Does UnitedMasters offer YouTube Content ID?

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 via our iOS mobile 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 via our iOS mobile application.

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.

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 currently only available on iOS.

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.

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. As the rights holder, you will be notified of the dispute and have the option to release the claim, uphold it, or escalate it to a copyright strike.

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.

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.

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. 

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.
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• 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”.
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• 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”.
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• 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!
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• After your purchase is complete, you will be able to download a purchase receipt via the App Store.

If you have any other questions or need additional assistance, please let us know by submitting a request for support.