Making Shorts is an exciting way to connect with a larger audience. Still, many video creators find it difficult to add music to YouTube shorts. Muted videos, copyright warnings, and even the automatic transfer of ad revenue to music copyright holders make a straightforward upload a headache.
In this post, we’ll show you how to upload music to YouTube Shorts using three safe methods, two important tips you should not ignore, and free tool tips for guaranteeing that the music is legally secure.
How to Add Music to YouTube Shorts: Common Issues
You have probably faced some of these obstacles:
- Muted Videos: A painstakingly produced video in which the audio drops out during a 10-second mention of a popular song.
- Copyright Notices: You could receive a notice that your video infringes on copyright and face possible channel strikes.
- Ad Revenue Risk: YouTube could automatically remove ad revenue and give it to the original copywrite owner of the music being used.
But don’t worry—with the proper techniques, these pitfalls can be dodged. Below are the best and safest ways to add music to YouTube Shorts without getting in trouble with copyright laws.
3 Ways to Safely Add Music to YouTube Shorts
Method 1: Use the Official YouTube Music Library
The simplest and the most secure method is to add music through YouTube’s official library. The platform offers a vast royalty-free music collection of tracks that can be used without fear of copyright strikes in your videos.
How It Works:
YouTube has its “Audio Libraries” library and “sound effects,” which you can add to a video directly from the YouTube Studio. The best part? According to YouTube, they’re all free to use without copyright issues.
How to Use It:
- Open YouTube Studio.
Visit the “Audio Library” under the “Create” section.
- Select the track you want to add music to YouTube Shorts.
- Download the music and import it into your video.
This approach keeps you within YouTube’s legal territory and protects your video from copyright claims.
Method 2: Download Copyright-Free Music
If you want more choices, you can check copyright-free music platforms. These sites have free tracks to use, and many have extensive royalty-free music libraries for you to explore, giving creators options if they’re looking for variety.
- YouTube Audio Library: This is the most viable free option for creators who want to abide by YouTube’s terms of service. You can search by “copyright-free” tags to ensure your chosen music is free from licensing restrictions. This is a great way to add music to YouTube Shorts without worrying about copyright issues.
- Free Music Archive: Free Music Archive is another great free site where you can discover music under the Creative Commons. Review the various licensing terms of each track to ensure that it’s free to use on YouTube. It’s an excellent place to add free music for your YouTube Shorts creation.
- Epidemic Sound: This is a paid service, but they have a vast library of excellent music you can use without worrying about copyright hiccups. You can use their music on your YouTube Shorts without worrying about being hit with Content ID copyright claims. It’s an easy way to add music to video content.
Method 3: Editing & Remixing with Edimakor
Remixing music using editing tools like Edimakor may be the best way to get creative with their sound. You can also record your songs and edit songs you have already made, so the probability of false copyright claims is pretty low.
How It Works:
Edimakor Create your remixes: Tracks are reimagined in Edimakor as you customize them by adjusting the tempo, chopping parts, and inserting SFX. This is how to turn a copyrighted song into something much more your own while keeping its catchy vibe.
How to Use It:
- Choose your track to upload to Edimakor.
- Add processing like reverb and compression to further sculpt the sound.
- Export the song’s new version and use it in your YouTube Shorts creation. With Edimakor, you can easily add music to YouTube Shorts and make them uniquely yours.
2 Pitfall Avoidance Tips
Here are some typical pitfalls when adding music to YouTube Shorts that can result in copyright problems. Here’s how to avoid them:
Avoid Using Original Popular Music Directly
It might be tempting to include a scene of you dancing to the latest hit song in your Shorts, but even a few seconds of popular music can lead to a copyright claim. Content ID bots on YouTube will remove your video or mute the audio. If the song is flagged, the rights holder might receive the advertising revenue instead.
Don’t Extract Music from Other Videos
You might think you can pull music from movies, music videos, or other creators’ videos. However, doing so is a quick ticket to a copyright violation. Manual or automated, this will most likely result in a strike or the video being removed.
For those already in the know: Yes, Written or said by the dead person does not mean the copyright has expired; written copyright is Seven Generations past the Dead Person’s lifetime. Also, you can’t post recordings that are copyrighted. And No, putting “no copyright” or “not owned by me” in the description does not make this okay. The copyright holders own the music and can take action even if you say you don’t own it.
Copyright Verification Tips Before Publishing
Before clicking publish, it is essential to check the copyright status of your music. Here are some tools and strategies to help:
- Epidemic Sound Copyright Checker: This tool tells you whether the music you’re using is registered and if there are copyright restrictions on what you use.
- TuneCore Music Search: This feature will help you search for music and check if anything is copyrighted before publishing your video.
- Private Upload Test: Upload your video to YouTube as a “Private” video. If you do not get a copyright alert within 24 hours, you can publish the video for the public.
A Final Word
To prevent copyright problems when adding music to YouTube Shorts, use something safe like the official YouTube library and other copyright-free sources. Editing tools such as Edimakor, with which music may be remixed, also afford some creative freedom while still complying.
Don’t take dangerous risks like cutting and distributing original audio directly from hit songs or downloading music from someone else’s videos. These methods may even lead to copyright strikes and the removal of your videos.
Following the steps in this article and using the tools, you can add music to YouTube Shorts safely and without any risk of a copyright strike.
FAQs
Does adding uncopyrighted music to YouTube Shorts affect traffic?
Typically, playing uncopyrighted or royalty-free music shouldn’t impact your traffic. In fact, it might even enhance your engagement because YouTube favors videos that comply with copyright regulations.
What kind of music is best for YouTube Shorts?
The ideal music for YouTube Shorts is upbeat, infectious, and short. Avoid royalty-free tracks available at YouTube’s official music library to avoid copyright infringement laws.