What are the monetization requirements for YouTube Content ID & TikTok?

In order for your music to be eligible for the YouTube Content ID system and/or Tiktok monetization, it has to meet several criteria.

Exclusive rights

This means the following are not eligible:

  • Cover songs
  • Content licensed non-exclusively from a third party (Ex: Beatstars or YouTube instrumentals)
  • Content released under Creative Commons or similar free of charge/open licenses
  • Public domain footage, recordings, or compositions, including classical music
  • Clips from other sources (Ex: video games, movies, TV, YouTube videos)

Distinct reference content

All reference content must be sufficiently distinct. This means the following are not eligible:

  • Karaoke recordings, remasters, sound-alike recordings, live versions that are not distinct from the original version, and dubbed content
  • Sound effects, soundbeds, or production loops (Ex: audience applauses, white noise or drum loops)

A single distinct piece

This means the following are not eligible:

  • Continuous DJ mixes
  • Mashups
  • Countdown lists
  • Full album or full compilation recordings

Even if you exclusively own all of the content within these types of examples in all territories, you must separate them into individual components, songs, or videos.

Recording of a non-musical work

This means the following are not eligible:

  • Audiobooks
  • ASMR
  • Podcasts
  • Speeches
  • Comedy recordings
  • Film recordings
  • Prayers
  • Video gameplay footage

Track duration exceeding 10 minutes

Sound recordings that exceed a duration of 10 minutes are flagged as ineligible.

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