Facebook Shares Updates & Guidelines For The Use Of Music In Live Streams & Videos
Source: Facebook
Facebook recently shared new updates and guidelines for the use of music in live streams and video content on Facebook and Instagram.
“We want to encourage musical expression on our platforms while also ensuring that we uphold our agreements with rights holders. These agreements help protect the artists, songwriters, and partners who are the cornerstone of the music community — and we're grateful for how they've enabled the amazing creativity we've seen in this time,” it said in a blog post on the Facebook For Media hub.
Facebook isn’t able to share specific details around its licensing agreements with music partners. However, as an alternative, it provided updates and guidelines regarding the limitations of the use of music in live streams and uploaded videos. They are as follows:
There are no limits on things like music in Stories, or traditional musical performances (e.g. filming a live artist or band performing)
The greater the number of full-length recorded tracks in a video, the more likely it may be limited (more below on what we mean by “limited”).
Shorter clips of music are recommended.
There should always be a visual component to your video; recorded audio should not be the primary purpose of the video.
Facebook also reminded users that they have access to an extensive library of custom music and sound effects for free in Facebook’s Sound Collections. These span across various genres and can be used without limitations across the platform’s apps.
Source: Facebook
Additionally, Facebook revealed new, improved in-product notifications that are designed to help users know when they are using music in their live streams in a way that isn’t following Facebook’s licensing agreements. When these situations occur, Facebook will send in-app notifications to users as soon as possible. These notifications will include specific language regarding the issue and a more explicit CTA on how to resolve the issue.
Facebook plans to continue to work with music partners to enable users to incorporate music in Live broadcasts and video content, so there will likely be additional updates, guidelines, and improvements down the road.
Insights & Analysis:
Live streaming has experienced a boom over the last two months as brands and creators look for new ways to entertain viewers. Although Facebook Live and Instagram Live have been around for multiple years, it hadn't become a content format that was consumed on a regular cadence until recently.
By live streams somewhat becoming part of everyone's day to day, challenges have started to surface with the most apparent being the proper use of music. Some of the most recent popular live streams have been music-centric such as dance and listening parties. Although these have been great in bringing people together online, many have violated Facebook's music guidelines such as including the use of full-length tracks.
Live streaming is likely here to stay, so these updates and guidelines are valuable in helping brands, and creators understand what acceptable use of music in their live streams is. The in-product notifications are also beneficial since they notify brands and creators in advance that they are violating the platform's guidelines and provide them with enough time and instructions to course check to avoid interruptions.
Music may be one of the most apparent challenges with live streaming right now, but it certainly isn't the only. Live streaming is still relatively young in terms of mass adoption, so I'd expect more challenges to surface as more brands and creators explore live streaming and even collaborate on campaigns together.
Brands and creators will want to stay up to date on live streaming guidelines to use the content format properly and, ultimately, create the best experiences for their viewers.
If you’re a brand or creator that interested in live streaming, be sure to read Instagram’s guide for going ‘Live’ during the pandemic.
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Source: Facebook For Media
