What is subject to a “match” in Content ID?

Content ID is YouTube's automated system that identifies copyrighted content. When a video is uploaded, Content ID scans it against a vast database of copyrighted material submitted by content owners. If the system finds a match – meaning the uploaded video contains content already in the database – it triggers a Content ID claim. This allows the copyright owner to apply a policy, such as monetizing the video, tracking its viewership, or blocking it. Therefore, a video containing content from the Content ID database is what is subject to a "match." A video having the same title as another video is not a match criterion, nor is a channel having similar videos to another channel; Content ID focuses on the actual audio/visual content within the video itself.