How to Upload My Song on TikTok for Free

Want to turn your original song into the next viral TikTok sound? You've come to the right place. It's totally possible to get your music into TikTok's official audio library for free, making it available for millions of creators to use in their videos. This guide will show you exactly how to do it, step-by-step.

Why Getting Your Music on TikTok is a Game-Changer

More than just a social media app, TikTok has become one of the most powerful music discovery engines on the planet. A song taking off on TikTok can lead to millions of streams on Spotify and Apple Music, new fans around the world, and even record deals. Think of artists like Lil Nas X ("Old Town Road") or Arizona Zervas ("Roxanne") - their careers exploded after going viral on the platform.

When your song becomes an official sound, its chances of being discovered multiply. Every time someone uses your track, it links back to your official sound page, creating a web of exposure that can quickly spiral into a viral moment. For independent artists, there is no better or more cost-effective way to get your music in front of a massive audience.

The Wrong Way vs. The Right Way to Upload a Song

Many artists make a common mistake: they simply create a new video on TikTok and add their song as background music from their phone's library. While this gets your song *on* the platform in a video, it doesn't add it to the official music library.

Here's the difference:

• Uploading within a video: The audio is titled "original sound - [Your Username]". Other users can use this sound, but it's not credited properly, won't be linked to streaming services, and looks less professional. It limits its potential.
• Uploading to the music library: Your song appears in the audio library with its proper title and your artist name. Anyone can search for it, add it to their videos, and you receive official credit. This is the goal.

To do it the right way, you can't upload directly in the TikTok app. You need to use a middleman: a digital music distributor.

The Key to TikTok: Using a Free Digital Music Distributor

So, what's a digital music distributor? Think of them as the service that places your music onto all the major digital stores and streaming platforms - Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and, most importantly for us, TikTok and Instagram.

TikTok has deals with these distribution companies to populate its music library. When you submit your song through a distributor and select "TikTok" as one of the "stores," the distributor handles all the technical work of delivering your track and metadata to TikTok's system. Within a few days or weeks, your song will appear as a searchable, official sound.

While many distributors charge fees or an annual subscription, several fantastic options allow you to upload your music for free. They typically make money by taking a small percentage (usually around 15%) of the royalties your song earns from streams, but getting your music onto TikTok itself costs you nothing upfront.

Free Services to Get Your Music on TikTok's Sound Library

Here are a few of the most popular and trusted free music distribution services that can get your song on TikTok.

1. Amuse

Amuse is a popular choice for artists starting out, largely because of their completely free tier. Their mobile-first platform is easy to use, and they were one of the first distributors to offer a free path to major streaming services.

• Cost: 100% free to upload and release your music.
• Revenue Split: You keep 100% of your royalties. Amuse offers paid tiers for faster releases and more features, which is how they make their money alongside their record label services.

How to Upload Your Song with Amuse (Step-by-Step):

1. Create an Account: Head to Amuse.io or download their mobile app and sign up for a free account.
2. Start a New Release: Find and click the "New Release" button in your dashboard.
3. Upload Your Files:
   • Artwork: Upload your cover art. Make sure it's a high-quality square image, preferably 3000x3000 pixels.
   • Audio: Upload your song's audio file. Use a high-quality WAV file, not an MP3, to avoid compression issues.
4. Enter Your Song's Information: This is the metadata part. You'll fill in the song title, artist name(s), songwriter credits, and genre. Be as accurate as possible.
5. Select "Stores": This is the most important step! Amuse will show you a list of platforms to send your music to. Make sure that TikTok is selected, along with any other platforms you want to be on, like Spotify and Apple Music.
6. Submit &, Wait: Review all the information, then submit your release. Amuse will check your files and metadata to ensure they meet the platform requirements. The free tier can take a few weeks for this review and delivery process, so plan your release ahead of time.

2. RouteNote

RouteNote is another excellent free distribution service. They offer two main tiers: a Free option and a Premium option, giving artists flexibility based on their needs.

• Cost: Their "Free" tier is completely free to upload an unlimited number of songs.
• Revenue Split: With the free plan, you keep 85% of your royalties, and RouteNote takes a 15% commission. You can upgrade to a paid plan later to keep 100% if your song starts earning significant revenue.

The process with RouteNote is very similar to Amuse: you create an account, upload your assets and metadata, select the stores (making sure TikTok is included), and submit for distribution. It's a reliable alternative if you're looking for another free option.

Your Pre-Upload Checklist: Everything You Need Ready

Before you even open a distributor's website, having all your assets ready will make the process smooth and frustration-free. Here's what you need:

• 🎵 High-Quality Audio File: Your final, mastered song. Always use a WAV file (16-bit, 44.1 kHz is the standard). Exporting an MP3 will result in lower quality music on streaming platforms.
• 🖼️ High-Resolution Cover Art: A square image, at least 3000x3000 pixels in JPG or PNG format. This is your brand's first impression, so make it look professional.
• ✍️ Accurate Metadata:
  • Song Title (with correct capitalization)
  • Main Artist Name &, Any Featured Artists
  • Composer &, Lyricist Names (the actual songwriters)
  • Release Date (plan this at least 4 weeks in the future to allow for review time)
• ⚖️ Proof of Ownership: You MUST own 100% of the rights to the music you are uploading. This includes the musical composition and the master recording. Do not upload songs with uncleared samples or covers without the proper mechanical license. Distributors will reject releases that violate copyright.

Your Song is on TikTok... Now What? The Promotion Playbook

Getting your song on TikTok is just step one. Now, you need to be its biggest cheerleader to give it the best chance of catching on.

1. Find and Favorite Your Sound

Once your song is live (your distributor will notify you), search for it on TikTok in the "Sounds" tab. When you find it, add it to your "Favorites" so you can easily access it. The official sound page will show your artwork, artist name, and song title.

2. Be the First to Use It

Kick things off by creating a few videos yourself using your sound. Don't just post a video of the artwork. Get creative!

• Perform part of the song acoustically.
• Create a simple lip-sync or dance video.
• Use the song as background music for a "get ready with me" video, a story, or a funny sketch.
• Share the story behind the lyrics.

The goal is to show people how your sound can be used. Give them ideas!

3. Create a Call to Action

In your captions and on your other social channels, encourage your friends and followers to use the sound. Say something like, "My new song is finally on TikTok! Use the sound to show me your..." and create a simple trend idea. For example:

• "...your best sunset videos."
• "...your funniest pet moments."
• "...amazing glow-up transformations."

Make the prompt broad and easy so anyone can participate.

4. Engage with Every Video

As people start using your sound, make sure you watch, like, and comment on their videos. This engagement forges a connection with listeners and encourages others to join in. A simple "This is amazing! Thanks for using my song!" can go a long way.

5. Cross-Promote Everywhere

Share your favorite TikToks that use your sound on your Instagram Stories, Reels, and YouTube Shorts. This not only pushes the trend further but also directs your audience from other platforms to your sound on TikTok.

Final Thoughts

Getting your original music on TikTok for free is no longer a complicated secret. By using a free digital distributor like Amuse or RouteNote, any artist can get their track into the hands of millions of potential creators and fans. Just remember to prepare your assets beforehand and focus on promoting the sound once it's live.

With your song ready, the real work of promoting your release across every social platform begins. At Postbase, we know how tough it can be to manage content creation on top of a music career. We built our platform specifically for a video-first world, allowing you to easily plan and schedule all your promotional content for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts from a single visual calendar. This way, you can keep your momentum going without drowning in apps.