Music Licensing for YouTube Videos — Avoid Copyright Strikes
Using music in your YouTube videos without the correct licence can result in copyright claims, lost revenue, or video removal. This guide explains your options for legally using music on YouTube.
Types of Music Licences for YouTube
- Synchronisation (Sync) Licence — Allows you to use a song in a video. Must be obtained directly from the music publisher.
- Master Recording Licence — Allows use of a specific recording of a song. Must be obtained from the record label.
- Royalty-Free Licence — Pay once, use indefinitely. Available from services like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Musicbed.
- Creative Commons Licence — Free to use with attribution, within the terms of the specific CC licence.
- YouTube Audio Library — Free music and sound effects provided by YouTube, pre-cleared for use on the platform.
Best Free Music Sources for YouTube
- YouTube Audio Library — The safest option. All tracks are pre-approved for YouTube use.
- Free Music Archive (FMA) — Large collection of Creative Commons music.
- ccMixter — Community-created music licensed under Creative Commons.
- Incompetech (Kevin MacLeod) — Royalty-free music with attribution.
- Pixabay Music — Free music with no attribution required.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a paid download gives YouTube rights — it does not.
- Assuming "fair use" covers any music use.
- Not checking the specific terms of "free" music licences.
- Using music from other YouTube videos without verifying the licence.
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