Background Music for Twitch: Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking for background music to help liven up your Twitch streams? Whether you’re a new streamer or looking for something to freshen up your channel, this guide is for you! In it, we’ll look at what background music is allowed on Twitch and some tips on choosing the right music for Twitch streams. So whether you’re looking to add some tunes to your current setup, or are thinking of starting your streaming career, read on!

Table of Contents

What Music Is Allowed in Twitch Streams?

The music you play on your Twitch stream should comply with Twitch’s music policies. This means that it must be licensed music and not music that is available for free online. Here are some music sources that Twitch allows:

Royalty-free music: As any Twitch streamer knows, playing music is a great way to set the tone for your stream and keep viewers entertained. However, finding the right music can be a challenge. Fortunately, several websites now offer royalty-free music specifically for Twitch streaming. These websites offer various genres, so you can easily find the music for your stream. In addition, many of these websites offer monthly subscription plans, so you can always have fresh new music to play. If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to keep your Twitch stream sounding great, consider signing up for a royalty-free music service.
Creative Commons music: Creative Commons is a license allowing creators to share their work. When you download or stream music under a Creative Commons license, it’s free and legal to use in your Twitch streams. Many musicians create special versions of their songs specifically for streamers, so check out Creative Commons if you’re looking for some unique tracks.
Personal library: If you don’t want to rely on an external service, you can always create your background music library. Whether it’s classic jazz tunes or modern EDM hits, creating your music library is one way to ensure that the songs you play are always fresh and interesting. Plus, keeping track of what music has already been played is much easier when you have your library to reference.

What Music Can’t Be Used in Twitch Streams?

In addition to the music mentioned above, some types of music cannot be used in Twitch streams. Some of the most popular are:

Soundtracks from movies or TV shows: Even if you purchase the soundtrack online, it must be used with permission from the copyright holder. You cannot use any music that has been commercially released without getting prior approval from the original artist.
Cover or remix songs: While playing covers of popular songs can be fun, it is not allowed in Twitch streams. Remixes and mash-ups must also be used with permission from the original artist.
Music featuring explicit lyrics: Any music that contains profanity or offensive content is not allowed in Twitch streams. This includes remixes and covers of popular songs as well as original compositions.
Copyrighted music: Any track that has been commercially released is considered copyrighted and cannot be used in Twitch streams without permission from the copyright holder.

Why Music Licensing Is Important?

There are a lot of people out there who think that music licensing is a waste of time and money. After all, why should you have to pay to use a song that you love? However, the truth is that music licensing is vital to the music industry. Without it, many artists could not make a living from their music. Here’s why:

Licensing ensures that artists are paid for their work: When you license a song, you agree to pay the artist for the right to use their work. This means that they can continue to create new music without worrying about how they will make ends meet.
Licensing enables new collaborations: Music licensing enables artists to collaborate with other creators and create something special. Without music licensing, it would be impossible for many songs to exist.
Licensing protects artists from copyright infringement: Anyone can use it without permission or paying if an artist does not license their work. This can quickly result in lost income and damaged reputations. By licensing their work, artists can be sure that only those who have paid for the right to use it will do so.
It helps to support the entire music industry: The fees that are paid for licenses help to fund the production of new music, as well as the promotion and distribution of existing works. In other words, when you purchase a license, you directly support the music industry’s continued existence.

What Can Happen to Your Channel If You Play Copyrighted Music?

You could face several consequences if you play copyrighted music in your Twitch stream without obtaining the proper license. Some of the most common are:

Your stream could be taken down: If you play copyrighted music in your Twitch stream without obtaining the proper license, your stream could be taken down. This means you would lose all the content you have created, including your viewers, and have to start from scratch. In addition, you could face fines and legal penalties for violating copyright law.
Your account could be permanently banned: If you are caught playing copyrighted music without a license, your Twitch account could be permanently banned. This means you would lose all of the progress made on your stream and any other associated accounts. It is important to note that large fines and legal penalties often accompany these bans.
Your streaming career could be over: If your stream is taken down or your account is permanently banned, it could spell the end of your streaming career. Even if you eventually get back online, it can take significant time and effort to rebuild trust with viewers and re-establish yourself as a streamer. It’s best to avoid this situation by obtaining the proper licenses for any music you use in your streams.
You could face fines and legal penalties: If you violate the copyright law by playing copyrighted music without obtaining the proper license, you could have your account banned and hefty fines and legal penalties. Depending on the severity of your violation, these could range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. This is why obtaining all necessary licenses before streaming any music in your Twitch stream is important.

Where Can You Find Music for Twitch?

If you want to use music in your Twitch streams, there are many places you can find it. Here are a few of the most popular:

Music streaming services: Popular music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music offer a wide variety of licensed music that you can use in your Twitch streams.
Online stock music libraries: There are many online stock music libraries, such as AudioJungle, Epidemic Sound, and Premium Beat, that offer royalty-free music for purchase. These libraries often have thousands of tracks to choose from and come with licenses that let you use the track in any type of project.
Creative Commons: Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that offers copyrighted material free of charge under certain terms and conditions. Thousands of songs are available under Creative Commons licenses on Free Music Archive and Jamendo. Just read the license agreement carefully to ensure you are not violating copyright laws.
Twitch Music Library: Twitch now has its music library, which features hundreds of copyright-free tracks you can use in your stream. Allmusic is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, and no fees or royalties are associated with using it.
Local music stores: Local music stores can also be a great source of music for Twitch streams. You can usually find CDs, vinyl records, and even digital downloads that you can use in your streams. Just ensure the proper license before broadcasting any of the tracks.

Conclusion

Choosing the right background music for your Twitch stream can help set the tone and keep viewers engaged. However, it’s important to remember that all music must adhere to Twitch’s guidelines. Stick with royalty-free, Creative Commons, or personal library music, and you should have no trouble keeping your streams legal and entertaining. With this guide as a starting point, you’ll be on your way to adding some great tunes to your next stream! Happy streaming!