How-To

How to Know if a Song is Copyrighted on Spotify

By Adam Davidson

Updated March 29, 2024

Do you want to use a song from Spotify in a YouTube video or Twitch stream? Here’s how to know if a song is copyrighted on Spotify.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Spotify has changed how we listen to music. The popular streaming service has given us all access to millions of songs for a monthly fee that’s no more than you’d pay for a single album. You can even listen for free if you’re willing to put up with ads.

If you’re looking for music on Spotify to use in your Twitch stream or your next YouTube video, then you’ll want to know whether the music is copyrighted or not so that you don’t fall foul of any laws. There’s no foolproof way to get copyright information on Spotify, but there are a few steps you can take to learn more.

Here’s how to know if a song is copyrighted on Spotify.

How to Know if a Song is Copyrighted on Spotify by Checking the Credits

Spotify allows you to see any song’s credits on its service. This includes information such as the artist, writers, and producers. While there’s no explicit copyright information, the copyright will likely belong to one of the people or companies named in the credits.

To Show Credits for a Song on Spotify for Desktop

1. Launch Spotify.
2. Navigate to the song you want to find the credits for.
3. Click on the three dots icon.
   
4. Select Show Credits.
   
5. You will see credit information for your selected song.
   

How Do You Know if a Song is Copyrighted on Spotify Mobile

1. Open the Spotify app.
2. Navigate to the song you want to check the credits for.
3. Tap the three dots icon.
   
4. Scroll down and tap on Song Credits.
   
5. You can now see credit information for your song.
   

How to Find Copyright-Free Music on Spotify

If you’re looking for copyright-free music, then there’s no simple way to find any directly through Spotify. However, it is possible to find music from rights holders who may grant you permission to use their music without paying royalties. It’s a little hit-and-miss, but you may be able to find what you need.

Finding Non-Copyrighted Songs on Spotify

1. Open the Spotify app or go to spotify.com.
2. Click on Search.
   
3. Enter a search term such as “copyright free music”.
4. Select one of the results and follow the instructions from the section above to show the credits for the song.
5. Look for the Source at the very bottom of the credits and note down the company name or website.
   
6. Search for that name or website in your browser.
7. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a website that will allow you to license the music for free. If not, repeat the process above until you find what you need.

Do More With Spotify

There’s no simple solution for how to know if a song is copyrighted on Spotify, but the steps above should allow you to find something that suits your needs. Spotify has a lot more to offer than simply playing your favorite playlist.