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Music Licensing for YouTube

Music licensing for YouTube doesn’t have to mean chasing rights holders or risking a claim. Over 1.4 million mainstream tracks from Warner, Universal, and BMG, licensed in clicks, every copyright claim managed before you hit upload.

Lickd is the music licensing for YouTube videos platform built specifically for YouTube creators – giving you direct access to the chart music your audience actually knows, without the copyright claims that redirect your revenue to the rights holder instead of to you.

The data backs it up: creators using recognizable mainstream music see 35% longer watch time and 200% more views on average compared to generic audio. That’s not a nice-to-have. That’s a growth strategy.

How Music Licensing for YouTube Works

Licensing music for your YouTube videos through Lickd takes minutes, not days. Here's how it works:

1. Browse the catalog

Search over 1.4 million tracks from the world's biggest labels. Filter by mood, genre, tempo, or trend to find the right track for your specific video - not generic stock music, but chart artists your audience actually knows.

2. License in a few clicks

Add your track to your cart and check out. Your license is issued instantly, with no paperwork, no waiting, and no legal ambiguity. Every track starts from $8, and most subscriptions include credits so you can license at no extra cost.

3. Upload and keep your revenue

Download your licensed MP3, add it to your video, and upload to YouTube. Lickd's proprietary technology manages any copyright claims directly with YouTube's Content ID system - so your video stays monetized and your ad revenue stays yours.

Why Lickd for YouTube Music Licensing

Claims-managed on every upload

Every track you license through Lickd is cleared with YouTube's Content ID before you upload. If YouTube still raises a claim, our team handles it. You don't chase rights holders, you don't lose revenue, you don't worry.

Mainstream music - not stock music

Lickd is the only music licensing service giving YouTube creators access to the charts. The Weeknd, Coldplay, Post Malone, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter - artists your audience recognizes and responds to, not generic background filler.

Music that makes viewers stay

Recognizable music keeps people watching. Creators using mainstream chart music through Lickd see 35% longer watch time and 200% more views on average. The right track isn't decoration - it's the difference between someone clicking away and watching to the end.

Priced by your channel, not a flat rate

Music licensing shouldn't cost the same whether you get 500 views or 5 million. Lickd's plans are priced by your average video views, so smaller creators pay less and everyone gets fair access to the same catalog.

Music Licensing Plans for YouTube Creators

Lickd's music licensing plans start from $22.99/month, with pricing that scales based on your average video views - not a flat rate that prices out smaller channels.

Every plan includes:

  • Access to the Lickd catalog
  • Track credits to license chart music (the number varies by plan)
  • Claims management on every licensed upload
  • Cancel anytime - and your licensed tracks stay cleared even if you leave

Use the pricing calculator on our music licensing pricing page to see your exact plan price based on your channel size.

What Music Can I License for YouTube?

Lickd's catalog contains over 1.4 million tracks from the biggest labels in the world - Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and BMG. New artists and tracks are added every month, so you always have access to current chart music, not just a frozen library.

Your audience responds to music they recognize. That familiarity drives engagement - and Lickd's catalog is built around it. You'll find:

  • Pop, hip hop, indie, electronic, R&B, rock, and more
  • Tracks searchable by mood, tempo, and genre
  • Music for gaming videos, fitness content, travel vlogs, sports highlights, and more
  • From emerging artists to global chart names your audience already knows

Note: some artists are not yet available on Lickd - we're working on it. If a specific artist isn't in the catalog yet, you'll see that when you search.

Music Licensing for YouTube - Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is music licensing for YouTube?

    Music licensing for YouTube means getting legal permission to use a song in your video. Without a license, YouTube's Content ID system may detect the music and raise a copyright claim - redirecting your ad revenue to the rights holder. With a license from Lickd, those claims are managed before you upload, so your revenue stays protected.

  • How much does it cost to license music for YouTube?

    Lickd's plans start from $22.99/month, with pricing based on your average video views. Chart tracks (mainstream music from major labels) can also be licensed individually from $8 per track - a fraction of what traditional sync licensing costs. Use the pricing calculator to see your exact price.

  • Can I use licensed music on YouTube and keep my revenue?

    Yes - that's exactly what Lickd is built for. When you license a track through Lickd, every copyright claim is managed by our team. Your video stays monetized and your ad revenue stays yours, regardless of which artist's music you use.

  • Does the music I use affect my YouTube views?

    Yes, significantly. Creators using recognizable mainstream music see 35% longer watch time and 200% more views on average compared to generic background audio. Familiar music keeps viewers watching - and watch time is one of the most important signals the YouTube algorithm uses to decide which videos to recommend.

  • What is the difference between licensed music and other music on YouTube?

    Music that is licensed through a platform like Lickd has been legally cleared for use in your YouTube videos, with copyright claims managed on your behalf. Music that has not been licensed may be flagged by Content ID - even if you think it is safe to use. The distinction that matters for creators is not what type of music it is, but whether you have a valid license and whether claims are managed for you.

  • How does Lickd manage copyright claims on YouTube?

    Lickd has direct partnerships with the major labels and integrates with YouTube's Content ID system. When you license a track and upload your video, our system tells YouTube you have permission to use it. If a claim is raised regardless, our team steps in to resolve it - usually within 30 minutes.

  • Can I license music for YouTube Shorts with Lickd?

    Yes. Lickd licenses cover music licensing for YouTube Shorts as well as long-form videos. The same claims management applies - upload your Short with a licensed Lickd track and your revenue stays protected.

    Start licensing music for YouTube today

    Over 1.4 million tracks. Claims-managed on every upload. Revenue always yours. Plans from $22.99/month.

    Browse the Catalog