So, you’ve made a cool video for YouTube. You’ve got the edits down, the effects are perfect… but now you want some awesome music to push it to the next level. Sounds great! But wait—can you just use any song you find online? Not quite. Music is often protected by copyright, and using it without permission can get your video taken down—or worse, your channel struck.
TL;DR: To legally use music on YouTube, you need permission or a license unless the track is royalty-free or in the public domain. YouTube offers some free tunes in its Audio Library. Licensed music can still earn ad money—but not always for you. And no, giving “credit” in the description doesn’t make it legal!
Understanding the Basics
What is copyrighted music? Basically, it’s any music someone owns the rights to. That could be the artist, a label, or a music publisher. If they own it, you can’t use it in your videos without their permission or a proper license.
Here’s the catch: Most music you hear every day is copyrighted. That includes the latest chart-toppers, soundtracks, and even background music from games and shows.
Why Should You Care?
- Your video could get muted, blocked, or removed.
- You might get a copyright strike. Too many of those and—poof!—your channel is gone.
- You could face legal trouble or have your video monetized by someone else.
Not fun, right?
Option 1: Use the YouTube Audio Library
This is the easiest and safest way. YouTube offers a huge library of free music and sound effects you can use without worrying about copyright. Some tracks may ask for attribution (“credit”), but most are free to use for anything.
Visit the YouTube Audio Library and search by genre, mood, or instrument. Easy peasy!
Option 2: Use Royalty-Free Music
Royalty-free doesn’t mean “free” all the time. It usually means you pay once and use the music as many times as you want. Often used by YouTubers, vloggers, or video creators who want custom tunes without breaking the bank.
Popular royalty-free music platforms:
- Epidemic Sound – Monthly subscription with access to thousands of tracks.
- Artlist – One-time yearly payment, unlimited downloads.
- SoundStripe – Great for commercial use and licensed peace of mind.
Just remember: always read the license terms to make sure you’re covered.
Option 3: Get Permission
Love a song so much you just have to use it? Then you might need to get permission straight from the source.
This isn’t always easy. You may have to reach out to the artist, their record label, or a music licensing company. They might charge a fee or decline altogether—but sometimes, they’ll say yes!
Here’s what you need to look for:
- Sync License – Lets you use music with video.
- Master License – Covers the actual recording of the song.
Getting both is often necessary. For big-name tunes, this can be pricey and complicated—but doable if your project has the budget.
Option 4: Use Public Domain or Creative Commons Music
The public domain is music whose copyright has expired or was never copyrighted. You can use this music freely—no permission needed.
Some examples of public domain music include:
- Classical music from composers like Mozart or Beethoven
- Folk songs from the 1800s
But watch out! Even though the composition is public domain, a modern recording of it might still be copyrighted.
Another option is Creative Commons music. These are tracks that artists share with guidelines. Some let you use it for free in anything, some only for non-commercial stuff, and others require attribution.
Check out sites like:
A Creative Commons license could say:
- “You can use this track for free, just credit me ‘John Doe – Guitar Waves’.”
What If I Only Use a Few Seconds?
Good question! There’s a myth going around that using less than 10 seconds of a song is totally legal. This is false. Copyright violation is about whether you used protected content—not how much of it you used.
Even a short clip can get flagged. Happens all the time. Classic YouTube trap!
What About Fair Use?
Ah, yes. The mysterious world of fair use. It lets you use copyrighted content without permission in certain limited situations—like parody, commentary, criticism, or education.
But here’s the twist: Fair use is risky. It’s not a right; it’s a legal defense. That means a judge decides if your video is fair use—only after you’ve been sued.
Ask yourself:
- Am I transforming the original work or just copying it?
- Is it for profit?
- How much of the song am I using?
- Does my use hurt the value of the original?
If you’re unsure, best to steer clear—or get advice from a copyright attorney.
Monetization Rules
YouTube uses a system called Content ID to spot copyrighted music. If a match is found, the copyright owner can:
- Mute your video’s audio
- Block your video worldwide
- Monetize your video (yes, they get the ad money you earned!)
Using licensed or royalty-free music can help keep ad revenue on your side. Otherwise, say goodbye to those sweet, sweet monetization bucks!
How to Check a Song Before Using It
Want to make sure you’re in the clear? Use YouTube’s Music Policies tool. It’ll tell you what happens if you use a specific song—whether it’s allowed, blocked, or monetized by someone else.
Super handy before uploading your video.
Creating Your Own Music
If you’re musically gifted—or know someone who is—you can create your own tunes! Even simple background beats work great, and no one can claim ownership.
A few tools for DIY creators:
- GarageBand (Mac)
- FL Studio
- Soundtrap by Spotify
This gives you full rights and ultimate creative control.
Wrapping It All Up
You’ve got options—lots of them!
- Use YouTube’s Audio Library
- Pay for royalty-free music
- Get permission if you’re going big
- Look for Creative Commons or Public Domain music
Just don’t assume you can use any tune you like, even for a second. Copyright bots never sleep!
Pro tip: Save yourself time and stress by planning your music ahead of editing. Trust us, scrambling to replace a pulled song a day before your upload is no fun.
Now go make awesome videos—legally!
