What is a Content ID claim?

If you upload a video that contains copyright-protected content, your video could get a Content ID claim. These claims are automatically generated when an uploaded video matches another video (or part of another video) in our Content ID system.

Copyright owners can set Content ID to block uploads that match a copyrighted work they own the rights to. They can also allow the claimed content to remain on YouTube with ads. In these cases, the advertising revenue goes to the copyright owners of the claimed content.

How do I know if my video has a Content ID claim?

When a Content ID claims your video, you'll get an email from YouTube. To find more details about the claims on your videos:

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. From the left menu, click Content.
  3. In the Restrictions column, if a video has a claim on it, it will be labeled Copyright claim.
  4. Hover over Copyright claim in the Restrictions column and click SEE DETAILS.
  5. Click the Down arrowMinimize to expand the claim details.
  6. Under the Content found during section, click the timestamp to play the segment claimed by Content ID.

You can also filter to get a list of videos that have claims on them by clicking Filter and thenCopyright claims.

Am I in trouble if my video has a Content ID claim?

Probably not. Content ID claims usually mean we found content on your YouTube channel that someone else owns.

Copyright owners are the ones who decide whether other people can reuse their copyrighted content. They often allow their content to be used in YouTube videos in exchange for having ads run on those videos. Ads might play before the video or during it (if the video is longer than 8 minutes).

If copyright owners don't want their content reused, they can:

  • Block a video: Copyright owners may choose to block your video, which means people can't watch it. Your video could be blocked worldwide or just in certain countries/regions.

  • Restrict certain platforms: Copyright owners may choose to restrict the apps or websites where their content appears. These restrictions won't change the availability of your video on YouTube.

What can I do if my video has a Content ID claim?

Depending on the situation, you have a few options to choose from if you get a Content ID claim:

If you agree with a claim:

  • Do nothing: If you believe a claim is valid, you can leave it as is. You can also change your mind later.

  • Remove the claimed content: If you believe a claim is valid, you can remove the claimed content without having to upload a new video. If done successfully, any of the 3 options below will automatically release the associated claim:

    1. Trim out a segment: This option removes just the claimed segment from your video. Learn more.
    2. Replace the song (audio claims only): If the music in your video is claimed, you may be able to replace your audio track with free-to-use music from the YouTube Audio Library. Learn more.
    3. Mute a song (audio claims only): If the music in your video is claimed, you may be able to mute the claimed song. You can choose whether to mute just the song or all audio in the video. Learn more.
  • Share revenue: If you're in the YouTube Partner Program and your video's music is claimed, you may be able to share revenue with the music publisher. Learn more.

If you disagree with a claim:

  • Dispute the claim: If you believe a claim made on your video is invalid, you can dispute it. Learn how to dispute a Content ID claim.

If you dispute a claim without a valid reason, the content owner may request a takedown of your video. If we get a valid takedown request for your video, your account will get a copyright strike. Learn more about copyright strikes.

More info

  • How Content ID works
  • Copyright strike basics
  • Changes to account standing
  • Who claimed my video?
  • Dispute a Content ID claim
  • Copyright issues with live streams

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