Use the Copyright Match Tool

The Copyright Match Tool can automatically identify videos that are matches or potential matches of other videos on YouTube. This article describes how to review and act on matches. Learn more about how the Copyright Match Tool works.

How to use the Copyright Match Tool

Review and act on matches

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left menu, select Copyright .
3. Click the Matches tab.
4. Review the matching videos. You can select a filter  to find videos by number of views (Total views) or channels by number of subscribers (Subscribers).
5. Check the box next to the video you want to take action on. Choose an action to take:
   • ARCHIVE: This option removes the match from your Matches tab. The matching video itself isn't deleted or affected. Archived matches show up in your Archive tab.
   • REQUEST REMOVAL: This option opens our removal request webform so you can submit a removal request for the matching video. After submitting, you can track your removal requests in your Removal Requests tab.
   • CONTACT CHANNEL: This option lets you send a pre-written email to the uploader of the matching video. You can find past emails you’ve sent in your Messages tab.

Review and act on potential matches

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left menu, select Copyright .
3. Click the Removal Requests tab.
4. In the Find matches column, you can find potential matches that weren’t eligible to be automatically prevented from reupload because they weren’t copies.
5. Click a row. The row expands to show more details about the video.
6. Click VIEW MATCHES. The Matches tab opens and is filtered to show the potential matches.
7. Check the box next to the video you want to take action on. Choose an action to take:
   • ARCHIVE: This option removes the match from your Matches tab. The matching video itself isn't deleted or affected. Archived matches show up in your Archive tab.
   • REQUEST REMOVAL: This option opens our removal request webform so you can submit a removal request for the matching video. After submitting, you can view the videos you requested the removal of in your Removal Requests tab.
   • CONTACT CHANNEL: This option lets you send a pre-written email to the uploader of the matching video. You can find past emails you’ve sent in your Messages tab.

Find song matches

If you use the copyright removal request webform to successfully remove someone's video that used your song or audio content, the Copyright Match Tool will surface other videos with audio that could potentially match your song or audio content. The Copyright Match Tool can also find reuploads where the audio may be replaced or dubbed.

If someone used a portion of your song or audio content in their video, it won't be surfaced by the Copyright Match Tool. If you find a video that uses your audio without permission, you can always report it using our copyright removal request webform.

Troubleshoot issues with matches

There are a few reasons why we might not scan for matches to one of your uploads:

• You weren’t the first to upload the video to YouTube
• The video is already protected by Content ID
• The video has a Content ID claim on it

Check your Matches tab often to stay updated on new matches the Copyright Match Tool has found. You’ll also get bell notifications  on your channel page to let you know when matches are found. Learn more about how the Copyright Match Tool works.