In the world of technology, music is now a massive industry on YouTube as it is one of the most celebrated mediums globally. But, it’s a two-way street: YouTube’s complications can harm content creators, particularly, musicians. Today, musicians tend to receive inadequate compensation as a result of mismanaged claiming and monetizing on their digital content. This could affect their entire livelihood.
Therefore, it is essential for musicians to learn how to claim their music on YouTube properly. With the right knowledge, they can avoid the lapses and get their just payment. This article seeks to reveal some of the methods to implement when seeking to claim your music on YouTube.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before you start to claim your music on YouTube, there are some requirements you need to have ready. This includes:
- The title of your musical work
- Associated keywords
- An Artlist account
- One or more original works that have been infringed
- Metadata for each original work (artist, title, length, etc.)
- A valid internet connection
- A song identifier tool or a YouTube content identification partner
What requires your focus?
Claiming your music on YouTube is an intense process, which requires substantial attention to detail and patience. The primary area of focus should be the music’s originality, the length of the video, the usage of the music in the video, and the creator’s legal rights. Failure to pay close attention to these details could lead to lapses in the claiming process.
Method 1: Use YouTube’s Content ID System
YouTube’s Content ID System is the video-sharing platform’s special program that helps content creators in efficiently claiming their music on the platform. This program uses a technology called "Audio Fingerprinting" that automatically matches the digital audio of songs and videos uploaded on the platform. To utilize YouTube’s Content ID System, follow the steps below:
- Login into your YouTube account and navigate to "YouTube Studio".
- On the "Videos" menu, select "Content" and then click on "Matched Content."
- Enter the title of your music video on the search box provided.
- Select whether to make a change or hold on to the existing claim of your original work.
- After making changes, click "Save."
Pros:
- The system is the fastest way to claim your music on YouTube without directly going through YouTube.
- Content ID System helps to avoid situations of disputes over the content, and automatically generates a revenue for the original creator after the music has been claimed.
- You can monitor the performance of your music video which allows you to review issues and request a review if something doesn’t look right.
Cons:
- You have to be registered with YouTube or a YouTube Partner program.
- The process of registering on the platform is lengthy, and creators need to establish that they have the full rights to the content they are claiming.
- YouTube Content ID confronts errors of Copyright Infringement, which require significant time to appeal, and this can deter the monetizing of the creator’s music.
Method 2: Use Artlist’s Claim System
Artlist is a licensing music platform that also offers services for YouTube content creators. Their service could be utilized to facilitate claiming one’s music on YouTube. Here’s how:
- Login to Artlist’s Account
- Under the Catalog navigation, locate the music video you want to claim from your list of musical works.
- Click on "Claim Song" and grants permission to the usage of your music.
- Confirm the creation process and sign through YouTube.
Pros:
- Artlist proprietary algorithm helps content creators to monitor their music video’s usage across multiple platforms, including YouTube.
- The claimant could earn a substantial amount of money from a single music kit on Artlist, which eliminates the need for outsourcing and building a company’s library of tracks.
- Artlist maintains transparency, which makes for an easy, stress-free experience in claiming your music on YouTube.
Cons:
- The platform’s fee is a bit steep compared to other available options.
- Artlist is a monolithic library rather than a more focused licensing platform, which means the Genre ratio is not very balanced.
Method 3: Use CD Baby
CD Baby is an excellent service that caters to musicians. The platform has a copyright-dedicated team that helps to outline the claiming procedure for the creators. It can be utilized to either claim existing work or register new ones. Here’s how:
- Login to CD Baby account and click "Add Album" or "Add Single" to create a new work.
- Upload your music video files and text file of the track.
- Fill out all the sections in the upload menu properly before submitting.
- Then, Click on "Distribute" and choose YouTube as the platform for distribution.
Pros:
- The platform is perfect for individuals seeking to release music in multiple genres and independently.
- The website does not require payment of fees to claim your music on YouTube and register your works.
- CD Baby guarantees great customer service, and the platform has a responsive team to assist with any issues that arise in the process of claiming your music on YouTube.
Cons:
- The album or single distribution service is paid, and may not be ideal for low-budget artists.
- CD Baby does not provide technical support or help for disputes and legal grievances
Method 4: Use Royalty-Free Music Platforms
Using a royalty-free music platform like AudioJungle, Epidemic Sound, and HookSounds can help in claiming your music on YouTube. Royalty-free music platforms contain various types of music files and license terms that are pre-cleared for usage on YouTube. To utilize these platforms, follow the steps below:
- Visit the royalty-free music platform website.
- Search the platform website for the original work’s title.
- Navigate to the "License" section and select the most suitable option, based on your needs.
- Complete the licensing process and download the music track.
- Monitor the usage of your video on the YouTube platform.
Pros:
- Royalty-free platforms offer an excellent selection of music files.
- The process of obtaining rights to use a music track is fast and easy.
- The licensing fee is usually low and could be paid for depending on the creator’s needs.
Cons:
- Usage on YouTube is limited to personal use only.
- The license usually states that the music couldn’t be used for commercial purposes.
Why Can’t I Claim My Music on YouTube?
This seems to be a common problem that several musicians experience when on YouTube. Although it could be attributed to several factors, we will be examining three typical reasons and providing some possible fixes:
1. Your account might not be eligible for claiming rights on YouTube.
Fix: Anyone could claim copyrights on YouTube, but it takes an account in good standing, with no active community strikes or copyright strikes.
2. Your metadata may be deficient, which could affect YouTube’s algorithm, resulting in you not finding your works.
Fix: Crosscheck the information provided on the metadata of the video you have uploaded on YouTube, and ensure that it’s appropriate.
3. Someone else may have claimed your music before you, and since the process is first-come, first-serve, you couldn’t claim it.
Fix: File a YouTube dispute, and with the required documentation, you could have your work claimed.
Implications and Recommendations
Claiming your music on YouTube is essential, particularly if music is core to your vocation. A well-defined process helps in avoiding misunderstandings and ensuring fair compensation for work. It is essential to stay vigilant and consistently educating yourself on new developments and trends that affect monetizing the content on YouTube.
We recommend that artists try out different methods, ascertain which best suits their needs, and try to follow them accurately. Also, maintaining vigilance regarding one’s original work and monitoring it on auction websites, including YouTube, is of utmost importance.
FAQs
Q1. What are the requirements for claiming my music content on YouTube?
A1. Some of the conditions include having an Artlist account, owning the full rights to the content, providing metadata for each original work, and a valid internet connection.
Q2. How Does YouTube Content ID System Work in Claiming My Music?
A2. YouTube’s Content ID System uses "Audio Fingerprinting" that automatically matches the digital audio of songs and videos uploaded on the platform.
Q3. What Happens When Someone Claims My Music Before I Do?
A3. File a YouTube dispute. With the right documentation, you could have your work claimed.
Q4. Are Royalty-Free Music Platforms Ideal to Use in Claiming My Music on YouTube?
A4. Yes. Royalty-free music platforms like AudioJungle, Epidemic Sound, and HookSounds offer an excellent selection of music files.
Q5. What are the Implications of Not Claiming My Music on YouTube?
A5. You may not be compensated fair due to mismanaged claiming and monetizing of the digital content.