Music rules on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and more, side by side
The short answer
Use music you have the rights to, and add it inside the app: songs baked into your exported file are what get muted, claimed or blocked.
- TikTok mutes only the part of the video that breaks the rule, while a YouTube Content ID match can put a claim on the video automatically and demonetize it.
- A YouTube Short over one minute with any active Content ID claim is blocked worldwide.
- Instagram, Facebook and Threads say the more music a post has, the more likely it is to be muted, blocked or left out of Music Revenue Share.
- Brand deals and business posts have their own rule: TikTok allows only its Commercial Music Library there, and Snapchat Sounds can't be used in a Snap that promotes a brand.
- Repeat copyright complaints can get an account suspended on X, and three YouTube copyright strikes in 90 days can end a channel.
- TikTok
- YouTube
- X
- Threads
- Snapchat
At a glance
| Platform | What can happen | Its strictest rule |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Muted or blocked | Copyrighted music added outside TikTok |
| YouTube | Taken down, Demonetized | Full songs, episodes or films: copyright takedown and strike |
| Muted or blocked | Copyrighted music (muted, blocked or removed) | |
| Muted or blocked | Copyrighted music (muted, blocked or removed) | |
| X | Taken down | Unlicensed music, film, TV or sports footage |
| Threads | Muted or blocked | Copyrighted music (muted, blocked or removed) |
| Snapchat | Taken down, Muted or blocked | Snapchat Sound used in a sponsored or promo Snap |
| Taken down | Someone else's video, music or artwork | |
| Taken down | Copyrighted clips, music or other people's work |
The rules, side by side
Each row is a platform's own rule: what it means, what the platform says, how to fix it, and where to read it in full.
| Platform | The rule, in plain words | In their words | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Copyrighted music added outside TikTokMuted audioMusic baked into the uploaded file (or added outside TikTok's licensed sound libraries) that a rights holder claims. TikTok mutes the infringing section.Fix: Remove music from the exported file and add it in TikTok from the Unlimited Sounds Library, and turn on 'Music copyright check' on the posting page. | “If only some of the music in your video violates the copyright rule, only that section will be removed.” | |
| TikTok | Ad or business post using non-commercial musicA post that advertises, endorses, sponsors or is tied to a brand (or comes from a business account) uses a sound that is not from the Commercial Music Library.Fix: Use Commercial Music Library tracks or original audio for promotional and business posts. | “Commercial Sounds are the only sounds made available on TikTok for Commercial Uses. Otherwise, no rights are granted to make Commercial Uses of any other sounds (music and non-music) on or through TikTok.” | |
| YouTube | Full songs, episodes or films: copyright takedown and strikeAccount strikeUploading someone else's copyrighted work (full songs, TV episodes, films, sports broadcasts, other creators' videos) without permission, which can lead to a legal takedown request.Fix: Don't upload full works; add transformative commentary and keep borrowed portions short, or get a licence. | “Channels that get 3 copyright strikes in 90 days are subject to termination.” | |
| YouTube | Short over 1 minute with any copyright claim is blockedRemovalA square or vertical upload between 1 and 3 minutes long with any active Content ID claim (including music not added from the Shorts audio library).Fix: Keep the Short under 60 seconds, or use only Shorts audio library tracks added in the app (most up to 90 s) or YouTube Audio Library music. | “Any Short that is over one minute in duration with an active Content ID claim of any type, including manual claims, will be blocked globally on YouTube.” | |
| YouTube | Copyrighted music or footage (Content ID claim)DemonetizationAudio or video that matches a Content ID reference: commercial music, TV, film, sports broadcasts or other creators' videos.Fix: Swap in YouTube Audio Library or licensed tracks, or trim or mute the claimed segment. | “A copyright claim may be automatically generated when an uploaded video matches another video (or segment of a video) in YouTube's Content ID system.” | |
| InstagramFacebookThreads | Copyrighted music (muted, blocked or removed)Muted audioRecorded music you do not have rights to, especially dense use of music or full-length tracks, music over a static image (a 'music listening experience'), or commercial/business use of music without licenses.Fix: Use short clips or licensed/royalty-free music from the in-app library, and always have a real visual component. | “The greater the density of music in content, the more likely it may be limited (e.g., blocked, muted or ineligible for Music Revenue Share)” | |
| X | Unlicensed music, film, TV or sports footageRemovalCopyrighted music, film, TV, sports broadcasts or other creators' videos used without a license.Fix: Use music and footage you own or licensed, keep proof, and replace commercial tracks and broadcast clips. | “If multiple copyright complaints are received about an account, or other evidence suggests a pattern of repeat infringement, X may suspend that account” | |
| Snapchat | Snapchat Sound used in a sponsored or promo SnapRemovalA licensed Snapchat Sound used in a Snap that is sponsored by, promotes or advertises any brand, product or service.Fix: Use original audio or commercially licensed music in promotional Snaps. | “Sounds may only be used for your personal, non-commercial use. For example, Sounds may not be used to create, send or post Snaps (or a series of Snaps) that are sponsored by, promote, or advertise any brand, products, goods, or services.” | |
| Snapchat | Copyrighted music you don't have rights toMuted audioMusic added outside Snapchat Sounds (e.g. a commercial song edited in elsewhere) without the needed licenses.Fix: Replace the track with a Snapchat Sound (for non-commercial Snaps) or with music you own or licensed. | “If your content contains music other than Sounds, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses and rights that may be required for such music. Any such content may be muted, removed, or deleted if your use of music is not...” | |
| Snapchat | Snapchat Sound used for political or religious speechRemovalUsing a Snapchat Sound in a Snap that makes a political or religious statement.Fix: Use original audio for political or religious content. | “As such, you may not use Sounds in political or religious speech.” | |
| Someone else's video, music or artworkRemovalContent that infringes someone's copyright, trademark, privacy or other rights, such as re-uploaded videos, copyrighted music or another creator's artwork.Fix: Use your own footage and music you have the rights to. | “If your account gets content removed based on too many copyright infringement reports, you could lose the ability to save Pins on Pinterest, or we may disable your account altogether.” | ||
| Copyrighted clips, music or other people's workRemovalPosting content you don't have rights to: TV or film clips, commercial music, other creators' videos, your employer's material.Fix: Use your own footage and royalty-free or licensed music. | “It is also our policy, in appropriate circumstances and in our discretion, to disable and/or terminate the accounts of Members, or groups as the case may be, who infringe or repeatedly infringe” |