YouTube launches new commercial music licensing resource

YouTube's new marketplace, Creator Music, is now open to YouTube Partner Program participants in the US.

Initially announced last September, the platform will consist of a large catalog of songs that creators can browse, search through, and purchase where the terms of the music rights are spelled out.

Creators will not only be able to purchase licenses while choosing tracks offering revenue-sharing options where both creators and the rights holders earn money from the music’s use. YouTube had been trying to resolve the issues around music rights longstanding with creators.

Previously creators using a song they don't own in their video will have to give up all ad revenue generated to the music license holders, thus, commercial music was not often used in videos. Creator Music will simplify music licenses with its dashboard where creators can search for songs they have in mind or browse by collections, genres, or moods.

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Creators can then choose the music song and find out its associated licensing costs. Creators can either purchase a license after reviewing the terms or opt into a rev share agreement. With the former option, creators can immediately download and use the music song in a video edit, or they can choose the rev share option instead.

There are, however, some music tracks available for free in the Audio Library.

YouTube is aiming to bring the Creator Music to users outside the US soon and expand the music options for non-YPP creators as well.