How to Add Commercial Music to TikTok

Your brand has the perfect video idea for TikTok, but there's one problem: finding the viral song that glues it all together leads you to a screen that says, This sound isn't licensed for commercial use. This frustrating dead end is a common hurdle for businesses trying to make an impact on the platform. This article breaks down exactly why this happens and gives you clear, actionable ways to legally add music to your TikToks, from the official library to creative workarounds that keep you in the game.

Why Can’t I Use Commercial Music on My TikTok Business Account?

You’ve probably noticed that as soon as you switch to a TikTok Business Account, your access to trending songs from popular artists evaporates. This isn't a glitch, it's by design, and it all comes down to copyright law and music licensing. Essentially, there are two worlds of music use on the platform: personal and commercial.

Personal Accounts have access to the full, general music library. This is because their use is considered non-commercial. The agreements TikTok has with major record labels typically cover this type of organic, personal sharing. It falls under promotional use that benefits the artist by making their song go viral, without a brand directly profiting from it.

Business Accounts, on the other hand, are using TikTok for commercial purposes - to market products, sell services, or build brand awareness that ultimately leads to profit. Because you're trying to make money, using a popular song in your video is legally considered advertising. Doing that requires a "commercial" or "sync" license, which is a completely different (and much more expensive) legal agreement than the one for personal use.

If businesses could freely use any song, artists and record labels would lose out on massive licensing fees. To protect themselves and the rights holders, TikTok created a separate, pre-licensed library for brands: The Commercial Music Library.

The Official (and Safest) Way: Using TikTok's Commercial Music Library

TikTok’s built-in solution for brands is the Commercial Music Library (CML). This is a collection of over 1 million songs and sounds that have been pre-cleared for commercial use, meaning you can use any track from this library in your organic videos and ads without worrying about copyright infringement or takedown notices.

The biggest benefit here is peace of mind. You are 100% compliant with TikTok’s terms of service and international copyright laws. However, the trade-off is selection. While the library is large, you won't find the latest chart-topping hits from Taylor Swift or Drake. The selection primarily consists of music from emerging artists and production houses, designed to sound good without an A-list price tag.

How to Use the Commercial Music Library

Accessing the CML is straightforward and integrated directly into the video creation process. Here’s how you do it:

• Step 1: Record or Upload Your Video. Start the TikTok creation process as you normally would, either by recording footage in the app or uploading clips from your camera roll.
• Step 2: Tap 'Add sound'. At the top of the editing screen, you’ll see the 'Add sound' button. Tap it to open the music library.
• Step 3: Access Commercial Sounds. As a Business Account, you’ll automatically be directed to the Commercial Sounds page. You can browse recommended tracks, discover playlists curated for different moods and genres (like "New Arrivals" or "Fashion & Beauty"), or use the search bar to find something specific.
• Step 4: Preview and Select Your Music. Tap a song to hear a preview. Once you find one you like, tap the red checkmark to add it to your video. You can then trim the sound to fit the exact segment of the song you want to use.

Alternative Solutions: Getting Creative and Staying Legal

While the Commercial Music Library is the safest option, its limited selection can feel restrictive if you're trying to participate in trends. Fortunately, there are other methods you can use to add compelling audio to your videos. They just require a bit more legwork.

Option 1: Use Royalty-Free Music Subscription Services

This is arguably the best balance between creative freedom and legal safety. Platforms like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Soundstripe offer massive libraries of high-quality music created by independent artists and composers. For a monthly or annual subscription fee, you gain a license to use their entire catalog in your content - including commercial projects on social media.

The music won't be trending pop songs, but the quality is incredible. You can find everything from cinematic orchestral scores to upbeat lo-fi hip-hop beats that sound just as good as anything on the radio. This approach allows you to develop a unique sonic identity for your brand instead of just hopping on the same sounds as everyone else.

How It Works:

1. Subscribe to a Service: Choose a platform that fits your budget and style. Read their licensing terms to make sure commercial use on TikTok is covered (it usually is).
2. Find and Download Music: Browse the library and download the tracks you want to use.
3. Edit Your Video Externally: This is a key step. You need to use a third-party video editing app like CapCut, Adobe Rush, or even iMovie. Import your video clips and the downloaded audio file into the editor.
4. Sync and Export: Edit your video and sync the action to the music. Once you’re happy with it, export the final video file (with the audio baked in).
5. Upload to TikTok: Open the TikTok app and upload your final, edited video. When you do this, TikTok will automatically treat your audio as an "Original Sound." Your video will have great-sounding, perfectly legal music, and other creators can even use your Original Sound in their own videos.

Option 2: Create Your Own Original Audio

This is one of the most powerful ways to build a brand on TikTok. Instead of using someone else’s audio, you create a sound that is uniquely yours. An "Original Sound" can be a voiceover, a snippet of custom music, or even just a recording of a compelling real-world sound.

Many of the most viral trends are born from original audio. A funny voiceover, a helpful tip, or a relatable rant can quickly get picked up and used by hundreds of thousands of other creators, all pointing back to you as the source. This is a fantastic way to generate organic reach and brand association.

Think about what you can offer:

• Can you create a short, educational voiceover related to your industry?
• Can you make a funny, relatable clip about your customers' experiences?
• If you have musical talent, can you create a catchy 15-second jingle?

Don't underestimate the power of being the creator of a trend, rather than just a participant.

Option 3: Direct Licensing from Rights Holders

Want to use that top-40 hit from a major artist? It’s possible, but it comes with a high C-suite price tag and a complicated process. This route is typically reserved for major corporations with huge advertising budgets.

To use commercial music, you need to acquire a synchronization (sync) license from every single rights holder associated with the track. This involves:

1. Identifying the Rights Holders: A song has at least two copyrights: the master recording (usually owned by the record label) and the composition (owned by the songwriter(s) and their publisher).
2. Negotiating Licenses: You must contact each of these entities and negotiate a sync license that covers use on TikTok. This process involves lawyers and can take weeks, if not months.
3. Paying the Fees: Licensing a song from a well-known artist can cost anywhere from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the artist's popularity and how you plan to use the song.

For 99% of businesses, this is simply not a practical option. The cost, time, and legal complexity make it prohibitive. It remains the exclusive domain of large brands executing massive campaigns.

What About Switching to a Creator Account?

Some forums might suggest a seemingly easy fix: just switch your Business Account back to a Creator or Personal Account to regain access to the full music library. This is generally not a good idea for established businesses.

While you would get access to pop music, you would lose crucial business features, including:

• The ability to run paid ads through TikTok Ads Manager.
• Access to the Business Creative Hub.
• Advanced analytics in the Business Suite.
• The ability to put a link in your bio (if you have under a certain number of followers).
• Verified messaging abilities.

On top of that, you would still technically be in violation of TikTok's terms by using non-commercial audio for promotional content. Your video could still be muted or your account could receive a penalty. The risks associated with this workaround far outweigh the reward for any serious business.

Final Thoughts

Navigating audio on TikTok is a core part of building a successful strategy, and understanding the rules is the first step. You can play it safe with TikTok's Commercial Music Library, get creative control with a subscription from a royalty-free music service, or build brand equity by crafting your own unique Original Sounds. Each path is a valid way to make engaging content that connects with your audience without landing in copyright hot water.

Managing all these moving parts - from planning content around audio trends to scheduling videos across multiple platforms - can get tricky. At Postbase, we focus on simplifying this with a visual calendar and reliable short-form video scheduling. Our platform gives you one place to see your entire content plan, schedule your TikToks with confidence, and make sure everything goes live on time, every time.