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Does UnitedMasters offer YouTube Content ID?

Sacha
  • Updated

Yes! UnitedMasters offers YouTube Content ID for SELECT and DEBUT+ artists! 

SELECT and DEBUT+ artists will have the ability to opt-in eligible releases to YouTube Content ID on via Web, our iOS mobile app, and our Android app.

Artists can use Content ID, YouTube's automated content identification system, to easily identify and manage their copyright-protected content on YouTube. Depending on the artist’s Content ID settings, a Content ID claim results in one of the following actions:

  • Block a video from being viewed.
  • Monetize the video by running ads against it and sometimes sharing revenue with the uploader.
  • Track the video’s viewership statistics.

This article will address frequently asked questions around YouTube Content ID. Additionally, we’ll provide information for eligibility requirements and instructions on how to opt-in your releases for YouTube Content ID!

 

FAQs

What is YouTube Content ID? YouTube Content ID is a system designed to help copyright holders, such as music labels or artists, manage and monetize their content on YouTube. It scans uploaded videos to detect the use of copyrighted material like music, then allows rights holders to either block, track, or monetize those videos.

 YouTube Content ID

How does Content ID work? YouTube scans all uploaded videos against a database of copyrighted material, such as music, and if it finds a match, the content owner has the option to claim the video. They can then choose to monetize it, track its performance, or block it from being viewed in certain regions.

How do I get my music into YouTube Content ID? If you are a DEBUT+, SELECT or PARTNER artist on UnitedMasters, once you have submitted your release and it is delivered to YouTube, you will be able to opt-in eligible releases for YouTube Content ID on via Web, our iOS mobile app, and our Android app.

How much does YouTube Content ID cost? YouTube Content ID costs $4.99 per release to opt-in, regardless of the number of tracks on the release. UnitedMasters shall retain twenty percent (20%) of the gross royalties generated from Content ID monetization.

How do I opt-in my releases to Content ID? Once your release has been submitted, approved and delivered to YouTube, a YouTube Content Id Monetization card will be visible on your release details page. Opting in to Content ID Monetization is available via Web, our iOS mobile app, and our Android app.

What happens when YouTube detects my music? When YouTube detects your music in a video, it will automatically generate a claim on your behalf. UnitedMasters and its technology partners will review the claims and allow the video to be monetized with ads, tracked for analytics, or blocked. 

What are the eligibility criteria for YouTube Content ID? Your music must meet YouTube's criteria for copyright-protected material. This includes original music that you own the rights to or have the authority to license. If your music contains samples or covers, it might not be eligible unless you have obtained the necessary licenses. When you opt-in your release for Content ID you will be reminded of the eligibility criteria.

YouTube is very strict on what is eligible for Content ID. For your release to be eligible for YouTube Content ID Monetization, you agree to the following terms:

  • I certify that I am the sole creator and copyright owner of all sounds and compositions within this recording
  • I confirm that the release does not contain any samples, loops, sound effects, or other audio elements from external sources like sample libraries (including Epidemic Sound, GarageBand, etc.) or public archives.
  • I will NOT grant permission for remixes or use of sounds from this release by other artists
  • This release does not contain any public domain recordings, pre-existing songs, or audio elements from video games, television shows, or movies.
  • The recording does not incorporate any audio extracted from existing YouTube videos.
  • I acknowledge that I, and only I, will be responsible for adding this single to YouTube's Content ID system. No other party will be authorized to submit it.
  • I confirm that I have not used any third-party distribution services (DistroKid, Tunecore, CD Baby, etc.) to submit this release to Content ID.
  • I understand that any misrepresentation of the statements above may result in the suspension of my UnitedMasters account.

Will I be notified if my music is used in a video? You will not be notified for each use. You will receive Content ID associated revenues in your monthly royalty payments. These payments will be identified as YouTube Content ID Payouts.

My YouTube Short was blocked for using more than 1-minute of my YouTube Content ID activated sound recording. Can I have this unblocked? Any Short over 1-minute with a Content ID claim will be blocked globally and cannot be monetized. You will need to re-upload the video to ensure that less than 1-minute of copyrighted content is used.

What if someone disputes the Content ID claim? If a video creator believes a Content ID claim is incorrect or they have the right to use the content (e.g., under fair use), they can dispute the claim. If you believe one of your claimed videos has been disputed, please notify our teams at support@unitedmasters.com and we would be happy to investigate this for you.

How long does it take for Content ID to detect my music? Once your music is registered with Content ID, detection is immediate for any NEW uploads containing your music. If someone has already uploaded a video using your music, it may take some time for Content ID to scan and match it. If you plan to upload and claim an official music video for monetization, UnitedMasters suggests that you activate YouTube Content ID for the release BEFORE you upload the video. This will ensure there are no delays in the claim being placed.

Will Content ID monetization collect revenue retroactively? No. Content ID monetization does not collect revenue retroactively. After activation, claiming and monetization of matching material starts on new video uploads that use your sound recordings. 

Can I remove my music from YouTube Content ID? Yes, you can request to have your music removed from Content ID through your distributor or service provider. Once removed, YouTube will no longer claim videos using your music, and any existing claims may be released.

How is Content ID different from a manual copyright claim? Content ID claims are automatic and based on digital fingerprinting, while manual copyright claims are filed directly by the copyright owner when they manually detect misuse of their content. Content ID automates the process of identifying and managing copyrighted material.

What should I do if Content ID doesn't detect my music? If your music isn’t being detected, contact your distributor or service provider to ensure that it has been properly registered with YouTube’s Content ID system. It could take some time for YouTube to scan all existing videos if the video was uploaded prior to the activation of your sound recordings.

Are Content ID purchases refundable? Content ID purchases are non-refundable. You will be purchasing at the release-level. In some cases, all tracks on a release may not be eligible. Your release-level purchase will apply to any eligible individual tracks on your release. In the case that some or all of your tracks are not eligible, we will not be able to provide any refunds. 

Why did I receive a "Copyright Claim" on my own YouTube Channel? Once you have purchased and activated YouTube Content ID for a release, the sound recordings will begin claiming and monetizing content across YouTube where your sound recordings are being used, including uploaded content on your own channel. If you would like to prevent any future claims by YouTube Content ID activated sound recordings on your own channel - we have the ability to allowlist your channel. You will just need to provide our teams with the YouTube Channel link and we would be happy to establish this for you.

Is AI Generated content eligible for YouTube Content ID? At the moment, AI generated content is viable for Content ID monetization as long as you are not violating any YouTube Community Guidelines.

 

YouTube Content ID opt-in directions:

Submit your release for review with the normal release submission flow in your United Masters account. Once your release is approved by our team and delivered to YouTube, you can opt-in your release to YouTube Content ID with the instructions below.

Please note that it may take 1-3 days to see a newly approved release available for Content ID opt-in.

  • Navigate to your UnitedMasters account via our mobile application on your iOS device.
  • Choose the “Music” tab at the bottom of the app screen.
  • Select the approved release you’d like to opt-in for Content ID.
  • Scroll down to the “Advanced Artist Add-on” section and you’ll see “YouTube Content ID Monetization” as an eligibility on the release details page.
  • Click on the “ENABLE CONTENT ID” button to opt-in the release. Then, press “CONTINUE”.
  • Next, you’ll need to review and agree to all the monetization terms.
  • Click “PURCHASE CONTENT ID” after you have reviewed. Once you’ve checked all the boxes, you’ll be able to press “AGREE AND PURCHASE”.
  • Next, press “Purchase” to complete your payment in the app.
  • After you’ve completed your purchase, you will receive a purchase confirmation message on the next screen!
  • After your purchase is complete, you will be able to download purchase receipts:
    • If you purchased through the Apple App Store via our iOS app, you will receive a receipt from Apple sent to the email address associated with your Apple account.
    • If you purchased through the Google Play Store via our Android app, you will receive a receipt Google Play sent to the email address associated with your Google Play account.
    • If you purchased through Web, you will receive a receipt sent to the email address associated with your UnitedMasters account from our payment processor, "Stripe".

 

Understanding UGC (User Generated Content) Monetization: YouTube, Meta, and TikTok

When content is created using your music on YouTube and social platforms—this is called User-Generated Content (UGC).

UnitedMasters allows you to monetize this content through digital fingerprinting technology. These platforms identify your content and allow you to monetize it.

YouTube Content ID

YouTube Content ID is an automated system that scans every video uploaded to YouTube against a database of copyrighted music.

  • How it Works: When a match is found, a "claim" is placed on the video. This is not a copyright strike and does not harm the uploader; it simply enables monetization for the artist.
  • The Benefit: Once claimed, ads run on the video, and the revenue is shared with you.
  • Your Own Channel: If you upload your own music to your own channel, Content ID will still "claim" it. To avoid this, you can contact UnitedMasters support to allowlist your channel.
  • The Cost: It costs $4.99 per release to opt-in, and UnitedMasters retains 20% of the gross royalties generated specifically from Content ID.

 

Meta (Facebook & Instagram) 

Meta uses  "Rights Manager" technology to identify your music across Reels, Stories, and feed posts.

  • Audio Libraries: Delivering your music to Meta will add your tracks to their official "Audio Libraries," making it easy for fans to select your song for their content.
  • UGC Monetization: UnitedMasters will now be offering a self-service feature to opt-in your eligible releases for monetization directly through your UnitedMasters account.
    • The cost will be $2.99 per release that is opted in for Meta only. 
    • UnitedMasters will also offer a “Bundle” price of $7.99 to opt in a release for all services (YouTube Content ID, Meta, and TikTok).
    • AI Content: PLEASE NOTE - AI Generated Content may be ineligible for monetization. It is possible that Meta could reject AI Generated Content at their discretion in some cases.
  • Background Usage (2025 Update): As of January 2025, UnitedMasters does not automatically monetize "background" usage (music playing in the ambient background of a video) on Facebook/Instagram.

 

TikTok

TikTok uses a similar "Rights Manager" technology to identify your music across creations on the platform.

  • Audio Libraries: Delivering your music to TikTok will add your tracks to their official "Audio Libraries," making it easy for fans to select your song for their content.
  • UGC Monetization: UnitedMasters will now be offering a self-service feature to opt-in your eligible releases for monetization directly through your UnitedMasters account.
    • The cost will be $2.99 per release that is opted in for TikTok only. 
    • UnitedMasters will also offer a “Bundle” price of $7.99 to opt in a release for all services (YouTube Content ID, Meta, and TikTok).
  • Background Usage (2025 Update): As of January 2025, UnitedMasters does not automatically monetize "background" usage (music playing in the ambient background of a video) on TikTok.

 

Eligibility: Is Your Music Ready?

Because these systems trigger automatic financial claims, the platforms have strict zero-tolerance policies regarding what can be fingerprinted. Your music must be 100% original.

Ineligible Content (Do Not Opt-In):

If your music contains any of the following, it is ineligible for UGC monetization:

  • Non-Exclusive Beats: Beats purchased or licensed from sites like BeatStars where other artists may have a license to use the same instrumental.
  • Samples & Loops: Any audio from sample libraries (GarageBand, Splice, Epidemic Sound), even if you have modified them.
  • Generic/Non-Musical Audio: Nature sounds, white noise, sound effects (sirens, car horns), spoken word, or podcasts.
  • Public Domain & Covers: Re-recordings of songs you didn't write or audio extracted from existing movies, TV shows, or YouTube videos.
  • AI-Generated Material: Fully AI-generated vocals or instrumentals are currently ineligible for Meta and TikTok.

Eligible Content:

  • You are the sole creator and owner of all sounds and compositions.
  • The recording is distinct and does not use third-party material or loops.
  • You have not used another distributor to submit this same release to Content ID.

 

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