Is it legal to use copyrighted music in my videos?
Without a license, no — copyright applies even to short clips, and 'I credited the artist' is not a license. What actually happens varies: YouTube's Content ID usually claims your monetization (or mutes/blocks the video) rather than suing; TikTok and Instagram license major catalogs for in-app personal use, which is why trending sounds are fine there but the same songs get your YouTube upload claimed.
Safe sources: platform-native sound libraries (for that platform only), free libraries like the YouTube Audio Library, royalty-free subscription services, and properly licensed tracks. For business content, be stricter — commercial use isn't covered by the platforms' personal-use licenses.
Related questions
- How do I add music to a video?
- How do I remove audio from a video?
- Can I monetize videos made with free editing software?
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