Content eligible for Content ID
We are bound by YouTube's guidelines when accepting new content. When uploading new assets, you need to confirm they are compliant with all applicable guidelines and policies.
The policies mentioned on this page are meant to summarize YouTube's official guidelines in a non-exhaustive way.
If you are unsure whether the content you want to submit qualifies, please contact us. Only submit assets if your are confident they are eglible for Content ID.
Reference Eligibility Requirements
You must have the exclusive rights to all content you deliver.
Only sound recordings that are sonically distinct from any audio you do not own and to which you have exclusive UGC rights are eligible for distribution to YouTube Content ID.
Below are examples of content that is not eligible for Content ID. If an example only applies to a part of your reference, you can exclude the non-exclusive segment during the upload process.
Content that uses any samples or 3rd party beats (even if you have a license)
Content that contains sound effects or non-distinctive sounds such as nature or wildlife sounds, ambient sounds (fireplace crackle, rain sounds, …)
Karaoke / remix versions that are not significantly different from the original Variations of content that is already in Content ID (instrumental versions, remastered versions, shorter / longer versions, …)
Meditation, yoga, or sleep music DJ set, a continuous mix, or other similar compilations
Video gameplay footage
For sound recording assets: non-music content such as (but not limited to) comedy recordings, speeches, audiobooks, prayer recordings, podcasts
If you have purchased a license from someone else, please make sure you have bought an exclusive license. You will also need to confirm the seller has not included any non-exclusively owned material in the content, such as music samples or stock photos / videos.
Individual References Requirements
You must deliver one individual reference for each piece of intellectual property.
If you own 20 viral videos, you need to upload each of those videos individually. We can not accept one long compilation containing those 20 videos.
Content that would not be eligible under this policy:
Compilations
Continuous DJ mixes
Mashups
Countdown lists
Full album sound recordings
If you have a huge library that you want to import, use our bulk import feature rather than importing it as one compilation.
Rules for content that is sold or licensed at scale for incorporation into other works
If you license your content at scale, we need to manually review every claim to make sure uploaders with a valid license don't receive claims. Content sold through royalty free / production music libraries and content that is free to use with attribution is considered "licensed at scale" and would need to be reviewed manually.
Make sure to select a "Route to Monetize" policy during the upload process for content that us licensed at scale.
Asset Metadata Requirements
Provide as much metadata as possible, to help uploaders and other rights holders understand what content you are claiming.
Required:
Informative Title (uploaders must be able to understand what the original asset is)
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