Ever wondered why some of your favorite songs are missing on YouTube? You’re not alone! Millions of music fans expect to find every song just a click away, but copyright issues, licensing rules, and platform restrictions sometimes get in the way.
In this article, we’ll explain why certain songs are missing and what it means for listeners like you. Curious to find out more? Let’s dive in!
Why Did the Music Disappear?
Many songs vanished from YouTube because a licensing agreement between YouTube and the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC) expired without a new deal. SESAC represents a lot of well-known artists, and without this license, YouTube must legally block access to any music covered by SESAC. This has led to the removal of numerous tracks on both YouTube and YouTube Music.
YouTube confirmed this issue on its TeamYouTube account on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Our music license agreement with SESAC has expired without reaching a renewal agreement. Because of this, we’ve had to block some content in the US.” YouTube added that they’re still in talks with SESAC and are committed to closely following copyright laws.
When Will the Problem Be Fixed?
Good news—the problem has already been solved! After days of rumors about how messy this could get, TeamYouTube posted an update on X (formerly Twitter) saying they’ve reached a new deal with SESAC. The update confirmed that “blocked content will be back on YouTube over the next day or two.”
Many people thought this would take much longer. Earlier this year, a similar disagreement between Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok lasted for months.
Both sides had a lot to lose if this dragged on. YouTube risked losing popular songs, especially on YouTube Music, which might have led users to switch to other streaming services. SESAC and its artists also weren’t making money while their songs were blocked, so reaching a deal quickly was important for them too.
Which Countries Are Affected?
The licensing dispute between YouTube and SESAC only impacts users in the United States. Although both companies operate globally, this issue relates to specific U.S. licenses and regulations.
Now that the dispute seems to be resolved, there’s no reason to think that music will be removed from YouTube in other countries. Each region has its own agreements, and big conflicts like this can complicate future deals. However, this U.S. issue was simply due to an expired license, not any major breakdown.
Which Artists Are Missing?
SESAC represents over 30,000 songwriters and composers, so many songs by these artists disappeared from YouTube during the dispute. The removal also includes any content featuring SESAC-affiliated songwriters. This has caused some inconsistency, as not all songs by affected artists are blocked. Even cover versions, remixes, and fan edits using SESAC-licensed music have been taken down, leaving a lot of related content suddenly missing.
The following major artists had some of their songs removed from YouTube due to the dispute:
- Adele
- Kendrick Lamar
- Nirvana
- Bob Dylan
- Green Day
- Mariah Carey
- R.E.M.
- Rush
- Burna Boy
- J. Cole
- Coheed and Cambria
- Glass Animals
- Alex G
- Kanye West
- Gorillaz
- Sam Smith
- Guns N’ Roses
These artists, among others, were impacted by the licensing issue, resulting in some of their music being temporarily unavailable.
Should You Change to Another Music Service?
Since the problem is now fixed, there’s no strong reason to switch. YouTube has had issues like this before, but they usually solve them by talking with the other parties. They know that users might leave for services like Spotify or Apple Music, so they acted fast to sort this out. If you enjoy using YouTube, there’s no need to move to a different service.
Final Thoughts
Music disappearing from YouTube can be frustrating, but it usually happens because of licensing issues, like the recent dispute with SESAC. YouTube works to fix these problems quickly to keep the music you love available. If you notice songs missing, remember it’s likely temporary, and YouTube is probably working to bring them back.
Want to stay updated on what’s happening with your favorite music? Keep an eye on YouTube’s announcements and consider exploring other music platforms if you’re looking for more options. Happy listening!