What is Content ID?
Content ID is a popular digital fingerprinting system that content creators can use to easily identify and manage their copyrighted content on YouTube. Videos uploaded to YouTube are compared against audio and video files registered with Content ID by content owners, looking for any matches.
When a video is matched to Content ID registered content, a copyright notice will appear on the video, and the content owner may choose to take certain actions, such as:
- Clearing the claim and taking no further action
- Tracking the video’s viewership statistics
- Monetizing the video by running ads against it
- Muting the audio that matches their music
- Or even blocking a whole video from being viewed
Who are YouTube Content ID Partners?
YouTube Partner platforms use the Content ID system to manage and administer this copyrighted content on behalf of content owners. They include FUGA (previosuly Adrev), HAAWK/Identifyy, SourceAudio, Audiam, TuneCore and EliteAlliance. They, in turn, provide users with various information such as which videos their content is used in, tracking of unauthorized uses, viewership reports, and distribution of any monetization earnings.
How does this relate to Envato Elements audio?
Many online-based music composers, including some of those that sell licenses to their music via Elements, have their content digitally fingerprinted via Content ID to help protect against unauthorized uses, and also use these YouTube Partner platforms to administer and manage their content.
We provide license certificates for audio you download on Envato Elements, so should a copyright notice appear on a video containing music that is tracked by Content ID, it can be easily cleared.
What does this mean for me and my YouTube projects?
When a video is uploaded to YouTube that contains licensed, digitally fingerprinted music, a “matched third party content” copyright notice will appear alongside the uploaded video in the YouTube Video Manager (this typically appears shortly after uploading).
A copyright notice does not mean that copyrights have been infringed, and this shouldn’t be confused with a YouTube “copyright strike”. It’s simply a notice to advise that YouTube has detected Content ID registered content within the video and that further information/action is needed.
Hint: Your license file for your audio download allows you to clear potential copyright notices using content ID.
Why are there ads running on my videos?
When unauthorized/unlicensed use of music is found in a YouTube video, it may have monetized ads placed over it by the YouTube Content ID system. Once you’ve used your Elements license certificate to clear any copyright notices on your video, these ads will be removed and you will be able to monetize the video yourself if you wish.
For more tips on quickly and easily clearing these notices, such as how you can upload an unlisted video to clear them in advance, see the “How to clear a YouTube copyright notice” section below.
How do I know if an item is registered with Content ID?
If a track is registered and digitally fingerprinted with Content ID, it will be called out in the item description on the item page, as in the image below:
Excludes Content ID Filter
If you're browsing music, you can use the Excludes Content ID filter to exclude tracks with Content ID. This allows you to browse and listen to tracks without navigating to the item description page to find out if it's registered with Content ID.
What if my audio track does not come with a Content ID registration?
If a track has not been registered and digitally fingerprinted with Content ID, it will be labelled in the item description page as in the image below:
You should not receive a YouTube copyright notice for those tracks, however, if you do, please let us know here and follow the instructions on How to clear a YouTube copyright notice.
How to clear a YouTube copyright notice
Clearing a YouTube copyright notice is a very straightforward process. You can remove copyright notices in the following ways:
- Disputing the claim via YouTube’s built-in form.
- If the music is administered via FUGA (previously Adrev), using the FUGA Claim Clearance page is the quickest and most direct way to clear a claim. FUGA will send you an email confirmation once it has been cleared. You can also use the following pages for other YouTube Content ID Partners:
- HAAWK
- Contact SourceAudio | Rights Management Software
- Elite Alliance
- Audiam
- TuneCore
To clear a claim via YouTube, you simply need to let YouTube know that you have licensed the music and have the rights to use it. Simply choose to ‘dispute’ the claim by hovering over “Copyright notice” and clicking “SEE DETAILS” next to the video in your Video Manager, or on your dedicated copyright notices page. After you click “Dispute”:
- Check “My dispute isn't based on any of the reasons above. I would still like to dispute this Content ID claim.” and click “CONTINUE”.
- Select “License” for the reason you're disputing the claim and click “CONTINUE”.
- Check “I have permission to use the content from the copyright owner.” and click “CONTINUE”.
Under “Review requirements”, copy/paste the contents from your license certificate (accessible via the 'My Downloads' page, or at the point of download) and check all boxes. Sign and submit. You may also wish to include the statement "A license to use this royalty-free music by [Name of Author] was downloaded from elements.envato.com".
Once you submit the dispute, claims will be addressed by FUGA.
You may also find it helpful to read:
- YouTube's support article for users affected by copyright claims
- YouTube’s support article on submitting additional documentation to claim monetization rights.
How long does it take to review a YouTube claim?
If you have lodged a YouTube copyright claim, please follow up directly with YouTube, as this is outside our control.
What if my subscription expires, can I dispute YouTube claim?
Yes, simply navigate to "My downloads", download the license and follow the instructions here: How to clear a YouTube copyright notice.
I have built an end product for a customer and they received a YouTube claim, can they dispute it?
Yes, you can download the license certificate in "My downloads" in your Envato Elements account, share it with the customer and point them to the instructions available here: How to clear a YouTube copyright notice.
How can I clear a notice on other social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram)?
When the content you have posted on social media platforms has received a content ID notice, please follow the guidelines you receive in an email from Facebook or Instagram or navigate to a respective Help Centre in order to clear a claim:
How can I clear a notice on files when I have an Envato Elements free account?
When you have a free account and use one of the free files registered with Content ID to create content online, you might receive a claim. In order to clear it, you simply need to let the claimant know that you have licensed the music and have the right to use it. In the form, you should provide:
- Screenshot that shows the free item you've registered (you can find it in 'My downloads' under your Envato Elements free account), for example:
- Link to Envato Elements Free Files Single Use Policy
If the claim is coming from Youtube, you can follow the steps on How to Clear a Youtube Copyright Notice and include the information provided above under the Review Requirements section.
If you would like to learn more about Free files license terms, navigate here.