Some stores let people use your music in the videos and posts they make, and can find your music in other people's uploads. These are called user-generated content (UGC) stores. They have stricter rules than streaming services, so not every track can go to them.
The UGC stores
You'll see these in your store list when you release:
Store | What it does |
YouTube Content ID | Finds your music in YouTube videos, so you can earn from them. |
Facebook Rights Manager | Finds your music in Facebook and Instagram videos. |
Facebook Audio Library | A free library creators can add to their Facebook and Instagram videos. |
TikTok | Lets people add your music to their TikTok videos. |
Snap | Lets people add your music to their Snaps. |
Why the rules are stricter
These stores use your recording as a reference. They compare it with millions of uploads and match anything that sounds the same. If your track contains audio you don't own, or sounds like another recording, it would match videos that use someone else's music. That's why they only accept recordings that are truly yours and truly unique.
What qualifies
A track can go to the UGC stores only if all of these are true:
You own 100% of the recording, exclusively. Nobody else has rights to the master.
It's unique and original. It isn't based on, or a version of, another recording.
It's music. Not speech, ambient sound or sound effects.
It contains no public domain, stock or sample-pack material, even if you re-recorded it.
Not sure? Leave the UGC stores out for that release. Your music still goes to Spotify, Apple Music and every other store you choose.
Describe each track accurately in Track Origin and Track Properties when you create your release. It helps us check eligibility. Track Copyright Information
What doesn't qualify
These are examples, not a complete list.
Audio you don't own exclusively
Beats, samples or loops licensed from someone else, unless you have an exclusive licence (which is rare)
Loops or sounds from sample packs or music software
Production or stock music, even if you paid for it
Public domain music
AI-generated music made with tools that don't disclose what their AI was trained on, currently including Suno, Udio and Mureka. Can I release music made with AI?
Versions that sound too much like another recording
Covers or remixes that sound like the original
Sped-up, slowed-down or pitch-shifted versions
Instrumental, karaoke or lo-fi versions
Remasters, and shortened or extended versions
Live versions that sound close to the studio recording
Medleys, mashups, DJ sets, continuous mixes and compilations of tracks already released
Classical, religious or traditional music
Generic meditation, yoga or ambient music
Recordings that aren't music
Speech, prayers, comedy, audiobooks and podcasts
Sound effects, white noise, applause and simple drum loops
Nature sounds, such as rain, birds or water
Video game footage
The rules apply to every UGC store
They apply to all five stores above, including Facebook Audio Library and TikTok. Sending a track that doesn't qualify can get it blocked or removed. It counts as a serious breach of the rules, and it can lead to a warning and losing access to these stores for your music.
If your release didn't pass review for this reason
You have two options:
Remove the UGC stores from that release and deliver it to the other stores, or
Remove the track that doesn't qualify, and deliver the rest of the release to all the stores you chose.
What you can do instead
A track that doesn't qualify can still reach people on these platforms. Upload it yourself to a video on your own YouTube, TikTok or Instagram account. Label it clearly with your artist name and the song title, so others can find it.
Avoid claims on your own videos
If your music is on YouTube Content ID or Facebook Rights Manager, add your own channels and pages to the allowlist before you upload. How to whitelist your channels
Need help?
Not sure if a track qualifies? Message us through the chat in The Artist Platform with your release title. We aim to reply within 1 business day.