WHERE DO YOUTUBERS GET THEIR MUSIC?

YouTubers will use a wide range of music sources for their channels and videos, including from us!

From Vice to Buzzfeed and Zoella to Ozzy Reviews, Audio Network is used by a host of your favourite YouTube channels.

Started your YouTube channel and looking to make sure you're using music correctly?

In this guide, we’re going to give you the lowdown on everything to consider including licensing and copyright through to emotion and setting the mood - plus what we think are the best artists and tracks for YouTube.

Looking for instant inspiration? Check out our hand-picked YouTube playlists.

How Do YouTubers Put Music in Their Videos Without Infringing Copyright?

You may have noticed sometimes a YouTuber is using music that is definitely under copyright (made by your favourite artist, for instance). There’s one of two things happening:

1. They’ve paid for, or got permission to use it from the publisher or record label
2. They’re actually breaking the law

If you want to use commercially released music (such as that big chart hit) you need to clear the rights (usually by contacting the publisher) and also the rights in the recording (usually dealt with by the record label).

When they’ve found out from you how and where it will be distributed, they’ll either negotiate a fee for the necessary rights, or they may refuse permission for the usage altogether.

Time-consuming and pricey, right?

Can I Use Music That’s in the Public Domain?

Yes, you can, but you need to make sure that this is the case for every territory in which your video will be available – terms (lengths) of copyright may differ from one territory to another.

In the UK, copyright lasts for 70 years from the death of the last surviving author.

For a quick overview of music rights, watch our video:

What’ll Happen if I Upload My Video Without the Correct Licence?

You might think that with 500 hours of video being uploaded to YouTube every minute, it’d be tricky for YouTube to keep track.

But their Content ID system automatically matches copyright content and alerts the owners. Vimeo operates a similar system called Copyright Match.

What Is YouTube’s Content ID System?

Ads appear on most videos that use copyrighted music, and the revenue (royalties) paid is shared with the music’s composers. YouTube’s Content ID system is constantly scanning newly uploaded videos, searching for all tracks covered by copyright, and there are various options if you don’t have the relevant licence to use the track.

When a match is found the copyright owners can then choose to:

• Mute the relevant audio
• Monetise the video by running ads against it
• Block the video, territory by territory, or globally

In all cases, a Content ID claim against your video will stop you from monetising it, whether or not the copyright owner decides to do so.

If the copyright owner chooses to block the video globally, this can lead to restrictions on your account. Ultimately, they can take down your channel and even enforce a lifetime ban if you get caught three times in less than six months. Yikes.

What if I Use a Disclaimer?

Disclaimers or attribution aren’t permission – they won’t stop you from being hauled over the coals by YouTube.

Background Music YouTubers Use

So, now the boring (but really important) part is out of the way, let’s take a look at the music YouTubers use, with some great options from our catalogue.

There’s no need to spend a crazy amount of time searching for high-quality background YouTube music. Most of the time YouTubers will use some sort of stock, library or non-commercial music in their videos.

Production/library music is designed for use with video content, and the licensing’s deliberately made as simple, straightforward and speedy as possible. At Audio Network, we make it super easy. You can license a single track from our catalogue of 200,000+ tracks and songs, or go for a subscription that’s specially designed for content creators.

What Songs Do YouTubers Use in the Background?

What a successful YouTuber will be thinking when choosing their music is either, ‘what is this for?’ or, ‘what mood am I trying to set?’.

For instance, if they’re looking to make people laugh, they may go for more of a jaunty track. If they’re reviewing the latest tech release or video game, they may think they need a more contemporary electronic and bass-heavy track. If it’s a snowboarding video, they’ll be after something exhilarating, with plenty of pace.

So, it’s not so much the song they use that’s important, it’s more about the atmosphere they’re trying to create. With that in mind, let’s get into some commonly asked specifics. Check out regular Audio Network user, Philip Bloom's video on how to use the perfect music in your videos:

Who Are Good Artists for YouTube Background Music?

The best artists for YouTube background music will nearly always be ones you’ve never heard of before – as we said above, getting clearance to use big artists is usually out of most YouTubers’ budget.

Some of our personal favourites are from these nine artists who are all producing fantastic tracks that you can license – from hip hop to R&B, pop to electronic or modern orchestral.

1. Kelly Mac

2. The Flight

3. JDP

4. Lil Yamaha

5. Nemi

6. Cavalcade

7.Sarah Roston

8.Terry Devine-King

9.Bryce Jacobs

Good YouTube Background Music

Searching for something specific? For loads of choice, head to our tailored YouTube playlists, divided into everything from fashion and beauty to food, travel, parenting to sports and fitness.

Good YouTube Intro Songs

If you’re on the hunt for good YouTube intro songs to kick off your content and set the tone, then why not check out our selection of hip hop and R&B tracks, pop or indie, ambient or electronic music?

Work out whether you want your viewer to feel intrigued or excited, calm or hyped, and make sure that your intro song captures that mood by picking the right tempo and style for your intro song.

Need a little inspiration? Give Nemi's, 'Now That I Know You' a listen for some uplifting pop and catchy ethereal vocals:

Sad Songs YouTubers Use

Not all content is upbeat; sometimes you need something more sombre.

If you’re searching for something on the sadder side, then simple piano melodies can work well, or a heartfelt pop ballad. Check out Audio Network artist Annie Drury to get you started - her album Luna promises reflective and heart warming musical builds.

Get a taste for Drury's sound in this captivating live session:

Or why not try some classical? These sad, reflective tracks from our amazing Classical Collection should hit the right note.

YouTuber Outro Songs

Choosing your outro song, again, depends on the topic and mood of the video.

If you want to finish with something happy, then look for jaunty swing or some funk.

Looking for an exhilarating finish? Get your hands on a rock track. Or if you need to finish your yoga video with a calming outro song, then we have plenty of ambient tracks to chill out with.

Have a listen to some hypnotic electronica from NowNextFuture artist Dang Khoa Chou to get you started:

Where Do YouTubers Get Their Sound Effects?

You can get free sound effects and the best YouTube music from a wide host of websites.

Some of our favourites, (which you can explore on our Editor's Toolkit page), include swooshes or a ticking clock (for when you’re counting down the seconds for that HIIT section on your workout video, maybe), a drone or other FX.

So, now you know about copyright, licensing and where YouTubers find the best background music, you should be well on your way to choosing some great music for your content from Audio Network’s extensive catalogue of pre-cleared tracks, just like the pros!