Are you having trouble using sounds on TikTok? Have you come across the error message, “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use”? Perhaps you were able to use any song in the past, but now you’re finding it difficult to use most of them. Or maybe you switched accounts and now you’re facing limitations with using songs. Rest assured, you’re not alone. Many TikTok users encounter the “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” error. In this article, we’ll explore why you’re facing this error and how you can resolve it.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Why did I get the “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” error?
- How to fix “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” on TikTok
- Can you use any song on TikTok?
- What the music restriction means for businesses
- Conclusion
Why did I get the “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” error?
If you received the “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” error, it’s likely because you have a business account. Unfortunately, mainstream music is no longer available for use on TikTok for business accounts. This change was implemented in early May 2020. TikTok introduced the Commercial Music Library for businesses, which means they can only utilize royalty-free music from this library. The aim is to simplify the process of music licensing for businesses. Although the full music library is not accessible to businesses, they can still use user-uploaded sounds. This update has received mixed reactions from TikTok users, including Dave Jorgenson (Washington Post TikTok guy), who expressed disappointment as he can no longer feature his favorite songs in his content. However, it’s important to note that this change only affects businesses and organizations. Regular TikTok users and stars can continue to use popular songs in their videos without any restrictions.
How to fix “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” on TikTok
To overcome the “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” error on TikTok, you need to switch back to a personal account. If you’re currently using a business account, you won’t be able to use mainstream songs on TikTok. By switching to a personal account, you regain access to mainstream songs for use in your videos. Here’s a step-by-step guide to switching your account from a business to a personal one:
- Go to your TikTok profile.
- Tap on the “triple-dots” icon on the top-right corner of your profile.
- Select “Manage account.”
- Choose “Switch to Personal Account,” and then select “Switch back” to switch to a personal account.
Once you’ve switched back to a personal account, you can enjoy using mainstream songs on TikTok again. However, please note that by switching to a personal account, you’ll lose access to your analytics and the ability to include a website link in your bio. If these features aren’t crucial to your TikTok experience, switching to a personal account won’t have a significant impact. However, if you’re using TikTok as a means of promoting your business, it’s advisable to maintain a business account. Just remember that with a business account, you can only use royalty-free music from TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.
Can you use any song on TikTok?
Absolutely! You can use any song on TikTok if you have a personal account. Simply select the song you want to use under any video, and it’ll be available for your own video. You can also explore and use songs from TikTok’s “Sounds” tab. However, if you have a business account, you won’t be able to use mainstream songs. Instead, you’ll find the Commercial Music Library in the “Sounds” tab, containing royalty-free music exclusively for business accounts. So, if you wish to use popular or trending songs on TikTok, you need to switch to a personal account.
What the music restriction means for businesses
The music restriction on TikTok significantly impacts businesses. As they can no longer use popular and trending songs in their videos, their reach and engagement may suffer. TikTok places high priority on trending content, meaning videos featuring trending songs are more likely to appear on the “For You” page. Since businesses cannot use trending songs, they’ll struggle to create trending content. Consequently, they won’t be able to keep up with the latest TikTok trends. Additionally, the restriction on mainstream songs makes it more challenging for businesses to go viral solely based on their content. To counter these limitations, businesses may have to invest in TikTok ads or create innovative content without relying on songs.
Conclusion
In summary, this article aimed to shed light on why you encountered the “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” error on TikTok and how you can fix it. TikTok has implemented restrictions on business accounts, limiting their access to mainstream songs. However, personal accounts and TikTok stars remain unaffected by this change. If you wish to use popular and trending songs, you’ll need to switch to a personal account. It’s worth noting that TikTok did not clearly announce this restriction, leading to confusion among users when the sudden change occurred.
Further Reading
- How to Get on The “For You” Page on TikTok
- The TikTok Shadowban: Everything You Need to Know
- What Does It Mean When The Following Button Is Green on Instagram?
Author: Lim How Wei is the founder of Followchain. Feel free to follow him on Instagram. 5 WS
