Protect and monetize the use of your eligible sound recordings in YouTube videos with Content ID. Andina Music registers your recording as a reference, manages the matches and reports the revenue together with the rest of your royalties. Activation depends on the content meeting YouTube’s requirements; it isn’t automatic.
What is YouTube Content ID?
YouTube Content ID is YouTube’s content identification system. It compares the audio of videos uploaded to the platform against a database of reference recordings and, when it finds a match, applies the policy set by the rights holder: monetize, track or block. For artists and labels, Content ID is how you get paid when your recordings are used in third-party videos and how you protect your official releases from unauthorized uploads.
How Content ID works for music
Submission and review
You upload the recording as part of your release and request Content ID. We check eligibility before registering it.
Reference
The recording (the master) is registered as a reference file in Content ID, linked to your ISRC.
Matches and claims
YouTube scans new and existing videos and detects where your audio is used, in full or in part. A claim with the chosen policy is applied to each match; under the monetize policy, the ads on that video generate revenue for the rights holder.
Reports and payout
Content ID revenue is reported and paid together with the rest of your royalties under your agreement. See royalties and reports.
What you can monetize on YouTube
Content ID monetizes the use of your recording in third-party videos: videos, re-uploads, edits, montages, dance videos and other content that incorporates your recording. It also protects your own official videos from unauthorized uploads. The usual policy is monetize: the creator’s video stays up and the ads generate revenue for the owner of the recording.
What music can be submitted to YouTube Content ID?
Content ID isn’t automatically available for any content. In general, the system evaluates original recordings whose owner can demonstrate the necessary rights. Eligibility depends on:
- The rights to the sound recording (the master) in the territories where it’s claimed.
- Sufficient control of those rights: if the recording has several owners, all of them must agree to the registration.
- YouTube’s policies for the Content ID program, which the platform can change.
- The characteristics of the content: it must be identifiable and not share audio with other references.
- Possible third-party rights included in the recording.
Content that may need additional review, or may not be eligible, includes:
- Samples of other recordings.
- Beats or instrumentals under non-exclusive licenses (other artists can use the same instrumental).
- Third-party elements: sound libraries, royalty-free effects, public-domain audio or other people’s recordings.
- Material the owner doesn’t sufficiently control (for example, recordings under current assignments or contracts with another label or distributor).
- Recordings already registered in Content ID by another owner or provider, or with open ownership disputes.
Andina Music reviews each case before activating the service. Activation isn’t guaranteed and can be declined if the content doesn’t meet YouTube’s requirements or if conflicts with other references appear.
Song, sound recording, cover and sample: what actually goes into Content ID
It’s worth separating the concepts, because Content ID works on just one of them:
- Song or composition: the work (lyrics and music). Its rights are administered through publishing: publishers and collecting societies. It isn’t what’s registered here.
- Sound recording, phonogram or master: the recorded performance of that composition. This is what’s submitted to Content ID as a reference and what the ISRC identifies.
- Cover: a new recording of someone else’s composition. It’s a different sound recording: it doesn’t match your reference and generates no claims on your master. A cover can have its own reference if the performer holds the rights to that recording and the corresponding license for the composition; the composition’s rights are handled separately.
- Sample: a fragment of another recording included in yours. If the reference contains third-party audio, matches will also occur against that audio, which is why these recordings need review and may not be eligible.
- Publishing: the administration of the composition (songwriter royalties). It’s independent from Content ID for recordings, although YouTube also handles composition claims through publishers.
- YouTube Music vs Content ID: distribution puts your release on YouTube Music and your Official Artist Channel; Content ID is a separate service that identifies and monetizes your recording in other people’s videos.
Claims, disputes and conflicts
When another owner claims your content, or a creator disputes a claim on your audio, there’s a dispute process inside YouTube. We help you review the evidence (ISRC, dates, contracts, splits) and respond to the dispute. If the problem is about ownership of rights, see also how we handle copyright cases through the contact form.
Content ID and exclusivity
A recording can only have one active reference in Content ID. If another provider (your previous distributor, a label or an aggregator) already registered it, that reference has to be removed before ours is activated; otherwise ownership conflicts arise that YouTube leaves unmonetized until they’re resolved. That’s why, when switching distributor, we coordinate the removal with the previous provider.
Content ID for record labels
For a label with several artists, registration is organized by catalog: we review the ownership of each recording, avoid duplicate references and consolidate reports by artist and release. More in distribution for labels; if you’re an independent artist or producer, see distribution for artists.
Frequently asked questions about YouTube Content ID
What is YouTube Content ID?
It’s YouTube’s system that compares the audio of videos against a database of reference recordings and applies, on each match, the policy the rights holder chooses: monetize, track or block.
How does YouTube Content ID work for music?
Your recording is registered as a reference linked to its ISRC. YouTube detects the videos that use it, in full or in part, and applies a claim. Under the monetize policy, the ads on those videos generate revenue that’s reported and paid with your royalties.
What music is eligible for Content ID?
In general, original recordings for which you can demonstrate the necessary rights and that don’t share audio with other references. The final decision depends on YouTube’s requirements; content with samples, non-exclusive beats or third-party elements may need additional review or not be eligible.
Can I use Content ID if my song has samples?
Only if you’re cleared to use the sample and the recording doesn’t conflict with other references. Every case is reviewed; many recordings with samples aren’t eligible because matches would also occur against the original audio.
Can I submit a cover to Content ID?
A cover is a new recording of someone else’s composition. Its sound recording can be registered if you hold the rights to that recording and the corresponding license for the composition; the composition’s copyright is handled through publishing, not with this reference. Ask us about your case before submitting.
Can I activate Content ID for a beat I bought?
Only if you hold an exclusive license for the beat. With non-exclusive licenses the content isn’t eligible, because other artists can use the same instrumental and the references would conflict.
What happens when YouTube finds a video using my recording?
A claim with the chosen policy is applied. Under the usual policy (monetize), the video stays up and the ads generate revenue for the rights holder. The creator can dispute the claim; in that case we review the evidence with you and respond within YouTube’s process.
Is Content ID the same as distributing my music to YouTube Music?
No. Distribution publishes your release on YouTube Music and your Official Artist Channel. Content ID is a separate service: it identifies and monetizes the use of your recording in other people’s videos. You can have distribution without Content ID; Content ID requires the content to be eligible.
Can I change my Content ID provider?
Yes. Since a recording can only have one active reference, the previous provider must remove theirs before we activate ours. We coordinate that step, usually together with the catalog migration, to avoid conflicts and unmonetized periods.
Submit your music to YouTube Content ID
Create your account (free, no card required), upload your release and request Content ID for it. We review eligibility before registering the recordings. If your music is already distributed by another distributor, tell us about your case through the contact form. That release also goes out to the stores: learn more about digital music distribution.
