What to Do If Your Spotify Podcast Gets a Copyright Claim (2026)

Audiodrome   |   Last Updated: November 30th, 2025   |   33 min read   |   Blog

A copyright email from Spotify can feel like someone just pulled the plug on your entire show. In most cases, it is a warning, not a verdict. With the right evidence, wording, and music choices, you can fix the episode and keep your podcast alive.

First, Don’t Panic: What a Spotify Copyright Notice Actually Means

When a copyright email lands in your inbox about your show, it usually means the platform’s systems have noticed music or audio that might be protected. Treat it as an early warning, not a final verdict. The message is basically saying, “take another look at these episodes and explain what you used.”

There is a big difference between a simple flag and a full removal of your show. A flag usually focuses on specific episodes and gives you a chance to review them, answer questions, and fix anything that is clearly off. Removal is more serious and tends to follow repeated problems or clear violations of the platform’s rules.

Behind most copyright notices stands a person or company who believes your episode uses their music without permission. That can be a label, a publisher, a rights management group, or an industry body that files many reports at once. In other cases, an automated match system picks up your audio, and a human team decides whether to send a notice.

What to Gather Before You Respond: Licenses, Logs & Evidence

Before you write a single word in a reply form, build a simple music log for each episode that might be affected. Write down the episode title, time stamp, track name, where you got the music, and how you used it, for example, intro, background bed, or feature segment. This gives you a clear map of what actually plays in your show.

Next, link every line in that log to prove that you can use the track. Keep business or royalty-free licenses, invoices, license PDFs, and links to terms in one easy-to-find folder. Add composer contracts and email approvals that mention podcast use, so you can show that the track came from a deliberate licensing choice, not a random download.

It also helps to store earlier conversations with libraries, labels, or composers about the same music. Maybe a library already told you how to deal with Content ID type flags on YouTube or another platform, or explained how their blanket license works. That history shows that you asked questions, followed instructions, and tried to stay inside the rules.

At some point, a notice can feel too messy to handle on your own, especially if money, contracts, or several countries are involved. That is the moment to pause and talk with a lawyer who understands copyright and media. A short conversation now can stop you from sending a rushed answer that creates bigger problems later.

Pro tip: Save every response template and license in one shared folder so future claims become copy-paste work, not a late-night scramble through old inboxes.

Read also:

Podcast Music Licensing in 2026 and the Rights You Need for Intros, Backgrounds, and Ads

Check it out

Step-by-Step: How to Use Spotify’s “Review Content” Form to Respond

You use Spotify’s “Review content” form to explain what music you used, why you believe you have the right to use it, and what you plan to change, if anything.

Find the exact email Spotify sent you

Start by finding the copyright notice in the inbox that you connected to Spotify for Podcasters. Search for Spotify messages that mention copyrighted content or reported episodes in the subject line. Open the email and read it slowly so you understand which show, which episodes, and what type of issue Spotify wants you to review.

Click the “Review content” link in that email

In that email, look for a button or link that tells you to review the content or respond to the report. Click that link instead of trying to hunt for the form inside your creator dashboard, because the email link usually points to the right place. Keep the email open in a tab so you can check the wording again while you work through the form.

Log in to Spotify for Creators / Podcasters

After you click the link, log in to Spotify for Creators or Spotify for Podcasters when the page asks for your details. Make sure you use the same account that owns the show named in the email, not a personal listening account. When you pick the correct login, the form can load the right podcast and list the specific episodes that got reported.

For each reported episode, identify what triggered the report

Next, take a moment to listen again to each reported episode, especially the parts that contain music or any third-party clips. Note down the time stamp, the track you used, where you got it, and how you used it, such as intro, background bed, or a longer music section. This quick review makes it easier to answer the form’s questions about licensing, exceptions, or possible mistakes.

Choose the correct explanation on the form

When the form asks what applies to your situation, pick the explanation that best fits the facts for that episode. Spotify’s own guidance asks you to say if the content is properly licensed, qualifies for an exception in your country, will be removed, or was flagged in error. Match your choice to the proof you collected, for example, a business license, a contract with a composer, or written approval.

Review, submit, and document your response

Before you send anything, read your answers again and make sure they match your music log and your licenses. When everything looks accurate, submit the form once, following the instructions on the page. Finally, save a PDF or screenshots of the form, keep copies of your licenses and approvals, and note the date and time you replied in case Spotify or a rightsholder asks for details later.

How to Appeal If Your Whole Show Was Removed

If Spotify removes your whole show instead of a single episode, you move from fixing a narrow problem to appealing a decision that affects your entire podcast.

Understand why the show was removed

Start by reading the removal email so you understand what Spotify says you did wrong. Their support and policy pages say they remove shows that break the Terms of Service, including copyright infringement, harmful or illegal content, spam or fraudulent behavior, and misuse of Spotify for Creators to distribute full music tracks or DJ-style mixes. Knowing which reason applies helps you decide whether to appeal or to focus on rebuilding.

Respond to the removal email

If you believe Spotify removed your show by mistake, treat the email as your main doorway back in. Appeals start when you follow the instructions in the notification, often through a contact or review link in the message or Help Center, rather than a random support route. Use that link instead of a generic form so your request connects directly to the enforcement action on your show.

What to include in an appeal

In your appeal, show Spotify that you understand their intellectual property rules and that you take them seriously. Their IP policy explains that they review reports from rightsholders, users, and automated systems and that they can restore content after a successful appeal or after a rightsholder retracts a claim. You want your message to make that review as simple and clear as possible for the team that reads it.

Attach contracts, license documents, and written approvals that support your explanation, the same type of proof Spotify and hosts suggest you keep for copyright questions. If any episodes used music in a risky way, describe what you removed or changed so Spotify sees that you fixed real problems, not just argued about them.

When you may need to rebuild without the risky content

Sometimes, an honest review will confirm that your show really did break Spotify rules in a way that they cannot undo. They cannot reinstate shows that violate the Terms of Service, and repeated violations can lead to a full platform ban, even if you try to appeal. If this happens, your focus shifts from saving the old feed to building something safer that fits their policies.

In that situation, the safest route often means starting a new podcast feed that uses only fully cleared music or no third-party music at all. Build your new episodes around original compositions, properly licensed production music, or music free formats that follow Spotify’s policy against using podcasts as a music distribution channel, since they reserve the right to remove shows that function like music mixes.

Read also:

Spotify Podcast Music Rules Every Creator Should Know

Check it out

Choose the correct explanation on the form

Once you know which episodes and tracks triggered the notice, you can match your situation to the option on Spotify’s form and respond with a clear, honest explanation.

You really do have a license (RF library, commissioned music)

If you genuinely licensed the track, you want the form to reflect that clearly and calmly. Look for an option that matches “Content was directly licensed” and choose that. Then use your explanation to connect the episode, the track, the license and the platform very directly so the reviewer can follow your reasoning without guessing.

You rely on an exception (fair use, CC license, public domain)

This route carries more risk, because even Spotify’s own education material points creators toward official copyright resources and notes that concepts like fair use do not work as simple shortcuts. If you still believe that an exception applies, choose the closest option to “Content qualifies for an exception” and explain exactly which rule you rely on and why.

Heads-up: Fair use and Creative Commons labels look friendly, but misreading them can still trigger takedowns, lost revenue and tense emails with rights holders.

You do not have rights and will fix the episode

In many real situations, you may realise that you used music without a proper license or relied on vague advice from forums. In that case, the safest approach usually involves removing or replacing the content rather than arguing about it. Choose the option that matches “I will remove or replace this content” and show Spotify exactly how you plan to fix the problem.

The episode was flagged in error

Sometimes a report hits the wrong show, a detection system matches the wrong audio, or a track gets cleared after a rightsholder changes their settings. In those cases, you still want to stay calm and factual. Choose the option closest to “Content was flagged in error” and show why the report does not match what actually appears in your episode.

How to Prevent Future Spotify Copyright Claims on Your Podcast

Once you handle the current claim, treat it as a chance to rebuild your show around music choices that can stand up to future reviews.

Audit all existing episodes, not just the flagged ones

Start by listening through your back catalog with a “music risk” lens, not just the episodes Spotify flagged. Note where you used songs from streaming apps, commercial releases, or vague “free” downloads. This broad sweep helps you spot patterns, fix repeat problems, and avoid a slow drip of new copyright emails over time.

Stop using Spotify’s catalog or consumer music sources as podcast music

Make a clean break from using tracks you found in Spotify’s listening app, other streaming services, or personal downloads as podcast beds. Those platforms license music for listening, not for you to redistribute in your show. When you draw that hard line for yourself, every new episode starts from safer, intentionally cleared music.

Lock in a written internal rule for music

Write a simple rule that says exactly which music sources your podcast uses and which ones it never touches. Share it with co-hosts, editors, and freelancers so everyone works from the same playbook. Clear rules reduce “I thought it was fine” mistakes and make it easier to say no when someone suggests a risky track.

Keep documentation centralized

Store all licenses, invoices, composer contracts, and approval emails in one shared folder with clear names. Tie each file to specific episodes or tracks, so you can pull proof fast if a platform or rightsholder asks questions. When your paperwork lives in one place, you save time, reduce stress, and show that you take rights seriously.

Plan “safe replacements” for risky episodes

For episodes that use music you cannot keep, plan a replacement track strategy before you get more claims. Build a small library of fully licensed intros, outros, and background beds that match your show’s tone. Then, when you re-edit older episodes, you can swap out risky songs quickly instead of scrambling for a new sound each time.

Read also:

How to Monetize a Podcast (2026): Revenue Streams, Ads & Copyright-Safe Music

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Safe Music Options for Spotify Podcasts

The safest music for a podcast is music that already comes with clear, written permission for the way you plan to use it.

Public domain works (with modern recording caveats)

Public domain music starts with works where copyright on the underlying composition has expired, so anyone can perform or record them. That does not automatically free every modern recording of those works, because recordings have their own copyright. A famous symphony might be public domain, while the new studio performance you like is still fully protected.

To stay safe, you need to check two layers before you drop a public domain piece into your feed. First, confirm that the composition itself is really in the public domain in your country, using trusted databases or official guidance. Then confirm that the exact recording you want to use is also marked as public domain or licensed for reuse.

Read also:

How Public Domain Music for Podcasts Really Works and How to Prove It Safe

Check it out

Creative Commons music (checking the fine print)

Creative Commons music sits in the middle ground between full copyright control and pure public domain. Each CC license combines elements like attribution, non-commercial use, share alike, and no derivatives into a specific ruleset. The short labels look simple, but you need to match your planned podcast use to the actual license terms.

For monetized podcasts, non-commercial licenses are often a poor fit because they limit uses that involve payment, sponsorship, or ads. No derivative licenses ban edits and remixes, so even basic podcast tasks like trimming, looping, fading, and talking over a track may cause problems. Safer choices allow commercial use and adaptations, as long as you follow the attribution rules.

Read also:

Using Creative Commons Music for Podcasts Safely and Legally

Check it out

Original or commissioned music with clear contracts

When you or a hired composer creates original music, a written contract should decide who owns what and how the track can be used. Make sure it clearly grants you the right to use the music in your podcast, to monetize the show, and to distribute episodes everywhere you host audio. Clear ownership now prevents painful disputes after your audience grows.

How business-licensed tracks (like Audiodrome) fit into this

Business licensed tracks, like the ones you get from a professional podcast music provider, act as pre-cleared tools for your episodes. The license is designed to cover podcast use, long-term monetization, and multi-platform distribution without chasing extra paperwork for each new upload. When a platform asks how you cleared the music, you can point straight to that license.

Royalty-free and rights-pre-cleared libraries

Royalty-free and pre-cleared music libraries give you tracks that already come with defined usage rights instead of random songs grabbed from personal playlists. Each library writes its own rules about commercial use, podcasts, and distribution, so you still need to read the license carefully. Look for clear language that covers podcast use, monetized shows, and distribution on all major platforms.

Smooth Approach

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Steady Flow

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Confident Drive

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Clear Intro

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Mellow Wave

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Serene Flow

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Smooth Approach

Indie Electronic, Cinematic, House · Uptempo

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Steady Flow

Pop, Chill, Ambient, Electro Pop · Uptempo

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Confident Drive

House, Deep House, Ambient · Midtempo

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Clear Intro

Chill Pop, Ambient Pop · Midtempo

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Mellow Wave

Electronic, Chill Pop, Mellow Pop · Downtempo

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Serene Flow

Pop, Chill Pop, Cinematic · Downtempo

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FAQs

These are some of the most common questions podcasters ask after a Spotify copyright email lands in their inbox.

“My Spotify podcast episode got a copyright claim. What now?”

When that email lands, pause before you re-upload or delete anything. Read the notice, open your music log, and figure out which track and timestamp likely triggered it. Then use Spotify’s Review content flow for that episode, pick the scenario that fits your situation, and paste a clear explanation with your license details.

“My all-original Spotify episode was taken down. Why and what next?”

Start by accepting that detection tools can still misread original work. Check your script, titles, show notes, and any background sounds to see what might resemble another recording or work. Then reply through the same Review content or appeal path, explain that you own the material, and attach files or links that prove authorship.

“Spotify removed my whole podcast. How can I appeal?”

When the entire show disappears, you need to treat it as a policy issue, not a single-track problem. Re-read the removal email, identify the reason, and fix any clear violations such as unlicensed songs or misleading metadata. After that, use the contact or appeal link in the message to request a review.

“I have an AMCOS/APRA license. Why did Spotify still flag me?”

A performing rights license covers public performance, yet it rarely covers podcast-style on-demand distribution. Spotify still expects you to clear the recording and any production music for use in your show. When you reply, explain which rights AMCOS or APRA grant you and attach any separate library or composer licenses you hold.

From Scary Email to Safer Podcast System

A copyright claim hurts less when you already know what to say, which licenses to pull, and where your safe music lives. Treat this episode as a stress test for your entire catalog. If you build a simple system now, every future upload becomes easier to defend.

Author: Dragan Plushkovski

Hey there! I’m the founder of Audiodrome and a longtime creative in the digital product space. I’ve worked on over 60 product launches, managed video and music production workflows, and now help creators find the perfect royalty-free tracks for their content.

I understand how the law works behind the content we create, because I’ve spent years dealing with it firsthand. Alongside building Audiodrome, I’ve worked as a licensed forensic accountant and run a trademark protection agency, so I know what it takes to stay compliant, protect your content, and avoid the traps that catch so many creators off guard.

You can also find my work at mojbrend.mk (trademark protection, Macedonian) and plushkovski.com (forensic accounting, Macedonian). Read More

Audiodrome was created by professionals with deep roots in video marketing, product launches, and music production. After years of dealing with confusing licenses, inconsistent music quality, and copyright issues, we set out to build a platform that creators could actually trust.

Every piece of content we publish is based on real-world experience, industry insights, and a commitment to helping creators make smart, confident decisions about music licensing.

Resources

Audiodrome Business License – Full Text Spotify – “Respecting everyone’s rights: Podcasts and copyrighted content” Spotify for Creators – Terms and Conditions of Use Spotify – Platform Rules Spotify – General Terms and Conditions of Use Creative Commons – About CC Licenses Creative Commons Wiki – NonCommercial interpretation Creative Commons – CC BY-NC 4.0 Deed U.S. Copyright Office – Fair Use FAQ U.S. Copyright Office – Fair Use Index RSS.com – Music Copyright for Podcasters

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Quick Reference: Licensing Terms in This Guide

Music Licensing Sync License Master Rights Mechanical License Public Performance License Royalty-Free Music Monetization Eligibility Platform Terms of Service Infringement Claim (Streaming) Takedown Notice (DMCA) Safe Harbor Non-exclusive License Perpetual License