How to Use Original Sound on TikTok

Using an original sound on TikTok is one of the most effective ways to boost your content’s reach and build a recognizable brand on the platform. Going beyond the trending audio library allows you to create a unique piece of sonic identity that can turn into a viral trend started by you. This guide breaks down exactly how to create and upload your own sounds and offers clear strategies to help your original audio take off.

So, What Exactly Is an Original Sound on TikTok?

On TikTok, every video has an audio track attached to it. When you use a popular song or a clip from the app's extensive library, TikTok credits the original artist or creator. But when you upload a video with audio that isn't from the library - like your own voiceover, a sound effect you created, or a jingle for your business - that audio becomes an "original sound."

Here’s why that matters: every original sound is automatically linked back to your profile. The sound gets its own page, and your video is featured at the very top as the first one to use it. Anyone who taps on the sound in another video will be taken to that page, giving you and your original video a constant stream of visibility and traffic. Think of it as a discoverability tool that works for you long after you've posted.

This is a huge opportunity for organic growth. If your sound is catchy, funny, or relatable, other creators will use it in their own videos. Every time someone does, they are essentially promoting your profile. Well-known brands have used original sounds to create memorable product soundscapes, and everyday creators have launched entire careers from a single, viral voice memo. It’s your chance to start a conversation rather than just join one.

Two Core Ways to Add an Original Sound

Adding your own audio to the platform is surprisingly simple. There are two primary methods creators and marketers use, depending on their workflow and desired level of quality.

Method 1: Recording Directly in the TikTok App

This is the quickest and most straightforward way to create an original sound, perfect for in-the-moment thoughts, vlogs, or raw reactions.

• Step 1: Open the Main Camera. Launch the TikTok app on your phone and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom of the screen to open the video creation interface.
• Step 2: Record Your Video with Sound. This is the key step. Film your video as you normally would, but make sure your microphone is picking up the sound you want to capture. This could be you talking to the camera, the ambient noise of a location, an acoustic music performance, or any real-world audio. For the highest quality, try to minimize background noise unless it's an intentional part of the sound.
• Step 3: Edit Your Clip. Once you're done recording, tap the red checkmark to move to the editing screen. Here, you can trim your clip, add text overlays, apply filters, and make any other visual adjustments. The sound you just recorded will be the designated audio for the clip.
• Step 4: Rename Your Sound. Now, proceed to the final posting screen. At the very bottom, you’ll see the track's name, which by default will say something like "Original Sound - [Your Username]." This is the most important part! Tap on that name. A box will pop up allowing you to rename it. Always give your sound a descriptive, catchy, or searchable name. Instead of the default, name it something like "Awkward Silence After a Bad Joke" or "That Good Coffee Morning Vibe."
• Step 5: Post Your Video. After renaming the sound, add your caption, relevant hashtags, and post it. Your audio is now officially an original sound that other users can discover and use in their own content.

Method 2: Uploading a Pre-Edited Video with Audio

For brands, marketers, and creators who want more polished content, this method is the go-to. It gives you complete control over your audio quality, allowing you to mix voiceovers with music or sound effects using external video editing software.

• Step 1: Create and Edit Your Video Externally. Use a video editor on your computer or phone, like CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, or Adobe Premiere Pro. This is where you can perfect your video, add a high-quality voiceover, mix in background music you have the rights to use, and add custom graphics or sound effects.
• Step 2: Export and Transfer. Once your video is complete, export the final file (with the audio baked in) and get it onto your mobile device. You can AirDrop it, use cloud storage like Google Drive, or transfer it via a cable.
• Step 3: Upload to TikTok. Open the TikTok app, tap the plus icon (+), but this time, tap the "Upload" button next to the record button. Select your pre-edited video from your phone's camera roll.
• Step 4: Make Final Tweaks and Post. TikTok will process your video and take you to the editing/posting screen. Just like with in-app recording, tap the default sound name at the top or bottom of the screen ("Original Sound - [Your Username]") and rename it to something memorable and SEO-friendly. Add your caption and hashtags, and you're ready to share your high-quality original sound with the world.

Strategies to Make Your Original Sound Go Viral

Just creating an original sound isn't enough, you need to give it wings. The most successful sounds are highly strategic. They are intentionally designed to be discovered and re-shared by others. Here are some actionable tips to get your sound trending.

Keep It Short, Sweet, and Loopable

TikTok’s algorithm heavily favors content that has high watch time and repetition. Sounds that are short (ideally between 7 and 15 seconds) tend to perform best. A great audio clip often loops seamlessly, making viewers listen to it multiple times during a single video viewing. This repetition racks up watch time and signals to the algorithm that the content is engaging. Think of a quick punchline, a catchy musical phrase, or a relatable one-liner.

Make It Broadly Relatable or Reusable

The golden rule of viral sounds is this: can someone else imagine using this for their own life? The best original sounds are versatile. They act as a template for someone else's creativity. You can achieve this in a few ways:

• Emotional Reactions: A sound expressing surprise ("Oh my god, what is that?!"), frustration, or joy is incredibly easy for others to lip-sync over their own experiences.
• "Point of View" Scenarios: Audio that paints a picture, like "POV: you finished all your work on Friday," gives creators an immediate prompt.
• Answer a Question: Create a sound that poses a question, such as, "Tell me you work in retail without telling me you work in retail." This format directly invites video replies.

Give Your Sound a Clear and Searchable Name

We mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating. Renaming your sound is non-negotiable for virality. When people hear a sound they like, they often search for it later. Nobody is searching for "Original Sound - brandx_official," but they are searching for "Funny Waking Up on Monday Sound" or "Unboxing ASMR Sound Effect." Think like a user and name your audio what someone would actually type into the search bar. This simple step transforms your sound from a random clip into a discoverable asset.

Kickstart Momentum by Reusing It Yourself

Don't just post your sound once and wait for magic to happen. Be its first and most enthusiastic advocate! In the days following your initial post, use your own original sound in 3-5 different videos. Showcase its versatility by applying it to different contexts or formats. This activity feeds the algorithm positive signals and demonstrates to other users how the sound can be adapted, inspiring them to join in.

Create a Trend or Challenge Around It

Explicitly tell people what to do with your sound. In your original video’s caption, create a call-to-action that encourages participation. Frame it as a challenge or trend, for example:

• "Use this sound to show off your small business wins this week!"
• "This is the official sound of a perfectly clean kitchen. Use it to share yours!"
• "Duet this and show me your a-ha moment!"

By giving clear instructions, you remove the creative barrier to entry and make it extremely easy for people to join your trend.

One Important Rule: Navigating Copyright

A quick but critical final point: do not rip trending songs from popular artists, slightly edit them, and try to pass them off as an original sound. TikTok’s copyright detection system has become extremely sophisticated. If you upload a video with licensed music that isn't from its library, the platform will likely identify it and may mute your audio or remove the video entirely.

Original sounds are just that - original. Use your own voice, record sounds from your environment, create a musical bit yourself (if you have the talent!), or use royalty-free music and sound effects that you have a proper license for. For businesses wanting to use popular-sounding music safely, always stick to TikTok’s Commercial Music Library, which is a collection of tracks cleared for brand and marketing use.

Final Thoughts

Creating an original sound is a powerful brand-building tool that's much more accessible than many creators realize. Whether you record directly in the app or upload a professionally edited clip, the key is to make your audio short, relatable, searchable, and easy for other people to reuse. Do that consistently, and you place yourself in a prime position to start the next big trend on the platform.

Of course, pushing an original sound often means planning and scheduling multiple pieces of content to build momentum. This is where keeping track of everything can get messy. We designed our visual Content Calendar at Postbase to solve this exact problem. It allows us to lay out our video strategy for the weeks ahead, ensuring we post consistently with our new sound without everything feeling chaotic. Scheduling high-quality videos directly from a desktop makes the whole workflow better, helping get that next viral sound off the ground.