YouTube Content ID is an automated system that identifies YouTube videos containing your music.
If you opt in to YouTube Content ID through Soundrop, Soundrop delivers your eligible recordings to Content ID. YouTube can then identify videos that use those recordings so Soundrop can monetize eligible uses on your behalf.
How does YouTube Content ID work?
When you distribute an eligible recording to YouTube Content ID through Soundrop:
- Soundrop delivers your recording to YouTube Content ID. Your audio is used as a reference file.
- YouTube scans videos for matching audio. Content ID compares videos uploaded to YouTube against your reference recording.
- Matching videos may receive a Content ID claim. The claim allows Soundrop to monetize eligible uses of your recording on your behalf.
- You earn revenue from eligible claimed videos. Revenue collected through Content ID is reported to Soundrop and added to your Soundrop earnings.
For more information, see How do I earn money from YouTube Content ID?
Does a Content ID claim mean Soundrop owns my music?
No. You keep ownership of your rights when you use YouTube Content ID through Soundrop.
By opting in, you give Soundrop an exclusive license to monetize that recording through YouTube Content ID on your behalf.
This means you can't use Soundrop and another company to provide YouTube Content ID monetization for the same recording at the same time.
Why do I see a claim from FUGA / IIP-DDS?
Soundrop partners with FUGA to provide YouTube Content ID services. Soundrop and FUGA are both part of Downtown Music, and FUGA's deliveries are powered by a service called IIP-DDS. Because of this, a Content ID claim placed on behalf of Soundrop may appear as FUGA / IIP-DDS.
If you distributed the recording to YouTube Content ID through Soundrop, seeing FUGA / IIP-DDS on the claim is expected.
For help understanding or disputing a claim, see YouTube Content ID: Claims, Disputes and Permissions.
What does "Licensed to YouTube by" mean?
You may see a Licensed to YouTube by section beneath a YouTube video that uses distributed music.
This section identifies music rights holders and organizations involved in licensing music to YouTube. Depending on the recording, it may include labels, distributors, publishers, collecting societies, or other rights organizations.
Seeing Soundrop's partners listed here doesn't mean they own your copyright.
Is my music eligible for YouTube Content ID?
Not all music can be delivered to YouTube Content ID.
Your recording must meet Soundrop's Content ID eligibility requirements. For example, cover songs and public domain recordings aren't eligible.
See YouTube Content ID: Eligibility for the complete eligibility requirements.
What's the difference between YouTube Music and YouTube Content ID?
They are separate services.
- YouTube Music makes your release available for listeners to stream as part of YouTube's music service.
- YouTube Content ID identifies uses of your eligible recordings in YouTube videos and can monetize those uses on your behalf.
A release must also be delivered to YouTube Music to be eligible for YouTube Content ID through Soundrop.
For more information, see What's the difference between YouTube Music and YouTube Content ID?
What if someone uses my music in their YouTube video?
If you've opted in to YouTube Content ID, you generally don't need to request that a video be taken down just because it uses your music.
Content ID can identify eligible uses and place a claim so that Soundrop can monetize the video on your behalf.
If you have questions about a specific claim, want a claim released, or need help with permissions or disputes, see YouTube Content ID: Claims, Disputes and Permissions.