Websites offering free background music and sound effects can be invaluable when you are getting started with video production. However, being free to download does not mean an asset is free to use for every purpose.
Terms vary by provider, plan, and asset. This article organizes the details that are easy to overlook when using free sound libraries, separating what to check before downloading from what to check before publishing.
“Free” and “royalty-free” mean different things
A free asset is one you can obtain without paying. By contrast, royalty-free describes whether you must pay additional usage fees each time you use it. Whether an asset is free, whether commercial use is allowed, and whether attribution is required are separate questions that you need to check individually.
Do not make a decision based only on a prominent “free” or “royalty-free” label. Review both the page for the specific asset you plan to use and the full terms of use.
Do not stop with the site-wide terms
The terms of use on a sound library’s main page are important, but individual assets may have additional conditions. Check the notes on the download page, the download screen, the FAQ, and any license information as well.
It is especially easy to overlook whether registration is required, how the free and paid plans differ, and whether you must link to the provider or name the creator.
Confirm exactly what commercial use covers
Monetized YouTube videos, corporate social media posts, product presentations, client deliverables, advertisements, and in-store use may qualify as commercial use under the provider’s terms. Even when commercial use is permitted, check for restrictions on media types, the number of projects, advertising, or delivery to third parties.
For example, you may be allowed to use an asset on your own channel but need additional permission for client work. It is safest to remember that someone publishing their own video and someone producing content professionally may need to review slightly different sections of the terms.
Prepare the attribution before publishing
If an asset requires attribution, place it in the specified location, such as the video description, end credits, or website. To avoid searching for the asset name or URL just before publishing, record the creator’s name, asset title, URL, and required wording when you download it.
Even when attribution is not required, recording the source will help if you need to verify the terms after publication. You may also want to review what credit attribution means.
Make sure you are not redistributing the asset itself
Even when you can use background music or a sound effect as part of a video, you may be prohibited from distributing the audio file itself, repackaging it as part of an asset collection, or including it in a template in a form that anyone can extract.
If you include the original audio file in an editing project or client deliverable, check whether that counts as redistribution. Delivering a completed video and handing over the underlying asset data may be treated differently.
Save the terms with future updates in mind
Terms of use can change. Saving the asset page URL, terms URL, date checked, and required attribution for each asset makes it easier to verify the circumstances later.
Our guide to “How to Organize Background Music and Sound Effects After Downloading Them” explains one way to keep these records. Simply placing a PDF or screenshot of the terms in a folder for each provider can make your library much easier to manage.
Final checklist before publishing
- You reviewed the asset’s download page and terms of use
- Monetization, corporate use, and client delivery fall within the permitted conditions
- You prepared any required attribution
- You checked restrictions on modification and redistribution
- You saved the terms URL and the date you reviewed it
For a more detailed process for reviewing terms, see “Terms to Check Before Using Background Music and Sound Effects.” If you plan to publish on YouTube, also review “What to Know When Using Background Music and Sound Effects on YouTube.”
Note: This article provides general information. Whether a particular use is permitted depends on the provider’s current terms and license as well as how you use the asset. If you are unsure, contact the provider or a qualified professional.
