How to Get a TikTok Artist Profile

Getting your music officially recognized on TikTok transforms your profile from a standard creator account into a legitimate artist page, complete with a dedicated music tab and that coveted artist checkmark. This quick guide breaks down exactly how to claim your artist profile, linking all your official sounds back to you. We’ll cover everything from working with a distributor to the final steps of mapping your profile within the app.

What Exactly Is a TikTok Artist Profile?

A TikTok Artist Profile is a verified account type specifically for musicians. It does more than just give your profile a professional look, it fundamentally changes how your music functions on the platform. Unlike a standard account with a personal icon, an artist profile displays a small musical note symbol next to your name. More importantly, it unlocks several powerful features designed to help you promote your music and connect with fans.

Here’s what you get:

• A Dedicated "Music" Tab: This tab appears on your profile next to your regular video grid, exclusively showcasing all your songs currently on TikTok. It acts as a mini-catalog, making it incredibly easy for fans and potential collaborators to find and use your official audio.
• Official Song Links: When someone uses your official sound, a "Listen to the full song" link appears above your artist name at the bottom of the video. Tapping this link takes them to a page where they can stream your track on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, directly converting viral moments into streams.
• The Artist Checkmark: An official artist profile receives a verification check next to the artist's name, signaling to fans and other creators that this is an official presence.
• Track Pinning: You can select a key track - like your latest single or a song that’s currently trending - and pin it to the top of your music tab, giving it maximum visibility.

In short, it’s the difference between being just another user who uploaded a sound and being the official, recognized artist behind the music. It consolidates your brand, drives traffic off-platform, and helps you capitalize on every video that uses your song.

The Foundation: Getting Your Music on TikTok's Radar

Before you can even think about claiming an artist profile, your music needs to exist within TikTok's official sound library. You can’t just upload your song as a sound in the video editor and expect it to work. It needs to be delivered to TikTok through a licensed music distributor, the same way you’d get your music onto Spotify or Apple Music.

The Role of a Music Distributor

A music distributor is the middleman between you (the artist) and digital service providers (DSPs) like Spotify, Apple Music, and yes, TikTok. You upload your audio files, artwork, and metadata to the distributor, and they handle the technical work of sending it to all the platforms you choose. Without a distributor, there’s no official path to getting your songs in these libraries.

Most modern distributors include TikTok as a standard delivery option. Some popular choices known for their straightforward process include:

• DistroKid: Known for its simple, unlimited uploads model.
• TuneCore: A long-standing industry favorite with a comprehensive feature set.
• CD Baby: Another titan of indie distribution, offering both digital and physical distribution.

The key here is choosing a distributor that explicitly lists TikTok as a delivery partner.

Your Pre-Flight Checklist

Before you start the process, make sure you have the following assets ready. This will make the distribution process smooth and prevent any hiccups.

• The Song: Your final, mastered audio file, typically in a high-quality WAV format.
• The Artwork: A square image for your single or album cover, usually 3000x3000 pixels.
• The Metadata: All the key info, including the song title, artist name(s), songwriter credits, and release date.
• A Distributor Account: You’ll need to have an active, paid account with your chosen service.
• An Active TikTok Profile: The profile you intend to turn into your artist page should already exist. Don't create a new one after distributing your music.

The Step-by-Step Guide: Claiming Your Artist Profile

With your assets prepped and your distributor chosen, you're ready to get the ball rolling. This process may sound complex, but it boils down to three main phases: distributing your music, finding it on TikTok, and then officially linking it to your profile.

Step 1: Release Your Music and Select TikTok

Log in to your distributor's dashboard and start a new release. As you go through the upload and release-building process, you'll be prompted to enter all your metadata and upload your audio and artwork. The most important checkpoint in this step is when you select which stores and platforms you want your music delivered to. In this list, you will see social platforms alongside the usual streaming services. Make sure you check the box for TikTok.

After you submit your release, there will be a waiting period. It first goes through your distributor's approval process and is then sent out to all the platforms. It can take anywhere from a few days to over a week for your music to appear in TikTok's sound library, so a little patience is needed.

Step 2: Locate Your Music on TikTok After It Goes Live

Once your distributor confirms the delivery, it's time to check if your song is on TikTok. Open the app and search for your song title and artist name in the "Sounds" section. You should find your track listed as an official sound, complete with its cover art.

Tapping on the sound will show you a page with all the videos that have used it. At the top of this page, the sound will be credited to an artist name. When you first release music, this will link to a generic, unclaimed artist page. This is the page you need to merge with your active TikTok profile.

Step 3: Link Your Profile Through Your Distributor

You can no longer claim an artist profile directly within the TikTok app. The entire process of connecting your TikTok account to your music is now handled by your music distributor. Major distributors like DistroKid and TuneCore provide special tools in their dashboards for paid members to request and manage their TikTok artist profiles. Below are the general steps for some popular distributors.

For DistroKid Subscribers

• Log into your DistroKid account and navigate to the "Goodies" or "Tools" menu. Look for an option related to claiming your TikTok artist page. Follow the on-screen instructions to submit your TikTok username and link it to your music releases.

For TuneCore Subscribers

• In your TuneCore dashboard, look for a section dedicated to "Artist Services" or "Profile Tools." TuneCore provides a feature that allows you to request artist page verification for TikTok. Since the exact process can change, always check your dashboard for the most current instructions.

If Your Distributor Has No Automated Tool

If your distributor doesn't have a specific TikTok artist tool in its dashboard, don't worry. As long as they are partnered with TikTok for music delivery, you can still claim your profile by contacting their support team directly. Find their artist support or help section, submit a request, and provide them with your TikTok username and the details of your music releases. They will handle the process for you.