YouTube Content ID and Topic channel setup
Protect your recordings on YouTube, earn from videos that use your song, and bring the Topic channel and your own channel together as an Official Artist Channel.
YouTube Content ID for singles and albums
Content ID scans YouTube for videos that use your recording. When a match is found you choose what happens: monetize to earn ad revenue, track to see the stats, or block the video. Turn it on with one switch for every single and album, and set your ownership percentage.
Only enable Content ID for recordings you fully own. Do not use it for covers, public domain recordings or licensed beats.
Allowlist your channels
Add the artist's own channels, partner channels and any channel you trust to the allowlist. Allowlisted channels are never claimed. The allowlist applies to every release, and you can add extra channels per release.
Claims and artist mapping
Log claims on videos that use your music, track their status, and map each artist to the right YouTube channel, Topic channel, Instagram, TikTok and store profiles so every claim and report goes to the right place.
Topic channel and Official Artist Channel
When your release goes live on YouTube Music, YouTube creates an "Artist - Topic" channel. An Official Artist Channel merges it with the artist's own channel, so subscribers, views and releases show up together. We prepare and submit the request. YouTube decides who is approved and when.
Good to know.
What is YouTube Content ID and how do I stop my own channels being claimed?
Content ID finds videos that use your recording and lets you earn the ad revenue, track the views or block the video. Add the artist channels and any partner channels to the allowlist so they are never claimed.
What is a YouTube Topic channel and an Official Artist Channel?
When your music reaches YouTube Music, YouTube creates an "Artist - Topic" channel for it. An Official Artist Channel merges that Topic channel with the artist's own channel. We prepare and submit the request. YouTube makes the final decision.
Do I keep my rights and masters?
Yes. You keep 100% of your rights. Universal Sound Group distributes and protects your music, it does not take ownership of it.