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Music for YouTube Videos: Where to Find It & Avoid Copyright Strikes
Adding the right music to your YouTube videos can dramatically improve their quality, set the mood, and keep viewers engaged. But navigating the world of music licensing and copyright can feel like walking through a minefield. One wrong step, and you could face a copyright claim, lose monetization on your video, or even worse, get a channel strike that puts your entire channel at risk.
Many creators struggle with finding high-quality music that's affordable (or free!) and legally safe to use. You want your videos to sound professional, but you don't want the constant fear of receiving that dreaded email about a copyright violation.
This article will walk you through exactly where to find music you can legally use on YouTube, explain the risks of using copyrighted tracks, and give you actionable tips for integrating music into your videos like a pro, all while keeping your channel safe and sound.
Understanding YouTube Copyright and Music
YouTube uses a system called Content ID to automatically identify copyrighted material in uploaded videos. If Content ID detects music that matches a copyrighted track in its database, the copyright owner can take action.
The consequences of using copyrighted music without permission can range from inconvenient to channel-threatening:
- Monetization Claims: The most common outcome. The copyright owner claims your video, and all the ad revenue generated from it goes directly to them, not you. Your video essentially promotes their music for free.
- Video Blocking: The copyright owner can choose to block your video entirely, making it unviewable on YouTube, either globally or in specific countries.
- Copyright Strikes: This is the most serious penalty. Copyright owners can issue a formal strike against your channel. YouTube has a three-strike policy:
- First Strike: You'll have to attend Copyright School. Some account features might be restricted.
- Second Strike: More restrictions are placed on your account.
- Third Strike: Your channel is subject to permanent termination, meaning you lose all your videos, subscribers, and your ability to upload to YouTube.
Even using a very short clip (just a few seconds) of a copyrighted song without permission can result in a strike or claim. Simply crediting the artist in your video description is NOT enough to grant you the right to use their music. The safest approach is always to use music that you have the explicit right or license to use.
Where to Find Copyright-Safe Music for YouTube
Fortunately, there are plenty of legitimate sources to find music you can use in your YouTube videos without worrying about copyright issues. These fall into two main categories: free options and paid options.
Free Music Sources
For creators just starting out or working with a tight budget, free music libraries are a lifesaver.
- YouTube Audio Library: This is YouTube's own collection of royalty-free music and sound effects. It's integrated directly into YouTube Studio and is completely free to use in any of your videos, even for commercial purposes. Some tracks may require you to credit the artist in your video description, so always double-check the licensing terms for each track you use. This is often the first and best place for beginners to look.
- Thematic: Thematic offers a library of music that creators can use for free, often in exchange for including a link or credit in their video description. It's a great source for finding tracks from independent artists. They offer a free plan with a limited number of downloads per month, and paid plans for more access.
- Upeet.io: Another platform offering free music options for creators, typically requiring attribution.
While these free options are fantastic for avoiding copyright issues and keeping costs down, the selection might be smaller compared to paid libraries, and you may need to spend more time searching to find the perfect track for your video.
Paid Music Sources
If you have some budget for your video production, paid music subscription services offer much larger libraries, higher quality tracks, and more flexible licensing that usually doesn't require attribution. This can save you significant time and provide a wider range of musical styles to choose from.
- Epidemic Sound: A very popular choice among YouTubers. Epidemic Sound offers a massive library of music and sound effects with a simple subscription model. Their license covers usage on YouTube and other platforms, and you never have to worry about copyright claims as long as your channel is linked to your subscription. Pricing is tiered based on your usage (e.g., a personal plan for individual creators).
- Artlist.io: Similar to Epidemic Sound, Artlist provides a curated catalog of high-quality music with a straightforward, universal license that covers all video projects. They offer different plans, including options for filmmakers and businesses.
Investing in a paid music subscription can be a smart move as your channel grows, providing access to a wider variety of professional-sounding music and peace of mind regarding copyright. You can often find affiliate programs for these services, which could become a monetization angle for your channel by recommending them to your audience.
Legally Using Music in Your YouTube Videos
Finding copyright-safe music is the first step. The next is incorporating it correctly into your videos.
- Check the License: Always read and understand the licensing terms for any music you download, especially from free libraries. Confirm that it permits commercial use on YouTube and note any attribution requirements.
- Download from Official Sources: Only download music from reputable, official sources like those listed above. Avoid downloading "copyright free" music from random YouTube videos or websites, as these tracks may not actually be licensed correctly, and you could still face claims.
Integrating Music into Your Video Production
Music isn't just background noise; it's a powerful tool for storytelling and viewer engagement. Integrating it effectively is part of your post-production process, alongside elements like color grading and sound mixing.
- Plan Your Audio: Before you even start editing, think about where music will fit in your video. Will it be background music throughout? Used for transitions? To emphasize key moments? Having a plan helps you select the right tracks.
- Section Your Video: In your editing software, mark points where the subject or mood of your video changes. This helps you align music tracks with the flow of your content.
- Volume is Key: The music should complement your video, not overpower it. If you have voiceovers or dialogue, ensure the music volume is low enough (often recommended between -20 and -10 decibels) so that the speech is clear and easy to understand.
- Smooth Transitions: Avoid abrupt cuts in your music. Use small fade-in and fade-out transitions at the beginning and end of music clips. For transitions between different songs or sections with music, crossfades or sound design elements (like a quick whoosh or riser effect) can create a smoother listening experience.
- Balancing Quality and Budget: You don't need a massive budget to have great music. Start with the free options and explore paid services as your channel grows. The key is finding music that fits your video's style and is legally cleared.
Avoiding Common Music Mistakes
Beyond using copyrighted music, here are a few other music-related pitfalls to avoid:
- Inconsistent Volume: Ensure your music volume is consistent throughout the video, unless you're intentionally using volume changes for effect.
- Distracting Music: The music should enhance, not distract from, your content. If the music is too busy or doesn't fit the mood, it can pull viewers out of the video.
- Ignoring Sound Effects: Don't forget about sound effects! They can add depth and polish to your videos, and many music libraries (like Epidemic Sound) also include sound effects.
Streamlining Your Content Creation Workflow
Managing all aspects of YouTube content creation, from ideation and research to scriptwriting and post-production planning, can be overwhelming. Tools designed specifically for YouTubers can help.
For instance, Subscribr's AI Script Writer can help you structure your content and even generate drafts, allowing you more time to focus on elements like finding the perfect music and perfecting your audio mix. Subscribr's Research Assistant can also help you gather information and inspiration, which might indirectly influence your music choices by helping you understand the tone and style of successful videos in your niche. By streamlining the scriptwriting and planning phases, platforms like Subscribr give you more capacity to focus on crucial post-production details like music integration, color grading, and sound mixing, ensuring a higher quality final product that avoids common pitfalls like copyright issues.
Conclusion
Using music effectively in your YouTube videos is essential for creating engaging content, but it's critical to do so legally. By utilizing copyright-safe music from sources like the YouTube Audio Library, Thematic, Epidemic Sound, or Artlist.io, you can enhance your videos without the fear of copyright claims or strikes.
Remember to always check licensing terms, integrate music thoughtfully into your editing process by adjusting volume and using smooth transitions, and balance your creative vision with your budget. Focusing on post-production best practices, including sound mixing and music integration, will help you create professional-quality videos that keep viewers watching and your channel safe.
Start exploring the available music libraries today and find the perfect soundtrack for your next YouTube video!
