Guide to Upload Your Song on TikTok [3 Brilliant Ways]

Uploading a song to TikTok can feel like a puzzle, especially when you can’t find that perfect track already available on the app. You may remember the days of the “My Sound” feature, where you could easily upload songs straight from your phone’s library. Unfortunately, that handy option is no longer available, leaving many users wondering how to share their own music or favorite tracks that aren’t in TikTok’s library.

But don’t worry! There are still ways to get your song on TikTok. Whether you’re an artist looking to promote your latest single or just someone who wants to add a particular track to your videos, you have options. From using a music distribution service to directly uploading your song through creative video editing. Or, even setting up an artist account to make your track available to the broader TikTok community, there’s a path for everyone. 

This guide will walk you through these methods, step by step, so you can get your music onto TikTok and start creating the content you’ve been dreaming about. Let’s dive in!

Method 1: Use a Music Distribution Service  

When it comes to getting your song on TikTok, one of the most straightforward and effective methods is to use a music distribution service. You might be thinking, “Isn’t that just for professional musicians?” But the truth is, music distribution services are more accessible than ever, and they’re not just for the big names in the industry.

Imagine your song popping up in TikTok’s music library, ready for anyone in the world to use in their videos. It’s not just about getting your music out there—it’s about giving your track a chance to go viral. With the right distribution service, your song can be available on TikTok, alongside platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and more. Following are three of the most popular music distribution services and the steps to using each one to upload a song to TikTok.

DistroKid  

DistroKid is a platform tailored for musicians, offering a simple way to distribute your tracks to online stores and streaming platforms. When your audience streams or downloads your music, you earn revenue directly from it. 

Whether you’re a solo artist, band, DJ, producer, or any kind of music creator working from home or a professional studio, DistroKid provides an easy and efficient way to get your music out to the world.

Process 

For New Music:

1. When you’re uploading your track to DistroKid, simply check the box labeled “TikTok” to ensure your music gets added to the platform.

For Existing Music:

1. Log in to your DistroKid account.
2. Navigate to the album you want to add to TikTok.
3. Click on “Add to more stores.”
4. Select “TikTok” from the options and click “Add.”
5. If you don’t see the TikTok option, it means your music was already opted in during the initial upload.

After you’ve opted in, your music might take a few days to a week to appear on TikTok, especially if this is your first time releasing on the platform.

Fee 

DistroKid provides a plan for $22.99 that lets you upload as many songs and albums as you want throughout the year.

Ditto Music  

Ditto Music is a globally recognized platform for music distribution, publishing, and record label services. It enables artists to share their music worldwide across hundreds of leading streaming services and social media platforms, including major names like TikTok, Spotify, Instagram, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Pandora, Beatport, Tidal, Vevo, and Snapchat.

One of Ditto Music’s standout features is that you retain full ownership of your royalties and rights. It also offers an easy way to automatically split payments with bandmates, producers, or anyone involved in your music project. Collaborators can set up a free Ditto account to securely receive their share.

Additionally, the distribution service provides powerful tools like pre-save options, royalty splits, and lyric uploads. The platform’s dashboard gives you detailed insights into your streams, sales, and audience demographics, helping you make informed decisions to elevate your music career.

Process 

1. Sign up for a free Ditto Music account.
2. Use the Ditto Release Builder to upload your music to TikTok.
3. Upload your cover art, add lyrics, and select a release date.
4. Include any credits and list collaborators who should receive payments from TikTok.
5. Track your streaming stats on TikTok and keep all of your royalties.

Fee 

Ditto Music provides three pricing plans to suit different needs:

1. Starter Plan ($19/year): Upload unlimited music to all major platforms while keeping 100% of your royalties.
2. Pro Plan ($59/year): Gain access to advanced tools that help boost your visibility and maximize your earnings from your music.
3. Labels Plan ($89/year): Ideal for managing multiple artists, this plan offers everything you need to grow your label and tap into new revenue opportunities.

UnitedMasters  

UnitedMasters is a modern alternative to traditional record labels, designed to empower independent artists. It offers premium music distribution services along with opportunities for artists to collaborate with some of the world’s biggest brands. Beyond distribution, it also provides artists with data analytics, marketing and promotion tools, and creative services to help them expand their fan base, no matter where they are in their careers.

What sets UnitedMasters apart from traditional labels is that it allows artists to maintain full ownership of their careers, including the master rights to their music. With backing from major investors and a diverse lineup of independent artists, UnitedMasters is a compelling choice for those seeking to control their musical journey.

Process

1. Sign up with UnitedMasters and set up an Artist profile to get your music on TikTok.
2. Upgrade to UnitedMasters SELECT for unlimited TikTok releases.
3. Decide whether to distribute your music to an existing profile or create a new artist page.
4. Upload your track and artwork, then select a snippet to create your original sound.
5. Fill in the release details, and if you have any collaborators, add them to share royalties through Split Pay.
6. Choose a release date and wait until UnitedMasters approve it.

Fee 

UnitedMasters provides three pricing plans tailored to different needs:

1. DEBUT+ ($19.99/year): Ideal for those just starting out, this plan lets you keep 100% of your royalties while distributing your music to over 50 major platforms. You also get access to marketing tools and personalized career advice through Blueprint.
2. SELECT ($59.99/year): Includes all the benefits of DEBUT+ with the added opportunity to collaborate with iconic brands. You may also receive an invitation to join the exclusive PARTNER program.
3. PARTNER (Invitation Only): This exclusive plan offers dedicated artist support, global marketing opportunities, and access to curated brand partnerships and sync deals. Additionally, you can get pitched to playlist curators and receive advances to help fund your music career.

Method 2: Directly Upload Your Song on TikTok by Making a Video with Editing Software  

If you’re looking for a more hands-on approach to getting your song on TikTok, directly uploading it by creating a video with editing software might be the ideal solution. This method allows you to maintain complete creative control over how your music is presented, combining visuals and sound to perfectly reflect your artistic vision.

Here’s how it works: You start by creating a video that aligns with your song, using popular editing tools like Capcut, Filmora, or any software of your choice. Within these platforms, you can add your song as background music, fine-tuning the audio to match the mood and timing of your video. Once your project is complete, upload the final video to TikTok.

This method not only ensures that your song accompanies the visuals exactly as you intended, but it also makes your track available for others to enjoy and use in their own TikTok creations. 

Make a TikTok Video with Your Song on CapCut (Mobile)  

1. Open CapCut and tap New Project. 

2. Select the video you want to upload and tap Add.

3. If the video already has some background music you don’t need, you can mute the video by tapping the Mute Clip Audio option. 

4. To add a song from your device, tap Audio, and then select Sounds.

5. Tap From device.

6. Scroll through the list of available songs and choose the one you want by clicking on the + icon. Choosing a song that isn’t copyrighted is best to avoid potential legal issues. 
7. Select the track and edit or slice it if needed. 

8. Save the video by tapping the arrow icon on the top left corner of the screen. 

Make a TikTok Video with Your Song on DaVinci Resolve (PC/Mac)  

1. Drag the video you want and drop it into the Video 1 section. 

2. Navigate to the left bar of the screen (video pool), right-click, and select Import Media.

3. Select the song you want to add.
4. Once selected, the song should show up on the video pool. 
5. Click on it twice to open it, drag it, and then drop it into Audio 1. 

Make a Tiktok Video with Your Song with Filmora (PC/Mac)  

1. Open Filmora and add the video and song you want to upload to the media section in the upper left corner. 

2. Drag the video to the timeline.

3. If you have any music in the video, mute it by clicking the speaker icon.

4. Drag the music file and place it under the video.

5. To enhance sound quality, you can add a fade in and fade out effect to the music. Go to the start of the music timeline and drag the small circle a bit to the right. Do the same at the end of the music timeline, but drag the circle to the left. 

Disclaimer: If you edit your video using external software and upload it to TikTok, the platform will tag your audio as “Original Sound” under your username. Keep this in mind if it’s important for you to preserve your song’s title on TikTok.

How to Upload After Editing the Video with Your Song on TikTok  

1. Launch TikTok and tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen. 

2. Tap Upload.

3. Select the video you want to upload and tap Next.

4. Add effects, stickers, or text if needed and tap Next.

5. Add a caption to your video, check the Music Usage Confirmation box, and tap Post.

Method 3: Create an Artist Account to Bring Your Song on TikTok (Only for Spotify Artists)  

If you’re an artist with music already released on Spotify, you can bring your tracks onto TikTok without uploading them directly. This method is specifically for Spotify artists and offers a seamless way to share your music with TikTok’s massive audience.

While this approach doesn’t allow you to upload your song directly to TikTok, it does enable you to share your existing Spotify tracks on the platform, making it easier for your fans to discover and use your music in their videos. By creating an artist account, you can connect your Spotify catalog with TikTok, ensuring your music reaches a broader audience and becomes part of the creative fabric of TikTok.

Here’s what you need to do to create an Artist account on TikTok:

1. Launch TikTok, access your profile, and tap the three vertical lines at the top right corner of the screen, and select Creator tools.

2. Navigate to the More tools section, and select Artist Hub.

3. Next, you’ll have to take a few screenshots. Download the Spotify for Artists app and tap on your profile icon at the top right corner of your screen. 
4. Take a screenshot of the screen that comes up.

5. Navigate to your Discography tab (the disc icon at the bottom) and take a screenshot of it. 

6. Select one of your songs and take a screenshot of the stats.

7. Navigate to the Audience tab and take a screenshot.

8. Navigate to your Profile tab (last option) and take a screenshot.

9. Go back to the TikTok app and tap Artist Hub.
10. Upload all the screenshots and wait a few hours until all your songs are on their own feed on your profile. 

Benefits of Creating an Artist Account on TikTok  

Creating an Artist Account on TikTok is more than just a way to share your music—it’s an opportunity to build a deeper connection with your fans. This account is like a toolbox filled with features and promotional tools specifically designed to help you engage with your audience on a whole new level. 

Whether you’re sharing behind-the-scenes clips, promoting a new single, or interacting with fans directly, the Artist Account gives you the platform to make your music and personality shine. Now available to any artist or musician who has released music, it’s the perfect way to turn casual listeners into dedicated fans. Let’s explore some of these benefits in more detail:

1. Enhanced Visibility   

One of the biggest perks of having an Artist Account on TikTok is its boost in visibility. With millions of users constantly searching for new music and trends, your songs have a better chance of being discovered and shared. The Artist Account puts your music front and center, making it easier for your tracks to be found and used in videos.

2. Great Promotion Tools   

Having an Artist Account on TikTok comes with powerful promotional tools designed to maximize the impact of your music. One standout feature is the New Release tool, which ensures your latest tracks get the attention they deserve. With this feature, you can spotlight a new song up to 14 days before its release and keep it in the spotlight for 30 days afterwards.

This tagging system highlights your track and places it prominently on discovery pages, making it easier for TikTok users to find and engage with your music. It’s a fantastic way to ensure your new releases make waves on the platform, helping you reach more listeners and build momentum right from the start. 

3. Direct Connection with Fans   

One of the most powerful aspects of the Artist Account on TikTok is the ability to forge a direct and meaningful connection with your fans. You can share the stories, inspirations, and creative processes that shaped your music through features like Behind the Song. This not only gives your audience a deeper understanding of your work but also fosters a stronger emotional bond between you and your listeners.

4. Quick Access to Your Music with the “Music Tab”   

The “Music Tab” is a game-changer for artists on TikTok, offering a streamlined way for fans to explore and enjoy the entire music catalog. This feature curates all of your tracks in one easy-to-access place, making it simple for listeners to discover your songs without any hassle.

What’s even better is that any new music you release will be automatically added to the Music Tab, ensuring that your fans can engage with your latest tracks as soon as they drop. 

5. More Visibility on Discovery Pages   

One of the standout advantages of having an Artist Account on TikTok is the increased visibility on the platform’s Discovery pages. This feature ensures that your music isn’t just sitting in the background—it’s actively being put in front of potential listeners. With more eyes on your tracks, you can reach new audiences who might not have discovered your music otherwise.

By being featured on these Discovery pages, your songs can quickly gain traction, leading to more plays, more shares, and potentially even viral success. 

6. True Artist Identity   

With an Artist Account on TikTok, you have the opportunity to present your authentic self to the world. This account is designed to showcase not just your music but who you are as an artist. It’s a space where your true identity can shine, allowing fans to connect with you on a personal level and understand the vision behind your work.

Conclusion  

Uploading songs to TikTok may seem challenging, but there are several effective ways to get your music on the platform. Whether you’re using a music distribution service, creatively editing videos to feature your tracks, or setting up an Artist Account, each method offers unique advantages tailored to different needs.

The journey to getting your music on TikTok may involve different paths, but each one offers a chance to grow, connect, and share your art with the world. So, take the leap, explore these methods, and watch as your music finds its place in the ever-expanding TikTok universe.

FAQs  

Q1. How can I upload my own music to TikTok?  

You can upload your own music to TikTok using a third-party tool, provided that the audio is either cleared for use or is your original creation. You can do this by either using a music distribution service, making a video with video editing software and then uploading it, or creating a TikTok Artist account. 

Q2. Can you post any music on TikTok?  

You can share music on TikTok as long as it is not copyrighted. If you wish to legally include copyrighted music in your TikTok videos, there are three main approaches you can take:

1. Use music that you have personally written and recorded.
2. Contact the original artists directly to negotiate permission for specific uses of their music.
3. Utilize a music licensing service to access royalty-free music that is fully licensed and cleared for use.

Q3. How do I upload a song to TikTok from Spotify?  

If you notice that certain songs are available on Spotify but not in your TikTok music library, you can convert Spotify music to MP3 files and then incorporate them into your video using third-party apps.