Monetization Requirements: YouTube Content ID, TikTok, Snap, and Meta (Facebook and Instagram)

Monetization across platforms such as Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube Content ID is subject to strict eligibility standards covering music originality, exclusive ownership, standard audio formatting, and minimum track length. Before we get started, the below requirements are not set by Ocean House Music, but by the platforms themselves.

Samples, Cover songs and more: what is ineligible?

  • Music created with non-exclusive third-party elements (info below)

  • Cover songs that are not licensed. Submit your licenses to support@oceanhousemusic.com

  • Songs that sound similar to existing recordings or versions

  • Songs longer than 10 minutes in duration

  • AI-generated or assisted music

  • Creative Commons or open-license material

  • Public domain music (e.g., classical works, traditional songs, holiday music)

  • Audio clips and soundtracks from other media (films, games, TV shows, etc.)

  • Karaoke versions

  • Remasters or near-identical live performances

  • Non-musical or spoken word audio (ASMR, audio books, podcasts, comedy, prayers, speeches, environmental sounds etc.)

  • Production Library or Stock Music This includes royalty-free music, soundbeds, incidental scores, and loops commonly used in user-generated content. These tracks are generally licensed for use in film, television, or online media.  Note: Original film scores and officially released soundtracks are still allowed, provided that they meet all of the general requirements listed above.

  • Ambient, Meditation, or Sleep Music: This includes music that features minimal melody and is built primarily around drones, sound effects, and textures (such as music you may hear in the context of wellness, medication, or public settings).

What does “non-exclusive third-party elements” mean?

This refers to any music or audio element that is not licensed to the artist for exclusive use. Examples include loops and samples from royalty-free sample libraries, sounds from public sources like Freesound.org, and sounds that come stock with Digital Audio Workstations like Ableton Live, Logic, and FL Studio. 

While royalty-free sources with licenses allow artists to use sounds in their music for most commercial contexts, they are typically not licensed to the artist for exclusive use.

Note that this does not affect eligibility for earning royalties from music download and streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. It is a rule that applies specifically to monetization through YouTube Content ID, TikTok, and Meta.

Following all of the above guidelines increases your chances of successful monetization, but does not guarantee it. Decisions will be made at the discretion of our team so that we can remain in good standing with these platforms and continue to help you earn money from your original work.  

  • For more information and general questions regarding UGC monetization, please contact the customer support team so a member of our team can promptly get back to you: support@oceanhousemusic.com‍.