Key Takeaways
- Access YouTube's audio library easily by going to YouTube Studio and selecting the Audio Library tab. Filter and search for specific music or sound effects.
- Use YouTube's video editor to add music to your already uploaded videos. Simply go to YouTube Studio, select the video, click on Editor, and choose the Music tab.
- Make sure to check the license type of the audio files in the library to determine if attribution is required. Avoid selling or modifying the audio to avoid copyright strikes and demonetization.
YouTube has made it easy for anyone with a YouTube account to download music and sounds from its audio library and use it in any video editing software. You can also use the music for your own personal listening. Here’s how to use YouTube’s audio library and the requirements to do so.
How to Use YouTube’s Audio Library
Using YouTube’s audio library is fairly straightforward, and you have a couple of options for how and when to use it.
How to Add Sounds Before Your Video Is Uploaded
To find the audio library, you’ll need to start on YouTube's main page and click on your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner. In the drop-down menu, click on YouTube Studio. On the next screen you’ll see many options within the left-hand toolbar—select Audio Library.
From there, the audio library will open. The first tab contains all the music and the second tab has sound effects. The third tab is where you can start to form a favorites library by clicking on the star icon next to any audio file you want to save.
If you click on the circled arrow icon next to a song, you can listen to the track before downloading it. If you wish to download the audio file, click on Download to the far right of the track. It will download as an MP3 file, which can easily be uploaded and added to any video editing software.
You can also search and filter the audio library if there is something specific you are looking for. For example, you can filter by mood or search for a band. You also can filter audio based on whether attribution is needed or not. Simply click on Search or Filter Library and choose the direction you want to go with your search.
How to Add Music After Your Video Is Uploaded
If you’ve already uploaded a video to YouTube, that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to add music to it. You can use YouTube’s video editor to do so.
Click on Content in the left toolbar in YouTube Studio and then select the Details icon on the video you want to add audio to. From there, click on Editor in the left toolbar. The Audio option will be third on the list of edits you can make.
When you click on Audio, you’ll see the Music tab and the Search and Filter option. Simply find a song you want to use, click Add, and adjust the song to the proper position within the video. Hit Save when you are finished.
Requirements for Using YouTube’s Audio Library
One of the biggest requirements you will need to look out for when using YouTube’s audio library is whether attribution is required. To know if you need to credit the artist, simply look to the right of the song under LicenseType.
If there is a CC icon, that means the track has a Creative Commons license. If you see the YouTube icon, that means no attribution is needed. When you hover your cursor over the icon, though, you can read exactly what is required of you.
Additionally, you are not allowed to sell or make changes to the audio or claim the music or sound as your own. If you violate YouTube’s audio library policies, you may receive a copyright strike or find the video demonetized.
Why You Should Use YouTube’s Audio Library
Using YouTube’s audio library has many advantages. If you’ve just started out making videos or need one-time access to royalty-free music and sounds, more than likely, you don’t want to pay too much for it. YouTube’s audio library is absolutely free to use, which means keeping money in your pocket.
Additionally, there’s a fear of using music or sounds in a video and having it trigger copyright infringement. If it does, your video will become demonetized. However, because the license is free for YouTube’s audio library, you don’t have to worry about copyright strikes as long as you give full credit if required.
Take Advantage of YouTube’s Free Music and Sounds
YouTube’s audio library has a vast selection of music and sounds. This makes it great for anyone who needs to add music or sounds to their YouTube videos or merely wants free music for their own listening. Just make sure to stay mindful of YouTube’s policies.
