How to Add Your Own Song on TikTok

Getting your own song trending on TikTok starts with one crucial step: actually getting it on the platform. It might seem tricky, but whether you're a musician trying to launch your next hit or a creator needing the perfect custom audio, you have options. This guide will walk you through the two primary methods for adding your own music to TikTok, from the quick-and-easy workaround to the official artist route.

Why Does Your Own Sound Matter on TikTok?

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly touch on the "why." While TikTok’s commercial library is massive, using your own original audio is a game-changer. An "Original Sound" created from your video can be used by anyone else on the platform. If it takes off, your username is permanently attached to a viral trend, driving massive brand awareness, profile visits, and followers directly back to you. For musicians, it’s a direct line to new fans and a potential breakthrough hit, all powered by user-generated content from millions of creators. In short, custom audio gives you control and a legitimate chance to start a movement.

Method 1: The Quick-and-Easy Way (Using a Video Editor)

This is the most direct and accessible way to use your own song or sound in a TikTok video. It doesn’t put your song into the official music library, but it attaches the audio to your video, creating an "Original Sound" that other users can tap and use. This method is perfect for one-off sounds, meme audio, or testing a song with your audience without going through an official release process.

The entire strategy relies on one simple trick: you add the music to your video before you upload it to TikTok. You'll do this using a third-party video editing app.

Step-by-Step Guide: From Editing App to TikTok

Follow these steps to seamlessly create a video with your custom sound.

1. Pick a Video Editing App

You probably already have a powerful video editor on your phone. If not, there are many fantastic, user-friendly options available. You don’t need professional desktop software, a mobile app is perfect for this.

• CapCut: Made by the same parent company as TikTok (ByteDance), CapCut is built for creating TikTok-style videos. It’s free, has tons of features, and integrates perfectly.
• InShot: Another popular choice that makes it very easy to add music tracks, trim clips, and format your video for TikTok’s vertical 9:16 aspect ratio.
• Your Phone’s Native Editor: Both iPhone (in the Photos app) and Android phones (in Google Photos or a gallery app) have basic video editing functions that let you trim video and add an audio track from your music files.

2. Edit Your Video with Your Song

Once you've chosen your app, the process is straightforward.

• Open the editing app and start a new project.
• Import the video clips you want to use.
• Next, import your song. Most apps allow you to add music directly from your phone’s files.
• Drag the audio track so it lines up with your video footage. This is your chance to sync a cool visual moment with a beat drop or a specific lyric. Trim the audio to fit the length of your video (typically under 60 seconds for TikTok).

3. Export and Upload to TikTok

Once you’re happy with the edit, export the video to your phone’s camera roll. Aim for a high-quality export (1080p is usually great). Now, open TikTok:

• Tap the (+) button to create a new post.
• Instead of recording, tap the "Upload" button and select the video you just exported.
• Your video will now be in the TikTok editor, complete with your custom audio. You can still add text, stickers, and effects on top of it.
• Go through the posting process as usual - write a caption, add hashtags, and hit "Post."

4. Final Touches: Renaming Your Original Sound

After you post it, your video will appear on your profile. Look at the bottom of the video, where the sound information is. You'll see the spinning record icon and the text "Original sound - [Your Username]."

You can - and should - rename this! Tap the spinning record, which takes you to the audio page for your new sound. At the top, click the little pencil icon next to the generic name and change it to something memorable. Be strategic: use a clear title like "[Song Title] - [Your Artist Name]" or something descriptive that tells people how to use it, like "Emotional Cinematic Piano for Sad Edits." A good name makes your sound much more discoverable.

Pros and Cons of This Method

• Pros: It's fast, free, and anyone can do it. It’s perfect for testing ideas without commitment.
• Cons: The sound is credited to your personal TikTok account, not as an official artist. You won't earn royalties if the sound becomes popular, and it won't be linked to streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music.

Method 2: The Pro Route (Getting Your Song in the Official TikTok Music Library)

If you're a serious musician or brand, you’ll want your music in TikTok's official audio library. When users search for a sound, your song will appear with its official title, artist name, and album art. Choosing this option treats your music like any other professionally released track on the platform.

Why Go Official?

• Legitimacy & Branding: Your music looks professional. The artist name is tappable, and users can find more of your work.
• Earn Royalties: When your music is used in thousands of videos, you get paid. This is how artists generate revenue from TikTok.
• Discoverability: Being in the official library makes it easier for creators to find and use your music through search and discovery features.
• Streaming Links: TikTok can link your sound to major streaming platforms, driving listeners directly to your Spotify or Apple Music profile to hear the full song.

How to Do It: Use a Digital Music Distributor

You can't just upload an MP3 directly to TikTok’s official library. Instead, you need to go through a digital music distributor. These companies act as the middleman between artists and digital storefronts/streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, and, most importantly, TikTok.

Here are some of the most popular distributors used by millions of independent artists:

• DistroKid
• TuneCore
• CD Baby

Each service has a slightly different pricing model (some charge an annual fee for unlimited uploads, others charge per release), but they all accomplish the same goal: getting your music distributed digitally.

The General Process (What to Expect)

The steps are similar regardless of which distributor you choose.

1. Sign Up for a Distributor

Choose a service that fits your budget and needs. Read their terms, pay the required fee, and create your artist account.

2. Prepare Your Assets

Before you upload, you'll need a few things ready:

• High-Quality Audio File: A WAV file is the standard for professional releases. Don't upload a low-quality MP3.
• Cover Art: A high-resolution square image (usually 3000x3000 pixels).
• Song Information (Metadata): The song title, your artist name, genre, songwriter credits, and any featured artists.

3. Upload Your Song and Select Stores

Follow the distributor's steps to upload your audio file and cover art. The most important step here is the distribution selection. You’ll see a checklist of all the platforms they deliver to. Make sure you select TikTok (it's sometimes grouped with Facebook/Instagram). Most artists select all available stores.

4. Set Your TikTok Clip Starting Point

This is a super important step many people overlook. Your distributor will give you the option to specify exactly which part of your song you want to be available on TikTok. Don't just let it default to the beginning of the song. Choose the most "TikTok-able" moment - the chorus, the beat drop, a catchy hook, or a key lyric. This snippet is what millions of creators will use, so choose wisely!

Most distributors let you pick the start time of a 15, 30, or 60-second clip.

5. Submit for Review

Once you’ve filled everything out, submit your release. The distributor will review your submission to make sure everything meets their quality standards. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Once approved, your song will start appearing in the music libraries of TikTok, Spotify, and all the other platforms you selected.

You've Added Your Sound. Now What? Tips for Making It Take Off

Simply having your sound on TikTok isn't enough. Now you need to give it a push.

• Create Your Own Trend: Don't wait for someone else. Make the first 5-10 videos using your sound yourself. Show people creative ways to use it. Is it good for a dance? A lip-sync? A GRWM transition? A punchline? Demonstrate its potential.
• Make It Versatile: The best TikTok sounds are open-ended. A sound that can be used for comedy, transitions, and heartfelt moments has a much higher chance of going viral than one tied to a very specific niche.
• Engage with Every User: When someone new uses your sound, engage with their video! Leave a nice comment, follow them, or even "duet" their video. This encourages others to join in.
• Promote It Everywhere: Announce your new TikTok sound on your other social platforms. Share the link to the sound page in your Instagram Stories and encourage your existing followers to make videos with it.

Final Thoughts

Getting your own music on TikTok is a straightforward process once you know the path. You can either use a video editor for a quick "Original Sound" perfect for in-the-moment creativity, or you can use a music distributor to professionally place your song in the official library, opening the door for royalties and wider discovery.

After putting in the work to get your sound on TikTok, giving it the right promotional push is everything. We found that trying to manually post a dozen videos to kickstart a trend was a real headache, which is precisely why we built Postbase. Being able to schedule a full week of promotional TikToks from a visual calendar let us focus on launching the music, not the tedious logistics of posting consistently at the right time.