Does Giving Credit Let You Use a Song in a Video?
No. Giving credit to a musician does not, by itself, give you permission to use a copyrighted song in a video. Credit may be required by a licence or Creative Commons condition, but permission must come from an applicable licence, a copyright exception or another valid rights basis. YouTube lists giving credit as an invalid reason on its own to dispute a copyright claim. See YouTube’s copyright guidance.
When attribution matters
Some licences require a specific credit line, link or notice. If you use an asset under those terms, follow the instructions exactly. Attribution can acknowledge the creator and meet a condition of permission, but it does not widen the licence to cover uses the terms exclude.
For example, a licence might permit use in a personal video but restrict advertising, redistribution or use in a template. Adding a credit cannot change those limits.
What to check before posting
Before publishing, identify the track and recording, where it came from and which licence applies. Check whether it permits video synchronisation, commercial or monetised use, client work, paid ads and publication on every intended platform. Confirm whether attribution is required and whether the licence is tied to a channel or account.
If the video gets a claim, read the notice and compare it with your records. A claim can be an automated match; it does not prove that attribution or a licence is missing. Follow the platform and licensing provider’s documented process, and dispute only when you have a valid reason.
Platform rules and licence terms can change. Keep a copy of the applicable terms and attribution instructions with the project files.
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