TikTok is one of the world’s most popular platforms for sharing short-form videos, especially those featuring music. Whether you’re a musician looking to promote your latest track, a content creator wanting to use an original sound, or simply a user interested in uploading your own audio, TikTok offers various ways to add songs to the platform. This guide will walk you through the detailed steps on how to upload a song to TikTok, explain how TikTok handles audio, and provide useful tips to get your sound discovered.
Understanding TikTok’s Audio System
Before jumping into the process, it’s important to understand how TikTok uses audio:
- TikTok Library Sounds: These are pre-approved songs and sounds from TikTok’s licensed music catalog.
- Original Sounds: Any audio recorded during your video or added manually is labeled as “original sound.”
- Commercial Sounds: TikTok provides a selection of royalty-free music under the “Commercial Music Library” for business accounts.
Uploading a song as an original sound is the most direct way for individuals to feature their own music.
Method 1: Uploading Your Song as an Original Sound
This method is ideal if you’re an artist or user who wants to share a custom sound.
Step 1: Prepare Your Song
- Ensure the audio is in MP3 or MP4 format.
- Keep it short and clear (TikTok videos are usually under 60 seconds, though longer formats are available).
Step 2: Open TikTok and Start Creating
- Launch the TikTok app.
- Tap the “+” button at the bottom center to create a new video.
Step 3: Upload a Video with Your Song
- You must include your audio in a video, as TikTok does not allow uploading audio files directly.
- You can either:
- Record a video while playing your song in the background.
- Edit a video using a third-party app (like CapCut, InShot, or Adobe Premiere Rush) and insert your song before uploading.
Step 4: Post the Video
- Add a caption and hashtags.
- Tap “Post” to upload the video.
- Once published, TikTok will automatically create an “original sound” named after your username (e.g., “original sound – @yourname”).
Step 5: Reuse and Share Your Sound
- Tap on the spinning disc icon in your video.
- On the sound’s page, tap “Use this sound” to create more videos with it.
- Share the sound’s page link so others can use your song too.
Method 2: Distribute Your Song via Music Aggregators
If you’re a professional musician or want your song to appear in TikTok’s music library like mainstream tracks, you need to distribute it officially.
Use Digital Music Distributors:
Platforms like the following can distribute your music to TikTok:
- TuneCore
- DistroKid
- CD Baby
- Amuse
- Ditto Music
Steps:
- Sign up with a distributor of your choice.
- Upload your track and cover art.
- Select TikTok as one of the platforms for distribution.
- Wait for the distributor to send your song to TikTok. This usually takes a few days.
Once approved, your song will appear in TikTok’s searchable music library for anyone to use in their videos.
Tips to Maximize Your Song’s Reach on TikTok
- Use Trending Hashtags: Boost your video’s visibility by tagging relevant trends.
- Create a Challenge: Encourage followers to use your song in a fun, creative way.
- Collaborate with Creators: Reach out to influencers to use your track.
- Pin the Sound to Your Profile: Promote it through your TikTok bio or featured posts.
- Name Your Audio Clearly: If uploading as an original sound, include the song title in the video caption.
Also Read: How to Add Captions to TikTok
