How to Check if Music Is Copyrighted Before You Upload
To check if music is copyrighted, assume it is, then find out whether you have permission and whether it's registered for automatic matching. Trace where the track came from, read its licence, identify it if you're unsure, and run YouTube's own copyright check before you publish.
Nearly every piece of music is protected by copyright. So the useful question is whether you're allowed to use it, and whether a system will flag it anyway.
Why You Should Check Before You Upload
Fixing a problem before you publish is much easier than fixing it after. A claim can take away ad money or block a video. A takedown can lead to a strike on your channel.
Podcasts need the same care. More shows now publish video versions on YouTube, and your intro plays in every episode. One bad track can affect your whole catalogue.
Five Ways to Check if Music Is Copyrighted
Work through these in order. Most of the time, the first two answer the question.
1. Find the Source and the Licence
Ask where the track came from. If you bought it or downloaded it from a library, find the licence that came with it.
Read it for three things: commercial use, the platforms it covers and whether you need to credit anyone. Save a copy of the licence with your project. If you can't find any licence at all, don't use the track.
2. Identify the Track
If you've got music and don't know what it is, find out. A music recognition app on your phone can name many commercial songs in seconds.
Search the title and artist online too. If it's a released song by a known artist, you'll almost certainly need permission from a label and a publisher. That's rarely practical for a small creator.
3. Search a Collecting Society Database
Performing rights organisations, such as ASCAP and BMI in the US or PRS in the UK, keep records of the songs their members write. Some offer public search tools.
A result tells you the song is registered and who wrote it. No result doesn't prove the music is free to use. It only means you didn't find it there.
4. Use YouTube's Checks Step
When you upload a video, YouTube runs a copyright check on the Checks page. It looks for copyrighted content in your video before you publish.
You can keep the video private while the check runs. If it finds something, you can remove the claimed part, swap the music or dispute the claim. YouTube says these results aren't final, so a claim can still appear later. Treat a clean check as a good sign, not a guarantee.
5. Ask the Seller About Content ID
Some "royalty free" tracks are registered with Content ID, YouTube's matching system. That can lead to claims even when you have a valid licence.
Before you buy, ask the seller whether their tracks are registered. Introbleep tracks are never registered with Content ID, and our licence bans buyers from registering them too.
What the Results Mean
Put the checks together to decide what to do.
- You have a clear licence and the check is clean. Go ahead and publish. Keep the licence on file.
- You have a licence but the check finds a claim. You can dispute it. Send your licence to the seller and ask for help.
- You have no licence but the check is clean. Don't rely on it. The music may still be claimed or taken down later.
- You have no licence and the check finds a claim. Remove or replace the music before you publish.
What to Do if a Check Finds a Claim
Don't panic. A claim found before you publish is the best kind, because nothing has gone live yet.
- Look at the details. YouTube shows which part of the video matched and who made the claim.
- Decide whether it's valid. If you don't have a licence, it probably is.
- Fix it. Trim the section, swap the track, or mute it.
- Dispute it if you're licensed. Use your licence and receipt as proof.
Our guide on whether copyright disclaimers work on YouTube explains claims, strikes and disputes in more detail.
Red Flags to Watch For
Some music looks safe and isn't. Be wary of:
- "No copyright music" compilations. The uploader may not own the tracks.
- "Free for YouTube" with no licence page. There's nothing to show if you're claimed.
- Music with no named owner. If you can't trace it, you can't prove permission.
- A song you've edited or slowed down. Changing a track doesn't remove the copyright.
Free music can be fine, as long as the licence is clear. We explain the main sources in free podcast intro music: where it comes from and the catch. Streamers can find platform-specific tips in our guide to copyright free Twitch music.
Build a Safe Habit
Keep a folder for every track you use. Put the audio file, the licence and the receipt inside. It takes a minute and it makes any future claim simple to clear.
The easiest way to skip most checks is to use music with a clear licence from the start. Every track in the Introbleep store comes with a Commercial Use Licence Certificate in your name. You can read exactly what it covers on the licensing page.
FAQs
How can I tell if a song is copyrighted?
Assume it is. Almost all music is protected. The real question is whether you have a licence to use it, so check where it came from and what its licence allows.
Does YouTube check for copyright before I publish?
Yes. The Checks step in the upload flow looks for copyrighted content. YouTube says the results aren't final, so a claim can still appear later.
If no claim appears, is the music safe?
Not always. A clean check only means nothing matched at that moment. Without a licence, the video can still be claimed or taken down later.
Can licensed music still get a claim?
Yes, sometimes, if someone has registered it with Content ID. If that happens, dispute it with your licence. Introbleep tracks are never registered with Content ID.
Is changing the speed or pitch of a song enough to avoid copyright?
No. An edited song is still the same copyrighted work. Matching systems can often detect it anyway.