What kind of content can I monetize?

You can monetize content that you created as long as you still hold the rights to the video.

If you're signed with a music label, you can possibly monetize your video depending on the terms or limitations of that agreement. You may need to consult an attorney.

Audio and visual editing software can be used to create monetizable content. Monetization will depend on the scope, limitations, and commercial permissions of the license. If you used samples or loops, make sure that the license specifically allows for their commercial use. For remixing content on Shorts, follow these guidelines.

You can monetize royalty-free or Creative Commons content when the license agreement grants you rights to use it commercially. Sometimes rights owners require you to credit the creator of the content or give proof of purchase to use it in your video for commercial purposes.

Learn more about how to read licenses to understand your rights.

If you would like to monetize video game content, you will need the commercial use rights granted to you by the license from the video game publisher. Some video game publishers may allow you to use all video game content for commercial use. This info can be confirmed in their licensing agreements.

In other licensing agreements, publishers may not grant commercial rights for videos that simply show game play for extended periods of time. For licensing terms, video game use must be minimal unless the commentary gives:

• Instructional/educational value
• Is strictly tied to the action shown

Software user interface content you produce can be monetized, but that also depends on the commercial use rights granted by the license of the software.

Sometimes, you may need a contract with the publisher or proof that you've paid a licensing fee. The use of software user interfaces must be minimal unless the commentary gives:

• Instructional/educational value
• Content is strictly tied to the action shown

Learn more about video game and software content.

In order for content to be in the public domain, the copyright of the work has either expired, been forfeited, or is no longer applicable. If you prove that the content in your video is part of the public domain, you can monetize.

Note: This depends on the scope, limitations, and commercial permissions of the license.

Some cover songs may be eligible for monetization. To be eligible, the music publisher must claim the song through the Content ID system and elect to monetize it.

If the song has not been claimed, you cannot monetize your video. Explicit written permission from the rights owner of the song should be given beforehand.

The use of any commercial sound recording, such as an instrumental, karaoke recording, or live concert performance by the artist is not eligible for monetization.

Learn more about monetizing eligible cover videos.

Although you may have recorded something yourself, usually the original creator or author of the underlying content holds the rights needed to commercially exploit this content.

If you want to monetize your recording of a performance at a concert or show, you need explicit written permission from the original rights owner.

Although you may have recorded something yourself, the creator or author of the content being recorded may hold the rights needed to commercially exploit this content.

To monetize your recording of a TV show, DVD, or CD, you need written permission from the rights owner of the audio or visual elements recorded.

Although you may have purchased something yourself, usually its actual creator or author holds many of the rights needed to commercially exploit this content.

You cannot monetize third-party content that you've purchased unless its rights owner grants you commercial use rights.

Although you may have found the content online free of charge, usually its actual creator holds many of the rights needed to commercially exploit the content.

If you want to monetize such content, make sure that you have all the necessary commercial use rights for it.

You can monetize music from the YouTube Audio Library.

Commercial uses are less likely to be considered "fair use," though it’s possible to monetize a video and take advantage of the fair use defense. For more info, check out the article Fair use on YouTube.