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Music for streams and YouTube: licenses, Content ID and documentation

A music-listening subscription does not grant broadcasting or video rights. Check the license for LIVE, archives, Shorts and other destinations. Keep evidence and required credits. Dispute a claim only when you have a genuine basis.

Thunderstream team8 min read3ViewsUpdated:

Prepare before you start

Follow the numbered actions in order and compare your screen or recording with each expected result. Menu names can differ between application versions. Arrows show the order of settings and choices, not a claim that every account offers the same controls.

Step by step · 1–4

  1. Action

    Write down: Publishing destinations → LIVE / VOD / Shorts / YouTube.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Publishing destinations.

  2. Action

    Check: Usage rights → License.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Publishing destinations.

  3. Action

    Open: Library → YouTube Studio → Audio Library.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: https://thunderstream.net.

  4. Action

    Select or set: Audio → Music + Usage rights.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Usage rights.

YouTube · Music for streams and YouTube: licenses, Content ID and documentation. Photo source: YouTube Help.Enlarge the screenshot ↗
YouTube · Music for streams and YouTube: licenses, Content ID and documentation. Photo source: YouTube Help.Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: YouTube · Source verified: 2026-10-28

Step by step · 5–8

  1. Action

    Check: Attribution → Attribution.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Sources and licenses.

  2. Action

    Save: Documentation → License + YYYY-MM-DD.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Backup.

  3. Action

    Select or set: Audio → Voice | Music.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Editing.

  4. Action

    Check: Stream chat → Music → Stream chat → Music.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Usage rights.

YouTube · Music for streams and YouTube: licenses, Content ID and documentation. Photo source: YouTube Help.Enlarge the screenshot ↗
YouTube · Music for streams and YouTube: licenses, Content ID and documentation. Photo source: YouTube Help.Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: YouTube · Source verified: 2026-10-28

Step by step · 9–12

  1. Action

    Upload: Visibility → Private.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Usage rights + File.

  2. Action

    Check: Content ID claim → Content ID → Moment.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Documentation.

  3. Action

    Edit: Audio → Editing → Audio.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Usage rights.

  4. Action

    Check: Usage rights → Documentation → Content ID claim.

    ✓ After this step you will see

    After this step you will see: Documentation.

OBS · Music for streams and YouTube: licenses, Content ID and documentation. Photo source: OBS Project.Enlarge the screenshot ↗
OBS · Music for streams and YouTube: licenses, Content ID and documentation. Photo source: OBS Project.Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: OBS Project · Source verified: 2026-10-27

Settings · Context

Settings · Context
ActionAfter this step you will seeContext
LicensePublishing destinationsDocumentation
AttributionAttributionSources and licenses
Content ID claimContent ID → MomentDocumentation
Stream chat → MusicStream chat → MusicUsage rights

Quick setup · Short test

For each track, record its title, author, source, date and usage terms. A license might permit a credited YouTube video without confirming LIVE use elsewhere. Do not automatically copy that track into every scene and archive. Include the exact attribution supplied by the license when required.

A viewer request does not transfer rights to you. Separate audio helps remove music from edits but does not authorize its earlier use. For a claim, inspect the specific segment, claimant and your documents before considering a response. Never submit a false declaration automatically.

  1. Open: Library → YouTube Studio → Audio Library.
  2. Save: Documentation → License + YYYY-MM-DD.
  3. Upload: Visibility → Private.
  4. Check: Usage rights → Documentation → Content ID claim.

Before you go live

Keep your existing configuration and original source file first. Change one parameter at a time. Check a short recording or the actual viewer output, rather than relying only on the editor. Restore the recorded baseline if the result gets worse.

  1. One change at a time → Baseline.
  2. Viewer output → Short test.
  3. Results → Backup.

Before you go live

  • Baseline ✓
  • Usage rights ✓
  • Viewer output ✓
  • Backup ✓
  • One change at a time ✓

Frequently asked questions

Prepare before you start?

Account / Source files. Baseline → Backup. Short test → Viewer output. Write down: Publishing destinations → LIVE / VOD / Shorts / YouTube.

Stop and check?

After this step you will see: Documentation. Keep your existing configuration and original source file first. Change one parameter at a time. Check a short recording or the actual viewer output, rather than relying only on the editor. Restore the recorded baseline if the result gets worse.

Context?

A music-listening subscription does not grant broadcasting or video rights. Check the license for LIVE, archives, Shorts and other destinations. Keep evidence and required credits. Dispute a claim only when you have a genuine basis.

Official documentation and further help