A few minutes of preparation before you list a tab, track or pack prevents most licensing problems later. Use this checklist every time you upload something new.
1. Confirm you own what you are selling
- Did you write the music, riffs or exercises?
- Did you record the audio yourself, or do you have written permission?
- Does it contain samples, loops or stems from other creators? Check their licence allows resale inside your product.
- Is it based on someone else’s song? If yes, read Selling tabs and covers first.
2. Choose the licence for each item
- Personal — practice and learning only.
- Commercial — videos, releases and client work.
- Royalty-free or exclusive — many buyers or one.
Not sure? Compare them in Personal vs commercial and Royalty-free vs exclusive.
3. Write the licence summary
Add a short, plain-language block to the listing:
- Licence type and price.
- What the buyer may do.
- What the buyer may not do (resell files, claim authorship, register the audio in Content ID).
- Credit line, if required.
4. Prepare clean files and metadata
- Name files clearly: title, key, BPM and version.
- Add a public preview (a short or watermarked sample), never the full protected file.
- Write a title and description buyers can find — the Metadata Studio can help.
5. Keep records
Save project files, dates and any permission emails. If a question about ownership ever comes up, these records are your proof.
Ready to list
When every box is ticked, upload your work through Creator Upload and it can appear in the Marketplace. New to the topic? Start with How music licensing works for guitar creators.
This article is general information, not legal advice.