Updated: November 2026 · Diskover Team
Quick answer: Content ID is YouTube’s system for comparing every uploaded video against a database of protected audio. If someone uses your song, YouTube detects it and you decide whether to monetise that video with ads, block it or simply track its stats. Independent artists can’t request it directly from YouTube: they activate it through their distributor. At Diskover, YouTube Content ID is included in our artist plans.
What is YouTube Content ID?
Millions of videos are uploaded to YouTube every day: vlogs, tutorials, edits, dance routines, wedding videos… Many of them have music in the background, and some of that music is yours. Content ID is the automatic tool YouTube uses to identify those songs, even when the video wasn’t uploaded by the artist.
Here’s how it works: the rights holder sends YouTube the reference audio and the system compares it with every new video that’s published. When it finds a match, it creates a Content ID claim and applies the policy the rights holder has chosen.
According to YouTube, Content ID is only available to rights holders who own exclusive rights to a body of original material that is frequently uploaded to the platform. That’s why an independent artist can’t sign up on their own: they do it through a distributor like Diskover, which delivers your recordings to YouTube and manages claims for you.
What can happen when Content ID detects your song
The rights holder can apply one of these three actions, and can even set a different one for each country:
| Action | What happens | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Monetise | YouTube runs ads on the video and the revenue attributable to your music comes to you. | Almost always: it’s the option that generates royalties. |
| Track | The video stays as it is, but you can see its views and which countries it’s watched in. | When you want data without bothering the creator. |
| Block | The video can no longer be watched worldwide or in certain countries. | Only for uses that genuinely harm you. |
One detail many people don’t know: a Content ID claim is not a copyright strike. The creator’s channel isn’t penalised; the revenue from that video simply goes, fully or partly, to the owner of the music.
How to monetise your music with Content ID, step by step
- Distribute your music with a distributor that includes Content ID. When you upload your release with Diskover, your song reaches the streaming platforms and, with Content ID, is also registered in YouTube’s system. If it’s your first time, read our guide on how to upload music to Spotify: the upload process is the same.
- Make sure the song meets the requirements. Content ID only accepts audio you hold exclusive rights to (we cover this in the next section).
- Bear your own channel in mind. If you upload your music video to your channel and it isn’t included in your distributor’s network, it’s common and perfectly normal for a claim on your own song to appear. If in doubt, write to our customer support team, who are real people and reply fast.
- Encourage people to use your music. Every edit, vlog or tutorial featuring your song is a video that can generate revenue and get you discovered. Content ID turns other people’s use of your music into a source of royalties.
- Get paid. Your YouTube royalties are added to those from the other platforms, and you can request your payment straight to PayPal.
Which music can’t go into Content ID
YouTube has the final say, but distributors generally agree that the following are not usually accepted:
- Cover versions of other artists’ songs.
- Songs with samples you haven’t licensed.
- Beats bought on a non-exclusive licence (the usual leases), because other artists may have the same instrumental.
- Royalty-free or library music, or music released under Creative Commons licences.
- Public domain works or recordings.
- Karaoke tracks, remasters and recordings that imitate others (sound-alikes).
- Meditation, relaxation or sleep music.
- Music already registered in Content ID with another distributor.
That last point is key: if two distributors claim the same recording, an ownership conflict arises and nobody gets paid until it’s resolved. If you switch distributor, remove the song from Content ID with your previous one first.
Content ID, YouTube Music and songwriting rights: not the same thing
It’s easy to mix them up, so let’s separate them:
- YouTube Music: your song appears in the streaming catalogue (like on Spotify) and you get paid per stream.
- Content ID: you get paid for third-party videos that use your recording.
- Songwriting rights (publishing): if you also wrote the song, those uses generate songwriter royalties too. With Diskover Publishing we register you for free as a songwriter, and your works with UNISON, if you’re not with any collecting society; we collect your songwriter royalties and you keep 75% of your publishing royalties.
To get an idea of what your music could earn on streaming, try our Spotify royalty calculator.
Common Content ID mistakes
Using a non-exclusive beat
If the producer sells the same instrumental to lots of artists, your song shouldn’t go into Content ID: you could end up claiming videos from other artists who are legally using that beat.
Blocking by default
Blocking videos reduces your visibility. Except in specific cases, monetising is usually better: you get paid and people keep discovering your music.
Why do it with Diskover
- YouTube Content ID included in our artist plans.
- Your music on Spotify in under 24 hours.
- Fast, human customer support from our offices in Madrid (Luis I 86, 28031).
- If you ever stop paying, we don’t delete your music: it moves to the free plan with an 80/20 split.
- Plans from €1.99/month, with 3 free songs to get started.
Want your music to earn money every time someone uses it on YouTube? Start distributing with Diskover.
Frequently asked questions
Can I activate Content ID on my own as an independent artist?
No. YouTube only gives access to rights holders with exclusive rights to a large catalogue. Independent artists activate it through their distributor; at Diskover it’s included in our artist plans.
Is a Content ID claim a strike?
No. A claim doesn’t penalise the creator’s channel. Strikes only come from a valid copyright removal request.
Can I put a song with a purchased beat into Content ID?
Only if you hold the exclusive licence for the instrumental. With a non-exclusive licence, other artists can use the same beat and your song isn’t eligible.
Why do I get a claim on my own music video?
It’s common and perfectly normal: your song is in Content ID and, if your channel isn’t included in your distributor’s network, the system detects it just as it would in any other video.
Can I have the same song in Content ID with two distributors?
No. It creates an ownership conflict and the revenue is held until it’s resolved. If you switch distributor, remove the song from Content ID with your previous one first.
