TikTok Sounds are the backbone of TikTok — and they can play a huge role in your growth on the app.
But how should you use TikTok songs? How do you find trending sounds on TikTok? And what are the benefits of making your own original audio?
We’re sharing everything you need to know about TikTok Sounds, so you can reach a larger audience. And hey — you may even go viral!
Table of Contents
How to Find Sounds on TikTok
There are four ways you can find and use TikTok Sounds to grow on the app.
Spoiler: we saved the best for last.
#1: Find TikTok Sounds on the For You Page
Your TikTok For You Page (FYP) is the ultimate source for finding relevant, trending audio in your niche.
Here’s how to find TikTok Sounds on the FYP for your own videos:
Step 1: Scroll the FYP. There’s a good chance you’ll stumble upon the perfect audio for your next TikTok.
Step 2: When you find the sound you want to use, tap on the sound to bring up its audio page.
Step 3: Tap “Use This Sound” to film your video right away or choose “Add to Favorites” to save it for later.
TIP: If you see the same sound appear in your feed over and over, it could indicate that it’s trending or viral.
Ready to kickstart your TikTok strategy? Create an account with Later to plan and schedule all your TikTok content in advance:
#2: Search For Relevant TikTok Sounds
You don’t have to wait for trends to fall into your lap.
Instead, do a little homework to stay ahead of curve. How? Search for, and make note of niche trends that are slowly picking up steam:
Step 1: Type “trending sounds” in the TikTok search bar, followed by the topic or trend you’re pondering.
Step 2: Filter videos to “This Week” to unlock videos from brands and creators sharing the top trending sounds and how you can use them. Jackpot.
#3: Explore the TikTok Sounds Library
Whether a sound is currently trending or has lived its last moments on the FYP, you can find it in the TikTok Sounds Library.
Filled with every song, sound clip, remix, and original audio to exist on the platform, the TikTok Sounds Library is organized by genre, popularity, and trends.
Access the Sounds Library by tapping the “+” on the home screen and then “Add a sound” at the top.
You can also search for sounds on TikTok’s Discover Page. Simply type the song into the search bar and tap “Sounds” at the top.
No library card required.
#4: Bookmark Later’s TikTok Trends Blog
Later’s weekly TikTok trends blog is a massive timesaver in helping you keep up with all things trending on TikTok.
Each week, our team of social media experts update the blog with the top TikTok trends, so you can focus on creating superstar content.
We also talk about how you can use the trends and incorporate them within your niche.
The takeaway? You can leave the heavy lifting to us. 💪
Can Brands and Businesses Use Trending Sounds on TikTok?
Commercial music limitations and copyright concerns mean finding sounds for TikTok Business accounts can be tricky — but not impossible.
Our advice? Understanding TikTok's legalities is key to creating successful content (and avoiding copyright infringement).
Luckily, anything that’s labeled “Original Sound” on TikTok is fair game for business profiles — meaning you’ll still have access to tons of trending sounds.
Plus, as of February 2023, Business Accounts can tap into TikTok's "Sounds for Business" — a library of 10 pre-cleared commercial sounds to power organic and paid content.
Simply head to the Sounds For Business playlist page to get started.
Level-up your TikTok content calendar with Later's social media management tools. Sign up today, for free:
How to Trim a Sound on TikTok
Choosing the perfect sound doesn't mean you are limited to its current length.
Enter: the trim feature.
You can trim a TikTok Sound in two ways — before you start recording a video or after.
Method #1: Trim a Sound on TikTok Before Recording
If the sound is the star of your TikTok, you can trim the sound before you hit record:
Step 1: Tap on the “+” at the bottom of the screen and press “Add sound” to select the song you want to use.
Step 2: Once you’ve picked your sound, tap the scissors icon to adjust it to your desired length.
Step 3: Drag the waveform to select a part of the song for your TikTok. Once you’re satisfied, tap "Done" to confirm.
And just like that, you’re all set to record your TikTok.
Method #2: Trim a Sound on TikTok After Recording
To trim a TikTok Sound after recording a video, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: After you’ve recorded or uploaded your video to TikTok, tap “Add sound” to select the song you want to use.
Step 2: When you’ve secured your desired sound, use the trim icon to chop it.
With the ability to edit sounds in-app, there are endless possibilities to create the perfect TikTok.
How to Make Your Own Sounds on TikTok
Original TikTok Sounds range from song covers and memes to music mashups and viral commentary.
The best part? Original sounds are often made by independent creators rather than major artists, meaning anyone can go viral.
Take this viral sound from TikTok creator jacky vc for example:
The humorous, self-deprecating audio has over 3M views, and more than 17K videos created using the original sound.
To create your own original audio, you can post a video from your camera roll, talk while you film in-app, or record a voiceover after filming.
Once your TikTok is out in the world, it’ll become an original sound ready to be used by other creators.
How to Add an Existing Song to TikTok Sounds
In short, TikTok doesn’t allow users to upload copyrighted music that isn’t their own.
However, remixes of songs are fair game, and sped up tracks have slipped through the cracks for quite some time — shaking up the music industry.
In fact, they’ve become so popular that some artists have released their own:
With 260K+ videos using the official sped up version of “Escapism,” Raye kept the engagement, exposure, and $$$ attached to her name.
How to Do a Voiceover on TikTok
Adding a voiceover to your TikTok is simple. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Once you’ve recorded your TikTok as normal, select “Audio editing.”
Step 2: Toggle to where you want to add your voiceover. Now, tap record using your original voice, or select one of the voice effects to add a little spice.
Step 3: If you aren’t happy with your voiceover, tap the “x” next to the record button and repeat Step 2. When it’s ready, tap “Save” and you’re good to go.
And just like that, you’ve recorded your very own original sound.
How to Block a Sound on TikTok
Have you ever become so sick of a TikTok Sound that you wish you could ban it from your For You Page?
While there isn’t a foolproof way to completely block a sound from your feed, you can show the TikTok algorithm you’re not interested, which should help it from popping up.
When you see a video using a sound you don’t like, simply press and hold the screen until the pop-up menu appears and tap “Not interested.”
Each time you see the same sound, repeat this process to show the algorithm you want it booted from your FYP.
How to Import TikTok Sounds to Instagram
While it’s technically possible to upload a TikTok Sound to Instagram Reels, it doesn’t necessarily mean we recommend it.
Because of potential copyright issues and ripping off the original creator, it’s best to stick to what you find in Instagram’s sound library.
Plus, TikTok trends typically show up on Reels a few weeks later — because where there’s a trending TikTok Sound, Instagram Reels isn’t far behind.
So, bookmark your favs and once they hit the Reels feed, you can jump right on them.
To get the most out of Instagram Reels, check out this Later blog post: How to Find Trending Sounds on Instagram Reels.
Why Are TikTok Sounds Important?
From funny audio clips to relatable voiceovers, you can find whatever you want in the TikTok Sounds Library.
By taking advantage of trending audios and creating your own original sounds, you can reach more eyes and land a spot on multiple FYPs.
Play your cards right, and you can turn a viral moment into lasting engagement.
Ready to plan your TikTok content in advance? Start scheduling with Later, the #1 social media management platform — create an account for free!
