YouTube Content ID system: what is it, and how does it work?

YouTube's Content ID is a sophisticated digital fingerprinting technology designed to identify and manage copyrighted content on the platform. When a video is uploaded, the system scans it against a vast database of audio and visual content provided by copyright holders. If a match is found, the system automatically applies the specified actions set by the copyright owner, such as blocking the video, monetizing it, or tracking its viewership statistics.