How to request a manual claim on YouTube

Summary

A manual claim allows CD Baby to place a Content ID claim on a specific video that was not automatically matched by the system. Manual claims are an exception workflow — not a standard feature — and are only available when specific eligibility conditions are met.

What a manual claim is

Content ID matches music automatically using audio fingerprinting. In most cases, if your music is in a video, the system will detect and claim it automatically. Occasionally, a video may not be claimed even though it contains your music and your release is properly delivered. In these cases, you can ask CD Baby to submit a manual claim request on your behalf.

Manual claiming is only available for YouTube. It is not available for Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.

Before requesting a manual claim

CD Baby can only submit a manual claim when the following conditions are met:

• At least 3 weeks have passed since your release was delivered to Content ID. If fewer than 3 weeks have passed, wait and check again — automatic matching may still occur.
• Your release is active and eligible. If your content has been removed from CD Baby's monetization program, a manual claim cannot be submitted.
• The video is publicly visible on YouTube and has not already been claimed.
• The video has not previously had a claim released through a dispute. Once a claim is released this way, that video cannot be claimed again.

If your release was recently delivered and the 3-week window has not passed, please wait before contacting support — this is the most common reason manual claims cannot be processed.

How to request a manual claim

To request a manual claim, contact CD Baby support and provide the following information:

• Your CD Baby username
• The URL of the video you want claimed
• Artist name
• Song title
• Album title
• Timestamps indicating where your music appears in the video

If any of this information is missing, CD Baby cannot process the request.

Multiple videos 

If you have several videos that need manual claims, CD Baby can process these as a bulk request. Contact CD Baby Support with the list of video URLs and the required information for each, and we'll advise on next steps.

What to expect after a manual claim is submitted

Manual claims only generate revenue once the claim becomes active. They do not retroactively monetize views that occurred before the claim was placed. Revenue may not be generated at all if the video is not advertiser-friendly or if the channel does not meet YouTube Partner Program requirements.

Note: all manual claim requests are reviewed before being submitted. If the use of the music or the content in the video is found to violate our partners' guidelines, the claim will not be placed.