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Storyblocks for music producers

Storyblocks is a subscription library for video makers. It takes music from approved contributors, and the music is exclusive. Here is how it works, as of October 2026.

By , a composer with 300+ tracks on audio stock and 12 years in production. Checked on Storyblocks's own pages on 26 October 2026.

Type
Subscription library
How to join
By applicationApply to the contributor program, then upload
Exclusive
YesExclusive, one-year terms that renew on their own
AI-made music
Not acceptedNot accepted. Accounts that keep uploading may go

In short. Storyblocks is a subscription library: members pay a fee and download, and contributors share the revenue. You apply first. Music is exclusive, on one-year terms that renew by themselves, but you may still put it on Spotify and Apple Music. AI-generated content is not accepted. A track already registered in Content ID can't go in. Storyblocks registers its music itself.

How to join

You create an account on the contributor portal and send an application. Storyblocks reviews your portfolio on two questions: "is the content high quality?" and "does the content meet the demand trends of our members?" It says applications are "usually reviewed within a few days, but they can take up to a few weeks or more".

Once approved, you upload from the Contributor Dashboard. The web uploader takes up to 100 files at a time. Storyblocks does not take sound effects as standard audio submissions.

Exclusive or not

Exclusive. Storyblocks' music page, dated 26 August 2026, says: "Music licensed through Storyblocks is exclusive." It "acquires exclusive licensing, synchronization, and administration rights for the tracks you submit."

  • The term. "Music tracks are licensed under a one-year, automatically renewing commitment."
  • Leaving. You can remove a track "at the end of the current term with 30 days' notice".
  • Streaming is allowed. You can keep the music on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services.
  • Other sync licensing is not. You "may not use sync licensing sources while your tracks are licensed with Storyblocks". Stock sites and music libraries are sync licensing sources.

More on these deals: Exclusive or non-exclusive.

AI-generated music

Not accepted. Storyblocks says it "does NOT currently accept AI generated content". It removes AI content from the library when it learns about it. "Accounts that continue to upload AI generated content will be subject to removal at our discretion." If you uploaded AI files by mistake, it asks for a CSV of the file names at partner@storyblocks.com.

Files and metadata

  • Format. WAV or AIF/AIFF.
  • Length. At least 60 seconds.
  • Words. Titles and keywords are how members find music. You can edit them later in the Contributor Portal.
  • Versions and stems are told apart from the full track by the end of the title. Storyblocks reads a word in brackets, like "[Instrumental]". It also reads a BPM ("120bpm"), a time like "30s", a whole number or a single letter. Words it knows include alt, edit, full, inst, loop, mix, short, stinger, underscore and version.

Codes, Content ID and royalties

  • No outside Content ID. "You cannot submit tracks that are already registered with Content ID." Storyblocks also asks you to avoid tracks monetized through AdRev, HAAWK, Rumblefish, AdShare, TuneCore or Audiam.
  • Storyblocks registers the music. It puts its exclusive music in Content ID. Artists get "a 60% commission from eligible Content ID revenue".

How Content ID works: YouTube Content ID.

How you are paid

Storyblocks shares a percentage of subscription revenue with contributors. Your part depends on how much of your content is downloaded compared to other contributors. From eligible Content ID revenue on your tracks, you get 60%.

What to keep in your catalog

  • The date each track went in. The term is one year and renews by itself. To take a track out, you give notice 30 days before the term ends.
  • That the track is exclusive here. It must not go to stock sites or other libraries while it is on Storyblocks.
  • That Storyblocks holds its Content ID. Don't register the track with any other company.
  • The title on Storyblocks, with the variation part at the end. See Retitling.

Sources