How to Use Commercial Sounds on TikTok

Using the wrong audio on a TikTok business account can get your video muted or even taken down. The platform is serious about music licensing, which is why brands need to use the Commercial Sounds library. This guide walks you through exactly how to find, use, and make the most of commercial sounds to grow your account without putting it at risk.

What Is the TikTok Commercial Sounds Library?

The TikTok Commercial Sounds library (sometimes called the Commercial Music Library or CML) is a curated collection of over a million royalty-free songs and sound effects that have been pre-cleared for commercial use. This means brands, advertisers, publishers, and any other non-personal accounts can use these sounds in their organic content and ads without worrying about copyright infringement.

Back in 2020, TikTok clarified its music usage policy, distinguishing between personal and business accounts. While personal accounts have access to the full, massive library of popular music, business accounts are restricted to the Commercial Sounds library and original audio. Why? Because popular songs are licensed for individual, non-commercial use only. Using a trending Charli XCX song to promote your brand is a commercial use, and that requires a different, much more expensive license.

Think of it this way:

• For Personal Accounts: You get the "General Music Library," which is full of popular, chart-topping hits. You can use these sounds for your own creative expression.
• For Business Accounts: You get the "Commercial Sounds Library." TikTok has already handled the legal side of things, so you can safely use any sound in this library to promote your products or services.

This distinction is TikTok's way of protecting both artists and brands from messy legal problems. It keeps your business safe while still giving you a huge library of audio to work with.

Why Following the Rules is a No-Brainer

It can feel frustrating to scroll through your For You Page, see a massive trend built around a popular song, and know you can't use it. But switching to a personal account to jump on the trend is a risky move that isn't worth it. Sticking with your Business Account and using commercial sounds is the smart play for several reasons.

1. You Avoid Legal Headaches

The most important benefit is that you stay compliant and avoid copyright strikes. Using unlicensed music for business promotion can lead to serious legal consequences, including hefty fines. The Commercial Sounds library removes that risk entirely. Every sound in it is pre-cleared, giving you total peace of mind.

2. Your Content Stays Active

TikTok's algorithm actively scans for infringements. If you're a business account using a sound you're not licensed for, one of three things will likely happen:

• The audio on your video will be muted.
• The video will be taken down completely.
• You'll receive a strike against your account, which can limit your features or even lead to a ban.

Using commercial sounds ensures your content stays live and your account remains in good standing. There's nothing more frustrating than spending hours on a video only to have it muted, ruining its potential for reach.

3. You Maintain Access to Business Features

A Business Account offers more than just a different sound library. You get access to valuable analytics, the ability to add a link in your bio (once you hit a certain follower count), and ad tools. Toggling to a personal account just to use a specific song means giving up the very tools that help you measure ROI and drive traffic for your business.

How to Find and Use Commercial Sounds: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding and using commercial audio is built right into the TikTok app and is a very straightforward process. Here's how you can do it.

Step 1: Make Sure You're Using a Business Account

If you haven't already, you need to switch your profile to a Business Account. Don't worry, it's free and only takes a minute.

1. Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top-right corner to open Settings and privacy.
2. Tap Account.
3. Select Switch to Business Account and follow the on-screen prompts. You'll pick a category for your business, and that's it.

Once you switch, you will automatically have access to the Commercial Sounds library and other business tools.

Step 2: Find Audio While Creating a Video

The easiest way to find sounds is directly within the creation screen.

1. Start creating a TikTok by tapping the + icon.
2. At the top of the screen, tap Add sound.
3. This will open the Commercial Sounds library. You'll see recommended sounds, discoverable playlists, and a search bar.
4. Use the search bar to look for sounds by artist, track name, or even a specific mood or vibe (e.g., "upbeat indie," "calm background," "epic cinematic").
5. When you find a sound you like, tap it to preview it. Tap the red checkmark to add it to your video. Now you can record clips or upload footage, and the audio will be synced.

Pro Tip: As a business, you'll see a green "Commercial songs" page first. You can tap over to see official playlists curated by TikTok's team, such as "TikTok Viral" or "New Releases" - these are updated regularly with commercially licensed trending tracks where possible.

Step 3: Save Sounds on the Fly

Great audio inspiration often strikes while you're just enjoying the app. If you see a video from another brand using a sound you like, you can save it for later.

1. On any video, tap the rotating record icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. This will take you to the approved sound's page.
3. Tap Add to Favorites. The sound is now saved for you.

To access it later, go to the Add sound menu when creating a video and tap the Favorites tab. All your saved commercial sounds will be right there, ready to use.

Smart Strategies for Using Commercial Sounds

So you're restricted to the Commercial Sounds library. How do you compete with creators using the biggest hits on the radio? The key is focusing on format and creativity rather than just piggybacking on a famous song.

1. Focus on Trending Formats, Not Songs

Many TikTok trends aren't about the specific song - they're about the format of the video. Think about trends like:

• "A day in the life..."
• "What I eat in a day..."
• "Pack an order with me."
• Point-of-view (POV) skits.

You can participate in all of these trends using an unobtrusive, upbeat commercial sound in the background. Your audience cares more about the story you're telling visually. The audio is just there to add flavor and energy - it doesn't need to be a Drake song to get views.

2. Use Original Audio and Voiceovers

One of the best ways around the music restriction is to create your own sound. Original audio stands out and allows you to communicate directly with your audience. Some popular ideas include:

• Talking directly to the camera: Share a tip, tell a story about your business, or answer a frequently asked question. This is an excellent way to build authenticity.
• Making a voiceover: Showcase your product while your voice explains its functions, benefits, or the story behind it. This type of audio is shareable and helps promote other creators to use it.

When your original audio goes viral, every video utilizing it becomes an advertisement for your brand.

3. Lean into Sounds with Dialogue

Search for "talking" or "dialogue" in the commercial music library to find clips from movies, shows, and other licensable content. These can be powerful for adding comedy and personality to your videos, especially in skits, memes, and list-style content. When lip-syncing to a clip, your product, service, or team member becomes the star of the show.

4. Look for Versatile Background Tracks

Sometimes, the best audio is the one that doesn't distract. Use terms like "lo-fi," "instrumental," "acoustic," or "chill" to find simple tracks that set a mood without overpowering the visuals. This works especially well for tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or product posts where you want the focus to be solely on what you're showing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Navigating TikTok's audio rules is easy, but a few common mistakes can leave even well-intentioned brands in trouble.

1. Temptingly Using a Popular Song

It might be tempting to use a non-commercial audio that has become a trend and hope for the best. Don't do it. TikTok's systems are efficient at detecting this, and your video will either be taken down or muted, and in a worst-case scenario, it may affect your account's standing. It's a risk with no reward and not worth the headache.

2. Not Engaging in Trends

It can be discouraging to feel like you're missing out on every big trend, but businesses don't have to sit on the sidelines. Instead, adapt the trend by using your own voiceover, finding a commercial audio with a similar vibe, or focusing on the visual formatting of the trend and its storytelling in your way. The best brands on TikTok don't just copy trends, they reinterpret them to fit the brand's voice.

Final Thoughts

Using TikTok's Commercial Sounds library is a simple yet powerful way to ensure your brand's content is safe, compliant, and effective. By understanding what it is, how to find sounds, and using creative strategies like focusing on formats and original audio, you can effectively participate in TikTok's cultural turn without putting your content at risk.

At PostBase, we believe in making social media a seamless and straightforward experience. Since TikTok is all about short-form video, it's important to have tools that can schedule and visualize your content calendar effortlessly. We designed PostBase from the ground up to manage video-first platforms like TikTok, Reels, and Shorts so you can plan your content, trust that it will be published on time every time, and get back your day to focus on creating engaging content instead of wrestling with your tools. You can easily build your brand.