TikTok Sounds is what has made the platform such a resounding success. As a matter of fact, here’s what found they found when they partnered with Kantar to find out more about the importance of sound on digital marketing:

Nearly 90% of TikTok users shared that sound is key to the TikTok experience. More than 70% of TikTok users who participated in the research shared that they would watch ads on TikTok with audio. TikTok users describe sound on TikTok as almost double the fun compared to other social media platforms.

Like it or not, TikTok sounds are integral to how the platform works. If you remove it, virtually all the content will lose its meaning.  If you’re not using this feature to its full potential yet, here’s everything you need to know about it and how to use it to grow your brand. We’ve also included a number of top sounds and songs to get you started on a high note. 

TikTok Sounds: How to Use Them and Why You Should:

How Can You Select a TikTok Sound?

There’s more than one way that you can select a TikTok sound. You can either use the TikTok Sounds Library, save a song that another creator used, or, if you’re feeling creative, create your own TikTok Sound.

Using the TikTok Sounds Library

In your TikTok Sounds Library, you can search and browse the entire music library of TikTok. You can, for example, search by genre or click on New Released if you want to see what’s been added most recently. All in all, the feature is very easy to understand and use.  To access the Sounds Library, click on the “+” icon in the middle of the navigation bar at the bottom of your home screen.  At the top of your screen, you’ll see an icon of a music note with the option to add sound.  If you know which song you want to add, you can just enter the name of the song into the search bar on TikTok’s Discover page and click on Sounds.

Saving a song that another creator used

If you already know which song you want to use but you don’t necessarily know its title or the name of the artist, you can access it via a TikTok video that’s using it. Or, perhaps you’re checking out videos on the For You page and you want to use a song that you heard in one of the videos?  In this case, when you play the video, you can just tap on the sound and you’ll be redirected to the audio page. Then, if you’re ready to start recording immediately, you can click on “Use this sound”. Alternatively, you can save it to be used at a later stage by tapping on “Add to Favorites”. 

Creating your own unique sounds

Whether it’s a voiceover, running commentary, or a mash-up that you had in mind, the TikTok app also allows you to create your own original sound. This extra effort is a great way to ensure that your branding remains consistent.  Not only is it useful for branding purposes, but it can also create loads of exposure for you since original sounds can also get listed in recommended and trending categories. This means that other creators on the platform may also include it in their videos.  Step 1: Tap the create button (the “+” icon) on the button of your screen to create a new video.  Step 2: Record the video with your sound on.  Step 3: After you’ve completed the recording, tap the red checkmark to continue. Step 4: To edit your original sound, use the panels at the bottom and on the right-hand side of your screen. You can, for example, play around with voice effects or speed up or slow down the clip.  Step 5: Tap on “Next” in the right-hand corner at the bottom of your screen to post your video. Step 6: Go to your profile, select your video, and watch it.  Step 7: At the bottom of your screen in the right-hand corner, you’ll see an icon of a spinning record. When you tap on it, you can add it to your Favorites and change its title. If you want to use it in another video, all you need to do is to click on the “Use this sound” button at the bottom of your screen.  

How Can You Include a TikTok Sound in Your Video?

If you want to add a TikTok sound to your videos, you have two options. You can either add it to an existing video or add it to a new video. We’ll walk you through both options.

Adding a sound to a new video

One of the benefits of using this approach is that it will be much easier to synchronize your moves to music. Think of it as your very own backing track. Step 1: Tap on the “+” icon at the bottom of your home screen to begin shooting your new video. Step 2: At the top of the screen, tap on “Add sounds”. It’s right in the middle at the top of your screen.  Step 3: Look through the sound library. Once you’ve found the sound that you want to use, tap on it. Step 4: Start recording your video. The sound will play while you record. 

Adding a sound to an existing video

While you can add a sound to a video after you’ve created it, this approach can make it more difficult to sync the moves to the beat of the music. That being said, what makes this feature so useful is that you can use it to “repurpose” older videos. Perhaps there’s a new release that’s currently trending? How about including it in one of your previous videos? Step 1: Tap on the “+” icon to start.  Step 2: Upload your content. Step 3: Tap on “Sounds”. You’ll see it in the left-hand corner right at the bottom of your screen.  Step 4: You’ll now see a list of recommended sounds and songs based on your video. It will also include some sounds and songs that are trending at the moment. Once you’ve found a song, click on the soundwaves and drag them to select the part that you would like to include in your video. Tap on the checkmark when you’re ready. Step 5: As mentioned earlier, you can also add sounds and songs to your favorites. If you would rather like to use a sound bite that you’ve saved to your Favorites, all you need to do is to tap on “Favorites” and complete the same steps (aka click and drag the soundwaves) to choose the part of the audio file that you would like to include. 

If you don’t want to go to all the effort of recording your own original sound and not really want to browse its extensive library in particular, here are 10 of the most popular songs and sounds that you can include in your videos. 

“Make You Mine” by PUBLIC

For something romantic, you can check out “Make You Mine” released by PUBLIC. It was first posted in October 2019 and since then it’s been used in nearly 2 million videos. Though, just keep in mind that it’s not licensed for commercial use.

“Say So” by Doja Cat

Doja Cat’s song, “Say So” went viral after Haley Sharpe, an influencer on TikTok, used it to start a dance challenge. It’s been used in more than 10 million videos and it has also reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

“I’m Just a Kid” by Simple Plan

“I’m Just a Kid” has been used in over 3 million videos on TikTok. It’s often used by teen parents posting videos about their experiences of being a teen mom/dad. All in all, it’s a great anthem for the youth and will have you screaming along, even if your nightmare is not to take care of a screaming infant.

“Hard Times” by Paramore

For a more upbeat tune to accompany your hard times, you can check out Paramore’s “Hard Times”. It’s also not licensed for commercial use, though. 

“Y U Gotta B Like That” by Audrey Mika

Any pet peeves that are working on your nerves? Need to take to TikTok to settle a debate? You can keep it lighthearted with Audrey Mika’s “Y U Gotta B Like That” as soundtrack to your clip.  

“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac

The song “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac was used in a video by Nathan Apodaca. It features him skateboarding while sipping on Ocean Spray cranberry juice. The video quickly became viral in 2020, so much so that it completely changed the TikTokker’s life. He went from living in an RV to being able to buy a five-bedroom house. We’re not saying the song can help you to make your dreams come true too, but what we do know is that it’s just a pretty chilled soundtrack to capture those feel-good moments. 

“Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion

This original version by Megan Thee Stallion has been featured in over 30 million TikTok videos. It was used in a viral dance challenge that was started by Keara Wilson and later it also was remixed by none other than Beyoncé. In fact, the remix also won two Grammy awards. 

“The Box” by Roddy Rich

A song doesn’t need to be linked with a viral dance challenge to be considered popular. Instead of starting a dance challenge on TikTok, “The Box” formed part of a viral TikTok meme. It’s been used in over 2 million TikTok videos and was recognized by Apple as the Top Song of the Year in 2020. 

“Banana” by Conkara Featuring Shaggy

Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” isn’t the only golden oldie to grab the attention of younger crowds. “Banana” is based on the 1950’s hit titled “Banana Boat (Day-O)” that was performed by Harry Belafonte. It’s been used in over 30 million videos and was even linked to a viral dance. 

“That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings

“That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings has received more than 461,322,474 plays. It’s used a lot in dog videos. So, if you have a furry friend who goes by any other name, you can use this as his soundtrack and add some of the following hashtags: #thatsnotmyname, #dogsoftiktok, #catsoftiktok, #petsoftiktok, #nicknames, #dogs. 

TikTok Sound Hacks and Tips

To help you make the most of the this feature, here are a couple of tips:

Study the numbers

If you want to use existing sounds from TikTok’s library, you’ll want to study the numbers. There are a few things to pay attention to. For example, how many videos have already used that particular sound? Were those videos added recently? These could give you an indication if the sound is still trending. 

Name your sound

As mentioned earlier, creating your own sound instead of using an existing one from TikTok’s library can be a great opportunity for branding and more exposure. To help other TikTok users find your audio creation so that they can use it in their own TikTok videos, you’ll want to ensure that you name it.  Here’s how: Step 1: Open the video that has the custom sound that you want to rename. Step 2: Tap on the icon that looks like a spinning record in the right-hand corner at the bottom of your screen.  Step 3: Click on the Edit button (it’s next to the title). You’ll now be able to change the title to something that’s more descriptive.  Step 4: Tap on Save and wait for your custom audio sound to be discovered and possibly go viral. 

Record a voiceover or vlog

Voiceovers is just one example of hidden TikTok features and hacks that you can use to get more followers.  Here’s how you can use it: Step 1: Record your TikTok video as you would normally do.  Step 2: Click on “Next”. You’ll be redirected to the posting screen, but instead of posting your video, double-check that your microphone is on and start recording your screen.  Step 3: While you’re recording your screen, watch the preview of your TikTok video by tapping on the video thumbnail that’s right of the caption.  Step 4: Narrate what’s happening in the video. You’ll be recording what you’re narrating as well as what’s happening on your screen.  Step 5: Edit the screen recording to cut the beginning and ending of the recording so that you’re left with only the content and not the frames that show how you started and stopped the screen recording.  Step 6: Open your TikTok app. Upload your screen recording from your camera roll by pressing on the Upload icon. 

Create a duet video

If dancing or challenges aren’t really your style, you might more like the sound of creating duet videos. It’s a popular feature on TikTok that allows you to split your screen so that you can add your own commentary to an existing TikTok video. This way, the original video will show up on the left of your screen and the video with your commentary will show on the right.  With duet videos you have two options. You can either use any video or make a duet video with yourself. Though, if you want to go for the first approach, you’ll need to make sure that you have the original creator’s go-ahead. 

Wrapping Things Up

Sure, there are many videos that don’t include any songs and still manage to be successful, but now that you know how simple it is to add a song or sound to your videos why wouldn’t you? Not only is it easy to add, but there’s also a massive selection that you can browse. So, you don’t even have to go to the extra “effort” of creating your own sound.  One thing to consider, though, is that just like your content will appeal to a certain group, so too will your songs. So, keep your style in mind and let it guide you. It doesn’t always happen that you can pick a song like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and millennials and Gen Z will respond positively to it.  You can, for instance, check out Influencer Marketing Hub’s TikTok Money Calculator if you want to calculate your earning potential on TikTok. This free calculator was designed to share potential earning guidelines to influencers. It’s not an official TikTok tool. It’s also not endorsed by TikTok. It’s just a simple way to find out how much you could possibly make through TikTok. That said, at the end of the day brands and influencers still need to negotiate what they think will be a fair rate.