YouTube copyright claims are discouraging but necessary. These alerts, which are extremely common, let you know when you’ve used someone else's content in your video. Before the consequences get serious, it’s good to know when you’ve overstepped your bounds as a creator.

The violations that trip up some creators are quite common. Content that includes video clips, images, or audio you haven’t produced yourself will likely spark a copyright claim. Fortunately, you can remove these alerts. All you have to do is substitute copyrighted content for original content you own.

Want to reduce the number of copyright claims on your channel? YouTube just gave creators the best gift ever. In the video above, our YouTube expert Rob covers recent YouTube updates that will change the game!

What's the Difference Between a Copyright Claim and a Copyright Strike?

Copyright claims aren’t as devastating as strikes, but they do feel like a speed bump in the YouTube journey. That’s because...

You can lose monetization for your video.

YouTube may restrict viewing to certain countries. 

How to Check a YouTube Video for Copyright Claims

Uploading a YouTube video requires several steps. Before your content goes live, you'll give it a title, thumbnail, description, keywords, and other elements to help people find and watch the video.

an extra step that happens automatically.

 YouTube will inspect your content to see if it contains copyrighted material. This happens when you reach the 

YouTube’s copyright checker tells you how long the process will take, and it reports copyright matches before you hit publish. At that point, you can choose the best course of action. That may be disputing the claim or taking steps to remove it.

On the same upload page, you can view the impact a copyright claim has on your channel. Click 

Here's what you may see after expanding the details

Restrict people from viewing the video in certain countries

Make the video ineligible for monetization

the copyright holder can monetize the video

 for their financial gain. Ads may appear on the video, but the revenue goes to the copyright holder – not us. That's the price of using someone else's content. Still, it’s better than receiving copyright strikes and nearly losing a channel that took years to grow.

Let's be real, adding a section in your video's description stating laws around copyright or banking on fair use laws around copyright are not good strategies to protect your content from copyright claims. If you decide to move forward and upload the video, you can remove or dispute its copyright claim.

To remove your claim, you can choose from the given options:

 This option allows you to brute force your way out of the situation by removing the affected portion entirely from your video.

 If popular audio is the cause of your troubles, this option will help you replace it with copyright-free music from YouTube's audio library. But using this option would remove other audio elements like dialogue and sound effects from the portion too.

 To combat the issue above, YouTube has introduced the option of simply muting the audio while keeping your speech intact. While YouTube's AI may not be producing top-notch output yet, we can only expect it to improve. Watch the video below to learn more!

You can also dispute the claim if you think you have the necessary grounds to do so. This can be a tedious process with a lot of back and forth, stretching up to 30 days. Here you have 4 options again:

You can claim that the piece of content in question is fully original and provide the necessary evidence to prove so.

 If you have a license of some kind that enables you to use the copyrighted material, you can use this option. Simply make sure you can produce the necessary proof.

 If you believe that your copyright infringement falls under fair use, i.e. you have significantly transformed the content used, then this option is for you. Remember, laws around fair use are extremely complicated. So, make sure you're thorough.

 If the claimed content is already widely used across the internet and is no longer protected by copyright, you can choose this method.

What if your content is been stolen on YouTube and you're the victim of copyright abuse instead? Well, YouTube has a tool for tracking that already!

By clicking on the copyright tab in YouTube Studio, you can take action against videos that have infringed upon your content such as a copyright takedown, requesting a video removal, or contacting the channel.

Keeping your channel in good standing is rule number one for successful creators. In addition to avoiding copyright claims, never make these 

YouTube copyright check showing "No issues found" with monetization dollar sign icon

Are you tired of getting YouTube copyright claims? With this simple guide, you can remove or even prevent them from appearing on your channel.

How to Remove YouTube Copyright Claims From Your Videos

 make thousands of dollars using other people’s content? It seems impossible now that YouTube is dishing out copyright notices, and yet, creators are still getting monetized.

careful when starting a YouTube automation channel, especially with copyrighted material. That's because YouTube automation — the process of using AI or freelancers to create, edit, and publish videos — is hard to accomplish without referencing 

Who is Noah and how does he know any of this, 

great question! Noah isn’t a legal expert, but he’s a genius at running automated YouTube channels. In fact, he oversees 20 of them. They pull in six figures each month, so Noah has seen his fair share of claims, disputes, and lawyers. 

The Truth About AI: Can YouTube Automation Ruin Your Channel?

Our goal is to help you avoid any hiccups, so here’s how to dodge copyright claims on a faceless channel.

Person holding up a sign showing the copyright symbol

Before we dive into the deep stuff, let’s cover the basics. 

 gives the owner of a creative work the exclusive right to use, distribute, and monetize their intellectual property. That could be a song, image, movie, book, TV show, or countless other creations.

YouTube doesn’t like creators using copyrighted material in their videos unless they have permission from the owner. If they don’t have permission, YouTube issues a 

 when it detects “stolen” content in a video.

Creators can dispute these claims, but a 

 is more serious. A strike occurs when a creator notifies YouTube that their content has been used without their permission. The copyright owner can request that the video be removed, or they can choose to monetize it for their benefit. But after three strikes, YouTube can delete your channel permanently — a devastating consequence for any creator.

Copyright Claims vs. Copyright Strikes: Here's the Difference

Making automated content is tricky, but it gets easier when you understand 

When there's a copyright case, U.S. law examines:

The source of the copyrighted work (movie, TV show, song, etc.)

How the copyrighted work is used (commercial, non-commercial, educational, etc.)

The amount of copyrighted material used in a work

Now that you know what copyright law examines, we can answer the burning question. How do creators make money using other people’s work? This typically happens through 

In U.S. copyright law, you can sometimes use small parts of someone else's work for things like reviews, news, teaching, or research without asking for permission or paying the owner. This is called fair use, but it isn't a guaranteed way to make money from YouTube automation.

“What does transformative mean? You have to add value to the original copyrighted work. This means educational value. You have to give commentary, a different perspective, a parody, perhaps. That is what transformative means,” Noah says.

How to Dodge Copyright Issues with an Automated Channel

Want to automate your channel in the safest way possible? Keep reading to learn how, or watch the video below for a visual guide!

1. Don’t Just Borrow Clips — Build a Storyline

The simplest way to dodge copyright claims is to 

 with the clips you've gathered. Bring your educational insight or perspective 

, then use copyrighted content to support your views.

“Is the video revolving around you and not the copyrighted content? If the video is revolving around the copyrighted content, that is not adding value,” Noah says.

For example, taking a video from one channel and posting it to another with a few edits isn't fair use. The creator would have to add 

Some copyrighted content is more risky to use than others. These sources include:

Sports broadcasts (Formula One, Premiere League, NFL)

Video licensing agencies (such as ViralHog)

These entities have lawyers and a system for tracking theft, so you’ll get in trouble pretty quickly for using their content.

, like bodycam footage, public domain works, news clips, and documentaries used for educational purposes. It’s also safer to find user-generated content, i.e., someone who recorded cellphone footage of a “copyrighted event" (the Super Bowl, for example).

Some creators think their videos are more likely to get demonetized if they use several copyrighted clips. But, according to Noah, it’s the other way around. Sourcing a variety of materials, instead of one, is the safest option on YouTube.

“Let's say you want to add stock footage, animations, podcast clips, and news clips; the more different types of footage you use in your YouTube video, the less likely it is for YouTube to detect that copyrighted footage,” Noah says.

If you’re going to use a copyrighted clip, make sure it isn't 

 of the original work. That increases the likelihood of a copyright claim because you’re using the heart of a story — not the supporting pieces. Typically, the heart of the story is significant, impactful, and easy for YouTube or the copyright holder to spot.

For example, it’s a good idea to avoid plot twists that made a movie "famous" overnight. Or a scene that everyone references from a popular TV show. If it's well-known, try to pick something else.

It’s always wise to use shorter clips when it comes to copyrighted material. There’s no set duration to ward off YouTube claims or strikes, but it's harder to detect a three-second clip versus a 10-second one, according to Noah.

of another creator’s work, and you’ll have a better success rate.

Once you have a bunch of clips to use, try mixing them up as best as you can. Use 10 seconds of someone else's content, then switch to 10 seconds of yourself talking or another piece of original content. Then keep alternating like that for the rest of the video. This makes it harder for YouTube to realize you're using copyrighted content.

7. Ask Yourself: Am I Stealing Attention from the Copyright Holder?

One way to get demonetized is to use someone else's work in a way that outshines them. 

A good example of this is using copyrighted clips to make compilation videos on YouTube. These montages rarely offer a new perspective, and they tend to rely on 

 copyrighted source, which is dangerous in itself.

For example, imagine that you want to create a montage of the funniest scenes in the movie 

a comedy, one could argue that collecting the funniest moments reveals too much of the movie. And what happens if more people decide to watch the compilation rather than buy the film? That hurts the copyright holder 

 their business, which may lead to a copyright strike.

Some creators may feel like automated channels have no place on YouTube. But those channels, for whatever reason, are thriving on YouTube. Why not study them and learn how to automate your content in a safe, monetizable way?

If that sounds like fun, here's a step-by-step guide to building a faceless channel!

This post is an overview of how copyright works on YouTube. Please consult a lawyer if you need advice on a specific case.

A hooded man surrounded by money with his face covered by the YouTube logo

Hooded figure with YouTube logo face behind stacks of cash and $1,000,000 text background

Using other people’s content is frowned upon, but somehow, automated channels are still getting monetized on YouTube. Here's how they do it.

YouTube Automation: How to Avoid Copyright Claims on Faceless Channels

In the world of copyright, most disputes aren't as straightforward as someone claiming you used their content. There can be some complicated moving parts when it comes to digital rights management and your responsibilities and obligations as a YouTube creator.

If you are a YouTube creator, you've probably seen both 'copyright claim' and 'copyright strike.' They both deal with copyright issues but affect your channel very differently. This guide breaks down their main differences so you stay informed.

 This post is an overview of how copyright works on YouTube. Please consult a lawyer if you need advice on a specific case.

 is a legal right that grants creators of original work exclusive rights to use and distribute their creations. This right applies to various types of creative works, including music, videos, images, and literary works. In simpler terms, it means that the creator has the right to control how their work is used, distributed, and monetized.

Unsurprisingly, YouTube is serious about copyright infringement. The platform has 

 that match copyright policies in the U.S. (and presumably beyond), and it states very clearly that:

“Creators should only upload videos that they have made or that they’re authorized to use. Users should not upload videos that they didn’t make or use content in videos that someone else owns without necessary authorizations."

So, with that warning in mind, let's take a more detailed look at claims and strikes.

What Does Copyright Claim Mean on YouTube?

YouTube's Content ID system sends a copyright claim when it finds parts of a video that match copyrighted material from someone else. The copyright owner then picks whether to claim the video, basing the choice on whether the use qualifies as 

. Here are some important points to note:

A YouTube copyright claim will not adversely affect your channel.

The rights holder can claim the revenue on your video if you have used their content.

The copyright holder can place ads on your video to generate that revenue.

The copyright holder can restrict your video in some countries or regions.

The copyright holder may also choose to take no action (but absolutely don’t rely on that!)

Copyright claims are a part of Copyright Law.

They only apply to the videos flagged and not the entire channel

A claim can be proven false depending upon whether you own the content being claimed by someone else.

As a general rule, copyright claims on YouTube are made against video clips, audio, and other content that qualifies as owned media and hasn’t been available for publication. Claims are issued to creators if they don't own the TV or music clips, music, or other copyrighted media.

The rights owners have full control of their Content ID policy. Some creators and media publishers always opt to stop certain content from being uploaded to YouTube, like TV clips or music videos. Others allow their content to remain published on the uploader’s channel but only if some or all of the advertising revenue is funneled back to the copyright owners as compensation.

That all sounds a little confusing, so let’s break it down.

ContentID claims come with a monetization, tracking, or viewing restriction rule. For the latter, the video may only remain live in certain countries or regions at the rightsholder’s discretion. The owner can also decide to:

Block the entire video from being viewed on YouTube.

Monetize the video by placing ads against it - this might come with the option of a potential revenue share with the uploader.

The rights owner takes 100% of the revenue share from ads. The creator can still keep the video up but they won’t generate any revenue from that upload.

Track the video’s viewership stats which disables any monetization and lets the owner see how well your video is performing in case they choose to claim any revenue in the future.

YouTube itself has a handy guide for the options 

 Not everyone can access the Content ID feature. YouTube has very specific criteria for rights owners who want to track their content. Find out 

What to Do if There's a Copyright Claim on Your Video

To resolve and remove a copyright claim, the uploader will need to dispute it. Once the claim has been formally disputed by the uploader, the rights owner then has 

 to that appeal with the option of either:

Releasing the claim if they find evidence that the uploader does in fact have permission to use the material (as is often the case when a creator uses a music track licensed through a third party like 

Rejecting the dispute and upholding the claim because they believe they still have a strong and valid case

Receiving a copyright claim takedown request can lead to a copyright strike against a YouTube channel. Even if the ownership of the video is being disputed, it can still make money, which will be stored in a separate account until the disagreement is settled.

The rights owner has 30 days to respond to the dispute. They can choose to release their claim, take down the video, or set up a delayed takedown. The uploader then has 7 days to retract their appeal.

Here is Rob, YouTuber-in-residence at vidIQ, explaining how to deal with copyright claims:

A YouTube copyright strike, also known as a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) strike, is a warning issued by YouTube to a channel owner for violating the platform's copyright policy. It occurs when a creator notifies YouTube that their content has been used without permission. The copyright owner can request that the video be removed, or they can choose to monetize it.

PSA: You do NOT want to attract any copyright strikes against your channel!

A copyright strike is issued when a rights owner requests the legal removal of a video on YouTube because the uploader didn’t have permission to use their images, audio, or video clips. As you can see from the image above (

), a strike differs significantly from a claim.

Copyright strikes are manual and are activated when a rights owner files a DMCA takedown request. The owner must supply YouTube with specific information regarding the takedown which includes:

The rightsholder’s contact information.

A thorough description of the material the owner wants to protect.

A sworn statement of good faith belief that the material (a video clip, a gif, an image, etc.) has been used without express permission.

After a DMCA takedown notice request is filed by the rights owner, YouTube has to remove the video in question from the uploader’s channel. That creator is notified, and they can either file a counter-notice or accept the takedown decision.

If the video is taken down following a manual claim, the creator’s channel will receive a copyright strike. Oh, and deleting the offending video will not resolve the strike. The first strike can have a negative impact on channel features like live streaming and monetization. However, creators have the opportunity to redeem themselves by completing YouTube's Copyright School within 90 days.

Getting a second strike while the first is still active means an extra 90 days with restrictions. A third strike while previous ones are still on record will cause YouTube to permanently close your account and delete every video. You might also face legal actions that include fines and fees.

Fair Use lets you use bits of copyrighted work without asking first. On YouTube, this rule relies on four main points:

Why and how you use the material (like for business or education)

How your use might affect the market for the original

Many creators wrongly think a quick credit or a note saying "no copyright infringement intended" will protect them. That is not the case. Each situation is judged on its own merits, and even a change in style might still lead to issues. When unsure, ask for permission or use royalty-free resources like the 

Copyright Claims vs. Strikes: Key Differences

 is someone asserting that you have used their content, whether that be a video clip, an image, or a piece of audio. A 

 is much more serious for a YouTube creator, and your channel can be suspended for repeated copyright offenses.

The difference between copyright takedowns and Content ID claims

The legal issues all YouTube creators need to know about

The expert's guide to Fair Use & copyright on YouTube

How to get royalty-free music for your YouTube videos

YouTube logo and statue of a woman balancing scales

Hand holding red YouTube play button cutout with blurred Lady Justice statue in background

Learn the critical differences between YouTube copyright claims and strikes, how they affect your channel, and what actions to take when facing copyright issues

 YouTube Copyright Claims vs. Copyright Strikes

Receiving a copyright claim affects your ability to make money on YouTube. But the exact ramifications are somewhat of a mystery. Can you join the YouTube Partner Program with active copyright claims? Or will an automatic rejection be hurled your way?

YouTube Partner Program: How to Monetize Your Channel

Many creators have unintentionally used copyrighted content, so it's a question worth answering. 

 guilty of using another person's work. YouTube handles this in two ways: 

Copyright 101: YouTube Claims vs. Strikes

So what does a copyright claim mean on YouTube?

 when your video contains media protected by copyright. That could be music, a movie clip, images, a speech – virtually anything that doesn't belong to you or you don't have permission to use. 

YouTube's Content ID system looks for media matches as soon as you upload a video. 

If it finds a match, you're alerted on the spot and have several options going forward:

How to Get Rid of Copyright Claims on YouTube

When you receive a copyright claim, YouTube, as a third party, is saying:

You can use the copyright-protected content

, but the owner has the option to earn ad revenue from your video.

The copyright owner can restrict the viewing of the video

Ultimately, the copyright owner can choose to do nothing.

 But that doesn't mean you'll end up making money from the video.

 means the owner of the intellectual property you're using isn't playing around.

The copyright owner is asserting their rights and can have your YouTube video removed.

You may not be able to monetize your videos.

If the copyright strike is on a live stream, you may lose streaming privileges for 90 days.

YouTube will terminate your channel after three copyright strikes.

And the consequences might not end there. In extreme cases, you could find yourself in legal hot water and have to defend yourself in court.

Copyright laws are complicated. Watch this video to learn more about YouTube claims and strikes. 

It's also worth mentioning that non-monetized channels can receive copyright claims and strikes. And you don't need any views or subscribers to find yourself in trouble. All it takes is one video with copyrighted material.

Monetizing a YouTube Channel with Copyright Claims

Now that you have some background, we can finally answer this question: 

Can you monetize a channel that has copyright claims?

As usual, it's never a black or white answer when it comes to YouTube. But the platform has clear requirements for applying to the YouTube Partner Program, and we can start there to get our answer.

Accumulating 4,000 Watch Time hours in a 12-month period.

Complying with all of YouTube's rules – 

Having a Google AdSense account linked to your channel.

Living in a country where the YouTube Partner Program is available to creators.  

If you just needed the first two requirements, applying would be easy. But you need to comply with 

 rule to monetize your channel – and those rules include copyright policies.

Because everything is so complex, YouTube uses human reviewers to assess every channel.

A human reviewer will look for these things when checking your channel:

Video metadata, like descriptions, thumbnails, and titles

It's not a complete list of everything YouTube looks for. But in terms of copyright claims and how they'll affect your application, 

So, yes: You have a better chance of monetizing your channel if your most-viewed videos don't have copyright claims.

Applying to the YouTube Partner Program with Copyright Claims

Let's say you have 10 videos on your channel, and one of them has a copyright claim. The video in question is pretty popular and accounts for 60% of your channel's Watch Time. 

Now, imagine the reason your video got so much attention is because you used copyrighted content.

 reached 4,000 hours of Watch Time within the spirit of YouTube's monetization program? After all, you used someone else's content for a massive push.

Make Money on YouTube - How to Get 4,000 Hours of Watch Time

On the flip side, let's say a creator has hundreds of videos on their channel, and four or five of them have copyright claims. But those videos account for just 20 to 30 hours of the channel's total Watch Time. The human reviewer at YouTube is probably going to recognize that as nothing to be concerned about.

And to be clear, this is hypothetical. I'm not saying this as fact; I'm just putting myself in YouTube's shoes.

So if you have a copyright claim or strike on your channel, will you be rejected from the YouTube Partner Program 100% of the time? No, but bear in mind that copyright strikes are severe.

What happens when you get a copyright claim on YouTube? Will it stop you from joining the YouTube Partner Program and monetizing your channel? Use our handy guide to find out now.

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