Lickd Review: Is it the best solution for copyright-safe music?

Lickd is changing music licensing for creators, solving the age-old problem of using popular songs in videos without getting demonetized or copyright struck.

Founded by music industry veteran Paul Sampson, this new platform lets YouTubers and other digital content creators use chart-topping hits and copyrighted music in their work. Lickd’s easy-to-use interface and huge catalog are changing how creators approach soundtracking to make more content that connects with their audience.

By connecting popular music with online video creation, Lickd is helping creators create better content while staying legal and potentially growing their audience.

What is Lickd in the world of content?

Lickd is the latest player in the music licensing scene, offering a wide variety of licensed songs—a virtual event that’s becoming the go-to for creators who want to use chart-topping tracks without the hassle of copyright claims. Use it to enhance your videos and maintain your ability to earn money from them.

Benefits of using Lickd for content creators

• Access to popular music. Lickd gives you access to tracks from major artists and mainstream hits so that you can show off your content with a soundtrack. Instead of overused royalty-free tracks, you can use popular music to make your videos stand out in crowded spaces. Imagine scoring your vlog with the latest Dua Lipa hit or adding Coldplay magic to your travel montage.

• Monetization protection and cost effectiveness. Lickd’s VOUCH technology works with YouTube’s Content ID system to keep your content claim-free and your revenue flowing. This removes the risk of copyright strikes and the cost of commissioning custom music. The service is scalable with relatively low costs, so it’s perfect for up-and-coming creators.

• More engagement and growth using popular music can make a big difference to your content:

  • Higher retention

  • More shares

  • More comments

• Viral potential. By using well-known songs, you’re creating experiences that connect with your audience on a deeper level.

• Repurpose with ease. Lickd lets you use popular music across multiple platforms without copyright issues. You can create content on one platform (e.g., TikTok) and repurpose it for others (e.g., YouTube or Instagram) without extra effort, so you can compete for limited organic post slots in your audience’s feeds. However, YouTube is the only platform allowed for usage after paying for a license.

• Easy lead generation. Because Lickd requires users to sign up, you’ll build a list of other creators who want to make better content. It opens up networking and collaboration opportunities within the creator community.

By using Lickd, you’re not just adding a soundtrack to your videos; you’re leveling up your content creation and potentially turning your content from good to something you can’t stop watching.

Lickd’s Music Library: Your ticket to chart-topping mainstream music content

Ever wanted to have a Billboard Hot 100 artist soundtrack for your latest vlog? With Lickd’s Music Library, you can. Let’s take a look:

• 1.4 million tracks to choose from

• Big names like Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber (yes, really!)

• Partnerships with major labels, including Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group

• Over 100,000 high-quality, royalty-free tracks in your membership

Whether you need a chart-topping hit or a background beat, Lickd’s got you covered. It’s like having a record store in your pocket, but without the dust or the judgmental looks from the shop assistants when you ask for the latest pop hit.

How Lickd works: Music licensing for content creators

Finding and Licensing Music

• Search Lickd’s library to find the right track for your content.

• License your chosen track in a few clicks – no paperwork required.

• Download the licensed track as an MP3 and get creating.

VOUCH Technology

Your Copyright Protector Lickd’s VOUCH technology protects your content from copyright claims:

• Integrates with YouTube’s Content ID system

• Links your YouTube channel ID to your licensed tracks

• Automatically blocks most claims on upload

• Resolves any sneaky claims within 30 minutes

If needed, Lickd’s support team will manually handle your stubborn claims, acting as your copyright bodyguard.

Tips for using Lickd in your YouTube videos content strategy

• Choose your plan

  • Think about your music needs

  • Most creators find the sweet spot with mid-tier plans

  • Daily content creators might need top-tier plans

• Pick the right music

  • Research your audience’s musical tastes

  • Choose tracks that match your content’s mood and message

  • Feature the artist in the video description

• Optimize your workflow

  • Use Lickd’s search to find tracks fast

  • Download and organize tracks in advance by mood or genre

  • Get familiar with VOUCH technology for quick claim handling

  • Use Lickd’s integration with editing software

• Preview before publishing

  • Listen to your chosen track in the context of your video

• Balance the mix

  • Use audio ducking to ensure music doesn’t overpower other audio elements

• Credit the artist

  • Can help build goodwill and attract music fans

• Check the licensing terms

  • Review agreements regularly, as terms may change

• Engage with your audience

  • Ask for feedback on music to refine your process

By following these steps, you’ll get the most out of your Lickd subscription, save time, reduce stress, and focus on creating great content that resonates. Lickd makes using popular music in your videos easy so that you can focus on the content, not the licensing.

Platforms and usage rights: Avoiding copyright claims

Lickd’s platform provides content creators with licensed music usage rights across all social media platforms. Here’s the details:

Supported social media platforms

Lickd’s got you covered. Whether you’re a YouTube star, TikTok dancer, or Instagram storyteller, you can use Lickd tracks on:

• YouTube

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• Twitch

• TikTok

• Snapchat

• Vimeo

• LinkedIn

Just check the “Allowed Platforms” section in the End User License Agreement (EULA) for each track—availability can vary and you don’t want to hit a wrong note with unintended usage.

Pricing and subscription models: Music to fit your budget

Now, let’s talk dollars and cents. Lickd’s pricing is all about fairness and flexibility. Here’s the breakdown:

Fairness-first pricing model

Lickd has a unique approach: they look at your average YouTube video views and adjust the price accordingly. It’s like a “pay what you play” system – smaller creators don’t get priced out and bigger channels contribute their fair share. Everyone wins!

Subscription tiers and features

• Creator Plan:

  • $22.99 per month

  • Premium track credits for mainstream music

  • Unlimited royalty-free tracks

  • VOUCH technology for copyright claim resolution

  • Flexible cancellation options

  • Money-back guarantee (because Lickd’s confident you’ll love it)

• Enterprise Plan:

  • For the big leagues (2 million subscribers)

  • Custom pricing (because one size doesn’t fit all when you’re that big)

  • Exclusive licensing deals

  • Music selection support

  • Personalized concierge service ( fancy, right?)

Single licensed tracks

Still trying to decide whether to commit? No problem! Lickd offers single-track licensing:

• From $8 per track

• Price varies based on the track and your average video views

• For one-off projects or when you need that one-song

Whether you’re just starting or a content creation veteran, Lickd has a plan to fit your needs and budget. Now, that’s what we call a lovely tune!

Usage restrictions and limitations

While Lickd gives you access to popular music, some rules exist. For example:

• No music videos or lyric videos

• Licensed music should be background audio, not the main event

• Some tracks may have additional restrictions, so always read the fine print

Perpetual licensing

Here’s where Lickd comes into its own—once you license a track, it’s yours to use in your content forever. No need to worry about renewals or your old videos getting copyright claimed. It’s like purchasing a song at every party you host and being able to play it —how convenient!

Comparison to other music licensing platforms

Lickd stands out from other music licensing platforms in several key ways. Firstly, its vast library of mainstream music from the world’s biggest artists and record labels sets it apart from other platforms that may only offer royalty-free or indie music options. Additionally, Lickd’s user-friendly interface and streamlined licensing process make it easier for users to find and license music for their YouTube videos.

Another key differentiator for Lickd is its fairness-first pricing model, which ensures that users only pay what’s fair or affordable based on their average video views. This approach is unique in the music licensing industry, where traditional pricing models can be inflexible and expensive. With Lickd, users can feel confident that they are getting a fair deal on their music licenses.

Getting started with Lickd

Signing up to Lickd is easy and opens up a world of music for your content:

• Create an account on the Lickd website with your email and password.

• Link your YouTube channel to get personalized pricing and permissions.

• Fill in any additional required info.

Choose from two plans:

• Creator Plan: $22.99/month and above for premium tracks and copyright protection.

• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for creators with two million subscribers.

Use the Lickd pricing calculator during sign-up to get your custom rate based on your average video views.

To get Lickd in your workflow:

• Browse Lickd’s catalog of over 1.4 million tracks.

• License your track in a few clicks.

• Download the MP3.

• Add the music to your video in your editing software.

• When uploading to YouTube, add license attribution and set the video to “Unlisted” to allow VOUCH technology to clear any potential copyright claims.

Following these steps, you can easily add popular music to your content, be copyright-compliant, and boost your creativity and audience engagement.

FAQs

Q: Is Lickd just for YouTube?

A: No! While Lickd started with YouTube in mind, it’s now your musical passport to multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, TikTok, Snapchat, Vimeo, and LinkedIn. Check the fine print for each track—not all songs are available everywhere.

Q: Who is the owner of Lickd?

A: Paul Sampson is the mastermind behind Lickd, founder and CEO. With over 20 years in the music industry, mostly music for film and TV, Sampson knows about getting the right track in the right place.

Q: Does Lickd work on TikTok?

A: Yes! TikTok is one of the many platforms that use Lickd’s licensed tracks.

Q: How do I download music from Lickd?

A: Once you’ve licensed a track, you’ll get the MP3 download in seconds. Then add the audio to your video editing software, and voila!

Q: How do I know if a song is copyrighted?

A: Pro tip: if you’ve heard it on the radio, it’s probably copyrighted. On Lickd, all those mainstream tracks are copyrighted (that’s why you need a license), but they also have royalty-free options if that’s more your thing.

Q: What is the best music licensing?

A: It’s like asking what’s the best ice cream flavor—it’s up to you! Lickd stands out by offering big-name tracks at creator-friendly prices, which is pretty rare. But if you’re all about that royalty-free life, other platforms might be your thing.

Q: Is Lickd copyright free?

A: Not quite. Lickd’s whole thing is providing licenses for copyrighted mainstream music. They do have some royalty-free tracks, but even those are copyrighted. Think of Lickd as your get-out-of-copyright jail-free card, so you can use the hottest tracks and be on the right side of the law.

Capping off

Lickd is changing the content creation game by giving you a one-stop solution for adding popular music to your videos. With its easy-to-use platform, Lickd gives you the following:

• 1.4 million tracks from major artists

• Simple search and discovery

• Integration with video editing software

• VOUCH technology for fast copyright claims resolution

• Plans for all creators

By connecting popular music with digital content, Lickd allows creators to:

• Add chart-topping tracks to their videos

• Protect their monetization through copyright management

• Increase engagement and audience connection

Over 6 million creators, professionals, and teams already trust Lickd to supercharge their content. Whether you’re a vlogger, a brand, or an aspiring filmmaker, Lickd has the tools to make your content look and sound good.

Don’t use generic background music when you can use the emotional power of popular tracks. Sign up now and join the other creators using Lickd to stand out in the noise.