YouTube Content ID is a system employed by copyright holders to automatically identify and oversee copyright-protected content on the YouTube platform.

How did YouTube Content ID start?

Launched in 2007, just two years after YouTube’s inception, Content ID, initially named ‘Video Identification,’ was introduced to safeguard copyright-protected content on the platform. Over the years, significant investments, reaching tens of millions of dollars, have fueled its evolution. By 2018, Google had committed at least $100 million to enhance Content ID. While the system is not flawless and faces criticism for occasional inaccuracies, it has played a pivotal role in YouTube’s legal compliance and sustained success as the leading online video platform. Countless creators and influencers have thrived on the platform, thanks to Content ID.

Content ID, introduced by YouTube in 2007, has undergone substantial improvements since its inception. Despite occasional criticisms for its inability to consistently make accurate identifications and occasional misclassifications of content under fair use, the system has been integral to YouTube’s legal compliance and enduring popularity as the premier online video platform. Over the years, substantial investments, totaling over $100 million from Google, have propelled Content ID’s development, contributing to its crucial role in supporting creators and influencers on the platform.

How does YouTube Content ID work?

YouTube receives exclusive audio and visual content from copyright owners, generating a unique ‘fingerprint’ database. When users upload videos, they undergo automatic scans against this reference database.

If no match is found, the video is posted, and YouTube Partner Programme members can monetize it, earning a share of ad revenue. If a match occurs, a Content ID claim is issued, leading to actions such as blocking the video, monetizing it with ad revenue sharing, or tracking viewership statistics based on the copyright owner’s preference.

Content ID claims may vary by geography, allowing monetization in one region and blocking or tracking in another. Access to uploading and managing content within the Content ID system is limited to copyright owners meeting specific criteria. YouTube requires ownership of exclusive rights to a significant volume of original material frequently uploaded by the YouTube community, making it relevant for entities like music distributors.

Why has my YouTube video been claimed?

If your video has been claimed, you’ll be notified on the ‘Checks’ page upon uploading, and you may also receive an email about it. Typically, a claim is made when you use copyrighted material, like a song from a well-known artist or a clip from a TV show or movie. No need to worry in such cases; you don’t have to take any action. YouTube will redirect any ad revenue generated by your video to the copyright owner, and this won’t have a negative impact on your channel.

For members of the YouTube Partner Programme, a Content ID claim results in the inability to monetize the video. YouTube provides three options to remove copyrighted content without reloading, preserving the original URL and views:

Trim out segment: Edit out the claimed portion from your video.

Replace song: If the audio is claimed, substitute it with another track from the YouTube Audio Library.
Mute song: If the audio is claimed, mute the claimed audio, choosing to mute only the song or all audio in the video.
If you believe the claim is erroneous or you have the rights as the original owner or through a license, you can dispute the claim in YouTube Studio. The claimant then has 30 days to release, uphold, or let the claim expire. Any generated revenue during this period is held by YouTube until the dispute is resolved.

How to avoid being claimed by YouTube Content ID?

To prevent Content ID claims and generate revenue from your videos, it’s crucial to avoid using content that isn’t rightfully yours. This entails refraining from incorporating copyright-protected visual or audio elements without the appropriate licensing. Numerous websites and labels specialize in providing copyright-free music, offering a solution to use in your videos without the risk of claims. Our in-house label, Outertone, provides over a thousand copyright-free EDM tracks for your video content.

Additionally, members of the YouTube Partner Programme in the United States have access to YouTube’s new Creator Music platform. This platform offers a library of high-quality music from renowned artists that creators can use in their videos, either through a revenue split or a one-time fee.