Unauthorized Content for UGC DSPs (Facebook, Lickd, Snap, TikTok & YouTube CID)

3 min read

Not all sound recordings belong on user-generated content (UGC) platforms:

  • Facebook Audio Library & Rights Manager (includes Instagram)
  • Lickd
  • Snap
  • TikTok
  • YouTube Content ID

These platforms use your recording to scan and identify matches across all UGC content. If your recording isn't fully original or exclusively owned by you, distribution triggers claims on content you don't own.

IMPORTANT - COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS:

  1. These requirements apply regardless of monetization policy. Even if you select "No TikTok Scanning."
  2. These requirements apply to both Facebook services — Audio Library is not exempt.
  3. Distributing inappropriate content to UGC DSPs is a significant violation that results in a warning and potential restrictions.

Quick Ways to Identify If a Recording Is Authorized for UGC DSPs

  1. Ask yourself: "Does this recording sound similar enough to another recording — in part or in full?" If yes, it's not unique enough. Do not distribute it to UGC DSPs.
  2. If you've filled out Track Origin and Track Properties fields truthfully, refer to this article to identify which recordings work for UGC DSPs.

These are helpful shortcuts. Read the detailed guidelines below.

Examples of Recordings Not Eligible for UGC DSPs

1. Recordings You Don't Own Exclusively

Examples:

  • Any content licensed from a third party (beats, samples, loops) — unless you have an exclusive license, which is rare.
  • Public domain content.
  • Drum loops or samples from sample packs or music creation software.
  • Production music.
  • Video gameplay footage.
  • AI-generated music where the AI engine hasn't disclosed their dataset to guarantee it's free of third-party copyrighted content. This disqualifies services like Suno, Udio, Mureka. Only services using licensed datasets or original creation technology qualify (e.g., hitcraft.ai, beatoven.ai).

2. Recordings Not Sonically Distinct From Other Recordings

Examples:

  • "Soundalike" covers or remixes that could be confused for the original.
  • Derivative versions or remixes closely resembling the original.
  • Classical music.
  • Religious or traditional music likely to sound like many other recordings.
  • Generic meditation, yoga, or ambient music.
  • Karaoke or lofi versions.
  • Instrumental or "beat" versions.
  • Sped up, slowed down, or pitch-shifted versions.
  • Remasters.
  • Medleys or mashups.
  • DJ sets, continuous mixes, or similar compilations.
  • Shortened/extended versions.
  • Live versions not significantly different from the master.

3. Any Recording That Is Not a Musical Recording

Examples:

  • Prayer recordings.
  • Comedy recordings.
  • Public domain recordings.
  • Speeches.
  • Audiobooks.
  • Podcasts.
  • Generic/common sounds like audience applause, white noise, street noise, or simple drum loops.
  • Nature recordings (rain, birds, water) — too similar to other recordings.
  • Sound effects.

How to Make Your Music Available on UGC DSPs Even If It's Not Appropriate for Distribution

You can still get your music discovered and used on UGC DSPs. Upload your music inside a video directly through your account on the platform's website or app (or have your artist upload through their account). Label your video and audio properly with artist name(s) and track title so others can find and use it.