represents you in the YouTube content management system, and grants you access to the Content Manager tools in Creator Studio. You need to configure your content owner account. Depending on your needs, you may associate an AdSense for YouTube account with the content owner or grant additional users access to the Content Manager tools.
-
Deliver content to YouTube.
You add your copyrighted content to the YouTube content management system by delivering reference files (audio, visual or audiovisual) and metadata that describes the content and which territories you own it in.
For each item that you deliver, YouTube creates an asset in the content management system. Depending on the type of content and your chosen delivery method, YouTube also creates a viewable YouTube video, a reference for Content ID matching, or both.
-
Content ID scans user uploads and identifies matches.
Content ID continuously compares new uploads to the references for your assets. Matching videos are automatically claimed on behalf of the asset, and your specified match policy is applied to the claimed videos before they are published on YouTube.
Content ID also performs a 'legacy scan' to identify matching videos uploaded before your asset was created. Recent uploads and popular videos are scanned first. -
Manage and monitor your content.
Content Manager includes a To Dos list for actions such as reviewing claims and resolving ownership conflicts. You also have access to analytics, revenue reports and a full range of content management tools.