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youtube podcasts

HOW TO START A PODCAST ON YOUTUBE

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    The time when the term “podcast” signalled audio-only content is long gone. In the last 12 months alone, more and more established audio podcasts have pivoted to video, while new ones are emerging all the time with YouTube as their primary platform.

    For brands and businesses, that shift is a no-brainer. A YouTube podcast blends the long-form storytelling of traditional podcasting with the discoverability, engagement and visual power of the world’s largest video platform. Unlike audio-only platforms, YouTube allows podcasts to become a searchable, shareable content engine. Episodes surface in recommendations, appear in search results, generate comments and can be clipped into shareable short-form content. That means conversations don’t just reach subscribers - they reach new audiences organically, making a YouTube podcast a scalable brand storytelling tool.

    In this YouTube podcast guide, we break down its component parts, explain how to start a YouTube podcast and share some best practices to help optimise your reach.

    What Is a YouTube Podcast?

    A YouTube podcast is a podcast that’s created specifically for - or adapted to - YouTube as a video platform. Unlike traditional audio-only podcasts you’d find on apps like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, a YouTube podcast typically includes a video component, whether that’s hosts talking in a studio, remote interviews on split screen, or even animated visuals accompanying the discussion.

    At its core, the format is still the same: long-form conversations, interviews, storytelling or educational content released in episodic form. What makes it different is how it’s presented and consumed. On YouTube, creators can combine audio with facial expressions, body language, graphics, clips and live audience interaction through comments or livestream chats. This often creates a more engaging and personal experience for viewers.

    YouTube podcasts can range from casual talk shows, like Waitrose’s Dish podcast, and expert interviews to deep dives into business, culture, true crime or entertainment. Some creators film their podcast sessions professionally in studio setups, while others record over webcams from home. Many also repurpose their YouTube podcast episodes into audio-only versions for traditional podcast platforms.

    For brands and businesses, YouTube podcasts offer a powerful opportunity both in terms of reach and in the types of content you can pursue. For example, you can spotlight customer success stories, host expert interviews, share founder insights, break down industry trends or document behind-the-scenes moments. And over time, your podcast becomes a living archive for your brand, reinforcing tone, showing personality and fostering trust.

    Adapting Audio-First Podcasts to Video

    Adapting an audio-first podcast into a video podcast doesn’t mean reinventing your show - it means adding a visual layer to enhance what already works. Low-cost ways to transition include filming the recording session or - if you're not ready for cameras - you could improve static visuals using a branded background and title graphics. With a larger budget, you can create a fully-produced video podcast featuring multiple camera angles, B-roll, on-screen text and dynamic editing.

    When it comes to editing, it’s vital to remember that not only are you competing with visual content as well as audio shows but that YouTube viewers have a shorter attention span.

    Make sure you include a strong hook within the first 30-60 seconds, opt for faster pacing, include chapters for easy navigation and include engaging thumbnails and titles. It’s also crucial to optimise your content for discovery on YouTube. Consider including SEO-friendly titles, keyword-rich descriptions and compelling thumbnails.

    Starting a YouTube Podcast

    Launching a YouTube podcast doesn’t have to be complicated. With a clear concept, consistent format, decent lighting, clean audio and a simple recording setup, you can produce professional-quality episodes. A branded backdrop, two cameras (or even one to start) and reliable microphones are often enough. From there, success comes down to consistency, thoughtful editing and packaging your episodes with compelling titles, thumbnails, and descriptions that work with YouTube’s algorithm.

    Once you have your recorded content, you can use YouTube Studio to turn it into a podcast. Simply log-in to your YouTube account, go to YouTube Studio and upload your video. Then be sure to add a clear title, a short description and include a thumbnail image. It’s important that you then inform YouTube that your content is part of a podcast series, by creating a podcast playlist. Do this by creating a new playlist inside YouTube Studio, selecting “set as podcast” and adding your episodes.

    Best Practices in Video Podcasts

    Consistency is key when creating a podcast series. Make sure you retain a familiar style, keep branding consistent and consider episode order in terms of storytelling. A huge part of storytelling comes down to music and sonic branding as that is what transforms a recorded conversation into a show: a strong theme or intro music sets the tone, seamless transitions keep the energy flowing and add emotional depth, and a strong outro reinforces brand recall. Professionally selected music elevates perceived quality, builds recognition, and creates cohesion across episodes.

    That’s where Audio Network comes in. Whether you need a bold, confident theme, minimal and modern background music or dynamic stings for segment transitions, we offer a huge selection of high quality music for podcasts.

    With more than 280,000 tracks in every mood and genre imaginable, created by the world’s leading artists, composers and producers, there’s a world of choice waiting for you at Audio Network. Search by audio link and prompt or browse our podcast playlist for inspiration. Plus, all of our music is licensed worldwide, forever. You can find out more about what music clearances you need for podcasts in our blog.

    So now you know all about creating a YouTube Studio podcast, start browsing music that will help bring your YouTube podcast to life.

    Discover More

    Why not dig into some more of expert blogs, from what are stems to how to license music for YouTube and how to license a song for video. And don’t miss Audio Network’s guides to music licensing,  selecting the right music for your brand and finding music for YouTube videos.

    Ready to Find Music for Your Content?

    At Audio Network, we create world-class music for brands and businesses, crafted by award-winning composers and performed by the finest musicians. With simple global licensing and total copyright peace of mind, we make it easy to elevate your content and support your creative vision every step of the way.

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    hampus ofwerman

    IN CONVERSATION WITH HAMPUS ÖFWERMAN EDITOR FROM SWEDEN

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      Join us for a quickfire Q&A with Stockholm-based editor Hampus Öfwerman. Hampus shares his creative process, the role music plays in storytelling, and how Audio Network helps elevate his edits.

      With years of experience cutting top-tier TV content and a long-standing relationship with Audio Network, Hampus offers valuable insight into choosing the right track and making music work harder for your visuals.

      What Are the Advantages of Having Access to a Wide Range of High-Quality, Pre-Cleared Music?

      Well, it makes it easier to find music. If a lot of, the songs are good, I don't have to scroll through a thousand songs. I just have to scroll through like 100 songs and I will find what I'm looking for.

      How Do You Approach Finding the Right Track for a Scene - What Are You Listening For?

      I'm working with television, so we're looking for what kind of feeling the song brings. We're not looking for hit songs, just background music with a with a feeling. That's what music is all about.

      When I start a project, most of the time I just spend six hours on a site and download all the music I might need for that project. On my computer, I already have 100 songs when I start that project, so I know what I will use. It doesn't take that much time when I'm starting the project if I've done the research well.

      You’ve Worked With Audio Network for Many Years - What Is It About Our Music and Service That Keeps You Coming Back?

      The variety and the the quality of the music.

      Often, when I search Audio Network for something, it's in the top five of the search list - and I'll download every single one that I think will fit.

      What Have Been Some of Your Favourite Nordic TV Shows or Films From the Past Year, and Why Did They Stand Out to You?

      My favourite right now is 'Race Across The World'.

      It's a lot of action and it's contest. I like that kind of music - when the song has a build up.

      Are There Any Upcoming Projects With a Music Brief That You Can Tell Us a Bit About?

      Well, we're going to do 'Love Island' again. So we're going to need up-tempo, upbeat, vacation, romantic drama songs - everything that you have!

      Hampus’ insights are a great reminder that when music is curated well and easily accessible, it becomes an essential creative tool rather than a roadblock. Whether it's background tracks that enhance emotion or upbeat songs that set the tone, having the right catalogue makes all the difference.

      Thanks again to Hampus for sharing his process and perspective - and for continuing to trust us to help bring powerful stories to life!

      Need Music for Your Project?

      At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

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      AI CONTENT TRENDS CREATORS SHOULD KNOW

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        For creatives, the rise of AI posits the most pressing ethical dilemma of our age: will AI supersede human creativity? We believe the answer is a firm no and that – provided we set clear boundaries – AI can only enhance human creativity. The truth is AI is already an invaluable resource for many creatives, offering a means to streamline processes, undertake grunt work and help creators overcome creative blocks. Indeed, as The Drum reported from this year’s SXSW, “AI isn’t a shiny new object anymore. It’s an urgent capability. The question for marketers isn’t whether to use AI – but how to use it responsibly, creatively and strategically.”

        In this blog we look at the use of AI in content creation, from visual generation to scriptwriting and video editing, and explain what the role of music is in this brave new world.

        AI Content Trends

        Increasingly, AI tools are utilised as collaborators in the creative process rather than as mere automation tools. Platforms like ChatGPT, Canva AI and Jasper are assisting marketers and creators in ideation, personalisation and storytelling, enhancing human creativity without replacing it. AI also enables real-time, hyper-personalised content delivery based on user behaviour and preferences, helping marketing teams to provide tailored experiences that resonate with individual consumers.

        There are multiple AI tools that assist with visual generation, from Adobe Firefly and FLUX.1 to Reve and Midjourney. Generating unique images from text prompts can be useful in the ideation process, offering creatives the opportunity to further refine the results.

        When it comes to video, technological advancements are helping to enable the creation of high quality synthetic media, including text-to-video content. For example, Google's Veo 3 AI model boasts unique native audio generation capability along with high-quality video output in 4K resolution.

        There are also a raft of AI-powered tools designed to enhance video content once captured. Adobe Premier Pro offer generative extend (allowing users to extend content by generating additional frames or missing ambient sound) and media intelligence (allowing editors the ability to search footage for locations, camera angles and more). Other AI tools for video editors include automatic transcript generation and translation, smart masking and tracking tools.

        For scriptwriters, content creators and marketers, AI can proofread and offer notes on content, as well as optimise copy for search engines. Meanwhile, AI-powered platforms continue to streamline the research process. For example, at Audio Network we use AI-powered smart search to aid music discovery on our website, making the process of finding the perfect track faster and more intuitive.

        AI Music Trends

        AI is also revolutionising music creation, helping producers and musicians with everything from generating new sounds to midi composition. Though generative AI music is freely available, using it remains a moral and legal minefield, as proven by 2024 controversy around Drake’s ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ in which used AI to mimic Tupac and Snoop Dogg’s vocals. The Canadian rapper subsequently took down the track from his social media platforms.

        Not only is there copyright ambiguity around music created via generative AI, there are originality issues baked-in thanks to the fact that generative AI tools are trained on music that already exists. Both of these factors contribute to brand safety concerns, and the only sure-fire way to protect your reputation in a commercial environment is to use high quality, rights-cleared music.

        At Audio Network we boast a world-class catalogue of pre-cleared music, created by real artists and composers, offering creators a simple way to secure music clearance for their projects. Because we license our music per project or video, with just one licence you’re covered globally, forever, on multiple platforms.

        With over 280,000 tracks on offer, covering every genre, style and mood imaginable – and with stems available on selected tracks –  we offer a world of choice. Plus we make it easy for you to discover the right piece of music with our super-fast AI-powered search tools and hand-curated collections and playlists, including regularly updated playlists of background music and new releases. In addition, our in-house team of music experts are always on hand to advise on any brief.

        Learn more about AI music licensing in our guide to music licensing and our music licensing glossary.

        AI & Authenticity

        Used sparingly and in the correct context, AI can be a powerful creative tool. But when it comes to shaping truly impactful content with emotional resonance, AI is no substitute for human intelligence and creative judgment.

        For example, in 2023, Taco Bell brought back a cult menu item with a nostalgic ad, soundtracked by Harvey Danger’s 2000s-smash ‘Flagpole Sitta’. The song’s inclusion sparked instant recognition and an emotional connection that simply couldn’t have been achieved with an AI-generated song in the style of pop punk.

        To quote The Drum, it’s important to “set clear boundaries for where AI adds value and where human judgment must remain. Use AI to raise the floor, but let creativity raise the ceiling.”

        More More More!

        Now you know all about AI content trends, why not check out more of our blogs, from what is sonic branding and why licensing music for social media is a smarter choice than using free libraries to how to license a song for video and how to find music for YouTube videos,  TikTok or Instagram.

        Need Music for Your Project?

        At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

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        matthill

        IN CONVERSATION WITH MATT HILL, CO-FOUNDER OF THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS

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          Podcasts are evolving. Many of today’s most successful shows now sound more like television than traditional radio - richer, more immersive, and more cinematic. But what’s driving that shift, and how can creators harness it in their own productions? At the centre of this transformation is music.

          In this interview, Matt Hill - co-founder of Podcast Discovery, co-founder of the British Podcast Awards, and contributor to The Media Club Podcast - shares his perspective on why hit podcasts increasingly mirror TV in their storytelling. From emotional connection to production value, Matt explores how music plays a crucial role in helping podcasts stand out in a crowded and competitive market.

          Podcasts are becoming more cinematic in their storytelling, often drawing from TV production techniques. Why do you think music is so essential in creating that immersive, TV-like experience for listeners?

          It’s a mark of quality: having that huge, sweeping orchestral score, or the heightened tension of a minimalist work… it tells a listener that the makers care about all aspects of the story, and that we’re going to work hard to make you feel something.

          One of the reasons I got into audio was the work of Dirk Maggs - he was making these cinematic audio dramas for Radio 1 in the 90s, working with DC and Marvel… and had subsequently been picked up by Audible to direct audio blockbusters in the Alien universe, as well as Good Omens. And music plays such an important role in maintaining that quality in the franchise.

          In your work with The Media Club Podcast, what role does music play in shaping the mood and emotional arc of a podcast episode? Are there specific examples where music has really elevated the content?

          So, we make a weekly show for the media industry - this is an audience that understands genre and formats, so we like to have fun with that by wrapping up each episode with a brand new gameshow format, complete with theme and tension music.

          When sourcing music for podcasts, what key factors do you consider to ensure the track compliments the story and resonates with the target audience?

          It’s a light-hearted feature, but also a nod to the incredible work that creatives are doing every day across the UK. So it needs to be nuanced, as well as very silly.

          What that means is that if we do a parody of The Traitors one week, we’ll need music that feels exactly like that - not just tension beds, but stings and sweepers too - to accurately mirror the original production.

          What are the key music trends you're seeing in podcasting right now?

          The trend actually is towards better production skills: we’ve had a huge influx of talent into the industry in the past couple of years that are gamely playing with music in documentaries. Some have come from TV; others self taught - but we’ve come a long way from the days where there’s a separate sound designer/SM for each project.

          I think that’s a good thing, in that producers should be able to work and mix with music. But there’s still room for a specialist sound designer for high-end productions too.

          The podcasting landscape is constantly evolving. What do you think are the most significant challenges and opportunities facing the podcast industry right now, particularly for producers looking to stand out in an increasingly crowded market?

          I hear from audio-first documentary companies that video is a bit of a headache. And it’s true that some stories work best without film. But I think the opportunities for marketing are so important on social media, that everyone needs a strategy. And your music strategy can be a great help in shaping what the look of your podcast might be.

          A huge thank you to Matt Hill for joining us and sharing such sharp insights into the world of podcasting. As we’ve heard, music isn’t just background - it’s a storytelling tool that can signal quality, spark emotion, and make your podcast truly unforgettable.

          If you’re looking to create a richer, more immersive audio experience, explore our catalogue and discover how the right music can transform your next project.

          Ready to Find Music for Your Content?

          At Audio Network, we create world-class music for brands and businesses, crafted by award-winning composers and performed by the finest musicians. With simple global licensing and total copyright peace of mind, we make it easy to elevate your content and support your creative vision every step of the way.

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          VIDEO EDITING TIPS

          VIDEO EDITING TIPS TO KEEP YOUR AUDIENCE HOOKED

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            5Video editing goes far beyond just cutting and assembling footage—it’s about crafting a story, evoking emotions and creating a visual rhythm that resonates with the audience. It’s little wonder, then, that editing can often seem an intimidating task, both for novices and professionals. That’s why we’re here to help you make the most of your edit, offering all the best video editing tips and tricks to keep your audience hooked. Read on for best practices and all the essential tips to edit videos, from what is the best way to edit a video to what is the 10 second rule in video editing?

            Why Does Compelling Video Editing Matter?

            For myriad reasons, it’s difficult to overstate the importance of compelling video editing. Firstly, skilled editing captures your audience’s attention and – whether you’re using well-paced cuts, visual variety or text, graphics and music – you can keep them engaged, right until the end. Secondly, engaging video editing enhances storytelling, strengthening narrative and ensuring a smooth flow of ideas and emotions. By extension, you can boost the emotional impact of your video with the right music, colour grading and pacing, helping shape how your audience feels.

            The attractive by-product of all this, of course, is that compelling video editing leads to increased engagement, which means your content has a greater chance of being shared, liked and commented on. Of course, as your work is shared across platforms, it only reinforces how important it is to optimise video content, tailoring it for platform-specific formats (e.g. short, vertical videos on YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and TikTok, or longer, in-depth videos for YouTube). And the ultimate goal of all this? To reinforce your brand identity and boost credibility.

            What Are the Essential Video Editing Techniques?

            • Preparation
            • Pacing and timing
            • Transitions and effects
            • Visual storytelling

            Preparation

            Did you know that the editing process often begins weeks or even months before you sit down in the edit suite? Prior to filming, you should create a shot list, planning all the shots you want to take to capture all the necessary footage. In addition, you should capture extra footage – known in the business as ‘coverage’ – to make sure there are no gaps. Let the camera roll for longer than necessary, record additional takes and B-roll (supplementary footage captured to enhance the main footage). This is in addition to perfecting lighting, audio quality and camera focus, of course, so that there are no nasty surprises when it comes to the edit.

            Pacing and Timing

            A film lives and dies by its pacing and timing. As a rule of thumb, keep films short – up to a minute and a half for marketing purposes – to ensure engagement. After all, an audience’s attention drifts, and only the most engaged viewer has the capacity to concentrate for 10 minutes at a time.

            Create a hook from the start, pulling your viewer in within the first five seconds. Perhaps you could foreshadow the film’s reveal, giving your audience a compelling reason to watch. This works particularly well for social media content. Another key social media technique is the 10-second rule, in which you introduce visual changes or engaging elements every 10 seconds to keep your audience interested. But always be realistic – using frenetic cuts to create excitement in a subject where there isn’t any will feel insincere and alienating.

            Be sympathetic to your theme. If it’s a happy story, then feel free to choose quick cuts and upbeat music, hitting the rhythm of the track to create momentum. If it’s a serious story, choose more sensitive cuts and music that accentuates that atmosphere.

            Transitions and Effects

            Transitions help move from one shot to another in an engaging way. Key transitions include:

            • Cut – The most basic transition, instantly jumping from one clip to another
            • Fade in/fade out – Gradual transition to or from black (or white) to signal a beginning or end
            • Dissolve (crossfade) – Blends one shot into another, often used to show passage of time.
            • Wipe – One clip pushes another off the screen (left, right, diagonal, etc.).
            • Slide/pan – Moves the next clip into the frame from a direction (left, right, top, bottom)
            • Zoom transition – Zooms in or out to move between clips dynamically.
            • Match cut – A creative cut where two similar shots are smoothly connected (e.g., a door closing and a new scene appearing)
            • Glitch transition – Uses digital distortion effects for a techy, edgy feel
            • Whip pan – A rapid camera movement blurs the scene, transitioning smoothly to the next shot

            In addition, there are many different effects available to an editor to create a compelling edit. These include:

            • Colour grading – Adjusts colours to set the mood (e.g., cinematic tones, warm or cool vibes).
            • Slow motion / speed ramp – Slowing down or speeding up footage for dramatic effect
            • Motion blur – Adds a blur effect to fast-moving objects for a more natural feel.
            • Chroma key (green screen) – Removes backgrounds to insert new environments
            • Lens flare – Creates a light effect that mimics natural light flares from the camera
            • Text and titles – Adds animated or static text for context or storytelling
            • VFX (visual effects) – Advanced effects like explosions, lightning, or surreal CGI elements
            • Glitch effects – A digital distortion for a tech or cyberpunk aesthetic
            • Light leaks – Bright, colorful flares that add warmth and artistic appeal
            • Shake effect – Simulates camera shake for intensity (like in action sequences)

            Use transitions and effects appropriately, always keeping your subject or topic at the forefront of your mind. And remember, the ideal edit is invisible – you should never feel focused on the hand of the editor while watching a film.

            Visual Storytelling

            What is the golden rule of video editing, you might wonder? Well, there are actually many, but for our money, it’s to keep things simple. Films are not designed to convey lots of information at once – they’re much better at evoking an emotional response.

            As a format, film offers editors so many powerful tools to influence mood, from the body language of the subject to the music you choose to what you show the viewer. Which leads us to another golden rule: show, don’t tell.  Instead of explaining emotions through dialogue, use visual cues such as facial expressions, body language or environment. Always include subtitles in post-production, however, so that your videos remain accessible.

            You can accentuate moods through colour grading, using warm tones (orange, red) to evoke comfort or nostalgia, and cool tones (blue, green) to create sadness or mystery. It’s also essential to consider which camera angles you include. For example, close-ups create intimacy and show emotions while wide shots establish location and set the scene; low angles make a character look powerful while high angles make them look weak or vulnerable.

            Why Does Music Matter in Video Editing?

            As previously discussed, music is an essential editing tool, with the right track helping to evoke emotion and mood, control pacing and energy, enhance storytelling and strengthen engagement and retention.

            At Audio Network, we offer over 250,000 high quality tracks, spanning all genres and moods, plus stems and cut-downs on selected tracks, improving the flexibility of your edit. Browse our catalogue of wholly-owned tracks, and discover curated playlists and collections, packed with artistic inspiration.

            Want More?

            So now you know all about the best video editing tips to keep your audience hooked, why not read about how to improve video quality, how to choose music for promotional videos and how to license a song for video? We’ve loads more industry deep-dives to discover, which cover everything from music briefing benefits and background music, to comprehensive guides to unlocking music licensing’s ROI and selecting the right music for your brand. Want to find music for Instagram, YouTube or TikTok? We’ve got blogs on those too.

            Need Music for Your Project?

            At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

            SIGN UP

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            VIDEO EDITING TIPS TO KEEP YOUR AUDIENCE HOOKED Read More »

            HOW STEMS MAKE YOUR PROJECT BETTER

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              If you’re reading this, the chances are you already know the power the right music can bring to your production. But are you aware just how much more efficient using music stems can be? At Audio Network we offer a vast catalogue of high quality, expertly-mixed stems, essentially offering our customers bespoke musical solutions for tv, film, adverts and more.

              In this blog we run through everything you need to know about stems, from what they are and why they’re beneficial to editors, to where to download music stems in the first place.

              What Are Stems in Music?

              Music stems are individual audio tracks featuring groups of instruments that have been separated from a full mix. Typically, files are divided into four separate stems and each stem represents a specific part of the song, isolated as a distinct file. These stems allow users to manipulate or remix a song by altering or rearranging individual elements. In addition, a single stem may be delivered in mono, stereo, or in multiple tracks for surround sound.

              But what are the 4 stems of music? Broadly speaking, they are:

              • Drums/rhythm – Featuring isolated drum or percussion elements
              • Bass – Featuring the bassline or low-end elements
              • Instruments – All the instruments without the vocals
              • Melody/vocals – An isolated vocal track.

              At Audio Network we offer five or six stems per track. For example, a snare drum as part of a kit is a single recorded track, while the grouping of an entire drum kit with all recorded components in one separated subgroup and audio file is a stem. And if all the song stems were played simultaneously – without any edits or amendments – it would sound like the finished, mastered version of the track.

              What Are the Benefits of Using Stems?

              Whether you’re working on behalf of a big brand or as an individual creator, stems offer a huge amount of creative flexibility. With improved control over audio elements, editors are able to customise music to suit the mood or style of each individual project, offering a level of accuracy that saves significant time in post-production.

              For example, you might want to lower the volume of vocals for background usage in film or TV. Or perhaps you wnant to highlight key moments, by isolating vocals for effect or by enhancing instrumental sections. Working on a granular level, you can add effects like reverb or EQ to individual stems without affecting the whole mix. And more creative control equals cleaner edits, both in terms of syncing music more smoothly with visuals and in terms of the precision with which you can make cuts to the audio or create loops.

              Where Can I Get Song Stems From?

              If you don’t have access to the original multi-track recordings, you can use a music stem splitter, which is a software tool or algorithm that separates songs into their individual audio stems. Using machine learning and artificial intelligence models trained to recognise patterns and frequency rates associated with instruments and vocals, stem splitters identify and extract these components into separate audio tracks. Popular stem splitters include iZotope RX, Spleeter by Deezer, LALAL.AI and Audionamix.

              For a far easier and more efficient solution, you can access a huge range of high quality, expertly-mixed music stems right here at Audio Network. From pop to rock, electronic to jazz, classical to Latin music, we have every single genre and mood of music covered, plus we’re adding brand new releases all the time, with more than 90% of new tracks offering stems.

              Thanks to our intuitive interface and advanced search capabilities, they’re super easy to find too, allowing you to search by keyword, prompt, scene description or even YouTube link. Simply check the ‘Has Stems’ box on the advanced search filter and you’ll be shown a selection of tracks with stems available. Alternatively, get in touch with a music brief, and our expert team can curate a range of suitable stems for you.

              More More More!

              So now you know how stems can help improve your project, why not read more of our industry deep-dives, which cover everything from selecting the right music for your brand to comprehensive guides to music licensing and music for production. Want to find music for Instagram or TikTok? We’ve got blogs on those too.

              Need Music for Your Project?

              At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

              SIGN UP

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              HOW STEMS MAKE YOUR PROJECT BETTER Read More »

              How to License a Song for a Film

              HOW TO LICENSE A SONG FOR A FILM

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                What are your favourite movie soundtracks – and their standout songs? Soundtracks are a major part of the movie experience – not only do they help you to get inside of the characters, boost the emotional impact, create atmosphere and complement the setting, but they’re also huge promo tools. Think Barbie, with Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj and Billie Eilish. Or Saltburn, which catapulted Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ back into the charts with that iconic dance sequence. The film gets you talking about the song; hearing the song reminds you of the movie.

                Plus, a movie song can instantly catapult you into a huge nostalgia-fest – ‘My Heart Will Go On’ reminds you of weeping uncontrollably as Leo finally sinks to a watery death in Titanic; Whitney Houston belting out ‘I Will Always Love You’ takes you instantly back to The Bodyguard (still the bestselling movie soundtrack of all time.)

                Music for Film

                Some songs are written specifically for the film they’re in, such as ‘All the Stars’ by Kendrick Lamar and SZA in Black Panther, which has amassed over 1.7 billion streams on Spotify, or the Oscar-winning ‘Shallow’, sung by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper from A Star is Born – one of the most-streamed songs of all time. Others, like ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, were licensed for use in the movie.

                When it comes to music for filmmakers, the choices come down to whether you have the budget to commission an original song, or whether you want to buy a music licence for a pre-existing track.

                How to License a Song for a Film

                If you want to use a pre-recorded song or another pre-recorded piece of music in your film, there are two rights you need to clear – ie, you need to get two different licences to use the music.

                • Synchronization Licence: This is the right to synchronize a song or a piece of music with your visual image. You need to get this from the copyright owner of the music, which is usually the publisher. You can find out who the publisher is by using ASCAP’s Clearance Express (ACE) at www.ascap.com/ace. Then contact the publisher’s Business Affairs or Licensing Department.
                • Master Use Licence: This covers the right to reproduce a specific recording of a song in your film. You need to clear this with the record label who owns the specific recording you want to use (look up the liner notes of the recording to find out which label you need to contact.) You can also get contact information for record labels by calling ASCAP’s Film/TV Department.

                And if you want to put together a soundtrack album, you need to negotiate those rights separately with the publisher and the record label.

                How Much Does It Cost to License Songs for Movies?

                The short answer is: it depends. There are various factors involved, including how the music will be used, the duration and number of times the music’s going to appear and where the film will be performed.

                In all these cases, the fees are negotiable and not all publishers and record labels charge the same amount. Students working on films that are only going to be shown within an educational environment, for example, can often negotiate reduced fees. Independent filmmakers planning to show their films at film festivals can also often negotiate a reduced fee called a Festival Use Licence. These reduced rates are based on limited screenings of the film.

                But if your film has been sold for theatrical release, the fees will increase based on the anticipated uplift in viewership and potential increased revenues. Negotiating in advance for possible future performances covering different types of media (theatrical, TV, cable, internet, etc) is often referred to as a Step Deal.

                If you’re working with a small budget or on a short film, you might want to go for a simpler, faster option: a production music catalogue.

                Music for Any Film Genre

                Audio Network’s catalogue has over 250,000 original tracks – composed and created by a hugely talented roster of artists, composers and producers worldwide. We record our music in some of the world’s best-known studios and there are scores of genres to choose from.

                Not only that, but we create dedicated collections of music for film, such as the Hollywood Sound, ideal for IMAX-sized big screen movies, Maximum Impact to make your trailer a viral hit, or Dramedy to bring a variety of stories to life. How about Pop to brighten your story? We also have hand-picked playlists to make choosing music even easier. From epic sci fi to tension-filled drama to comedy and our Scoring Sessions, covering everything from indie films to Hollywood hits. Need FX or drones? We have hundreds of them. Want increased flexibility with stems? Nearly all our tracks have those too.

                Whether you’re looking for a song for background music or a score for a blockbuster trailer, we have the sound that suits.

                Finding Your Perfect Music

                First off, you need to choose which of our Search functions you want to use: Musical Styles, Mood/Emotion, Instrumentation or Production Genre. You can listen to our latest releases for inspiration – we have new albums every fortnight.

                You can filter to narrow down your options further – by mood, such as anticipation or determination, romantic and reflective, or tension-filled. You can also filter by genres including everything from dance to drum ‘n’ bass, indie to hybrid orchestral.

                Want to get more specific? Try our new Prompt Search feature, which harnesses the power of AI to find your ideal sounds. Simply put in a description of your content, a scene or the emotions you want your audience to feel, and you’ll get a playlist full of options within seconds.

                Or you can use our Audio Search to find a song that sounds like something you’ve heard on YouTube, Spotify, TikTok or SoundCloud.

                For more on adding tracks to your projects, watch our easy explainer:

                So, now you know all about music licensing for film, it’s time to start discovering the best original music! Still stuck? Why not contact one of our team and send us a music brief? Or read our tips on how to use standout music, from trailers to soundtrack, or the art of being a brilliant music supervisor.

                Need Music for Your Project?

                At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

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                How to License a Song for a Video

                HOW TO LICENSE A SONG FOR A VIDEO

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                  Music has a power all of its own – elevating a story, a scene, an explainer or vlog beyond just words and images. It can give you background atmosphere, or emotion, it can position your brand, connect with a target audience and helps them to stay engaged. In short, music for videos is a vital component if you’re a creator or a business. We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about how to license a song for a video.

                  How Do I Get Permission to Use a Song in a Video?

                  No-one wants to work hard putting together a great short film or web-based promo and then have it taken down from YouTube or another platform because of audio copyright issues. So if you’re a professional content creator, producer or editor, here’s how to avoid running into problems.

                  Unless you’ve written the song yourself, in which case you own the rights, when it comes to how to use music in videos legally, we’re talking about music licensing.

                  How to Obtain Permission to Use Copyrighted Music

                  For nearly all music, the publisher and/or a record label hold the music rights, so you have to get permission from both. You’ll get what’s called a synchronisation (or sync) licence from the publisher or composer; assuming an artist has a contract with a record label, you’d acquire a master licence from them.

                  Negotiating the licence deals, most often you’ll either be paying a small sum every time your video plays (pay-per-use), or purchasing a licence that allows you unlimited use for a given amount of time. It’s up to you which you want to go for; once you’ve agreed a price, then you can stream, broadcast, post and share your videos.

                  How to get permission to use a song on YouTube? If the song’s by a relatively unknown artist, or on a small record label, you could potentially reach out to them directly. Want a huge song by a major artist? It’s going to cost money. A lot of money – and they might not grant you a licence to use it.

                  The easiest, quickest and often most cost-effective way to license tracks is to use sites which specialise in selling music licences for video production. Which is where Audio Network comes in.

                  All of the Choice, None of the Hassle

                  Audio Network has over 250,000 original tracks – composed and created by a hugely talented roster of artists, composers and producers worldwide. We record our music in some of the world’s best-known studios and there are scores of genres to choose from. Not only that, but we create dedicated collections, such as hip hop, the Hollywood Sound and the Holidays, as well as hand-picked playlists to make choosing music even easier. Need FX or beds for voiceovers? We have hundreds of them. Want more flexibility with stems? Nearly all our tracks have those too.

                  Whether you’re looking for intros or outros, background music or a track for a brand ID, we have the sound that suits.

                  Finding Your Perfect Music

                  First off, you need to choose which of our Search functions you want to use: Musical Styles, Mood/Emotion, Instrumentation or Production Genre. You can listen to our latest releases – we have new albums every fortnight. Or discover music organised around themes and genres with our playlists such as Business & Brands, Epic Gaming, Fashion & Beauty or find out what’s Trending On…

                  You can filter to narrow down your options further – by mood, such as anticipation or determination, romantic and reflective, or tension-filled. You can also filter by genres including everything from dance to drum ‘n’ bass, indie to hybrid orchestral.

                  Want to get more specific? Try our new Prompt Search feature, which harnesses the power of AI to find your ideal sounds. Simply put in a description of your content, a scene or the emotions you want your audience to feel, and you’ll get a playlist full of options within seconds.

                  Or you can use our Audio Search to find a track that sounds like something you’ve heard on YouTube, Spotify, TikTok or SoundCloud.

                  For more on adding tracks to your projects, watch our easy explainer:

                  So, now you know all about music licensing for videos, it’s time to start discovering the best original music for your content! Still stuck? Why not contact one of our team and send us a music brief? And to find out why using the best music can make you more money, read our deep dive into unlocking Music Licensing’s ROI.

                  Need Music for Your Project?

                  At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

                  SIGN UP

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                  HOW TO MAKE A MUSIC VIDEO

                  HOW TO MAKE A MUSIC VIDEO

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                    For decades, music videos have been crucial to an artist's career and legacy. And although the youth of today access music videos in different ways than their parents, music videos old and new rack up millions of views every day, which is why the industry still spends a lot of time, money and energy creating them.

                    Here’s our expert, step-by-step guide to how to make music videos. Who knows, perhaps you’ll soon be well on your way to creating the next classic – a music video to join the pantheon of greats alongside Luis Fonsi’s ‘Despacito’, Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’, Childish Gambino’s ‘This is America’ and Doja Cat’s ‘Say So’.

                    How to Make a Music Video:

                    • Song
                    • Equipment
                    • Planning
                    • Budget
                    • Filming
                    • Editing
                    • The Edit

                    How to Make a Music Video

                    Song

                    So, obviously, the first thing you need to create a music video is a song. The best music videos of all time are informed by the genre, vibe and lyrics of the song at the centre of the production. Here are some of the best examples:

                    Inspired by Genre

                    Taylor Swift’s 2020 album Folklore marked the singer’s return to her folk-country roots, and the first single, ‘Cardigan’, was released alongside an enchanting music video that couldn’t be more rural if it tried. Patently, Swift’s goal was to exhibit a new era in which the singer was to honour the genre(s) that initially made her fall in love with music.

                    Inspired by Vibe

                    One of the most memorable music videos in recent years is Doja Cat’s ‘Say So’ video, which embraces a ’70s aesthetic. To complement the track’s flower-power disco feel, the singer-cum-rapper packed the almost four-minute film with vibrant costumes, glitzy accessories, retro-tech and to-die-for home interiors. This video alone rocketed Doja’s career to new levels. The moral of the story? Sometimes, let the vibes sit in the driver's seat.

                    Inspired by Lyrics

                    Childish Gambino’s ‘This is America’ was a hit that came out of nowhere, which broke ground for numerous reasons. Listen to the lyrics, and you will discover the artist is touching on a range of pressing matters, including gun violence in the USA. To ensure the message of the lyrics wasn’t lost within the upbeat nature of the track, Gambino worked on an artistic music video that seeks to encourage audiences to pay attention to the points that the artist is raising.

                    Equipment

                    Once you’re settled on your song and a vision for the music video you want to create, it’s time to purchase (or rent) your equipment. When it comes to how to film a music video, here are the three key things you’re definitely going to need if you don’t have them already.

                    Cameras

                    Unless you’re planning on creating an animated music video, such as Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’, you’re going to need to get your hands on some cameras. Naturally, the better the camera you invest in, the better the quality of your music video; although, having said that, it’s not uncommon for artists to use outdated tech to create a nostalgic, retro look.

                    No matter what type of camera you decide on for shooting music footage, we recommend you secure multiple devices so that you can capture it from various angles and, in turn, have options when it comes to the editing stage of the production process.

                    Discover how you can use multiple camera angles to switch things up by watching Deee-Lite’s ‘Groove is in the Heart’.

                    Lighting Equipment

                    Lighting is hugely important when it comes to music videos – especially if the music video you’re looking to create tells a story. Although it’s not uncommon for music video producers to film scenes without any lighting equipment, having the equipment within reach can open up a whole new world of possibilities.

                    If you’re new to artificial lighting, you may want to try out the three-point lighting method that’s popularly used in a variety of media projects, including film and television. As the name suggests, the method involves three light sources strategically placed at different angles around the subject. This illuminates the subject, making them – or it – the key focus within the scene.

                    Looking for some lighting inspo? Personally, we love how Adele is always the primary focus of her ‘Oh My God’ music video, no matter what’s going on around her, thanks to the expert use of lighting.

                    Audio System

                    As the artists are lip-syncing in their music videos, it helps if there’s a stellar audio system on set to help the vocalist get into the moment and lip-sync as accurately as possible.

                    Ariana Grande always gives a convincing performance in her music videos, which makes us wonder what type of audio system she and her team are opting for when it comes to production. Something by Bose, perhaps?

                    Planning

                    The best way to plan anything is to ensure you have an answer to all of the most obvious questions. The main questions you should be asking yourself when organising your shoot are how long will it take, what’s the budget, who’s going to be in it, and where are you shooting it?

                    An element that the pros bring into their planning is a treatment, together with moodboards and storyboards. This can help you to pin down what kind of budget you need – and potentially how long it will take to film your video.

                    The Treatment

                    A treatment is a short document outlining the concept, direction, aesthetic and style of the video. You can think of your treatment for your music video in the same way as the script for a film – it provides the building blocks and the structure for everyone to follow. There’s no right or wrong way to do it in terms of how long it is – you can create a one-pager, or something more detailed that’s up to 10 pages.

                    Often, when crafting your treatment, you may realise that your concept will take you way over budget. Or that your concept is out of sync with the style or tone of the music, so it’s a useful exercise in lots of ways.

                    The most effective music video treatments have plenty of visual images for reference – don’t make it too descriptive, as people reading it may tune out.

                    Find out more on how to write music video treatments courtesy of The Buff Nerds:

                    Moodboards

                    Creating moodboards (also known as idea boards or theme boards) can help you to put together a succinct treatment and will provide the foundations for a storyboard and shot list.

                    Moodboards are a practical way to take your creative ideas and bring them to life in the real world. In film-making, the story will intrinsically have a tone, emotion or mood – work out what you’re trying to convey through your video. Plus, they’re a great reference for your team, from the director to the stylist.

                    There are various free apps to create moodboards, which include templates to make life easier. Online moodboards can include images, video, links and colour references. Collect your materials – such as stills from previous shoots, client references or images you’ve saved from Film Grab, Instagram or Pinterest.

                    Then add in inspiring examples of movement, animation or sound from YouTube, Vimeo or Shotdeck. Once you’ve gathered all your inspiration together, arrange them by exploring your composition, and introducing some hierarchy. Choose a key element to anchor your board, and adjust the size and position of the other elements to show their importance in your overall vision. Then pop in a few written notes – such as how you’re thinking of using lighting or props - to finish off.

                    How Long Does It Take To Shoot a Music Video?

                    The length of time it’ll take to shoot a music video will depend on the variety of scenes you want to feature within it. More often than not, music videos will feature different storylines that combine to give the video an overall flavour. Of course, the more variety you’re planning on including, the longer the filming process will take.

                    If, on the other hand, you want to film the music video in just a few takes in the same location, you’ve got more chance of wrapping up the shoot in a day or two. Keep on track and on schedule by creating a shot list.

                    A great example of a music video that would’ve only taken a few days to film is ‘APESHIT’ by The Carters. Filmed entirely in The Louvre, Jay and Bey switch things up by suiting up in a range of different ensembles.

                    Who Is Going to Be in the Music Video?

                    It’s paramount that you consider who is going to be in the music video you’re working on, as every music video is different. If the artist is anything like Britney, there will be a fair few dancers showcasing their moves. Whereas an artist such as Drake will feature a range of extras and guest appearances. Or what about Sia, who has used stand-in and muse Maddie Ziegler in many of her music videos, including ‘Chandelier’.

                    Once you know who’s going to feature in the video, you’ll then have to establish their availability and put together your shooting schedule.

                    Where Will You Film the Music Video?

                    Speaking of location, you must think carefully about the most suitable space to film your shoot. If you’re looking to film inside or on the grounds of a premises, you’ll need permission from the building’s owners.

                    If you’re looking to film outside, you need to consider the weather conditions that you’ll be dealing with that day. If you want to film in a remote location (Beyoncé’s The Gift album comes to mind), you must consider how the entire team – camera crew, stylists, dancers etc – will get there safely and on time.

                    What are the other elements you’ll need to plan? Wardrobe, hair and make-up are three of them. Refer back to your treatment and moodboard – is the mood fashion-forward? Psychedelic? Set in space? According to your concept, you may need to hire costumes and props.

                    Hiring a professional stylist, if you have the budget, can make a big difference in terms of making your video look 100% how you want it. They’re experts in knowing what does and doesn’t work on camera and they’ll have contacts from costume designers to designer labels who may want to lend you clothes for the shoot.

                    Take a look behind the scenes as stylist Maeve Reilly works on a fashion-driven video to create seven different looks for Dixie D’Amelio’s ‘Psycho’ video:

                    And if you’re shooting with green screen, then check out our article, which gives you tips on wardrobe to make sure your star doesn’t appear as just a floating head on the screen…

                    Hair and Make-up

                    Hair and make-up need to support the overall look. If you’ve got limited resources, you may get your artists to do their own make-up and hair. But if you’ve got the budget, again, it’s worth bringing in the experts and finding a make-up artist (they’ll often do hairstyling too.)

                    Share your moodboard with them, and ask for their input and advice on creating the look you want. Remember to factor in whether you’re shooting outdoor, in natural light, or indoor, as different lighting will affect how the make-up looks on screen.

                    Budget

                    Making music videos can be expensive, which is why you need to establish, and stick to, a budget. And while it’s true that more money means more opportunities, a true creative will find ways to bring their vision to life, no matter the budget. Let’s take a look at a high-budget and low-budget video and see how the producer of each has used the resources available to them.

                    ‘No Love’ – Summer Walker, SZA and Cardi B

                    Released in March ’22 alongside the single, the ‘No Love’ music video stars the three artists that collaborate on the track – Summer Walker, SZA and Cardi B. The costumes are extravagant; the props, opulent; the settings, dreamy; the dancers, the crème de la crème. Not to mention, each artist has the best hair and make-up team on their side. The result? An out-of-this-world adventure that’s polished to the nines.

                    ‘Red Barz’ – Cardi B

                    Before the glitz and glam, Cardi B created music videos the only way she knew how. In the 2017 video for ‘Red Barz’, the rapper – dressed in all red to complement the theme of the track – and her friends can be seen in the video together in different urban locations. It’s impossible to compare this with ‘No Love’, released five years later, as the vibe is completely different, but one thing’s for sure: this video was created on a fraction of the ‘No Love’ video.

                    For a fun, super-low-budget approach, you might need to be Harry Styles and James Corden, who attempted to film a music video for ‘Daylight’ in three hours and with a budget of just $300.

                    Filming

                    Finally, you’re at the filming stage! All of the pieces of the puzzle are put together and you’re ready to go. Our advice is to nominate a director, or even think about hiring an external director who puts everything and everyone in the right place to make some music video magic. You may even want to consider letting the director take creative control – tell them what you envisioned and what you want the outcome to be, and watch them turn your project into their own. Here are some examples of music videos directed by acclaimed directors.

                    ‘The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)’ – Missy Elliott

                    Hype Williams is, arguably, the best music video director ever; and one of our favourite music videos directed by the Queens-born creative is the music video to Missy Elliott’s ‘Supa Dupa Fly’. Throughout the video, Hype brings the rapper into his world using his signature fish-eye lens camera, special effects and futuristic backdrops.

                    ‘Da Funk‘ - Daft Punk

                    If Hype Williams isn’t your favourite music video director, Spike Jonze likely is. The American director, who also counts himself as an actor, musician and photographer, has created music videos for the likes of Fatboy Slim, The Beastie Boys, Arcade Fire and Daft Punk. But our favourite music video directed by Spike is Kanye West’s ‘Only One’  ft. Paul McCartney. Personally, we feel as if no one else would’ve been able to exhibit the raw being of Ye quite like Spike.

                    ‘Falling Back’ – Drake

                    Whether you’ve heard of Director X before or not, he’s the man behind some of your favourite music videos released over the last few years, including those for Drake’s ‘Hotline Bling’, Iggy Azalea’s ‘Fancy’ and Ariana Grande’s ‘34+35’. Most recently, the director proved to the world that he’s still got it with his video for ‘Falling Back’, the first track from Drake’s seventh studio album Honestly, Nevermind to get a video.

                    If you require further guidance, we recommend you watch Monkeypixel’s video about shooting a music video.

                    Editing

                    The final step to making a music video is to take all of the captured footage and turn it into something that is either the same length as the song or slightly longer. Here are three things you could think about adding to your video during the post-production process.

                    CGI Landscapes

                    If you have a tech whizz on your team, it’s completely possible that they may be able to quite literally take your music video to new worlds by creating CGI landscapes. Just look at Doja Cat and The Weeknd’s video for ‘You Right’ – the entire thing is set light years away from the Earth we know.

                    Titles & Title Cards

                    It’s not uncommon for title cards to be used in music videos, especially if that music video stars Lady Gaga. In her 2020 party hit ‘Stupid Love’, the pop star places a title card at the very beginning of her video to set the scene, which is swiftly followed by a CGI graphic that informs viewers of the title of the song and, in turn, the music video.

                    Background Music

                    There are hundreds of music videos out there that feature scenes before, during and after the song commences which add to the story told within the video. One of the most famous examples is Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’.

                    Plus, if you require any background music or sound effects, we invite you to check out our range of licensable compositions via our playlists, collections and latest albums pages.

                    The Edit

                    Now that you’ve got a clear idea of what it takes to produce a music video, it’s time to put all your knowledge into action. And for more top tips, discover our articles on The Edit, our regularly-updated hub featuring hundreds of articles full of inspiration, expertise and news. There are deep dives on everything from the most-watched music videos of all time to how to use green screen, film-making editing software and more.

                    Need Music for Your Project?

                    At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

                    SIGN UP

                    This page was updated 28/05/2024.

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                    Youtube shorts monetization

                    YOUTUBE SHORTS MONETIZATION: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

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                      If you’re a content creator, then you might be aware that YouTube has been hard at work evolving and expanding its YouTube Partner Programme (YPP). The main element of this is opening up access to monetization on YouTube with YouTube Shorts, including revenue sharing on ads.

                      What does it mean for creators? We’re going to talk you through the YouTube Shorts monetization requirements for 2023, including how many subscribers you need, and how YouTube and TikTok monetization compare. With Shorts boasting 30 billion daily views and 1.5 billion users flocking to short-form content every month, will YouTube be the hottest creator platform in 2023? Read on to find out.

                      Is YouTube Shorts Monetized?

                      The rise of TikTok (by early 2022, it was the most downloaded app in the world), has prompted other platforms such as Instagram and YouTube to create their own versions of short-form video formats in order to compete.

                      Shorts is the YouTube short video format. Historically, there’s only been one way to enter YouTube’s Partner Programme – you needed 1000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within the last year. However, the changes to YouTube Shorts opportunities came in on 1st February 2023, with new eligibility thresholds for fan funding introduced with the aim of helping creators to make deeper connections with their fans and, crucially, make money earlier in their creator journeys.

                      Before this change, you couldn’t make money on YouTube Shorts except via the YouTube Shorts Monetization Fund, which rewarded the platform’s top creators; however, the new advertising venue sharing model will be available for most creators, having replaced the Monetization Fund.

                      Now, in Shorts, ads run between videos in the Shorts Feed. Every month, revenue from these ads will be added together and used to reward Shorts creators and help to cover the costs of music licensing.

                      In addition to the ads, YouTube announced:

                      ‘We’re also launching Super Thanks for Shorts in beta to thousands of creators, with a complete rollout expected next year. Viewers can show their appreciation for their favorite Shorts, and creators can interact with their fans through purchased, highlighted Super Thanks comments.’

                      What Are the YouTube Shorts Requirements for Monetization?

                      When it comes to how many subscribers you need to monetize YouTube Shorts, to be eligible for the programme, creators must have 1000 subscribers and meet certain view requirements – these are:

                      • 10 million eligible public Shorts views in the last 90 days
                      • Or 4,000 valid public watch hours on long-form videos

                      YouTube rules for monetization also state that your content must follow YouTube’s originality policy – meaning it must be yours, and not anyone else’s.

                      If you meet the criteria, you can activate ads and earn 45% of the allocated ad revenue on your Shorts videos (the remainder of the revenue goes to YouTube.)

                      How to Turn On Monetization on YouTube Shorts

                      If you’re in the YouTube Partner Programme, you can find the Shorts monetization agreement in the ‘Earn’ tab in YouTube Studio. Select ‘Get started’ under ‘Shorts feed ads’ and accept the terms.

                      To view your Shorts earnings and performance, you can go to the ‘Revenue’ tab in YouTube Studio Analytics, which will show your daily estimated revenue and views by content type.

                      The ‘How you make money’ card will give you a more detailed view of your earnings across Shorts, video, and live content.

                      How Much Do YouTube Shorts Ads Pay?

                      How much do YouTube Shorts make? As with any question about how much money you can make from YouTube, it’s a bit of a ‘how long is a piece of string?’ answer.

                      Go behind the scenes with this video to see where to find how much you’re earning from Shorts:

                      So far, Shorts has only offered one main income opportunity for video creators: The YouTube Shorts Fund, which paid out $100 million to creators in 2021 and 2022. Depending on the engagement on their Shorts, creators could see bonuses anywhere between $100 and $10,000.

                      The new monetization model will see all ad revenue from Shorts added together on a monthly basis; creators will see payouts proportional to their share of total Shorts views.

                      How much does 100k views on YouTube Shorts pay? Reports say that YouTubers earn, on average around $0.01 per 1000 views (long-form videos can pay up to multiple dollars.)

                      This video offers a more detailed explainer on potential earnings from YouTube Shorts:

                      A YouTube spokesperson quoted by CNBC.com said, ‘As we all invest in Shorts, we expect creator earnings to continue to grow. With Shorts ad revenue sharing, we’re committed to building a long-term partnership where creators can directly share in the platform’s success.’

                      Why Can’t I Monetize My YouTube Shorts?

                      There are a few things that’ll stop you from monetizing your YouTube Shorts. As above, if you’ve reposted someone else’s content, from a TV show clip to another creator’s content, you won’t see any revenue from it.

                      Plus, if you’ve inflated your views with automated clicks or bots, those videos won’t be eligible for monetization either.

                      Note that if you’ve been paid from the Shorts fund in the past, it doesn’t automatically qualify you for Shorts monetization. Plus, your previous YouTube shorts views won’t count for monetization under the new requirements.

                      What’s Next From YouTube?

                      On the official YouTube blog in January 2023, the team announced that:

                      ‘We also want to support creators who are even earlier in their YouTube journey, from gamers showing off their speed runs to trendsetting DIY makeup tutorials. A new level of YPP with lower requirements will offer earlier access to Fan Funding features like Super Thanks, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Channel Memberships. To reward creators across a range of formats, we’ll have paths for long-form, Shorts and Live creators to join this new tier in 2023. Stay tuned for more details.’

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                      YouTube vs TikTok

                      How does YouTube Shorts’ monetization compare with TikTok’s?

                      • As explained above, YouTube Shorts uses a pool-based model where earnings generated by ads are combined and paid out based on a creator’s share of the total number of views
                      • TikTok’s Creator Fund pays eligible creators based on their performance and engagement metrics, with no restriction on the type of content supported by the fund

                      To be eligible for monetization on TikTok, you need to have more than 10,000 followers and over 10,000 authentic views in the last 30 days.

                      The amount of money a creator can earn on TikTok depends on several factors, such as the number of views, the authenticity of the views, level of engagement and whether the content adheres to the Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. According to reports, TikTok will pay out between $20 and $40 for every one million views a creator gets.

                      The TikTok Creator Fund’s total amount changes daily, determined by the number of videos posted by the community that day. CNBC.com flagged that the company has pledged to grow the Creator Fund from $200 million to $1 billion over the next three years.

                      If you’re deciding whether to post on TikTok or YouTube, consider that TikTok’s user base is younger (the majority of users are under 30), whilst YouTube has a more diverse user base, across all age groups.

                      TikTok have also recently launched a new model for longer videos. The Creativity Program Beta is aimed at rewarding creators who post videos longer than a minute – this is a separate fund targeting established creators, promising higher rewards to attract and retain top content creators (it’s currently invite-only).

                      Victor Potrel, Vice President of Content Distribution at The Soul Publishing, said to Metro.co.uk that, ‘YouTube has certainly been setting the industry standard for monetization for years, and it’s great to see them follow suit with short-form content. Each platform is unique and provides a specific value to its viewers, creators, and advertisers. We expect that major players will increasingly focus on ways to support the creator economy, which is a good thing for the industry.’

                      As for his advice on how to make money from YouTube Shorts, Potrel revealed that, ‘for more established creators, it will be a straightforward process, although for them to capitalise on the popularity of short-form content it will require agility and the ability to work within multiple content formats to stay on top of viewers’ trends… First and foremost, creators need to focus on creating engaging content while simultaneously embracing new platform tools, whether they help drive reach, engagement, or monetization.’

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                      Maximise Your YouTube Earnings

                      Whether you’re creating YouTube Shorts or longer content on the platform, we’ve got plenty of advice to share, from where YouTubers get their music to a beginner’s guide to YouTube image sizes and creating a successful YouTube channel. The best female YouTubers and Japanese YouTube stars will provide further inspiration for your journey as a creator.

                      One of the best ways to stand out on YouTube? Use music that’s unique. We have masses of music to license for digital entertainment and branded content. We’ve got dedicated playlists and new releases every fortnight to help you choose the ideal track.

                      Need Music for Your Project?

                      At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!

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