Facebook Reels Music and Monetization in 2026: The 90-Second Rule That Protects Your Earnings

For years, music was a trade-off on Facebook Reels. A popular track could help a Reel travel, but Meta warned that earnings on a Reel with licensed music could come out lower than on a similar Reel without it. That trade-off is now gone for most Reels. Meta's Business Help Center says Pages and profiles in Facebook Content Monetization can monetize eligible Reels that include 90 seconds or less of licensed music, or any amount of royalty-free music from the Facebook audio library, without impacting their earnings.

For a publisher running Reels on a monetized Page, that turns music from a cost into a creative choice, as long as you stay inside the rule. This guide covers exactly what Meta says, what still costs you money, and how we would use music now.

What changed

Meta's earlier guidance said that because of its agreements with music rights holders, earnings for content containing licensed music "may be different compared to payouts for content that does not use licensed music and performs similarly." In plain terms, a Reel with a licensed track could earn less than an identical Reel without one.

The current Help Center page, "How to monetize Facebook Reels with music through Facebook Content Monetization," replaces that with a clear line. Reels with 90 seconds or less of licensed music, or any amount of royalty-free music from the Facebook audio library, can be monetized without impacting earnings. Meta adds that 90 seconds or less of licensed music, any amount of royalty-free music, and tracks from the Meta Sound Collection "are not subject to potential rights holder payout adjustments."

Meta announced the change this fall in an in-app notice to accounts in the program. You do not need to switch anything on. You add music when you create the Reel, and earnings are calculated the same way as for any other eligible Reel.

The line you must not cross

The same page is just as clear about the other side of the rule: "Using more than 90 seconds of licensed music may result in losing all earnings associated with that reel." That is not a reduction. It is the whole Reel's earnings.

A few more details from Meta's page decide whether a Reel earns:

• Use the right part of the library. Music in the Facebook audio library labeled Licensed music or Royalty-free is eligible to monetize. Meta says other original audio in the library may be eligible, but the rights holder could act on it, for example by muting the audio, at any time.
• Music you add before uploading counts too. If a Reel you upload already contains music, it can be monetized if that audio is in the Facebook audio library and covered by Meta's music agreements, and only if it features 90 seconds or less of licensed music.
• Full songs are a risk. Meta says you may not be eligible for monetization on music content if you use full songs.
• Explicit tracks earn less. Titles labeled "E" for explicit, or carrying a warning icon, may receive reduced or restricted monetization.
• Commercial use needs royalty-free music. Meta advises using royalty-free selections for more than 90 seconds of music, for a Reel with a commercial purpose such as a brand deal, or for a Reel you plan to put paid promotion behind.

Ninety seconds of licensed music costs you nothing. Ninety-one can cost you the whole Reel.

What Meta checks, and when

Meta runs copyright checks on Reels. Its Help Center says that on mobile, checks on a Reel's audio run before it is posted, and if licensed music is detected you can swap the audio, edit the Reel or post it as it is. When licensed music is detected in a monetized Reel, music monetization policies are applied automatically and you may be notified in Meta Business Suite and your Support Inbox. If you believe you own the rights to the music or have permission to use it, Meta says you may be able to dispute.

Meta also notes two limits worth knowing. Monetization of music content is only available to accounts enrolled in Facebook Content Monetization, the invite-only program that pays for the performance of eligible public Reels, photos, Stories and text posts. And if one Reel is demonetized for music, Meta says your Page, profile and ability to monetize are not otherwise affected.

Finally, buying a song, recording it yourself at an event, crediting the artist or adding a disclaimer does not give you the right to use it. Meta lists each of these as cases where you can still receive a music rights claim.

How we would use music on a monetized Page now

These are our recommendations for publishers, not Meta's rules.

Let the content choose the track

The old reason to leave music out was the earnings difference. With that gone, pick music because it fits the Reel. A track that matches the pace of the edit can help a Reel feel finished, and Reels that hold attention are the ones that earn, because Meta pays Content Monetization on factors that include qualified views and watch time.

Build a 90-second habit into your edit

Most publisher Reels are short enough that the limit never comes up. Where it matters is longer Reels, compilations and re-edits of long videos. Make it a check in your workflow: if a Reel runs past 90 seconds, either trim the licensed track or switch to royalty-free audio.

Keep a royalty-free default for anything paid

If a Reel will get paid promotion or is part of a sponsorship, start from royalty-free music or the Meta Sound Collection, as Meta advises. It saves a rebuild later.

Do not let music carry the post

Meta's guidance warns against full songs and Reels that consist mostly of music. A Reel that only exists to play a song is the weakest kind of content to monetize. Original footage, a clear story and real information are what make a Reel worth watching, and they are also what Meta's originality rules reward. Our guide to why Facebook posts are not earning covers the other reasons a Reel can fall short.

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What this means for publishers

Music was one of the few creative decisions on Facebook that came with a direct earnings penalty. Removing it for Reels with 90 seconds or less of licensed music makes Reels simpler to plan and gives publishers one more tool for holding attention. It does not change what earns. Original Reels that people watch to the end still do the work, and our Facebook Reels revenue strategy covers how to build them.

If you are not yet in Content Monetization, this rule does not apply to you yet. Our guide to getting approved for Facebook's Content Monetization program covers what Meta looks for before it sends an invitation.

Where to go from here

If you want your Reels, posts and earnings run as one system, the Facebook Monetization Suite gives you the Facebook Automation Machine, the full PIB playbook and a Professional Asset Valuation of your Page. If you would rather have your own team trained to build monetized Pages, Facebook Consulting teaches the method Publisher in a Box uses, and you keep 100 percent of the revenue.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use music in Facebook Reels and still get paid?

Yes, if you are in Facebook Content Monetization. Meta says eligible Reels with 90 seconds or less of licensed music, or any amount of royalty-free music from the Facebook audio library, can be monetized without impacting earnings.

What happens if my Reel has more than 90 seconds of licensed music?

Meta says using more than 90 seconds of licensed music may result in losing all earnings associated with that Reel. Royalty-free music from the Facebook audio library does not have this limit.

Do I need to turn anything on to use licensed music without losing earnings?

No. Add music when you create the Reel. Earnings are calculated the same way as for other eligible Reels, subject to Meta's program terms.

Can I use licensed music in a promoted Reel or a brand deal?

Meta advises using royalty-free selections from the audio library if the Reel is for a commercial purpose such as a brand deal or if you plan to put paid promotion behind it.

Will a music claim on one Reel affect my whole Page?

Meta says that if a Reel is demonetized, your Page, profile and ability to monetize are not otherwise affected. Repeated violations of Meta's monetization policies can still put a Page's monetization at risk.

Key takeaways

• Meta says monetized Reels with 90 seconds or less of licensed music, or any amount of royalty-free music from the audio library, earn without impact from the music.
• More than 90 seconds of licensed music may cost the Reel all of its earnings.
• Use music labeled Licensed music or Royalty-free, avoid full songs, and expect reduced earnings on explicit tracks.
• For promoted Reels and brand deals, Meta advises royalty-free music.
• Music monetization only applies to Pages and profiles enrolled in invite-only Facebook Content Monetization.
• Music helps hold attention, but original content that people watch to the end is still what earns.

Sources

• Meta Business Help Center, How to monetize Facebook Reels with music through Facebook Content Monetization, facebook.com
• Meta Business Help Center, About copyright checks when reels are published on Facebook, facebook.com
• Meta Business Help Center, About Facebook Content Monetization for creators, facebook.com
• Meta Business Help Center, About Page, profile and reel demonetization, facebook.com