How to Get TikTok Pro

Switching your TikTok account to a Creator or Business account is the quickest way to access the data you need to grow your audience. This simple, free change unlocks analytics that show you who your followers are, when they're most active, and which of your videos are actually resonating. We'll walk you through how to make the switch step-by-step and then show you how to use your newfound analytics to make better content.

First, A Quick Name Change: What Is a "TikTok Pro Account"?

Let's clear one thing up right away. What many people still call a "TikTok Pro Account" has actually been split into two separate options: a Creator Account and a Business Account. While the "Pro" terminology is a holdover from a few years ago, the function remains the same: it’s how you get access to TikTok’s built-in analytics and promotional tools.

If you're serious about building a brand, growing a community, or just understanding your impact on the platform, switching from a personal account is not just recommended - it's necessary. A personal account is for casual scrolling and sharing with friends. A Creator or Business account is for building something.

Creator vs. Business Account: Which One Is Right for You?

Before you switch, you need to decide which path makes the most sense. They both unlock analytics, but they are built for slightly different uses. Let's break down the differences so you can make the right call.

The TikTok Creator Account

This account type is designed for individual creators, public figures, influencers, and artists. It's the most common choice for people focused purely on creating content and building a personal brand.

Benefits of a Creator Account:

• Detailed Analytics: Get access to the full analytics suite, including follower demographics, video performance, and follower activity hours.
• Full Access to the Sound Library: You can use virtually any trending sound or popular song on the platform without restrictions. This is a huge advantage for jumping on trends.
• Creative Tools: Access to Creator-focused features like the Q&A function on your profile is typically available.
• Monetization Options: A Creator Account is required to join programs like the TikTok Creator Marketplace and the Creator Fund (once you meet the eligibility criteria).

The Bottom Line: If you are an individual content creator and your primary goal is to grow your audience and join in on trends using popular music, the Creator Account is almost always the right choice. The access to the full sound library alone is a massive benefit.

The TikTok Business Account

As the name suggests, this account is tailored for companies, brands, retailers, and organizations who use TikTok as a marketing channel to promote their products or services.

Benefits of a Business Account:

• Detailed Analytics: You get the same powerful analytics suite as Creator accounts, allowing you to track performance and understand your audience.
• Commercial Music Library: You gain access to a library of over 1 million royalty-free sounds and songs that are commercially licensed for business use. This protects your brand from potential copyright issues.
• Website Link in Bio: Business Accounts often get the ability to add a clickable website link in their bio sooner, which is invaluable for driving traffic.
• Promotional Features: You get access to marketing-focused tools, including the Ad Manager and the "Promote" feature, to run paid campaigns.
• Business-Specific Profile Features: Add an email address or other contact info directly to your profile, making it easier for customers to get in touch.

The Main Limitation: Business Accounts can only use songs from the Commercial Music Library. This means you cannot use most of the trending, chart-topping sounds that creators use. This can make it challenging to participate in certain viral trends, but it also ensures your brand is legally compliant.

The Bottom Line: If you are a brand promoting a product or service, the Business Account is your best bet. It provides you with the tools to drive traffic and the legal protection of the commercial sound library.

How to Get a TikTok Pro Account (Business or Creator): The Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to make the switch? The process takes less than a minute and is completely free. Plus, you can change your mind and switch back to a personal account or between Creator and Business at any time.

Here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Open TikTok and Go to Your Profile: Tap the Profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Access the Settings Menu: Tap the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines icon) in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Settings and privacy": At the bottom of the pop-up menu, choose Settings and privacy.
4. Tap on "Account": This is the very first option at the top of the menu.
5. Choose Your Account Type: You will see an option that says "Switch to Business Account." If you are currently on a personal account, you may see options for both Creator and Business. Select the one you decided on.
6. Follow the On-Screen Prompts: TikTok will show you a few screens explaining the benefits of your chosen account type. Tap "Next" to continue.
7. Pick a Category: You'll be asked to choose a category that best describes your account (e.g., "Public Figure," "Blogger," "Clothing," "Beauty," "Education"). Select the one that fits best and tap "Next."
8. Complete Your Profile (Optional): TikTok may prompt you to add an email address or a website to your profile. You can do this now or skip it and add it later. You're all done!

That's it! You've successfully switched your account. But where do you find your new powers?

Making the Most of Your New Account: A Quick Tour of TikTok Analytics

Gaining access to analytics is the primary reason for switching accounts. Don't let the data intimidate you, it's presented in a very user-friendly way. Once you have a Pro account, allow about 24-48 hours for data to begin populating.

To access your analytics:

• Go to your Profile.
• Tap the hamburger menu in the top-right corner.
• Select Creator Tools or Business Suite.
• Tap on Analytics.

Inside, you'll find four main tabs:

1. Overview Tab

This is your dashboard for high-level performance over the last 7, 28, or 60 days. You can track:

• Video Views: The total number of times your videos were viewed. Look for spikes to see which days your content performed best.
• Profile Views: How many times users visited your profile page. A high number suggests your content is making people curious about who you are.
• Followers: A graph showing your follower growth over time.

2. Content Tab

This tab is where you diagnose the performance of individual videos. For each video, you can see metrics like:

• Total Play Time: This tells you how much total watch time a video has accumulated. Longer is better!
• Average Watch Time: An incredibly important metric. It shows how long, on average, people watch your video. If you have a 30-second video and an average watch time of 25 seconds, you’ve made something super engaging. If your average watch time is just 3 seconds, people are scrolling away fast.
• Watched Full Video: The percentage of viewers who watched your video from beginning to end. Aim for this to be as high as possible.
• Traffic Source Types: Shows you how people discovered your video. Was it from the "For You" page, your profile, search, or from followers? Dominance on the For You page is usually the goal for viral growth.

3. Followers Tab

This tab helps you get to know the people who follow you. It's an absolute goldmine of actionable information:

• Total Followers: Your current follower count and growth rate over the past week.
• Demographics: A breakdown of your followers by gender and territory (country). This helps you understand who your content is reaching.
• Follower Activity: This is arguably the most valuable insight here. It shows you the hours and days when your followers are most active on TikTok. You can use this chart to pinpoint the exact best times to post for maximum initial engagement.

4. LIVE Tab

If you've gone live on TikTok, this tab provides data specific to those sessions, including total views, total time, new followers gained during the live event, and your top viewer count.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading from a personal TikTok to a Creator or Business account is a free, simple action that transforms you from a casual user into an informed creator. It empowers you with the data you need to stop guessing what your audience wants and start making content you know will hit the mark.

Once you tap into your analytics and discover the best times to reach your audience, the real work of consistent posting begins. That’s where we saw an opportunity to make life simpler. Our tool, Postbase, was designed specifically for today’s creators who juggle multiple platforms, especially short-form video. The drag-and-drop visual calendar we built lets you schedule your TikToks for those peak activity hours you’ve just uncovered, ensuring your content lands in front of your audience at the perfect moment every single time.