A Content ID claim is not a strike, and it does not mean you did something wrong. Claims can be mistaken, especially with royalty-free or public domain music. If you have the right to use the music, dispute it.
Before you start
- Confirm the claim is on the music you think it is. YouTube Studio shows the matched segment and claimant.
- Find your evidence: licence, purchase receipt, plan and download date for generated music, or the public domain or CC0 source page.
- Decide whether trimming or replacing the segment is quicker. For a short clip, removing it in YouTube Studio’s editor may be simpler.
Steps
- Open YouTube Studio, go to Content, and select the video.
- Open the Copyright section and choose the claim.
- Select Dispute and choose the reason that applies, usually that you have a licence or permission, or that the content is in the public domain.
- Write a short factual explanation: what the music is, where it came from, and the licence or public domain status. Include links or reference numbers.
- Submit.
What to write
Keep it brief and specific. For example: "This video uses an original track generated on my Sonvela Creator plan on 12 September 2026, which includes a licence for monetised YouTube use. I can provide my account details on request." For CC0 audio, link to the source page and state the dedication.
What happens next
The claimant has 30 days to respond. They can release the claim, uphold it, or file a takedown request. If they uphold it you may be able to appeal. If they do nothing, the claim expires. Ad revenue during a dispute is generally held and paid to the correct party when it is resolved.
Do not
- Dispute claims on music you do not have rights to; that can lead to a takedown and a strike.
- Write long emotional messages. A factual statement with evidence works better.
Written by the Sonvela editorial team with AI drafting assistance, then checked against the sources linked in the text. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.