Content ID (YouTube's automatic copyright matching)
Japanese Content ID
Content ID is YouTube's system that automatically compares uploaded videos with reference audio and video sent in by copyright owners. When it finds a match, a claim is placed, and the owner's settings decide whether the video is blocked, earns ads for the owner, or is tracked.
Content ID is a matching system that runs automatically the moment a video is uploaded to YouTube. Copyright owners send in their original audio and video in advance, which works like a library's list of originals, and the system checks whether the sound or picture of a new video overlaps with that list. If it does, a claim is placed on the video, and the owner's settings decide what happens: block it from being viewed, run ads on it to earn money, or simply track its views. The same video can be treated differently in different countries or regions.
Watch out A claim is not the same as a copyright strike. Claims affect the video but usually do not affect your channel or account. If a promotional video for your shop has store-bought music playing, you can clear the claim by erasing or trimming the song, or swapping it for a track from the YouTube Audio Library. Only file a dispute when you are sure you have the rights to use the content.
Source: How Content ID works - YouTube Help · Learn about copyright claims (checked 2026-10-26)