YouTube Audio Library
The YouTube Audio Library is a free collection of music and sound effects inside YouTube Studio. YouTube promises its tracks won't get Content ID claims and allows monetization on YouTube. It's built for YouTube videos, and YouTube's terms don't cover Twitch, Kick or other platforms.
TL;DR
YouTube-only creators who want free music that YouTube itself promises won't get Content ID claims. Where you can use it: Twitch unconfirmed, YouTube safe, TikTok unconfirmed, Instagram unconfirmed, Kick unconfirmed. You must credit it.
Where is YouTube Audio Library safe to use?
Based on YouTube Audio Library's own license terms, checked October 2026. “Copyright-free” on one platform doesn't mean safe everywhere, so we check each one.
- Safe
- Safe with steps
- Not allowed
- Not confirmed
| Twitch live streams | Not confirmed YouTube's help pages only cover use on YouTube and never mention Twitch. Third-party guides disagree, and some tracks reportedly say 'YouTube only'. Don't assume it's safe. |
|---|---|
| Twitch VODs, clips & highlights | Not confirmed Not covered by YouTube's terms. The no-claim promise only applies to YouTube's Content ID. There's no information on Audible Magic mutes. |
| YouTube videos & live streams | Safe Google: Audio Library downloads "won't be claimed by a rights holder through the Content ID system." Download from the Audio Library itself. Live streams aren't specifically mentioned. |
| TikTok | Not confirmed YouTube's official pages don't say you can use these tracks off YouTube. Check each track's license in Studio first. |
| Instagram Reels & Live | Not confirmed Not covered by YouTube's official pages. Check each track's license in Studio, and expect no help from YouTube if Instagram flags it. |
| Kick | Not confirmed Not mentioned anywhere in YouTube's terms. |
YouTube Audio Library at a glance
- Price
- Free
- Free option available
- Catalog
- Thousands of tracks
- Credit
- Required
- See how to credit below
- Contains
- No AI music
Genres
- Electronic
- Hip-Hop
- Lo-fi
- Pop
- Rock
- Cinematic
- Ambient
- Acoustic
Company
YouTube (Google LLC), San Bruno, California. The Audio Library launched in 2013.
Includes
- SFX
- Built into YouTube Studio
- 'Music in this video' credit added automatically
Which plan you need
Free inside YouTube Studio for anyone with a YouTube channel. To earn money from videos you need to be in the YouTube Partner Program.
Can you monetize?
Yes on YouTube. Google says YouTube Partner Program members "can monetize videos with music and sound effects from the Audio Library."
How to credit YouTube Audio Library
Only for Creative Commons tracks: credit the artist in your video description, as the track's license in Studio shows. Other tracks need no credit.
Content ID, claims, and VOD mutes
YouTube says Audio Library downloads won't get Content ID claims. Some creators still report claims. If that happens, dispute in YouTube Studio and say the track came from the Audio Library. That protection only applies on YouTube.
Not sure how claims, strikes, and mutes differ? Read our DMCA guide.
Watch out for
- Made for YouTube. Google's help pages don't say you can use it on Twitch, Kick, TikTok or Instagram.
- Some tracks are Creative Commons and need a credit in your description. Check the license column in Studio.
- Only files downloaded from the Audio Library count as copyright-safe. Copies from other sites don't.
- We couldn't read the full in-Studio Audio Library terms (login required). Read them before using a track anywhere but YouTube.
- YouTube doesn't say whether any tracks are AI-made.
YouTube Audio Library FAQ
Is YouTube Audio Library safe to use on Twitch?
Not confirmed. Live streams: YouTube's help pages only cover use on YouTube and never mention Twitch. Third-party guides disagree, and some tracks reportedly say 'YouTube only'. Don't assume it's safe. VODs and clips: Not covered by YouTube's terms. The no-claim promise only applies to YouTube's Content ID. There's no information on Audible Magic mutes.
Will YouTube Audio Library music get my YouTube videos claimed?
Yes. Google: Audio Library downloads "won't be claimed by a rights holder through the Content ID system." Download from the Audio Library itself. Live streams aren't specifically mentioned. YouTube says Audio Library downloads won't get Content ID claims. Some creators still report claims. If that happens, dispute in YouTube Studio and say the track came from the Audio Library. That protection only applies on YouTube.
Can I use YouTube Audio Library on TikTok, Instagram, or Kick?
TikTok: Not confirmed. YouTube's official pages don't say you can use these tracks off YouTube. Check each track's license in Studio first. Instagram: Not confirmed. Not covered by YouTube's official pages. Check each track's license in Studio, and expect no help from YouTube if Instagram flags it. Kick: Not confirmed. Not mentioned anywhere in YouTube's terms.
Is YouTube Audio Library free?
Yes, there is a free option. Pricing: Free. Free inside YouTube Studio for anyone with a YouTube channel. To earn money from videos you need to be in the YouTube Partner Program.
Do I need to credit YouTube Audio Library?
Yes. Only for Creative Commons tracks: credit the artist in your video description, as the track's license in Studio shows. Other tracks need no credit.
Can I monetize content that uses YouTube Audio Library?
Yes on YouTube. Google says YouTube Partner Program members "can monetize videos with music and sound effects from the Audio Library."