Lickd Can You Use Popular Music In Shorts_Outreach

YouTube Shorts have become the primary attraction of YouTube overall, attracting far more likes and views than regular videos. Many creators are diversifying their output by including Shorts, while others are choosing to go all in on this snappy approach to content. As with all media formats, recognisable music can do wonders for these short-form bursts of entertainment. But how does one access popular music for YouTube Shorts? 

Music licensing can be complicated, and if improper use is flagged, you risk having videos being demonetized, muted, and deleted outright, not to mention other potential consequences for your channel.

The solution is two-fold. On one hand, you have the easiest method of soundtracking your Shorts, using the YouTube Audio Library. On the other hand, you can use subscription-based music libraries. This article explains the differences between these two pathways, making it easier to choose the right option for your content. 

Using the YouTube Audio Library is the easiest pathway

When creating YouTube Shorts on the in-app tool, you can simply “Add Sound”, then choose from a wide library of copyrighted popular music (as well as standardised free tracks) that YouTube has licensed directly. This is a super-fast, easy way to get copyrighted music on your content.

Important considerations

It’s important to note that adding sound directly like this limits your posting potential to YouTube Shorts alone, meaning posts on different platforms will require distinct edits. It also means that any earnings from monetized videos will be split with the rights holders automatically. You can only use songs taken directly from the library; picking one of the popular YouTube Shorts songs from the library and incorporating it through any other editing platform will result in Content ID claims.

Also, creating the content directly in the app can come with limitations when it comes to editing, as it allows for editing (with the music) only with YouTube’s own software. Remember as well, these licenses only apply to creator accounts, not commercial business accounts. 

You can also use purely royalty-free music for YouTube Shorts from the library, but it won’t have the same impact or benefit as popular music. 

Finding a claim-managing platform & music library is great for editing & versatility

There are subscription platforms out there that take regular flat fees, allowing users access to a library of claim-managed music. These platforms work by handling licensing legalities and fees, so creators can download tracks, import them into editing software, such as CapCut, and upload across a variety of different platforms. 

This offers an increased degree of flexibility in terms of editing styles, as well as allowing for efficiency in terms of cross-posting. Best of all? Using a system like this allows for full revenue retention, whatever YouTube Shorts songs you use from the library you subscribe to. 

Key considerations

Even with full copyright protection and claims management, you should never use popular music for sponsored content. Brand deals and commercial accounts require specific commercial licenses. Remember, the artist or label didn’t agree to be used in representation of a specific company, only for the sake of creators. 

Choosing music for YouTube Shorts properly

If you don’t mind splitting revenue and just want a free, easy-access way to use popular music on YouTube Shorts, use the in-app library of options. If you’re looking for a music library that allows for cross-platform posting and maximum revenue generation, a claim-management platform is the better choice for you, but remember you’ll need some initial capital in place to pay for your subscription. 

Choose your path and get posting! There’s a massive audience out there, waiting to become yours.