How to Distribute Music to TikTok

Getting your music on TikTok is one of the most powerful moves an artist can make today, opening up your sound to millions of potential new fans. This guide breaks down exactly how to distribute your music to TikTok's official sound library, from choosing the right service to promoting your track once it's live.

First Things First: Why You Can’t Upload Directly to TikTok’s Music Library

You might be wondering, "Can't I just upload my MP3 to TikTok?" The answer, for the official music library, is no. Unlike uploading a video where you can add any audio from your phone, getting your song into the searchable "Sounds" tab that every creator can use requires a different, more formal process. Here’s the straightforward reason why.

TikTok, like Spotify and Apple Music, is a licensed platform. They need to legally clear the rights to every song in their catalog to ensure artists and rights holders (like publishers and record labels) get paid when their music is used. If users could upload anything they wanted, it would be a legal nightmare of copyright infringement. This is where music distributors come in - they act as the official, approved go-between to handle all the legal and financial paperwork, making sure your music is delivered correctly and that you get paid for its use.

The Essential Role of a Digital Music Distributor

Think of a digital music distributor as the bridge between you and all the major online platforms where people listen to and use music. The distributor takes your master recording, cover art, and metadata (song title, artist name, etc.) and delivers it in the correct format to dozens or even hundreds of digital stores and social platforms at once. Their job is to:

• Format and Deliver Your Music: They ensure your audio and artwork files meet the specific technical requirements for each platform, including TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, and more.
• Manage Rights and Royalties: They handle the legal agreements with platforms and then collect any royalties you earn on your behalf. When your sound gets used in thousands of TikTok videos, your distributor is the one tracking that usage and making sure the money finds its way back to you.
• Provide Universal Identification: They typically assign ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) and UPC (Universal Product Code) numbers to your releases, which are like unique serial numbers for your tracks and albums. These codes are essential for tracking sales, streams, and usage worldwide.

How to Choose the Right Music Distributor for TikTok

There are many distributors out there, and while most send music to TikTok, they operate on different models. Choosing the right one depends on your budget, goals, and how much control you want. Here are the key factors to weigh.

1. Fee Structure: Annual Fee vs. One-Time Fee vs. Commission

Distributors generally make money in one of three ways:

• Annual Flat Fee (e.g., DistroKid): You pay a yearly fee to upload unlimited songs and albums. You typically keep 100% of your royalties. This model is great for prolific artists who release music frequently. However, if you stop paying the fee, your music may eventually be taken down.
• One-Time Fee Per Release (e.g., TuneCore, CD Baby): You pay a one-time fee to upload a single or an album, and it stays on platforms forever without any recurring payments. Some of these services also offer annual plans, and they might take a commission on royalties depending on the specific package you choose. This is often better for artists who release music less frequently.
• Free Distribution with Commission (e.g., Amuse, UnitedMasters): These services don't charge you upfront to upload your music. Instead, they take a percentage (like 15%) of the royalties you earn. This is a fantastic option if you have no upfront budget, but it can become more expensive in the long run if your song becomes a massive hit.

2. Does It Distribute to TikTok? (And Other Social Platforms)

This sounds obvious, but you must double-check. The good news is that nearly all major distributors now deliver to TikTok's Audio Library. More than that, look for distribution to Meta's library as well - this will get your music onto Instagram Reels, Stories, and Facebook. Modern strategies rely on short-form video, so make sure your distributor covers all the key players.

3. Analytics and Reporting

A good distributor will provide a dashboard where you can see where your music is being streamed and used. While TikTok-specific usage data can sometimes be less detailed than Spotify streaming data, you should at least be able to see royalty reports broken down by platform. This feedback helps you understand where your audience is and what's working.

4. Clip Start Time Customization

This is a small but hugely important feature for TikTok. Most distributors will allow you to specify the exact start time for the snippet that appears in TikTok's sound library (usually 15, 30, or 60 seconds). You want to select the catchiest, most "viral-friendly" part of your song - the hook, the drop, the most memorable lyric. Don’t just let it default to the beginning of the track unless that is the best part.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your Song Officially on TikTok

Once you’ve picked a distributor, the process is pretty straightforward. Here's a breakdown of what to expect, using general steps that apply to most platforms.

Step 1: Get Your Files Ready

Before you even sign up, make sure you have everything you need in the right format.

• Audio File: Export your final mixed and mastered track as a high-quality, lossless audio file. Most distributors require a WAV or FLAC file (e.g., 16-bit, 44.1 kHz). An MP3 is a compressed format and will likely be rejected or result in lower audio quality.
• Cover Art: Your artwork needs to be a perfect square and high-resolution. The standard is 3000x3000 pixels in JPG or PNG format. Don’t put social media handles, website URLs, or logos for streaming services on your art, as stores will reject it.
• Metadata: This is all the text information about your song. Write it all down in a separate document so you can easily copy and paste it:
  • Song Title (Make sure your capitalization is correct!)
  • Artist Name(s) & Featured Artists
  • Songwriter(s) Names
  • Producer(s) Names
  • Explicit Lyrics (Yes/No)

Step 2: Choose Your Distributor and Create an Account

Pick the service that best fits your needs based on the criteria above, sign up, and select your plan.

Step 3: Upload Your Music and Information

You’ll now go through the release setup process. This is where you upload that WAV file and 3000x3000 pixel artwork. You’ll also fill in all your metadata. Be meticulous here - a typo in your artist name or song title can cause major headaches later. This is also where you’ll enter any ISRC code if you have one, if not, the distributor will generate one for you.

Step 4: Select the Platforms (Stores) for Distribution

Your distributor will show you a checklist of all the platforms they can send your music to. You’ll see Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music, and many others. Make sure the boxes for TikTok and bonus platforms like Instagram & Facebook are checked. Some distributors automatically select all platforms, while others require you to opt-in.

Step 5: Define Your TikTok Clip Start Time

This is your moment to make your sound viral-ready. When prompted, listen through your song and find the absolute best part that would make someone want to create a video. Pinpoint the start time of that section. For example, if your hook kicks in at 1 minute and 5 seconds (01:05), you’ll enter that. This ensures creators immediately hear the most compelling part of your song.

Step 6: Submit and Wait for Approval

Once all the information is entered, you'll submit your release for review. The distributor's team will quickly check to make sure your audio isn't corrupted, your artwork meets the guidelines, and there are no obvious copyright issues. After approval, they'll deliver your music to the platforms.

This can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the distributor and platform pipelines. Be patient! Plan your marketing and release schedule with this buffer in mind.

Your Music is on TikTok! Now What? Your Promotion Strategy

Getting your sound into the library is just step one. Now, you need to drive its usage. Remember, you're not just an artist, you're also the first and most important creator to use your own sound.

1. Create Your Own First Batch of Videos

Don't wait for someone else to make the first video. As soon as your sound is live, immediately create 5-10 TikToks using it. This does two things: it shows the algorithm that the sound is active, and it gives people examples of how they could use it. Don't just make one type of video! Try a mix:

• A simple lip-sync or performance video.
• A "behind the song" video explaining a lyric or the production.
• A video that places the song in a funny or relatable context (like a sketch or a meme).
• One that sets a specific mood (cinematic, workout, etc.).

2. Establish an Easy-to-Copy Format

Virality often comes from simplicity. Think about creating a "template" or an easy concept that anyone can replicate. It could be a simple dance, a glow-up transition that hits with your beat drop, a call-and-response with your lyrics, or a challenge. Make it super easy and fun for others to put their own spin on it.

3. Engage with Every Video Using Your Sound

Whenever someone uses your sound, go to their video, like it, and leave a genuine comment. This small gesture builds a loyal community and encourages more people to participate. It makes them feel seen and connected to you as an artist, which is incredibly powerful. You can find all the videos made with your sound by tapping the spinning record icon in the bottom right of any video that uses it.

4. Use Smart Hashtags and Descriptions

When you post your own videos, use a mix of relevant hashtags. Include broader ones like #NewMusic or #IndieArtist, genre-specific ones like #AltRock or #LofiBeats, and some that are thematic to your song, like #BreakupSong or #SummerVibes. This helps TikTok categorize your sound and show it to the right people.

Final Thoughts

Getting your music into TikTok's official discovery engine is a non-negotiable step for modern artists, and it all starts with choosing a digital distributor. By preparing your files correctly and strategically selecting the catchiest snippet of your song, you set yourself up for the best possible chance of being discovered.

Of course, after your sound is distributed, the real work of promotion begins with a solid content plan. When it's time to schedule out our promotional videos, we use Postbase because it's built specifically for modern, short-form video formats. Our visual calendar makes it easy to see our whole TikTok and Reels strategy at a glance, and we trust its scheduling reliability so we can focus on creative ideas instead of wondering if our content will actually go live.