Restrictions on claimed music

Copyright holders decide how they want their music to be used on YouTube. The copyright holder's policies will affect whether and how your video is made available. If you use music in your video, you may get a Content ID claim telling you that you used copyrighted content.

Here's what each policy means:

  • Monetize: The copyright holder has chosen to monetize this music, so ads may appear on your video. Sometimes, the copyright holder may elect to share some of that revenue with you. Even if this policy is applied, the video may not be available everywhere or on all devices.
  • Block worldwide: One or more copyright holders doesn't allow the use of this music on YouTube. If you use this music, your video may be muted or may be entirely unavailable on YouTube.
  • Block in some countries/regions: One or more copyright holders have restricted the countries/regions in which this music is available on YouTube. If you use this music, your video won't be viewable where the music is blocked on YouTube.

Note: Copyright holders can change their policies and issue copyright takedown notices under certain circumstances. Your video's status could change in the future and may even be removed from YouTube. A removal can happen when the copyright owner makes a different decision in your individual case. Changes to the policy that applies to the music in your video can also cause a removal. Learn more about Content ID.

These policies do not apply off the YouTube platform. The policies may differ when we believe that you've uploaded a full album or most of an album. If you have questions about your use of music, you may wish to consult a qualified attorney.

Get permission to use someone else's content

If you plan to include copyright-protected material in your video, you’ll generally need to seek permission to do so first. YouTube cannot grant you these rights. We can’t assist creators in finding and contacting the parties who may grant them to you. If you have questions about the use of copyright-protected material, you may wish to consult a qualified attorney.

YouTube's Audio Library has royalty-free music that creators can use in their YouTube videos.
 

Options for using music in your videos

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