YouTube has emerged as the ultimate powerhouse creator platform, enabling countless individuals to share their creativity with the world. As part of its tools for creators, YouTube has a vast music library, offering a wide range of sounds creators can use to enhance their videos.

But using YouTube Creator Music comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore the pros and cons of YouTube Creator Music, as well as some alternative options for sourcing music that may better suit aspiring creators.

What is YouTube Creator Music?

YouTube Creator Music refers to the vast library of music and sound effects that are made available to content creators on the YouTube platform. It provides convenient and accessible resources for creators to enhance their videos with background music and other audio elements.

Free Song Licenses

YouTube Creator Music offers a number of songs for free that you can use. This is sometimes a great option, especially for those on a budget. The most common catch here is that some of the songs can not be used for commercial use per the platform's guidelines.

Revshare Song Licenses

Revshare licenses are short for revenue–sharing licenses. In this agreement, the artist and the group or individual that will be using the music will share any revenue that is generated from its use. The revenue is shared for the entire lifespan of the video.

The benefit for creators is that you don’t have to pay royalties to use the music upfront. The downside is that if your video becomes popular, you can't buy the music rights holder out. YouTube will continue to pay the music rights holder for the lifespan of the video.

YouTube Creator Music used to include paid song licenses, but removed this option in August 2026.

Paid song licenses are when a licensing agreement is paid through a fee or royalty in exchange for the rights to use that music.

How to Use YouTube Creator Music

Now that we understand what different types of options are available to content creators, it’s worth taking a dive into YouTube Creator Music.

Once you choose a track, you can preview it before making a selection. Each track will have a complete bio giving the name of the song, duration, artist's name, and additional info such as usage restrictions.

After finding the right fit, you can download the track you want to your computer or device. From here, you can use a video editing software of your choice to add the track to your content.

Pros of YouTube Creator Music

Vast Music Library and Diverse Genres

YouTube’s music library offers a wide variety of genres to look into. This helps all types of creators find music that truly fits the content they are working with.

Easy Integration with YouTube Tools

YouTube Creator Music works hand in hand with YouTube's Creator Studio or the YouTube Audio Library. Users don’t have to leave the YouTube platform when trying to find the right song.

Community Engagement and Exposure

Using high quality songs in a video immediately improves the output. It helps set the tone and mood of the video and enhances the viewer experience. The more viewers like the sound and how it enhances the video, the longer they are going to watch.

YouTube helps dodge any copyright compliance issues that may lead to copyright claims or strikes. The only thing to be aware of is just how long a license will last, as some licenses have an expiration date. Once the license expires, the terms regarding monetization and visibility can change.

This means that you could later receive a copyright claim for a song you had licensed when you published the video. Unfortunately, this may mean needing to renew for additional fees.

Cons of YouTube Creator Music

Now, while YouTube Creator Music may be a solution for many, it also has some legitimate downfalls.

Limited Filtering and Customization Options

YouTube Creator Music has a limited system for filtering what type of genre or mood you are searching for. It also doesn't offer customization options with stems or BPM adjustments.

Overused Tracks and Lack of Exclusivity

YouTube Creator Music licenses out the same tracks to many creators. This results in tracks being overused. A viewer will have multiple associations with the music rather than just what you create.

The Bigger Your Audience, The More Your License May Cost

When it comes to sharing the revenue, you aren’t rewarded for having a bigger audience. If you use music with a revshare license, you'll continue to make bigger and bigger payouts to the music rights holders the more views and engagements your video receives.

Song License Rules and Restrictions

One downside when using YouTube Creator Music is that you can only use the song one time in one video. Platforms like Track Club allow for multi-use of the song in multiple videos. These kinds of restrictions can end up being a costly investment for creators.

YouTube Music Creator Alternatives to Consider

Given the restrictions and drawbacks of YouTube Creator Music it is worth checking out the alternatives.

Online Music Licensing Platforms

Online music licensing platforms, like Track Club, allow for flexibility at affordable subscription prices. Let’s explore the key benefits that differentiate Track Club from YouTube Creator Music.

  • Nothing about Track Club’s music catalog is generic, with fresh music in a myriad of genres added weekly. When you use music from YouTube Creator Music, you are one of many sifting through the same tracks for your videos. This means you're likely to use the same songs as other creators.
  • With Track Club, your YouTube music license is good for as long as you maintain your subscription. But with YouTube Creator Music, how long a license lasts can vary, and once the license expires, monetization terms and visibility may change.
  • Track Club is part of Marmoset, the first Certified B Corp in the music licensing game, meaning they are committed to transparent policies, and contribute 10% of profits to community organizations.

Self-Composed and Recorded Music

If you have musical abilities yourself, then there really is no better option than creating your own music. You'll earn all of the monetization and take pride in knowing it is entirely your own work.

In Conclusion

It’s clear that YouTube Creator Music offers some benefits for content creators, but it’s also important to acknowledge the limitations and potential drawbacks that come with relying solely on YouTube’s music library.

For creators seeking more control over music licensing, expanded customization options, and a broader range of high-quality tracks, exploring a music licensing platform like Track Club is a logical next step. With their extensive collection of curated music and a user-friendly licensing system, Track Club offers creators the freedom to find the perfect sound that aligns with their unique creative vision.