PostEaseThe short answer
On TikTok and Instagram, the popular songs in the app are licensed for personal posts, not for promoting a business. Meta says the music in its licensed library “is intended for personal, non-commercial use,” and TikTok says businesses “cannot use the general music library for commercial usage.” Each offers a separate library cleared for business: TikTok’s Commercial Music Library and Meta’s Sound Collection.
YouTube works differently. Its Audio Library is copyright-safe for any creator, and YouTube says tracks downloaded from it won’t be claimed through Content ID, with Partner Program channels able to monetize videos that use them.
The libraries side by side
From each platform’s own help pages, as read in October 2026:
| Platform | Library | Size | Cleared for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Commercial Music Library (Commercial Sounds) | About 1 million songs | Business organic posts, ads and branded content; free for businesses |
| Instagram and Facebook | Meta Sound Collection | Over 14,000 songs and sounds | Reels and Stories, including commercial uses like ads |
| YouTube | Audio Library | Not stated; new releases twice a month | Any YouTube video; monetizable in the Partner Program; some tracks need a credit |
What business accounts see
Account type changes the music on offer:
| Platform | Business account | Personal or creator account |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Add Sound shows only Commercial Sounds | All sounds; Commercial Sounds from the Sounds dropdown |
| Certain business accounts and post types have no licensed library; Sound Collection instead | Licensed audio library, for personal, non-commercial use | |
| YouTube | Audio Library in YouTube Studio | The same Audio Library |
Sponsored posts by creators
A creator’s sponsored post is commercial content even from a personal account. TikTok recommends only Commercial Music Library music in posts that promote a brand, and if you use other music it asks you to confirm, through its Music Usage Confirmation, that you hold the licenses. Instagram’s page on boosting says boosted reels can’t use licensed music and recommends royalty-free music such as the Sound Collection, or original audio. On YouTube, the Audio Library’s guarantee covers its own downloads; YouTube says it is not responsible for “royalty-free” music from other channels or libraries.
A checklist before posting
For any post that promotes something:
- Pick the track from the platform’s business library, or use your own original audio.
- On YouTube, credit Creative Commons tracks in the description.
- If the brand supplied music, get the license in writing.
- Turn on the platform’s paid partnership or disclosure label as well; music and disclosure are separate rules.
Questions
Can businesses use popular songs on TikTok and Instagram?
Not from the in-app libraries meant for personal use. TikTok points businesses to its Commercial Music Library, and Meta to its Sound Collection, both cleared for commercial use.
Can I use trending music in a sponsored post?
TikTok recommends only Commercial Music Library music in posts that promote a brand, and asks you to confirm you hold licenses for anything else. Boosted Instagram reels can’t use licensed music.
Is YouTube Audio Library music safe for business videos?
YouTube says Audio Library music is copyright-safe and won’t be claimed through Content ID. Tracks with a Creative Commons license still need a credit in the description.
Sources
- TikTok, About the Commercial Music Library, July 2025.
- TikTok, How to use the Commercial Music Library, July 2026.
- TikTok, Commercial use of music on TikTok, checked October 2026.
- Meta, Access to the licensed music library on Instagram, checked October 2026.
- Instagram, Boost an Instagram Reel, checked October 2026.
- YouTube, Use music and sound effects from the Audio Library, checked October 2026.