Royalty free podcast music does not mean free music. Mixing up those two ideas is how a lot of beginners end up with a copyright strike.
Here is the usual story. You find a catchy track online, drop it into your intro, and publish. Weeks later, your episode gets blocked on YouTube, or a takedown notice lands in your inbox.
Nobody told you that "I found it online" is not permission.
Royalty free podcast music is music you can use in your show without paying the artist each time an episode is played. You might pay once, pay a subscription, or pay nothing at all. Either way, the license, which is the written permission, tells you exactly what you can do with it.
In this guide, I will explain the license words in plain English and show you where to find safe tracks. I will also walk you through a simple routine that keeps your show out of trouble.
Why Podcast Music Is a Copyright Trap for Beginners
Almost every song you hear is protected by copyright from the moment it is made. Using it without permission can get your episode removed, even if your show is tiny and earns nothing.
That surprises a lot of new podcasters. They assume small shows fly under the radar.
How copyright problems actually show up
Here are the three ways it usually happens:
- Automatic matching: YouTube scans uploads with a system called Content ID. It can spot a copyrighted song within seconds and block or claim your video.
- Takedown notices: a rights owner can ask your podcast host to remove an episode that uses their music.
- Lost income: on YouTube, a music claim can send any ad money from that video to the rights owner instead of you.
None of these needs a big audience. A show with 20 listeners can still get a claim.
What I have seen working with shows
I have produced around 300 episodes for clients, and music questions come up again and again. The safest shows are not the ones with the cleverest intros.
They are the ones that can answer one question for every track: where did this come from, and what does the license allow? If you can answer that, you are already ahead of most beginners.
Royalty Free Podcast Music vs Copyright Free vs Creative Commons
These three terms sound similar, but they mean different things. Getting them straight is the most important step in choosing podcast music.
Let me take them one at a time.
What royalty free podcast music really means
A royalty is a fee paid to the artist each time their music is used or played. Royalty free means you do not pay those per-play fees.
It does not mean free. Many royalty free tracks cost money, often through a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription. The music is still owned by someone, and you still follow their license.
What "copyright free" means
Copyright free, or public domain, means nobody owns the copyright anymore, or it was given up. You can use the music without asking anyone.
There is a catch. An old melody may be in the public domain, but a modern recording of it is usually protected. So a 100-year-old classical piece played by a new orchestra is often not free to use.
What "Creative Commons" means
Creative Commons is a set of free, ready-made licenses that artists can attach to their work. The music is free, but it comes with conditions.
Those conditions are shown as short codes. Here is what the common ones mean:
- BY: you must credit the artist.
- SA (Share Alike): if you change the track, you must share your version under the same license.
- NC (Non-Commercial): you cannot use it in anything that makes money.
- ND (No Derivatives): you cannot change or remix the track.
So "CC BY" means free to use, as long as you give credit. "CC BY-NC" means free to use with credit, but not in a show that earns money.
Why the NC code matters for podcasters
If your podcast has ads, sponsors, affiliate links or a paid product, it is likely commercial. That rules out any track marked NC.
Even if your show earns nothing today, you may want to earn later. Picking music without the NC code from day one saves you swapping tracks out down the road.
Where to Find Free Podcast Intro Music
You have more safe options than you might think. Here are the main places to look for free podcast intro music and paid tracks, with what to check at each one.
Free Music Archive
Free Music Archive is a large library of free tracks, many shared under Creative Commons licenses. It is the source I point beginners to first for theme music.
Each track lists its own license on its page. Some allow commercial use and some do not, so read the license for every single track, not just the first one you like.
The YouTube Audio Library
YouTube offers a free audio library inside YouTube Studio. Some tracks need a credit in your video description, and some do not.
Its terms are written for YouTube videos. If your podcast also goes out on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, read the terms before you use a track there.
Paid music libraries
Subscription music libraries give you a large catalog for a monthly fee, often around $10 to $20 (₹850 to ₹1,700). One license usually covers many tracks.
This is worth it once you publish often and want variety in your music beds. A music bed is quiet background music that plays under your voice. Check that the plan covers podcasts, since some plans only cover social videos.
Hiring a composer
You can also pay a musician to make a short, original intro just for your show. Freelance sites like Fiverr have composers who do this, with prices that vary widely by experience.
Ask for a written agreement that says you can use the track in your podcast forever. Without that in writing, you do not really own the right to use it.
Where to find podcast music: a quick comparison
Here is how the four sources compare:
- Free Music Archive: free, many licenses, check each track.
- YouTube Audio Library: free, best for YouTube, check terms for other platforms.
- Paid libraries: monthly fee, large catalog, easy licensing.
- A composer: one-time fee, fully original, needs a written agreement.
How to Choose the Right Intro Music for Your Show
The right intro music matches the feeling of your show and gets out of the way fast. A good track sets the mood in the first two seconds.
Here is how to narrow down your choice without spending a whole weekend on it.
Match the mood to your topic
A calm, warm track suits a show about parenting or wellbeing. An upbeat track suits a business or sports show.
Ask yourself one question. How should a listener feel in the first five seconds of an episode?
Pick a track with a clear start
Some tracks build slowly for 20 seconds before anything happens. That is too slow for a podcast intro.
Look for a track that sounds good from the very first beat. That way you can use the opening few seconds without heavy editing.
Test it on a phone speaker
Most people listen on earbuds or a phone. A track that sounds rich on studio speakers can sound thin and tinny on a phone.
Play your top three choices on a phone speaker and on cheap earbuds. Keep the one that still sounds clear.
Ask three people
Play your shortlist to three people who fit your ideal listener. Do not tell them which one you like.
Their first reaction is often more useful than an hour of your own second-guessing.
How to Check a Podcast Music License in 4 Steps
Before you use any track, run this quick check. It takes about two minutes per track.
- Find the license on the track's own page. Do not rely on the name of the website alone.
- Look for the NC code. If it says Non-Commercial and your show might ever earn money, skip it.
- Look for the BY code. If it says BY, plan where you will credit the artist.
- Save proof. Take a screenshot of the license page with the date, and keep it in a folder.
That last step matters more than it sounds. Licenses on a website can change later, and your screenshot shows what the terms were when you downloaded the track.
How to credit an artist the right way
When a license needs credit, put it in your show notes for every episode that uses the track. Here is a simple format:
Music: "Track Name" by Artist Name, licensed under CC BY 4.0, with a link to the track page.
Some podcasters also say a quick credit at the end of the episode. That is a nice touch, but the written credit in your show notes is the important part.
Keep a Simple Music Record
A music record is a short list of every track your show uses, where it came from and what the license says. It turns a scary copyright email into a five-minute reply.
A basic spreadsheet is enough. Give each track one row with these columns:
- Track name and artist
- Where you downloaded it, with the link
- The license, such as CC BY 4.0
- The date you downloaded it
- The file name of your license screenshot
- The episodes that use it
Update it whenever you add a new track. It takes 30 seconds and protects every episode you publish.
How to Use Podcast Background Music Without Drowning Your Voice
Music should support your voice, not fight it. Most beginners play their podcast background music far too loud.
Here are the simple rules I give new podcasters.
Keep your intro short
A podcast intro with music works best at around 5 to 15 seconds. Listeners came for your content, and a long musical intro makes them reach for the skip button.
Fade the music down as you start speaking. Then let it fade out completely within a few seconds.
Keep music beds quiet
If you use a music bed under your voice, make it much quieter than you think. A good starting point is roughly 15 to 20 decibels below your voice.
Decibels are just the unit used to measure loudness. In simple terms, the listener should notice the music only when you pause.
Use the same track every episode
Your intro music becomes part of your show's identity, a bit like a logo for the ears. Pick one track and stick with it.
Changing it every few episodes makes the show feel unsettled. Consistency helps regular listeners recognize you within a second.
Close with the same music
Many shows bring the intro track back for the last 10 to 20 seconds of each episode. It tells the listener the episode is wrapping up, and it frames your show like a pair of bookends.
You do not need a second track for this. Reusing your intro keeps things simple, and it means one less license to check and record.
If your sign-off includes a spoken goodbye, start the music quietly underneath it. Then let it rise a little as your voice finishes.
How to add the music in a free editor
You can add intro music in free software like Audacity in a few minutes. You place the music on one track and your voice on another, then fade the music down where you start talking.
My guide to the best free podcast editing software covers the tools that make this easy.
Common Podcast Music Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Most music problems come from a few common myths. Here are the ones I hear most, and the fix for each.
Myth 1: "Using a few seconds is fine"
There is no safe number of seconds. Even a short clip of a copyrighted song can trigger a claim or a takedown.
Fix: use only music with a clear license, no matter how short the clip.
Myth 2: "I gave credit, so it is allowed"
Giving credit does not grant permission. Credit is only enough when the license itself allows the use and asks for credit.
Fix: read the license first. Credit second.
Myth 3: "It is fair use because my show is educational"
Fair use is a narrow legal idea that is decided case by case. It is not a safe plan for intro music.
Fix: pick a properly licensed track instead of hoping you would win an argument.
Myth 4: "I bought the song, so I can use it"
Buying a song on a music store gives you the right to listen to it. It does not give you the right to put it in your show.
Fix: buy a license made for podcasts or video, not a personal copy.
What to do if you get a claim
First, stay calm. A claim is common and usually fixable.
Check your saved license screenshot. If the track was properly licensed, you can usually dispute the claim with that proof. If it was not, replace the music and upload the episode again.
Building Your Podcast's Sound on a Beginner Budget
You do not need to spend money on music to sound professional. A free, properly licensed track and a short fade will do the job for your first season.
What matters more is the rest of your show. A clear voice, a steady schedule and a strong episode title do more for growth than any intro jingle.
Still working on the basics? My guide on how to start a podcast with no experience walks you through every step in order. And for the visual side of your brand, these tips for stunning podcast artwork pair well with your new intro.
Your Next Step: Learn the Basics Before You Buy Anything
Music is one of those details that can eat up a whole weekend if you are not careful. Beginners often polish the intro before they have recorded a single full episode.
If that sounds like you, start with the free 10-Day Podcasting eCourse. It walks you through the fundamentals in order, one short email a day, so you know what matters first.
You will get the big decisions right before you spend hours choosing a jingle.
Listen to the Podcast Episode
In this episode, I talk about how to pick podcast intro music without getting a copyright strike. Most beginners grab a song they like and only learn about licenses after an episode gets blocked.
I explain royalty free, copyright free and Creative Commons in plain English. I also share where to find podcast intro music for free. Then I walk you through the two-minute check to run before any track goes into your show.
What I cover in this episode
- Why "I found it online" is not permission
- What royalty free really means, and why it is not the same as free
- The Creative Commons codes, and the one that trips up podcasters
- How long your podcast intro music should be
- What to do if your episode gets a copyright claim
Tools I recommend
- Free Music Archive for free theme music, with a license listed on every track
- Audacity for adding and fading your intro music for free
- Buzzsprout for hosting and publishing your episodes
Getting your show's name, artwork and intro ready is part of the 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge. You build every launch piece in order, so the small details never hold up your first episode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is royalty free podcast music?
It is music you can use in your podcast without paying the artist each time the episode is played. You may pay once, pay a subscription, or get it free. You still have to follow the terms of its license.
Is royalty free music free to use?
Not always. Royalty free only means there are no per-play fees. Many royalty free tracks cost money, often a one-time fee or a monthly plan of around $10 to $20 (₹850 to ₹1,700).
Where can I find free podcast intro music?
Free Music Archive and the YouTube Audio Library are two common free sources. Each track has its own license, so check it before you use the music. Avoid any track marked Non-Commercial if your show may earn money.
Can I use a popular song in my podcast if I give credit?
No. Credit does not replace permission. You need a license from the rights owner, which is usually expensive for popular songs.
How many seconds of a song can I use without permission?
There is no safe number of seconds. Even a short clip can trigger a claim or a takedown. Use only music with a clear license.
What does CC BY mean on a music track?
CC BY is a Creative Commons license that lets you use the track for free, as long as you credit the artist. Put the credit in your show notes. Check for extra codes like NC, which bans commercial use.
How long should podcast intro music be?
Around 5 to 15 seconds is plenty for most shows. Fade the music down as you start talking. A long intro makes listeners skip ahead.
How loud should podcast background music be?
Much quieter than your voice, roughly 15 to 20 decibels lower as a starting point. The listener should notice it mainly when you pause. Test it on earbuds and on a phone speaker.
Do podcast hosts check for copyrighted music?
YouTube scans every upload with its Content ID system. Rights owners can also send takedown requests to other podcast hosts. So assume someone will notice, and use licensed music only.
What should I do if my podcast gets a copyright claim?
Check the license proof you saved when you downloaded the track. If it was licensed properly, dispute the claim with that proof. If not, replace the music and upload the episode again.
Conclusion
That catchy track you found online can cost you an episode. A properly licensed one costs you two minutes of checking.
Pick one track from a source with a clear license. Save a screenshot, credit the artist if needed, and use the same intro every week.
Your listeners will remember your voice long after they forget the music, so which track will introduce it?
Resources that I recommend
Here are some of the resources that I recommended in this episode and the ones that I recommend in Podcasting.
- Ubersuggest – The Keyword research tool that I recommend
Below are the tools that I recommend for podcasting:
- Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting
- Behringer Audio Interface – You will need an audio interface if you are using an XLR microphone. This is my recommended audio interface.
- Behringer Audio Interface (budget option) – A lower-cost alternative if you're just starting out and want to keep costs down.
- Riverside – Riverside is my pick for recording interviews, audio or video. It records each person on their own device, so a shaky connection on either end never ends up in the episode.
- Audacity – This is the best and most feature-rich free audio editing software. It gives you a lot of options while editing your interviews.
- Samson Q2U – My recommended microphone
- Audio Technica ATR-2110x – My recommended alternative microphone
- TidyCal – My recommended calendar and booking solutions
Thank you for joining in
I hope you enjoyed the information that I shared in this episode.
Do subscribe to the show on your favorite podcasting platform in order to stay updated with the latest episodes that I release.
The Podcasting University is available on almost all podcasting platforms. The link to the prominent ones are mentioned below –
Planning to start a podcast?
Then you might want to join my "7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge".
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