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You can only play music on a podcast if you have the legal rights to use it. Many creators believe they can legally use 5-10 seconds of a song under "fair use," but that’s just a myth.
Fair use is not guaranteed, and it only holds up after a legal dispute. Playing even a few seconds of copyrighted music without permission can be can lead to legal trouble.
Instead, stick to using royalty-free music that’s cleared for podcast use. Download our free podcast music from the list above, or use the tracks in Riverside’s library. They are all fully licensed for podcast use.
Yes, you can use background music for your podcast to set the mood and add emotion to your narration. Popular podcasts like Radiolab made their fortune with a wise use of high-quality music and soundtracks masterfully intertwined with dialogue.
Just make sure your background music doesn’t overpower the dialogue. And make sure you’re legally using royalty-free tracks.
Intro music isn’t required, but it can make your podcast instantly more recognizable. A short musical intro helps set the tone and makes your show sound more polished and professional.
Read more in our full guide on podcast intro music.
Yes, using royalty-free music is the simplest and safest way to include music in your episodes. We’ve got a full guide on where to find royalty-free music for podcasts.
Yes, using royalty-free music is the simplest and safest way to include music in your episodes. We’ve got a full guide on where to find royalty-free music for podcasts.
But, to save you time, download one of our X royalty-free podcast tracks above. Or, even bette,r head to our editor where you can choose a track and add it directly to your podcast recording. No downloads, everything just in one platform.
The length of the music you pick depends on its use. For example, intros and outros are usually 10–30 seconds: enough to be recognizable, but not too much as to become boring. Background loops can last longer if they’re subtle. Just make sure they’re not distracting or overpowering.
Even if you perform a cover of a song yourself, using copyrighted music still requires licensing. Copyright protects the song’s underlying composition including it’s melody, structure, and lyrics. Even if you don’t use the original recording, you still need a mechanical license or a sync license if you’re pairing your cover with visuals.
Unless you’re set on covering a specific song, the easiest route is to use royalty-free music that's licensed for podcast use.