YouTube Shorts are short, vertical videos (up to 60 seconds) that you can post on your channel to reach billions of viewers. But adding the wrong music can instantly trigger a copyright claim.
This guide explains how to safely add royalty-free music to YouTube Shorts, how to avoid copyright strikes, and where to get music you can use forever without worrying about licenses expiring.
Royalty-free music means you can use the track without paying royalties each time it’s played. But not all royalty-free music is truly safe — some platforms only let you use the music while you’re subscribed, and remove your rights if you cancel.
At Legis Music, you get music with a lifetime license. Use it once, and it’s yours forever — even if you stop using the site. It’s made for creators who want simple, safe music they can use commercially without limits.
Here’s what to look for when choosing music for YouTube Shorts:
✅ A license that covers commercial use
✅ Tracks that are pre-cleared for YouTube monetization
✅ No expiration — use it forever
✅ No copyright claims, ever
✅ One-time license or free download (not locked to subscription)
Legis Music offers exactly that. Every track on the site is cleared for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and even sponsored content.
Yes — but only if the music is fully cleared for monetization.
If you use music from major labels or unofficial sources, your video might be demonetized or muted. But if you use royalty-free tracks from Legis Music, you can safely monetize your Shorts, even for branded or paid content.
You can create a YouTube Short with music by uploading your own edited video or by using the Shorts creation tools in the YouTube app. Here’s how:
Use a video editor (CapCut, Final Cut, Premiere, etc.)
Add your royalty-free music track to the video
Export your video (must be under 60 seconds, vertical format)
Upload it to YouTube as a Short
Add title, tags, description, and publish
Open the YouTube app and go to the “Shorts” tab
Tap the camera icon to start recording or upload a clip
Use the “Add sound” option if you want music from YouTube’s library
Only use this option if you’re okay sharing revenue or limited rights
Important: To avoid copyright issues, it’s best to upload Shorts with your own licensed audio already included.
Yes. With a lifetime license from Legis Music, you can reuse the same track as many times as you like. This is perfect for building brand consistency, especially if you want to create a series or recurring format.
Not always. Many free music libraries come with strings attached:
❌ They’re only free for non-commercial use
❌ They require attribution
❌ The license might expire if the creator changes it
❌ You risk retroactive copyright claims
That’s why we recommend downloading tracks only from platforms that offer clear, commercial, perpetual licenses — like Legis Music.
Every track is pre-cleared for YouTube monetization
All downloads come with written proof of license
Music is safe for commercial, branded, and sponsored content
You get a forever license (no renewal needed)
No hidden fees or legal gray areas
If you want to grow your channel, monetize your videos, and never deal with copyright stress again, royalty-free music from Legis Music is the answer.
You get:
✅ Forever-safe licenses
✅ Full commercial rights
✅ Tracks made for YouTube Shorts
✅ No subscription traps
✅ Zero claims. Zero risk.