YouTube Content ID is a digital fingerprinting system (developed by Google) which is used to easily identify and manage copyrighted content on YouTube. Looking for matches, YouTube scans video files uploaded and registered with Content ID by content owners. Content owners can then choose to have matching content taken down or to monetize it.
By opting into Songtradr YouTube Rights Management, song owners can gain access to the YouTube Content ID system. They can opt-in all songs or opt-in song by song within the monetization page. By doing so, artists can generate income from anyone who uses their songs in videos uploaded to YouTube.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
1. How do I get paid for YouTube monetization?
Songtradr will account to all rights-holders within 30 days of receiving payment from YouTube. Your account will be credited with 100% of any income received from YouTube less our usual commission.
2. Why should I use Songtradr for YouTube Rights Management?
Song owners can choose which songs they wish to monetize
Songtradr automatically splits and deposits revenues to all rights-holders’ accounts accordingly
Access to YouTube’s Content ID system is typically restricted to large labels, publishers and distributors, where specialized training and knowledge are needed to navigate, collect revenue and manage rights disputes. Songtradr YouTube Rights Management can manage these tasks for you.
3. How do my songs make money on YouTube?
Song owners earn money when ads have been placed on YouTube videos that contain their songs. Songtradr YouTube Rights Management identifies and collects on these usages for the song owners.
4. Are all songs eligible for YouTube Rights Management?
You can only opt-in songs which you own (control) and which are free of unlicensed third-party audio samples.
Please do not submit tracks for YouTube Rights Management that:
Contain any third-party content that you have not licensed for this use (such as unlicensed samples or beats)
Contain any ambient sound effects (like sounds from nature), production loops (such as Apple Loops from Garage Band) or samples from online audio libraries (like audiojungle.net or musicbed.com)
Contain public domain music, clips or speeches
Are karaoke versions or sound-a-like cover versions
Are already represented for YouTube Rights Management by another provider
5. Does YouTube monetize my songs if they have been included in videos other people upload?
Yes, whenever ads have been placed on videos, Songtradr YouTube Rights Management will monetize those usages. This is the case even when you use your own songs on your own videos unless you decide to “whitelist” your YouTube channel.
6. What does it mean for me to “whitelist” my YouTube channel?
Whitelist means to "exclude”. Set your YouTube Channel Preferences to “whitelist” if you do not want Songtradr to collect revenue for your songs on your YouTube channel.
** Please note that we are unable to whitelist a YouTube channel on your behalf unless your music has already been accepted and ingested into YouTube Content ID via Songtradr’s Monetization portal.
7. What are the types of ads that can appear in my videos?
TrueView in-stream ads (https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/products/youtube-trueview/)
Display ads (i.e., banners)
Overlay in-video ads
Non-skippable in-stream ads
These ads can range from a simple banner to an actual commercial. Additional monetization income is generated when more than one advertisement is placed on your video.
8. Is this a guaranteed opportunity?
YouTube does not guarantee that all music delivered to them will be accepted, ingested or Monetized. It is also important to note that Songtradr plays no role in confirming music in YouTube’s system.
9. How much money can I make on YouTube?
The more your music is uploaded and streamed on monetized YouTube videos, the more revenue you can generate.
10. If my music is accepted, will YouTube ingest my music automatically?
YouTube works to support music delivery for artists worldwide; however, only a limited amount of music can be ingested at any given time. As a result, even if your music is accepted into YouTube’s Content ID system, the ingestion process may take several months or longer to complete. As this process is managed solely by YouTube, Songtradr is unable to expedite it. We appreciate your patience and understanding in the meantime.
11. My tracks are showing as ‘Pending Delivery’—does this mean they are still awaiting delivery to YouTube by Songtradr?
The status you see in the YouTube Monetization portal of your Songtradr dashboard, reflects the delivery status within YouTube’s system—not within Songtradr’s. In this process, Songtradr acts primarily as an intermediary. Once you opt in, we begin working to submit your music for acceptance and ingestion into YouTube’s Content ID system. If and when YouTube begins accepting and processing your tracks, their status will update to ‘Delivered’ in your dashboard.
12. My music is showing up as ‘Delivered’ to YouTube, how will I know if I am earning revenue?
If YouTube begins to recognize when your music is played and can monetize accordingly, they will send monthly earning reports to your Songtradr dashboard.