How to dispute a copyright claim on YouTube

What you are disputing

A Content ID claim means software found a match. A company gave YouTube a file, and part of your video looks or sounds like that file.

The company chooses what happens. It can block the video, run ads and take the money, or only track views. A claim is not a strike.

Before you click dispute

YouTube says it cannot tell you whether to dispute. That choice is yours. A weak dispute can be rejected. A rejected appeal can become a takedown and a copyright strike.

These reasons do not work: you gave credit, you bought the song, or you are not making money from the video.

These reasons can work, if they are true: you made it, you have a license, the use is fair use, the work is in the public domain, or the match is a mistake.

Where to click

You do this yourself. No tool should ask for your YouTube password.

• Open YouTube Studio and go to Content.
• Open the video that has the claim, then open the claim details.
• Choose Dispute, or Escalate to Appeal if that is the button YouTube shows.
• Pick the reason that matches the facts.
• Write the truth in the box. Short sentences are fine.
• Submit. The message goes to the claimant, not to a court.

What happens after you submit

The claimant has 30 days. They can release the claim, reject your dispute, or send a takedown. If they do nothing, the claim is released.

If you are inside 5 days of a claim that runs ads, YouTube holds the ad money from day 1 and pays the winner. After 5 days, it only holds money from the day you dispute.

An appeal, if you get one, gives the claimant 7 days. Read the warning before you appeal.