How to Use Copyrighted Music on YouTube Shorts

Using a trending song can be the single biggest factor in a YouTube Short going viral, but navigating the world of copyrighted music can feel like walking through a minefield. The good news is that YouTube has made it surprisingly simple to use popular tracks without risking copyright strikes. This guide will show you exactly how to find and use copyrighted music safely on YouTube Shorts, explain the rules, and help you avoid common mistakes.

Understanding Copyright on YouTube Shorts: The Basics

Before jumping into the "how-to," it's important to understand why this process matters. When you use music you don't own the rights to, the original copyright holder can file a claim against your video. On regular, long-form YouTube videos, this can lead to serious consequences:

• Content ID Claim: This is an automated claim where the copyright holder can choose to monetize your video (run ads on it and collect the revenue), mute the audio, or block the video in certain countries.
• Copyright Strike: This is a more severe, manual takedown request from the copyright holder. If you get three strikes, your channel can be terminated.

YouTube Shorts operates a little differently. Because YouTube has secured licensing agreements with many music labels, they've created a built-in system that lets you use popular songs without fear of these penalties. The catch? You have to use their system to do it.

The Safest Method: Using the YouTube Shorts Audio Library

The easiest and most official way to add copyrighted music to your Shorts is by using the Audio Library directly within the YouTube app. This library contains millions of songs that YouTube has already licensed for use in Shorts. When you use a track from this library, the copyright holder is automatically compensated, and you don't have to worry about claims or strikes.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Open the YouTube App and Start Creating a Short

Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen and select "Create a Short." This will open the Shorts camera and creation interface.

Step 2: Add Your Sound

At the top of the Shorts camera screen, you'll see a button that says "Add sound." Tap this to open the Audio Library. Here, you'll find featured tracks, trending sounds, and playlists curated by YouTube. You can also use the search bar to find a specific song or artist.

Step 3: Select and Trim Your Music

Once you find the song you want, tap on it to preview. If you like it, tap the blue arrow button on the right to add it to your Short. You'll be taken back to the camera screen, where you'll see the song title at the top.

By default, Shorts will often select a popular snippet of the song for you. To choose a different part, tap on the song title at the top, which will bring up an audio timeline. You can drag the waveform left or right to select the exact 15- to 60-second clip you want to use. You can also use the toolbar on the right to adjust your Short's overall length (either 15 or 60 seconds).

Step 4: Record or Upload Your Video

With your music selected, you can now record your video. The song will play as you record, making it easy to sync your visuals to the beat. Alternatively, if you've already filmed your video, you can upload it from your phone's gallery and the music you selected will be layered on top.

That's it! When you publish your Short, the music will be properly licensed, and the video's description will automatically include a link to the song and artist, handling all the attribution for you.

Another Easy Way: Using Sounds from Other Shorts

What if you see a Short with a sound you love and want to use it immediately? YouTube makes this easy, too. This is one of the most common ways trends spread across the platform.

When you're watching a Short, look at the bottom right corner. You'll see a spinning circle icon with the album art for the sound being used, along with the sound's name scrolling next to it.

1. Tap on the sound's name or the spinning icon.
2. This will take you to the audio's landing page, showing you other Shorts that have used the same clip.
3. At the bottom of this screen, find the red button that says "Use this sound."
4. Tapping it will take you directly to the Shorts creation screen with that exact sound pre-loaded, ready for you to record your own video.

This method is just as safe as using the Audio Library, as it funnels you into the same licensed music system. It's often faster for jumping on trends as they happen.

Rules and Limitations to Keep in Mind

While YouTube's system is very creator-friendly, there are a few important rules and limitations to be aware of.

Music Usage is for Shorts Only

The licensing agreements YouTube has with labels are specifically for short-form content. Just because a song is available in the Shorts Audio Library does not mean you can use it in your regular, long-form videos. If you use the same song in a 10-minute vlog, you will likely get a copyright claim or strike.

What if Your Video is Created Outside of YouTube?

Many creators edit their videos in third-party apps like CapCut or Adobe Premiere Pro before uploading them to YouTube. If you add a copyrighted song in one of these external editors and then upload the finished video to Shorts, YouTube's Content ID system will detect it and may block, mute, or monetize it on behalf of the copyright holder.

The rule of thumb is: the music must be added within the YouTube app itself. If you edit elsewhere, edit only the video clips. Then, upload the silent video to the Shorts editor and add the music using the "Add sound" feature.

Creator Music: An Evolving Alternative

YouTube is also expanding a platform called "Creator Music," which offers a catalog of songs you can license for a fee or, in some cases, use for free in exchange for sharing revenue with the artist. While this program is primarily aimed at long-form content, it's blurring the lines between the two formats and may offer more flexible paths to licensing music in the future.

Common Myths About Using Copyrighted Music (And Why They're Wrong)

The internet is full of bad advice about copyright. Here are some common myths that you should absolutely ignore:

• Myth 1: "If I only use 10 seconds, it's fair use."
  Reality: The length of the clip doesn't matter. Copyright infringement is not determined by time but by whether you have permission to use the work. There's no magical "10-second rule."
• Myth 2: "If I give credit to the artist in my description, I'm okay."
  Reality: Attribution is nice, but it is not a substitute for a license. Citing the artist does nothing to resolve the legal copyright issue.
• Myth 3: "If I include a 'No Copyright Infringement Intended' disclaimer, I'm protected."
  Reality: A disclaimer does not give you legal protection. It’s like admitting you're robbing a bank but saying you don't intend to break the law.
• Myth 4: "Speeding up or distorting the audio will fool the Content ID system."
  Reality: YouTube's Content ID is highly sophisticated. It can detect audio even if it's been pitched up, sped up, or slightly altered. While this might have worked years ago, it's no longer a reliable strategy and just makes your Short sound bad.

Sticking to the official "Add sound" feature inside the YouTube app is the only guaranteed way to stay in the clear and focus on what's important: creating amazing content.

Final Thoughts

Using copyrighted music on YouTube Shorts isn't just possible - it's encouraged, as long as you play by the platform's rules. By using the built-in Audio Library or the "Use this sound" feature, you can safely leverage trending audio to boost your reach without the stress of copyright claims. Forget the myths and convoluted workarounds, YouTube has handed you the exact tool you need to succeed.

The key to winning on Shorts is consistency, and planning your content ahead of time with a visual calendar is a game-changer. We built Postbase to help creators streamline their social media workflow, from idea to publication. Even when you're creating Shorts that need popular music added in-app, mapping out your content ideas, scripts, and publication dates in our content calendar can help you stay organized and on track. For all your other video content, like Shorts that use royalty-free audio, you can schedule them directly across all your platforms with just a few clicks.