How to Avoid Copyright on YouTube Shorts

Getting a copyright claim on a YouTube Short is a hugely frustrating feeling. You spend time creating a great piece of content, only for an automated system to flag your video, limit its reach, or redirect its monetization. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about navigating copyright on YouTube Shorts, so you can focus on building your brand without worrying about claims and strikes.

First, a Quick Refresher: Copyright Claim vs. Copyright Strike

Before we get into the "how-to," it’s important to understand the two main types of copyright issues you can run into. They sound similar, but their consequences are very different.

• Copyright Claim (or Content ID Claim): This is the most common issue creators face. It’s an automated process where YouTube's Content ID system scans your Short and finds a match for copyrighted material (usually music) in its database. A claim doesn’t typically punish your channel. Instead, the copyright holder can choose to monetize your video (run ads on it and get the revenue), track its analytics, or block it in certain countries. It’s a bummer, but it won’t get your channel shut down.
• Copyright Strike: This is much more serious. A copyright strike is the result of a copyright holder submitting a formal, legal takedown request for your video because it infringes on their copyright. Getting three copyright strikes can lead to the permanent termination of your YouTube channel. Strikes are less common for Shorts music usage but can happen, especially if you’re using video clips or other media without permission.

For most of this article, we'll be focused on avoiding Content ID claims, as they are the day-to-day challenge for Shorts creators using audio.

The Safest Ways to Find Music for Your YouTube Shorts

The best way to avoid copyright headaches is to be smart about where you get your audio from the start. Here are your best options, from safest to slightly more complex.

1. Use YouTube's Official Shorts Audio Library

This is, without a doubt, the number one safest and easiest way to add popular music to your Shorts. YouTube has direct licensing deals with major music labels that allow you to use songs from their library directly within the Shorts creation tool.

How to do it:

1. Open the YouTube app and tap the "+" button to create a Short.
2. At the top of the creation screen, tap the "Add sound" button.
3. From here, you can browse recommended tracks, search for a specific song or artist, and see what’s trending.
4. Select your sound, trim it to the correct section, and you’re good to go.

The Benefits: When you use audio from this library, you’re covered. YouTube’s agreements with music publishers mean you can use these sounds without fear of a claim or strike affecting your channel. The platform handles all the complicated licensing stuff on the back end so you can create freely.

The Catch: These licenses can change. A song that’s available today might not be tomorrow if a licensing deal expires. Additionally, you cannot download this audio and use it in a video you edit outside of YouTube and then re-upload. The license only applies when you use it through the native Shorts editor.

2. Remix Audio from Other Shorts

Have you ever seen an option to "Use this sound" when watching another person's Short? This is a core feature of the platform and is generally another safe way to jump on a trend.

When you use the "Remix" feature to create a Short with another video's audio, you are using the audio legally within YouTube's ecosystem. If the original sound was licensed (for example, a popular song from the Audio Library), you're covered by the same license. If it was an original sound, most creators welcome remixes as a form of engagement and promotion. This functionality is intended for this exact purpose, encouraging collaborative trends.

3. Royalty-Free Music Subscription Services

If you edit your Shorts outside of the YouTube app (using tools like CapCut or Adobe Premiere Pro) and want more unique, high-quality music, subscription services are a fantastic option. These platforms charge a monthly or annual fee for access to a huge catalog of music and sound effects that you can use in your content.

Top services include:

• Epidemic Sound: Known for its huge, high-quality library and simple licensing that covers all social media platforms. Once you subscribe and connect your channel, any video you publish during your subscription is cleared forever.
• Artlist: Offers a massive catalog with a straightforward license that grants you lifetime use of any music downloaded during your subscription.
• Soundstripe: Another excellent option with curated playlists and a library filled with music from Grammy-winning artists.

The primary advantage here is creative freedom. You get access to audio that isn't overused in every other Short, helping your content stand out. The licenses are clear and designed for content creators, so you just download a track, use it in your video editor, and publish without worrying about Content ID.

4. Creative Commons and Public Domain Music

This is a more hands-on approach for those on a tighter budget.

Public Domain: This refers to works whose copyright has expired, making them free for anyone to use without permission. For music, this generally applies to very old classical compositions. The composition itself may be public domain, but a specific recording of it by a modern orchestra is still protected by copyright. So, you need to find a recording that is also in the public domain.

Creative Commons (CC): This is a type of license that allows creators to let others use their work for free, but usually with some conditions. There are different types of CC licenses, so you need to read the terms carefully. Some common requirements are:

• Attribution (BY): You must give credit to the original creator, usually in your video's description.
• NoDerivs (ND): You can use the work, but you cannot alter it.
• NonCommercial (NC): You can only use the work for non-monetized purposes. This is a tricky one for most creators who want to grow their channel.

Always double-check the license for any CC music you find. A good place to look for Creative Commons music is on platforms like the Free Music Archive or by filtering searches on YouTube itself.

What About Using Popular Music Under Fair Use? A Word of Warning

You may have heard someone say, "I can use this song because it's Fair Use," or "It's okay as long as I only use it for 10 seconds." Unfortunately, this is mostly incorrect and a risky assumption for Shorts creators.

Fair Use is a real legal principle that allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like commentary, criticism, news reporting, and education. For example, a music critic breaking down the lyrics of a new song and playing a short clip to illustrate their point might have a strong Fair Use argument.

However, simply adding a trending song to your travel montage or workout video is not Fair Use. In these cases, the music is purely for entertainment and doesn't transform the original work in a way that aligns with the principles of Fair Use.

Relying on "Fair Use" is not a safe strategy for avoiding Content ID claims. YouTube’s automated system cannot judge Fair Use, it only detects matching audio. While you can dispute a claim on the grounds of Fair Use, it’s a difficult process to win unless you have a crystal-clear case, and most Shorts creators don't.

How to Deal with a Copyright Claim if You Get One

Let's say you did your best, but a claim still came through. Don't panic. Here’s what you can do directly inside YouTube Studio.

1. Check What You Can Do: YouTube will notify you of the claim. Click to see the details, and it will show you how the claim impacts your video (e.g., "The copyright owner is monetizing your video").
2. Review Your Options: You will generally have a few choices under the "Actions" menu:
   • Trim out segment: You can edit the Short directly in YouTube Studio to remove the part that contains the copyrighted audio.
   • Replace song: If the claim is for a song, YouTube may let you swap it with a track from their audio library, which will resolve the claim.
   • Mute song: This will mute the specific song that was claimed, leaving the rest of your video's audio intact.
   • Dispute: If you believe the claim is a mistake - for instance, you have a license for the music or believe your use falls under Fair Use - you can file a dispute. Be prepared to provide proof, like a license certificate from a service like Epidemic Sound.

For most people, trimming, replacing, or muting the audio is the fastest and easiest way to resolve a claim without any negative impact on their channel.

Final Thoughts

Staying out of copyright trouble on YouTube Shorts comes down to being proactive about where you source your audio. Sticking to YouTube’s official Audio Library and remix feature is the safest path, while investing in a royalty-free music service can give your content a professional edge and creative freedom. By understanding the rules and using the right resources, you can keep your content protected and your channel healthy.

Building a successful social media presence is about more than avoiding claims, it's about creating great content consistently. At a certain point, manual posting becomes a major bottleneck. At Postbase, we built our platform specifically for today's video-first world. You can line up your YouTube Shorts, TikToks, and Reels in our visual calendar, customize captions for each platform, and trust that everything will be published reliably. When you've put in the effort to create great content, our goal is to make sharing it the easiest part of your day.