Ultimate Podcast Music Guide: How to Find and Use Licensed & Royalty-Free Music

Music is one of the easiest ways to set the tone of your show, establish your brand identity, create emotional connections, and keep listeners engaged.

From intros and outros to in-episode breaks, great music can elevate your podcast dramatically.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• Why it’s essential to use music you have the rights to
• Different types of music you can use in your podcast
• Your best options for royalty-free podcast music
• Creative ideas from podcasters for finding music
• Technical tips for mixing music properly

Let’s dive in! 🎵

Watch: How to Find the Right Music for Your Podcast

Finding the right podcast music is about more than just picking a catchy tune – it’s about setting the right tone, creating consistency, and legally protecting your show.

In this video, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing intro music to licensing tips, and even using AI tools!

Why You Should Never Use Licensed Music Without Permission

Adding music to your podcast that you don’t have explicit permission to use can result in:

• Loss of credibility
• DMCA notices
• Copyright strikes
• Removal from your podcast host or directories
• Lawsuits and fines

Common Myths:

• You can just use a song for “seven seconds or less.” You cannot legally use even a few seconds of copyrighted music without permission.
• Purchasing a song or album gives you the right to use it commercially. Buying a song only gives you the right to listen. It does not give you permission to use it in a podcast, video, or other project commercially.

Companies like Universal Music Group use music recognition software (like BMAT) to scan podcasts for unauthorized use. Spotify and others can receive an infringement claim and pull your show if you’re caught (see above image).

Always ensure you have the right licensing. For more information, you can check out Spotify’s copyright resources here.

But not to worry. The great news is that there are plenty of music resources available for the podcaster on a budget!

Types of Music You Can Use in a Podcast

Knowing how to use music in your show is as important as knowing where to get it. Here are the key types:

• Intro/Outro Music: First and last impressions for your show; sets the tone immediately.
• Transition Music / Stingers: Brief musical breaks between…