TikTok Music Copyright Rules Explained (What’s Actually Safe for Creators, SMBs, and Ads)

Audiodrome   |   Last Updated: November 3rd, 2025   |   35 min read   |   Blog

Creators, agencies, brands, and small businesses want clear rules that keep videos live and revenue safe. This guide shows how to pick music that TikTok allows for commercial posts using the Commercial Music Library and when to use royalty-free alternatives for cross-platform plans.

This article follows official sources and turns them into step-by-step actions you can trust. We reference TikTok Support on commercial music, TikTok’s Intellectual Property and Copyright pages, and TikTok For Business resources that explain and show how to access the CML.

The rules simplified

Here is how to choose music for TikTok without getting muted or flagged.

When your post counts as “commercial”

If your video promotes a brand, product, or service, use TikTok’s Commercial Music Library only. TikTok explains that music outside the CML does not include rights for commercial use on TikTok, so branded posts should stick to the CML.

Business and Creator accounts follow the same rule when a post promotes something. Non-CML tracks do not cover commercial use on TikTok, so avoid them for ads, client work, or any sales content.

What the Commercial Music Library is (and isn’t)

The Commercial Music Library is a pre-cleared global catalog of about one million songs for organic content and ad creation on TikTok, as described in TikTok’s Business Help Center. You can rely on it for commercial posts inside TikTok because TikTok has cleared these tracks for that specific use.

You can browse and add tracks in Creative Center on desktop, and you can choose Commercial Sounds in the app workflow. This gives teams a consistent way to search and attach approved audio before publishing.

TikTok does not explicitly allow using CML tracks outside the platform. The official guidance defines the CML for content and ads on TikTok, so confirm rights elsewhere with a separate license if you plan to repost.

TikTok’s copyright policy (what’s enforced)

TikTok does not allow content that violates intellectual property rights and explains how to report suspected infringement in its Support pages. If a sound gets removed, TikTok shows the reason and provides an in-app path to appeal.

Check your copyright risk in 30 seconds

Run a quick check before you publish. Answer a few questions about account type, intent, source, and format to see your risk level with a clear next step that matches TikTok’s rules. Use it to prevent mutes and keep your workflow consistent.

Disclaimer: This tool gives general information and does not replace legal advice.

Choose music safely

Use this simple path to pick music that keeps your videos live, your ads compliant, and your clients happy.

Step 1 – Is this post commercial?

Yes. If the video promotes a brand, product, or service, use TikTok’s Commercial Music Library or use royalty-free music that includes commercial rights. This keeps you inside TikTok’s rules for advertising and branded content and avoids mutes tied to unlicensed tracks.

No. If the video is purely personal, TikTok sounds may work, but plan ahead. If you might turn the clip into an ad, collaborate with a brand, or repost across platforms, switch to the Commercial Music Library or a royalty-free track now to avoid re-edits later.

Step 2 – Will you run ads / Spark Ads / whitelisting?

If you plan paid promotion or whitelisting, choose a track from the Commercial Music Library or a royalty-free track that clearly allows ads. Confirm eligibility in TikTok’s Business Help Center and add the music through Creative Center so your ad and organic versions stay aligned.

Step 3 – Will you cross-post (Reels, Shorts, YT)?

TikTok does not explicitly allow using Commercial Music Library tracks outside the platform, so avoid CML if you plan to repost on YouTube or Instagram. Treat CML as TikTok-only unless the track terms say otherwise and assume you need a separate license for other channels.

Use royalty-free music with clear multi-platform rights if you want one edit that works everywhere. Pick the file once, save the license proof with your project, and reuse the same audio across TikTok, Reels, Shorts, websites, and ads without switching sounds later.

Step 4 – Is this client/influencer work?

Treat all client and influencer deliverables as commercial by default. Use the Commercial Music Library for TikTok deliverables or use royalty-free tracks that allow brand promotion and ads, and document approvals in your brief so editors and social managers follow the same rule set.

Avoid trending non-CML sounds on branded posts and store proofs. Keep the license file, invoice, and track link with each project folder so you can answer platform questions fast and submit an appeal if a sound gets muted in error.

Step 1 – Commercial?

Brand/product/service = commercial → use CML or royalty-free with commercial rights.

Step 2 – Ads?

Running ads/Spark/whitelisting? Use music explicitly licensed for advertising.

Step 3 – Cross-post?

Reposting to Reels/Shorts/YT? Prefer royalty-free with clear multi-platform rights.

Step 4 – Client/influencer?

Treat as commercial. Avoid non-CML trends. Save license, invoice, and track link.

Avoid mutes/claims

Use this section to plan, publish, and fix videos in a way that keeps your audio live and your account clean.

Content planning

Decide if the post is commercial before you pick a track. If it promotes a brand, product, or service, use TikTok’s Commercial Music Library or a royalty-free track with commercial rights to stay within TikTok’s rules for advertising and branded content.

Keep paperwork tidy from the start. Save the license file or invoice, the key terms, and the track URL in your project folder so you can answer questions quickly and support an appeal if TikTok mutes a video by mistake.

Upload workflow

Attach music through the Commercial Music Library in Creative Center if you are on TikTok, or import a royalty-free file that includes the rights you need. This aligns your organic and paid versions and follows TikTok’s Business guidance for commercial posts.

If muted/removed

Open the muted video and tap View details to see the reason. TikTok shows whether the issue is a copyright claim or a Community Guidelines violation so you can decide if you should replace the track or prepare an appeal.

If you have a valid license, follow the in-app Appeal steps and include proof. TikTok’s help page explains how to submit the appeal and notes that videos using the same sound can remain muted while TikTok reviews it.

Recovery guide when audio is muted

Go to the muted video inside the app and tap View details to see why the sound was removed. TikTok shows whether the issue is a copyright claim or a Community Guidelines violation so you can decide your next step with clear information.

If the post is commercial, replace the audio with a track from TikTok’s Commercial Music Library using the Change sound option in the editor. This keeps the video within TikTok’s commercial rules and restores playback without starting a new upload.

If you hold a valid license, submit an in-app Appeal and attach proof such as your license file or invoice. TikTok explains how to file the appeal and notes that videos using the same sound can remain muted while the review is in progress.

CML vs. Royalty-Free: which should you choose?

Treat the Commercial Music Library as TikTok-focused and check each track’s terms. TikTok’s Business pages describe CML use for content and ads on TikTok and do not explicitly allow use outside the platform, so verify rights before you repost elsewhere.

If you plan ads, the Commercial Music Library fits because TikTok flags it as pre-cleared for organic posts and ad creation. Add music through Creative Center to keep your paid and organic versions aligned and reduce the chance of audio issues during review.

For day-to-day operations, royalty-free music often wins when you need one edit that works across TikTok, Reels, Shorts, websites, and paid media. CML targets TikTok use, so royalty-free tracks with broad rights remove guesswork when clients want multi-channel delivery and future reuse.

Choose royalty-free when you plan multi-platform distribution, evergreen ad flights, client deliverables, or when you prefer legal certainty. Business and organization accounts already face limits on general music, so a single royalty-free license can streamline workflows and keep proofs tidy across projects.

Pro tip: Add music inside Creative Center for ad and organic versions, then export a checklist with the track link and license so editors, clients, and schedulers publish without delays.

Pick a safe music source for this upload

Get a precise recommendation for CML, royalty-free, or direct licensing based on promotion plans, ads, cross-posting, client work, and reuse needs. You will also get a short checklist so editors and schedulers publish with the same file and proof.

Disclaimer: TikTok designs CML for use on TikTok. Off-platform rights require separate confirmation.

Edge cases you should clarify up front

Influencer posts that promote a brand or product count as commercial content. Treat every deliverable as commercial, choose music from the Commercial Music Library or use royalty-free tracks with commercial rights, and avoid non-CML trending sounds on branded posts to prevent mutes and takedowns.

Live streams, Series, and political or government accounts need extra checks. TikTok notes that some Commercial Music Library music may be authorized for government and political accounts and advises getting rights holder authorization first, while Creative Center shows CML usage options for Series; if the documentation does not cover your case, say “I cannot confirm this” and use royalty-free.

If you operate in the European Economic Area, review TikTok’s Music Terms for the region before you publish. These terms define contract conditions that affect businesses and creators in the EEA and help you align licenses with platform rules and local obligations.

Read also:

TikTok monetization requirements: Eligibility, Music Rules, and Fast Fixes

Check it out

FAQs

These questions come from real Reddit threads where creators ask about TikTok music copyright issues.

Why did TikTok mute my video?

TikTok mutes videos when the audio triggers copyright controls or breaks Community Guidelines. Open the muted post and tap View details to see the reason and the next step that TikTok suggests. Cite TikTok Support: Copyright Policy and “Muted audio” help.

To avoid repeats, treat any brand or sales content as commercial and pick music from the Commercial Music Library or use royalty-free music with commercial rights. Keep your license file and the track URL with your project so you can appeal if needed. Cite TikTok Support: Commercial use of music.

How many seconds of copyrighted music can I use before it gets muted?

There is no safe number of seconds. TikTok’s systems can mute very short clips if you use copyrighted music without the right license. The “short use” myth does not give protection inside the platform. Cite TikTok Support: Copyright Policy.

If you want a guarantee, use the Commercial Music Library for commercial posts or use royalty-free tracks that include the rights you need. Save proof of rights so you can show it during an appeal. Cite TikTok For Business: Commercial Music Library overview.

My AI-generated song was muted for copyright. What happened?

AI-generated does not mean rights-free. If your track matches or resembles copyrighted content, detection can still mute it. If you used third-party models or stems that include copyrighted material, TikTok can remove the sound. Cite TikTok Support: Copyright Policy.

Publish commercial posts with music that you can document. Use the Commercial Music Library on TikTok or a royalty-free track with clear commercial and advertising rights, then keep the license or invoice. If you believe you have rights, submit an in-app appeal with proof. Cite TikTok Support: Commercial use of music and Appeals help.

How do I legally edit videos with licensed music for TikTok?

If the post promotes a brand or a product, pick a track from the Commercial Music Library inside Creative Center. Add the music during the edit so the ad and the organic cut use the same cleared sound. Cite TikTok For Business: Creative Center and CML.

If you need the same cut for Reels or Shorts, use a royalty-free file that includes multi-platform and advertising rights. Keep the license PDF, invoice, and track link in the project folder so schedulers and clients can publish with confidence. Cite TikTok Support: Commercial use of music.

How can I use copyrighted music in TikTok Reels?

If you post as a person and the video is not promoting anything, you may be able to use in-app sounds. The moment the video promotes a brand, a client, a product, or a service, use the Commercial Music Library or a royalty-free track with commercial rights. Cite TikTok Support: Commercial use of music.

If you plan to cross-post, avoid CML and pick a royalty-free track with clear rights for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. This keeps one edit usable everywhere and reduces the chance of mutes. Cite TikTok For Business: CML scope on TikTok.

My cover song video was muted. What can I do?

Covers still use someone else’s composition, so the upload can be muted even if the performance is yours. TikTok can remove the sound when you do not have the rights for the underlying song.

Open the muted post and tap View details. If you have a license that covers the composition for TikTok, submit an appeal and attach proof. If you do not have rights, replace the audio with a Commercial Music Library track or a royalty-free track and republish. Cite TikTok Support: Appeals help and Commercial use of music.

How to implement this (your workflow)

Decide if the post is commercial before you touch the timeline. Open TikTok Support and review the rule that branded or sales content counts as commercial, so you pick the right path at the start and avoid edits later.

Pick your music source based on that call. Use the Commercial Music Library for commercial posts on TikTok or choose royalty-free music with clear commercial rights, then save the license file, invoice, and track link so you can answer questions fast and file an appeal with proof.

Make a pre-flight decision about cross-posting. If you plan to publish on Instagram or YouTube, prefer a royalty-free track with multi-platform and advertising rights because TikTok does not explicitly allow CML tracks outside the platform and you want one edit that works everywhere.

For agencies and small businesses, write a short music licensing SOP and train the team. Include an approval template, a shared folder for proofs, and a quick post-mortem checklist to use when a video gets muted so you fix the source and prevent repeats.

Decide if it’s commercial

Branded or sales content = commercial. Choose the commercial path first to avoid re-edits.

Pick your music source

Use CML for commercial TikTok, or royalty-free with commercial rights. Save license, invoice, and track link.

Decide on cross-posting

Reels/Shorts planned? Treat CML as TikTok-only; choose royalty-free with multi-platform and ad rights.

Create SOP & train team

Approval template, shared proofs folder, and a post-mortem checklist for muted videos.

Ship it with proof

Publish with music you can defend and a workflow you can repeat. If the post is commercial, choose CML or royalty-free with clear rights. Save licenses, track links, and invoices. If audio gets muted, check View details, fix the source, and appeal with proof.

Author: Dragan Plushkovski

Hey there! I’m the founder of Audiodrome and a longtime creative in the digital product space. I’ve worked on over 60 product launches, managed video and music production workflows, and now help creators find the perfect royalty-free tracks for their content.

I understand how the law works behind the content we create, because I’ve spent years dealing with it firsthand. Alongside building Audiodrome, I’ve worked as a licensed forensic accountant and run a trademark protection agency, so I know what it takes to stay compliant, protect your content, and avoid the traps that catch so many creators off guard.

You can also find my work at mojbrend.mk (trademark protection, Macedonian) and plushkovski.com (forensic accounting, Macedonian). Read More

Audiodrome was created by professionals with deep roots in video marketing, product launches, and music production. After years of dealing with confusing licenses, inconsistent music quality, and copyright issues, we set out to build a platform that creators could actually trust.

Every piece of content we publish is based on real-world experience, industry insights, and a commitment to helping creators make smart, confident decisions about music licensing.

Resources

TikTok Support – Creator Rewards Program (overview) TikTok Support – Creator Rewards: How rewards work TikTok Support – Rewards vs. Creator Fund TikTok Support – Series (overview & specs) TikTok Support – Create & manage Series TikTok Support – Video Gifts (eligibility & ineligible posts) TikTok Support – Gifts on videos (Personal accounts) TikTok Support – Diamonds TikTok Support – LIVE Gifts eligibility TikTok Support – Age requirement to go LIVE TikTok Support – Moderation tools for LIVE TikTok Support – Content disclosure (Promotional / Paid partnership) TikTok Business Help – Disclosure impact study (≈2M videos) TikTok Support – Commercial use of music & Music Usage Confirmation TikTok Business Help – Commercial Music Library (overview) TikTok Support – TikTok One / Creator Marketplace access TikTok Support – TikTok Studio (monetization tools) TikTok Business Help – TikTok Shop (supported markets) TikTok Business Help – Seller Center availability & setup TikTok Support – Account types (Personal vs. Business) TikTok Support – Monetize on TikTok (hub)

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Quick Reference: Licensing Terms in This Guide

Commercial Use Royalty-Free Music Music Licensing Sync License Composition Rights Master Rights Usage Scope Territory Rights Platform Terms of Service Copyright Claims Takedown Notice (DMCA) Counter-Notice DMCA Content ID