What is YouTube Content ID?

Content ID  is YouTube's automated, scalable system that enables copyright owners to identify YouTube videos that include content 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 these guidelines are followed.
Content ID is simply the ability to monetize your music on 3rd party videos. In other words, any use of your audio in a video from a channel you do not own.

WHO CAN USE CONTENT ID?
As long as you have 100% exclusive rights to the audio content you are claiming you can enable content ID for your track. If any part of your release is in the "non-exclusive content" list, you are not eligible for Content ID. 

DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUTUBE CONTENT ID?
To have Content ID you don't need to pay the extra money, it's already included in our  Trac Pro subscription and also available for "Pay as you Go" releases

WHAT IS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT?
Exclusive content is any track that does not contain a free or leased beat. Any audio content that is widely used cannot be claimed for YouTube content ID.

Here are some examples of non-exclusive content (which will NOT be accepted)

  • “Best of" playlists, compilations;
  • Mashups, DJ mixes, and remixes of other works;
  • Music or video for which you hold non-exclusive rights;
  • Recordings of performances (including concerts, events, speeches, shows);
  • Public domain content (traditional music and songs, prayers, Christmas carols, etc.);
  • Karaoke tracks;
  • Sound effects and generic sounds;
  • Re-recordings of classical compositions;
  • Unlicensed music and videos.

Here are some more examples of content that cannot be delivered with Content ID
  • Electronic/EDM instrumental tracks
  • Hip-hop/trap instrumental tracks
  • Latin/Urban instrumental tracks
  • Looped instrumentals
  • Computer-generated or AI-generated music (this will not even be approved for release by Trac)
  • Cover songs or mashups
  • Remixes
  • Songs in the public domain
  • Tracks with sounds or loops that you did not create yourself, i.e. sounds or loops downloaded or purchased from DAWs, sample packs, or sound libraries (such as Looperman, Splice, Garageband, Ableton, etc.)

NOTE: Even if it's legal for you to use these sounds, it's not possible to add Content ID to any tracks including any of these things.

WARNING: YouTube takes Content ID very seriously, which is why all of our CID (Content ID) users must abide to their conditions. If these are not met, you will not be allowed to submit to CID, and your Trac account may be terminated, or worse, you may be held accountable to YouTube for any copyright infringement or legal disputes.
Below is an example of what Content ID looks like

Still need help? Contact Us Contact Us