Add Music To Your Vlogs & Copyright Basics
If you’ve started making vlogs or are planning your YouTube debut, adding music can take your edits from plain to punchy. Good background tracks set the mood, keep viewers engaged, and really add something extra to your content. But figuring out how to use music legally is a big deal; copyright law gets complicated fast, and getting it wrong can mean your video gets flagged or even taken down. Here I’ll break down the basics of copyright and music for vlogs, so you can use tunes with confidence and keep your channel trouble-free.
Why Music Matters for Vlogs (But Copyright Matters More!)
Background music in vlogs does more than just fill quiet spots; it helps shape the vibe of your video, adds emotion, and can even hook your viewers so they stick around longer. But every song, instrumental, beat, or soundbyte you hear almost always belongs to someone. Even if you only use a few seconds or it’s playing quietly in the back, copyright applies unless the song is free to use or you have the right kind of license.
Ignoring copyright rules can lead to claims that mute your video, block it, or even cost you money. YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have strong systems that scan uploads for protected audio, making it way more likely you’ll get caught out if you don’t follow the rules.
Quick Intro to Music Copyright
Copyright is basically the right of an artist or creator to control how their music is used. If you use a copyright-protected song in your vlog footage without permission, it’s considered copyright infringement, even for just a few seconds.
When it comes to music, there are two main things that are protected:
- Composition: The melodies, chords, and lyrics written by the songwriter.
- Recording: The actual performance that ends up on Spotify, CDs, or radio.
This is why you can’t just grab your favorite top 40 track or remix and drop it over your video without checking the rules; it’s someone’s intellectual property on more than one level.
How to Legally Add Music to Your Vlogs
There’s good news: you don’t have to stick with silence or make all your own tunes from scratch. You have several options that keep things above board:
- Use RoyaltyFree or Creative Commons Music: These tracks can be used for free or with minimal cost, often as long as you credit the creator or follow simple conditions.
- Buy a License: You can purchase music licenses from sites like Epidemic Sound or Artlist, which let you legally use thousands of tracks in your videos for a flat fee or monthly subscription.
- Use BuiltIn YouTube Audio Library: YouTube gives creators a library packed with free tracks and sound effects for exactly this purpose. Most don’t even require attribution.
- Get Direct Permission: If you want to use a certain song, reach out to the creator or copyright holder to negotiate a license or written OK; even indie musicians are usually open to requests if you ask politely.
- Make Your Own Tunes: Producing music yourself or with friends avoids all the copyright mess and gives your channel a unique sound.
What “Royalty-Free” Actually Means
“Royaltyfree” can be confusing. It doesn’t always mean the music is completely free; instead, you usually pay a single fee to use the track however you want (for example, in unlimited YouTube videos). You don’t have to pay ongoing royalties each time your video is viewed. Just double-check the terms to be sure they allow commercial use, monetization, and the platforms you want to upload on. Some royaltyfree tracks are only for personal projects unless you pay more.
Where to Find Safe, Legal Music for Vlogs
Plenty of sites and libraries offer music you can use without worrying about copyright strikes. Here are a few places I’ve found helpful:
- YouTube Audio Library: Super easy for beginners since it’s directly inside YouTube Studio. No copyright issues, a ton of genres, and many tracks even allow monetization.
- Epidemic Sound: One subscription gets you loads of highquality tracks, stems, and sound effects. Their licensing covers YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, and more.
- Artlist: Another subscription model; you download and use music everywhere, even after your account ends, your old videos stay covered.
- Free Music Archive (FMA): Great for indies and creative commons music. Just check every track’s individual license for requirements like attribution.
- Bensound, Incompetech, and Audiio: More good sources for affordable or free music with simple licensing.
I always doublecheck the fine print before using a new site’s music because license terms, allowed uses, and attribution rules can change.
Common Copyright Traps in Vlogging
Even if you’re careful, it’s easy to run into trouble if you’re not paying close attention to details. Here are some spots where new vloggers trip up:
- Background Music “Bleed”: Tunes playing in stores, gyms, or restaurants that show up in your footage can trigger copyright claims, even accidentally. Editing or muting the audio can help avoid this.
- Using Movie Scores or Hit Songs: Bigname tracks, theme songs, and movie scores are almost always protected by strict copyright and need special permission. Even short snippets get flagged.
- Unlicensed Remixes and Covers: Just because someone remixed a famous song doesn’t mean the remix is free to use. Covers and remixes need a new license or permission from the original copyright holder.
- Sharing Licensed Music Across Projects: Some licenses only cover one project or limited platforms. Reread your agreement to make sure you don’t overstep.
If you’re just starting out, learning to spot these traps becomes much easier with experience. Remember, platforms are always scanning for copyright issues to keep creators compliant.
What Happens If You Get Copyrighted?
If you upload a video using music without the proper rights, YouTube (and similar platforms) will usually detect it with their “Content ID” system. This can lead to:
- Monetization being turned off (earnings go to the song’s rights holder, not you)
- Your video being blocked in certain countries, or totally removed
- Repeated issues possibly getting your channel flagged, suspended, or even deleted
If you’ve made a mistake, you can swap out the audio or clip the offending portion in YouTube’s editing tools to keep your video live.
Terms You’ll Run Into (And What They Mean)
- Monetization: Making ad revenue from your videos. Not all licenses let you monetize content that features their music.
- Attribution: Giving the music creator credit; often required by Creative Commons or some free tracks.
- Commercial Use: Any content that earns you money (directly or through ads) counts as commercial and needs special licenses.
- Synchronization License (“Sync License”): A legal agreement letting you use music synced with video. Production libraries or licensing sites provide this for their music.
How to Credit Music Properly
If a song’s license says you need to give “attribution,” there’s usually a specific way to do it. Most creators and libraries will list exactly what info to add, like the song title, artist, source, and license type. Add this in your video description or in credits at the end.
For example, a Creative Commons track might need something like:
Music: “Beach Walk” by Unicorn Heads
Source: YouTube Audio Library
License: CC BY
Proper credit builds goodwill with artists and helps show viewers you’re playing by the rules.
FAQs: Make Sense of Music Copyright in Vlogs
Question: Can I use any song if I only use a few seconds?
Answer: No, there’s no “magic number” of seconds where copyright no longer applies. Even a short clip can get flagged.
Question: My video isn’t monetized. Do copyright rules still apply?
Answer: Yes, copyright laws care about permission, not whether you’re making money. Always follow the rules, just in case you monetize in the future.
Question: If I bought the song on iTunes, can I use it in my video?
Answer: Buying a digital song gives you the right to listen to it, not to use it in your own videos or projects. You’ll need a license for that.
Question: What happens if I ignore claims on my channel?
Answer: Repeated copyright claims (especially if you dispute them without a solid reason) can lead to strikes on your channel. Three strikes usually means your YouTube channel is removed. It’s really important to deal with claims quickly and honestly.
Bring It All Together. Keep the Vibe, Skip the Strikes
Adding music will make your vlogs more memorable, fun, and immersive. Sticking to copyright basics keeps your channel safe and lets your audience enjoy your creative work without any legal headaches. When in doubt, use music from trusted sources and always doublecheck license details; your channel (and your peace of mind) will thank you. Also, never underestimate the benefit of building your own music library over time.
With each new project, you develop more skills and confidence, making your YouTube ride smoother and more enjoyable. If you’re still not sure about a track, play it safe—switch it out for something you know is covered. Staying sharp with copyright lets you focus on what really matters: creating content your viewers love.
