Use Sound and Music with the Right Permissions

Choose audio that supports the message and is suitable for the way the post will be used.

Make the message audible

Start with clear speech and useful natural sound. Background music should support the demonstration rather than compete with it. Listen on ordinary phone speakers and headphones, and make sure captions preserve the main meaning when sound is off.

A trending sound is not a requirement for a useful post. Select audio because it fits the subject, audience and rights available to you, not because someone promises that a particular track guarantees distribution.

Separate availability from permission

For commercial content, TikTok provides the Commercial Music Library. Check the relevant region and usable placements when choosing a track. Music available in a general listening library is not automatically cleared for a brand’s commercial use.

If you use music or other audio outside the appropriate library, make sure the required rights cover your intended use. Recording a television, importing a song or crediting its performer does not by itself provide those rights. Keep evidence of permissions with the media file.

Plan paid reuse early. Audio that works for an ordinary post may not be suitable for an advertisement or use on another platform. Before promoting a creator’s video, check the content and music rights for that particular campaign rather than assuming the creator’s upload settles everything.

Check your understanding

Does giving credit to a song owner automatically make a commercial use permitted? No. Attribution and permission answer different questions.