How To Make a Sound on TikTok Without Copyright

When creating content on TikTok, music plays a big role in setting the tone and catching attention. If you’re a musician or composer, you can freely use your own original songs in the videos you upload. But when it comes to using music made by someone else, especially popular tracks,  things get a bit more complicated. 

TikTok does offer a library of songs and sound effects that users can use legally, thanks to licensing agreements. However, adding music that isn’t yours and isn’t in TikTok’s library could lead to copyright issues. So before you hit upload, it’s important to understand what music you’re allowed to use and what might get your video taken down.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to make a sound on TikTok without running into copyright issues. We’ll also guide you through the steps to add your own music or audio to your videos and explain what to do if your TikTok content gets flagged for copyright. Let’s dive in!

How to add your own sound to your TikTok video?

Adding a sound in your TikTok video seems like a hard nut to crack, though it’s not. It is quite simple and can be done with the help of some easy steps:

• Open TikTok app and hit the plus (+) icon to start making a video. Tap Next when you’re done.

• Tap the Sounds icon to add music or sound effects.

• Use the search bar to find music by artist, song name, or genre.

• Tap the song you want to use.

• Trim the music if needed. TikTok videos are short, so pick the part you want.

• You can also make your video using other editing apps, add music there, and upload it to TikTok later.

Applying these steps properly will enable you to add the TikTok sound of your choice. A good selection of music also features your video in the TikTok FYP, which gives you an edge to show up as a prominent creator and grow your TikTok followers, likewise.

Important note: If you don’t have permission to use a song, you might see a message such as, your sound isn’t licensed for commercial use. This usually happens if the music isn’t in TikTok’s library or it’s meant only for personal use, not business or promotional videos

What Happens If You Use Copyrighted Music on TikTok?

You can imagine TikTok as a smart machine scanning every video for copyrighted music. Whenever you post a video, TikTok automatically checks if the music you use is allowed.
You’re safe if you picked the music from TikTok’s built-in library, or if you have permission to use a song. But if you’re using a song without permission, then you might face trouble.

How TikTok Detects Copyrighted Music:

TikTok has 3 ways to catch this:

• Automatic check: Every video is scanned by a system.

• Human reviewers: TikTok staff look for rule-breaking content.

•  User reports: Other people can report your video if they think it breaks copyright rules.

What Happens If You Get a Copyright Claim?

If your TikTok video gets flagged for copyright, it might be taken down at first, and you’ll receive a notification from TikTok. However, if you believe you have the right to use the song, you can file an appeal.

If you keep doing this after breaking the rule once, TikTok might suspend your account or, worse, delete it and ban you from creating a new one in the future. The best advice is to choose music from TikTok’s sound library or make sure you have permission to use the song. 

For those who aren’t aware, the TikTok sound library is a collection of pre-cleared music and audio clips that users can incorporate into their videos. It includes both a general music library for creators and a commercial music library for businesses, both of which are organized by trends, genre, and playlist.

What Music Can You Use in Branded TikTok Videos?

If you're posting a branded video or ad on TikTok, you need to be extra careful with the music you use. Not all songs in TikTok’s music library are allowed for commercial use, so if you use the wrong track, your video might get taken down.

TikTok has a Commercial Music Library just for business use. You can use these songs safely in branded content.  But the selection is limited, and the songs may not always be of the best quality.

In that scenario, the convenient way is to use copyright-free music that you’ve licensed yourself. That way, you know for sure your video is safe and won’t be removed.

How to Avoid Copyright Issues on TikTok?

Avoiding copyright issues on TikTok is easy if you follow these 3 simple steps to stay in TikTok’s good books:

1. Am I using copyrighted music?

If yes, you must have permission from the copyright holder. Also, remember:

• Music from TikTok’s built-in sound library is usually safe.

• But if you upload your own audio or music, be extra careful.

2. Do I have permission to use the song?

If you don’t have the proper rights, you might receive a copyright claim on TikTok. To avoid this, the safest option is to use copyright-free music or tracks that have already been cleared for use.

Using copyright-free music takes away the risk of your videos being taken down or flagged. So, always stay on the safe side and take advantage of TikTok features like this to get the most out of your content.

3. Did I get a copyright claim by mistake?

If TikTok flags your video but you’re confident the claim is incorrect, don’t bother, you can dispute it. Just fill out TikTok’s Counter Notification Form online to appeal.

By following these three steps, you can avoid potential copyright issues. Be sure to review them before creating your TikTok videos.

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand how copyright works on TikTok, it’s much easier to avoid problems and keep your videos from being taken down. So go ahead and keep creating and posting content, knowing that using the right music will help keep your TikTok account safe.

Knowing what music you can use is just the start. If you want to monetize your content or share your videos on other platforms, you also need to understand the limits of music use.