UGC DSP Distribution Policy for Sound Recordings

Written By nodable

At Nodable, we want to be fully transparent about how distribution works when it comes to platforms that host User Generated Content (UGC). However, it is important to clarify a key point from the start:

👉 It is not Nodable that defines or controls eligibility rules for UGC platforms.
Each UGC DSP independently determines what content is accepted, scanned, and matched within their systems.

These platforms include:

  • Facebook Audio Library & Rights Manager (including Instagram)

  • Lickd

  • Snap

  • TikTok

  • YouTube Content ID

Each of these services uses the sound recordings delivered through Nodable to identify matching audio across all uploaded user content on their platforms. Because of this, strict requirements apply to what can be distributed.

Why These Rules Exist

UGC DSPs rely on audio fingerprinting systems that compare distributed sound recordings against millions of user uploads.

If a recording is:

  • not fully original, or

  • not exclusively owned by the rights holder,

then distributing it to these systems may result in incorrect claims over content that does not belong to the rights holder.

This is why eligibility rules are strict and must be respected.

Important Misconceptions

There are several common misunderstandings that we want to clarify:

  • These requirements apply regardless of monetization settings or policies (including options such as “No TikTok Scanning”).

  • They apply equally to all Facebook-related services, including Audio Library and Rights Manager.

  • Selecting a different monetization option does not override eligibility rules.

  • Uploading ineligible content to UGC DSPs is considered a serious violation, which may result in:

    • A formal warning

    • Restricted access to UGC distribution channels

How to Identify If a Recording Is Eligible

A simple way to evaluate eligibility is to ask:

“Does this recording sound similar—fully or partially—to another existing recording?”

If the answer is yes, or if the recording is not clearly unique, it should not be distributed to UGC DSPs.

Additionally, if Track Origin and Track Properties fields are accurately completed, they can help determine eligibility more precisely within the Nodable system.

However, these are only guidelines—full compliance with the detailed rules below is always required.

Examples of Non-Eligible Recordings

The following types of content are generally not allowed for UGC DSP distribution:

1. Recordings without exclusive rights

  • Third-party beats, samples, or loops (unless exclusively licensed)

  • Public domain content

  • Sample-pack materials or software-generated loops

  • Production music libraries

  • Video game recordings

AI-generated music note:

AI-generated tracks are not eligible unless the AI provider guarantees that training data does not include unlicensed copyrighted material.
At present, this excludes most AI systems unless they explicitly operate on licensed or original datasets.

2. Recordings that are not sonically distinct

  • Soundalike covers or near-identical remixes

  • Derivative versions too close to the original

  • Classical, religious, or traditional music with common interpretations

  • Meditation, yoga, or ambient templates

  • Karaoke, lo-fi, or instrumental “beat” versions

  • Speed/pitch variations (sped up, slowed down, etc.)

  • Remasters or reworks

  • Mashups, medleys, DJ mixes, or compilations

  • Extended, shortened, or live versions without significant transformation

3. Non-musical content

  • Spoken word recordings (speeches, podcasts, audiobooks)

  • Comedy or narrative recordings

  • Public domain spoken material

  • Environmental or generic sounds (rain, birds, crowds, street noise)

  • Sound effects or isolated noise elements

How to Still Use Your Music on UGC Platforms

Even if a recording is not eligible for direct distribution via Nodable to UGC DSP systems, it can still be discovered and used.

The correct approach is:

  1. Upload the track directly to the platform (via your or the artist’s account)

  2. Embed it within a video format where applicable

  3. Clearly label:

    • Artist name

    • Track title

This ensures the content remains discoverable and properly attributed within the platform’s ecosystem.

Final Note

UGC DSP eligibility is determined entirely by each platform’s internal policies and detection systems.


Nodable acts strictly as a distribution infrastructure and does not modify or override these rules.

Ensuring compliance protects your catalog, prevents wrongful claims, and maintains the integrity of the broader ecosystem.