When YouTube detects registered audio in your upload, it can automatically apply a Content ID claim. While this is not a copyright strike, and doesn’t penalize your channel, it does mean the rights holder can control monetisation, tracking, or restriction of the video.
This article will provide you with the steps to resolve a Content ID Claim, either via our Claim Clear feature or manually via YouTube.
Before starting, check your notification from YouTube to see whether you have received a Content ID claim, or a Copyright strike. For more information on the difference and background information, see our article Understanding YouTube Content ID Claims.
- If the notice uses words like "Copyright Claim", "Matched third-party content", or "Content ID", follow the steps below.
- If the notice uses words like "Copyright takedown" or "Strike", head to our guide: Understanding and Managing YouTube Copyright Strikes.
There are two primary options to clearing a Content ID Claim: Using Envato’s Claim Clear feature, or disputing the claim manually via YouTube.
Option 1: Resolving Claims via Claim Clear
Claim Clear is an Envato feature that helps prevent and resolve eligible YouTube Content ID claims. You are able to download Claim Clear ready music from Envato, then use your Claim Clear Dashboard to either safelist your YouTube channel to automatically clear eligible claims on future uploads, or submit an individual video after a claim appears to quickly and easily clear the claim.
Please note: Using Claim Clear ready music doesn't guarantee you'll never receive a Content ID claim. Rather, it means you can prevent or resolve eligible claims quickly and easily using our Safelist or Individual Video Clear features.
Step 1: Choose Claim Clear ready music
To be eligible to use the Claim Clear feature, you must use Claim Clear ready tracks in your YouTube video.
- When searching our Envato music library for your YouTube videos, look for tracks that are marked Claim Clear ready.
- When searching for Music, you can select the “Content ID” filter to show only Claim Clear ready music
- Look for the Claim Clear ready icon
when searching the music library.
- In the item page, look for the license details to see whether or not the track is Claim Clear ready.
- When searching for Music, you can select the “Content ID” filter to show only Claim Clear ready music
- Use these eligible tracks to be able to safelist your YouTube channel, or clear individual videos with ease.
- If you have not used Claim Clear ready music, proceed to Option 2 to manually dispute your claim.
- If you have used Claim Clear ready music, proceed to step 2 and 3.
Step 2: Safelist Your Channel
You can safelist up to 3 YouTube channels to automatically clear eligible claims on future videos which use Claim Clear ready tracks.
- Go to the Claim Clear dashboard in your Envato account by selecting your account name in the bottom-left menu and clicking Claim Clear.
- Under Safelist a YouTube Channel, add your YouTube channel URL using the format:
https://www.YouTube.com/@your_channel_name
- Click Add. Once the status shows Active, future uploads using eligible tracks will clear automatically.
Step 3: Clear an Individual Video
You can clear up to 30 eligible individual videos per month using the Claim Clear feature.
- Go to the Claim Clear dashboard in your Envato account by selecting your account name in the bottom-left menu and clicking Claim Clear.
- Under Clear an individual video, add your public or unlisted YouTube video URL.
- Click Add. Clearances are usually completed within minutes (though some partners like HAAWK can take up to 24 hours).
If you encounter any problems with Safelisting your channel, or clearing individual videos with eligible Claim Clear Ready music, please contact us with your license certificate and the YouTube video URL for further assistance.
Note on Account Roles:
- Enterprise Plans: Only the Billing Contact can process submissions via Claim Clear.
- Teams Plans: Only the Team Owner can process submissions via Claim Clear.
Option 2: Resolving Claims via YouTube
If your claim is not eligible for Claim Clear, you can dispute the claim directly through YouTube Studio, using your license certificate. Note that disputing the claim can take up to 30 days.
Step 1: Download Your License Certificate
- Log in to Envato Elements and go to My Downloads.
- Locate the music track used in your video, select View Licenses, and select Download license.
- Save the license file to your computer.
Step 2: Locate the Claim in YouTube Studio
- Sign into YouTube Studio, and locate your Channel Content page.
- You can filter your search, or find the video by checking the Notices or Restriction column to locate the claim.
- Hover over the claim and click View Details.
- You can choose to View details to see more information about the Claim, or Take Action to:
- Erase the song
- Replace the song
- Remove the segment
- Dispute the claim
Step 3: Submit the Dispute
- Once you have chosen to dispute the Claim, you will need to provide your Reason. Select License as your reason and click Continue.
- Check the box confirming you have permission to use the content and click Continue.
- In the Rationale text box, paste the complete contents of your downloaded Envato Elements license Certificate.
- (Optional) Add this supporting statement: "A license to use this royalty-free music track by [Author Name] was validly downloaded from Envato Elements."
- (Optional) Add this supporting statement: "A license to use this royalty-free music track by [Author Name] was validly downloaded from Envato Elements."
- Check all required declaration boxes, enter your full legal name as the signature, and click Submit.
Your dispute will be reviewed by the relevant Content ID Partner, and an outcome will be reached within 30 days:
- Claim released: The partner approves your dispute and releases the claim.
- Claim expired: The partner does not respond within 30 days, and YouTube automatically releases the claim.
- Dispute rejected: The partner rejects your dispute and upholds the claim.
Step 4: Appealing a dispute rejection
If the copyright owner rejects your initial dispute, you must carefully evaluate whether to appeal their decision.
Before appealing, verify that your video meets all Envato licensing requirements. For example, the audio must be incorporated into a larger creative work (an End Product) rather than uploaded on its own or as the primary focus. You can read more about this in our Envato Elements License FAQ.
If you decide to proceed with an appeal, follow these steps in YouTube Studio:
- Log in to YouTube Studio and select Content from the left menu.
- Locate the flagged video, hover over Copyright in the Restrictions column, and click See Details.
- Click Take Action, choose Appeal, and fill out the required information.
Once submitted, the Content ID partner has 7 days to respond. One of three outcomes will occur:
- Claim released: The partner approves your appeal and releases the claim.
- Claim expired: The partner does not respond within 7 days, and YouTube automatically releases the claim.
- Appeal rejected: The partner rejects your appeal and requests a formal copyright strike against your video.
For detailed guidance on YouTube's Content ID process, visit YouTube's Support Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I dispute a claim if my subscription has expired?
Yes. Download your license certificate by following the instructions in our article, Envato Item License Certificate, then dispute via YouTube (Option 2 above) using that certificate.
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My client received a Content ID claim on a video I created for them. What should I do?
Download the license certificate and share it with your customer. Point them to the dispute instructions in Option 2 above.
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I got a Content ID Claim on my YouTube Short and it’s blocked globally, what do I do?
If your YouTube Short is longer than 1 minute and receives a Content ID claim, YouTube will block it globally. You can dispute the claim using the standard process above, but you should also check whether you have the ability to turn off audio remixing on your YouTube Short. This is a requirement of the Envato License as noted in our Envato Elements License FAQ. If YouTube does not allow you to turn this feature off, you may be required to use alternative audio for your shorts.
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I can't find the item or license certificate I downloaded — how do I dispute a claim?
Search for the creator's portfolio directly on Envato Elements to locate the track. If the track is still active, click the track name to open the item page, then click license to view your previous licenses for that item. Use those license details to submit your dispute. See Envato Elements License FAQ for information about licenses when an item has been removed.
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How do I clear a Content ID claim on Facebook or Instagram?
YouTube Content ID workflows only apply to YouTube. To address copyright notices on Facebook or Instagram, follow the specific instructions provided in the notification email sent by Meta or consult their dedicated help centers:
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How do I clear a claim if I used a Free File account?
Download a screenshot showing the item listed under your My Downloads section while signed into your free account, along with a link to the Envato Elements Free Files Policy. Paste these details into the explanation field when submitting a YouTube dispute under Option 2.
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My manual claim via YouTube is taking too long. Is there anything else I can do?
You may wish to outreach directly to the Content ID Partner who is managing the claim. Some common Content ID Partners include: