This article explains five approaches you can take to determine the title of a song used in a YouTube video.

What to Know

  • Easiest: On the YouTube video you want to identify, select Show More and look for Music By.Next easiest: Check for comments on the video identifying the song.Other alternatives include lyric search engines, browser extensions, and apps.

Check the YouTube Description

It might seem obvious, but many people forget to check the YouTube video description itself for the name of the music in the video. The reason people usually miss this is that it’s not always apparent.

  • Go to the video on YouTube with the music you want to identify.
  • Select Show More on the bottom of the description to see the full description.
  • Look for a Music by line that identifies the song in the video.

Check the YouTube Comments

Even when the description area is scant on information, you might find some in the comments section. Other visitors might have asked for the name of the song. Often, the video creator or another viewer will answer. If not, you comment with the question yourself.

Go to the video on YouTube with the music you want to identify.

Select Show More on the bottom of the description to see the full description.

Look for a Music by line that identifies the song in the video.

Use Lyrics Search Engines

If you can’t identify songs in YouTube videos from the description or comments, you can use lyric search engines to identify the song.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by typing those lyrics into the Google search engine.

If Google can’t identify the song for you, other search engines specifically help you identify songs by lyrics alone.

  • Lyrics.com: Provides the songs, artists, and albums that contain the lyrics.
  • LyricsWorld.com: Returns search results to videos and other websites that identify the song based on the lyrics you’ve entered.
  • Find Music By Lyrics: Gives results similar to Lyrics World, which are more like embedded Google search results based on the lyrics.
  • Audiotag.info: Fascinating technology lets you paste the YouTube link and have a “music recognition robot” identify the song.

Use the AHA Music Identifier Browser Add-On

If you find that you’re trying to identify songs in YouTube videos often, you might consider installing a browser add-on.

AHA Music is the best Chrome add-on for identifying music in a YouTube video. Install the add-on, and the next time you’re watching a YouTube video, select the small AHA search icon and let the add-on run.

AHA Music Identifier will analyze the video and show you the song’s name, artist, and release date.

Use a Song Identification App

If all else fails, one of the best ways to identify music in YouTube videos is to use mobile apps or websites that identify unknown songs.

Music recognition apps are popular, so you have many options.

The following are some of the top-rated music recognition apps you can use for free to identify any song in a YouTube video that’s playing near you.

  • Shazam: One of the most well-known music recognition apps, place your phone near your computer while playing the YouTube video. The Shazam app will show you the song title, artist, and lyrics.
  • Music Recognition: This app not only identifies a song playing on YouTube, but it’ll also animate to the beat of the music.
  • Mu6 Identify: This simple app also animates with the music as it identifies the YouTube song and shows you the title and artist’s name.

Any of these apps will quickly recognize music in any YouTube video, and you don’t even have to write down the lyrics or spend time searching the web for the song title.

  • How do I use a song in a YouTube video?
  • To legally use copyrighted music in a YouTube video, log in to YouTube and select your profile image > YouTube Studio. Go to Other Features > Audio Library, and select Free Music or Have different music in your video? Check its copyright policies to learn about a specific song’s usage rights.
  • How do I embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint?
  • To embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint, tap Share > Embed > copy the code. Next, open PowerPoint and select Insert > Video > Insert Video from Web Site. Right-click a blank area in the dialog box > Paste > Insert.

To legally use copyrighted music in a YouTube video, log in to YouTube and select your profile image > YouTube Studio. Go to Other Features > Audio Library, and select Free Music or Have different music in your video? Check its copyright policies to learn about a specific song’s usage rights.

To embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint, tap Share > Embed > copy the code. Next, open PowerPoint and select Insert > Video > Insert Video from Web Site. Right-click a blank area in the dialog box > Paste > Insert.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day