TIKTOK MUSIC RELEASE GUIDE

How to get your music on TikTok

To make your music available in TikTok's music library, prepare your audio release in DistroBolt, confirm TikTok delivery and check the sound when it becomes available. Adding audio directly to a video is a different route: an “original sound” upload is not proof that your recording has been distributed to the music catalogue.

This guide explains how to prepare a release, find the right sound and troubleshoot missing or incorrect information. Library availability is different from promotion, artist-account approval and any separate monetization programme.

Already approved? Open your audio-release page. Check your current plan before starting another subscription.

1. Prepare accurate files, credits and rights

• Finished audio: use the approved master and the lossless format requested by DistroBolt's current form. Check the correct mix, track order and ending.
• Artwork: the current portal requires square artwork of at least 3000 × 3000 pixels, JPG/JPEG/PNG in RGB and no larger than 10 MB. Do not enlarge a small image to meet the dimensions. Follow the current upload form if its intake requirements change.
• Song information: prepare the exact track and release title, primary and featured artists, contributors, label name, language, explicit-content information and relevant dates. Keep artist spelling consistent across releases.
• Identifiers and existing links: retain the ISRC for each existing recording, the release UPC/EAN and any existing TikTok sound or artist-account links.
• Rights: confirm permissions for the recording, composition uses, samples, beats, artwork and collaborators. Flag licence limits and an existing administrator before submitting.

Correct titles and artist roles help listeners distinguish the intended recording from a remix, cover or another artist with the same name. For example, label a live version accurately rather than submitting it as the studio master. Do not fix an information mismatch by creating repeated uploads.

Use the release preparation checklist for the full inventory.

2. Deliver to TikTok through DistroBolt

1. In your approved account, use New Release → Audio Release to open Create New Release.
2. Follow the release form for details, assets and tracks. Use your own intended label name for each release; white label is included automatically.
3. Confirm TikTok is among your intended destinations. The portal's release Services list includes TikTok. If the selection is unclear in your account, ask DistroBolt before submitting rather than assuming a default.
4. Provide the requested artist identity information and keep existing TikTok links ready. Explain whether this is a first release or a transfer. Check any matching information before submission.
5. Review rights, identifiers and dates, submit only when ready and retain your release reference. Respond to any correction requests, then check availability on TikTok.

TikTok delivery is part of the supported distribution destinations on Essential and Premium, subject to rights, platform acceptance and availability. It is not a separate Marketplace promotion purchase. Distribution does not automatically include a commercial-library placement, an approved Artist Account, a promotional campaign or guaranteed use in videos.

Prepare early: DistroBolt review, delivery and TikTok processing are separate stages. A submitted release is not confirmation that the sound is live. We do not guarantee an exact availability date or the same features in every country or account.

3. Find the distributed sound and use it in your own video

1. In TikTok's app, tap the + button to prepare a post, then Add sound.
2. Use the sound search to look for the exact song title and artist name. Preview a result and check its details to identify the intended recording.
3. Confirm your sound selection. Where the app offers it, adjust the available excerpt or starting point and preview the video before posting.
4. Check that the sound attribution is the one you intended. Keep its link for future reference or a support request.

The app's controls, available excerpts and sound choices can vary. A sound available for one account, territory or video format may not be offered in another. Do not assume an entire recording can be used in every post. Adding a second copy as original audio is not a reliable workaround for a missing catalogue sound or rights restriction.

4. Check artist identity and troubleshoot missing music

If a track cannot be found, first check the exact artist/title spelling, release and delivery status, the account type and the country where you are searching. If you have an existing sound link, distinguish “not found in search” from “the linked sound is unavailable”. Save any notice about the restriction.

If the sound is linked to the wrong artist, send DistroBolt the release reference, track title, ISRC, incorrect sound/profile link and correct artist-account link. Explain what should change. Read the artist-profile mapping guide; a shared name alone is not enough to establish the correct identity.

TikTok offers Artist Account features, including a Music Tab, and TikTok for Artists analytics for eligible certified Artist Accounts in supported markets. These are separate from delivering a recording. Check the options available to your account with DistroBolt; we do not promise automatic certification, a particular claim button or approval. An analytics view is not a royalty statement.

5. Distinguish library delivery, original sounds and commercial use

Distributed music-library sound

A recording supplied through the distribution route with its release information. Delivery still depends on rights and TikTok's acceptance.

Original sound

Audio associated with an uploaded post. A label saying “original sound” does not establish ownership or automatically replace a catalogue delivery, registration or licence.

Commercial Music Library (CML)

A separate catalogue cleared for commercial use. Ordinary distribution does not by itself establish CML inclusion or permission to use a track in advertising.

Business Accounts do not have access to TikTok's general music library in the same way as Personal Accounts. For content promoting a brand, product or service, TikTok recommends commercially cleared CML music. Music outside that library requires the necessary rights for the intended commercial use. Owning a master does not automatically settle every composition, sample or collaborator permission.

Do not change account type simply to bypass a restriction. If a video is muted, review the reason and contact DistroBolt when it concerns the delivered recording. YouTube Content ID is a separate platform-specific service, not a TikTok library switch; see our Content ID and administration guide if you also manage YouTube rights.

6. Understand fees and recording income

DistroBolt's standard distribution allocation is 90% to the artist side and 10% to DistroBolt. Essential costs €3.98 per single per year or €8.98 per EP/album per year. Premium costs €9 per month or €69 per year and replaces Essential annual release fees while active; the revenue share still applies. Check current plans and prices and Premium terms.

For an illustrative €100 applicable reported royalty amount, the standard allocation is €90 to the artist side and €10 to DistroBolt. This is not a forecast for any number of posts, views or uses. TikTok use counts and video views are not a fixed per-use royalty calculation.

Use DistroBolt's actual statements for recording income reported through your distribution agreement. Reporting and payment timing vary. Songwriter/publishing royalties and any TikTok creator, promotional or other monetization arrangements are separate. A library delivery does not enroll you in every revenue programme. Read royalty reporting and payouts. No viral result or earnings level is promised.

Practical TikTok release questions

DistroBolt · Updated 3 November 2026. Check current plan terms and platform requirements before submission or payment.