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How (and Why) You Should Use TikTok Sounds in 2023

TikTok might still be able to go on without dance or lip-sync videos, but without tiktok sounds, your survival is definitely at stake. After all, how do you dance or lip sync, which the platform is synonymous with, without any sound?

the sounds of tiktok is what has made the platform a resounding success. in fact, here’s what they found when they partnered with kantar to learn more about the importance of sound in digital marketing:

  • almost 90% of tiktok users shared that sound is key to the tiktok experience.
  • more than 70% of tiktok users who participated in the research said they would see ads on tiktok with audio.
  • tiktok users describe sound on tiktok as almost twice as fun compared to other social media platforms.
  • like it or not, tiktok sounds are an integral part of how the platform works. if you remove it, virtually all content will lose its meaning.

    If you’re not already using this feature to its full potential, 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 use them:

    how do i select a tiktok sound?

    there is more than one way to select a tiktok sound. You can use the tiktok sound library, save a song another creator used, or if you’re feeling creative, create your own tiktok sound.

    use tiktok sound library

    in your tiktok sound library, you can search and explore the entire tiktok music library. You can, for example, search by genre or click on new release if you want to see what’s been added most recently. overall, the feature is very easy to understand and use.

    To access the sound library, click the “+” icon in the middle of the navigation bar at the bottom of the home screen.

    At the top of the screen, you’ll see a musical note icon with the option to add sound.

    if you know which song you want to add, you can enter the song name in the search bar on the tiktok discover page and click on the sounds.

    saving a song that another creator used

    If you already know what song you want to use but don’t necessarily know its title or artist name, you can access it through a tiktok video that is using it. Or, maybe you’re watching videos on the page for yourself and want to use a song you heard in one of the videos?

    in this case, when you play the video, just tap the sound and you will be redirected to the audio page. then if you’re ready to start recording right away, you can click “use this sound”. Alternatively, you can save it for use at a later stage by tapping “add to favourites”.

    create your own unique sounds

    Whether it’s a voiceover, a running commentary, or a combination you had in mind, the tiktok app also lets you create your own original sound. this extra effort is a great way to ensure your brand remains consistent.

    It is not only useful for branding purposes, but it can also create a lot of exposure for you, as original sounds can also appear in the recommended and trending categories. this means that other creators on the platform can also include it in their videos.

    step 1: tap the create button (the “+” icon) on your screen button to create a new video.

    step 2: record the video with the sound on.

    step 3: after recording is complete, tap the red check mark to continue.

    step 4: to edit your original sound, use the panels at the bottom and right side of your screen. you can, for example, play with voice effects or speed up or slow down the clip.

    step 5: tap “next” in the right hand corner at the bottom of the screen to post your video.

    step 6: go to your profile, select your video and watch it.

    Step 7: In the bottom right hand corner of the screen, you will see a spinning disk icon. when you touch 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 click 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 add it to an existing video or add it to a new video. we’ll walk you through both options.

    add a sound to a new video

    one of the benefits of using this approach is that it will be much easier to sync your movements to the music. consider it your own backing track.

    step 1: tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the home screen to start recording your new video.

    Step 2: At the top of the screen, tap “add sounds”. it’s right in the middle at the top of the screen.

    step 3: browse the sound library. once you’ve found the sound you want to use, play it.

    step 4: start recording your video. the sound will play as you record.

    add a sound to an existing video

    Although you can add sound to a video after you’ve created it, this approach can make it difficult to sync your movements to the music. That being said, what makes this feature so useful is that you can use it to “reuse” older videos. maybe there is a new release that is currently trending? how about you include it in one of your previous videos?

    step 1: tap the “+” icon to start.

    step 2: upload your content.

    step 3: tap “sounds”. You will see it in the left right corner at the bottom of your screen.

    step 4: you will now see a list of recommended sounds and songs based on your video. it will also include some sounds and songs that are trending right now. once you’ve found a song, click and drag the sound waves to select the part you’d like to include in your video. tap the checkmark when you’re ready.

    Step 5: As mentioned above, you can also add sounds and songs to your favorites. if you’d rather use a sound clip you’ve saved to your favorites, all you need to do is tap “favorites” and complete the same steps (also known as clicking and dragging the sound waves) to choose the part of the audio file you want. would like to include.

    10 Popular Songs and Sounds You Can Use Right Now

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

    • “make you mine” by public

      for something romantic, you can check out “make you mine” posted by the public. It was first published in October 2019 and has since been used in nearly 2 million videos. however, please note that it is not licensed for commercial use.

      • “say it” by doja cat

        doja cat’s song “say so” went viral after tiktok influencer haley sharpe used it to start a dance challenge. it has been used in over 10 million videos and 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. often used by teen parents posting videos about their experiences being a teen mom/dad. All in all, it’s a great anthem for youth and will make you scream, even if your nightmare is not taking care of a screaming baby.

          • “hard times” by paramore

            for a more upbeat tune to accompany your hard times, you can listen to “hard times” by paramore. however, it is also not licensed for commercial use.

            • “you have to be like this” by audrey mika

              Any hobbies that are getting on your nerves? do you need to use tiktok to solve a debate? you can keep it lighthearted with audrey mika’s “y u gotta b like that” as the soundtrack to your clip.

              • “dreams” by fleetwood mac

                the song “dreams” by fleetwood mac was used in a video by nathan apodaca. he features him skateboarding while drinking ocean spray cranberry juice. the video quickly went viral in 2020, so much so that it completely changed the life of the tiktokker. she went from living in a mobile home to being able to buy a five-bedroom house. we are not saying that the song can also help you make your dreams come true, but what we do know is that it is just a pretty chill soundtrack to capture those nice moments.

                • “wild” by megan thee stallion

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

                  • “the box” by roddy rich

                    You don’t have to link a song to a viral dance challenge to be considered popular. Instead of starting a tiktok dance challenge, “the box” was part of a viral tiktok meme. It has been used in more than 2 million tiktok videos and was recognized by Apple as the best song of the year in 2020.

                    • conkara “banana” with shaggy

                      fleetwood mac’s “dreams” aren’t the only golden classics grabbing the attention of the youngest. “Banana” is based on the 1950 hit titled “Banana Boat (Day-O)” performed by Harry Belafonte. it has 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 over 461,322,474 views. It is used a lot in dog videos. So, if you have a furry friend who goes by any other name, you can use it as your soundtrack and add some of the following hashtags: #esenoismyname, #dogsoftiktok, #catsoftiktok, #petsoftiktok, #nicknames, #dogs.

                        tiktok sound tips and tricks

                        To help you get the most out of this feature, here are some tips:

                        study the numbers

                        if you want to use existing sounds from the tiktok 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 of whether the sound is still trending.

                        name your sound

                        As mentioned above, creating your own sound instead of using an existing one from the tiktok library can be a great opportunity for branding and more exposure. To help other tiktok users find your audio creation so they can use it in their own tiktok videos, you’ll want to make sure you name it.

                        this is how:

                        step 1: open the video that has the custom sound you want to rename.

                        Step 2: Tap the icon that looks like a spinning disk in the bottom right corner of the screen.

                        step 3: click the edit button (it’s next to the title). now you can change the title to something more descriptive.

                        step 4: hit save and wait for your custom audio sound to be discovered and possibly go viral.

                        record a voiceover or vlog

                        voiceovers are just one example of tiktok hidden features and tricks you can use to get more followers.

                        this is how you can use it:

                        step 1: record your tiktok video as you normally would.

                        step 2: click “next”. You will be redirected to the post screen, but instead of posting your video, check that your microphone is on and start recording your screen.

                        step 3: while recording your screen, preview your tiktok video by tapping on the video thumbnail to the right of the title.

                        step 4: narrate what happens in the video. you will be recording what you are narrating as well as what is happening on your screen.

                        step 5: edit the screen recording to cut off the beginning and end of the recording so that you only have the content and not the frames that show how the screen recording started and stopped . .

                        step 6: open your tiktok app. upload your screen recording from your camera roll by pressing the upload icon.

                        creating a duet video

                        If dancing or challenges aren’t really your style, you might like the sound of creating duet videos better. is a popular feature on tiktok that allows you to split your screen so you can add your own comment to an existing tiktok video. in this way, the original video will appear on the left of your screen and the video with your comment will appear on the right.

                        with duo videos you have two options. you can use any video or make a duet with yourself. however, if you want to go with the first approach, you’ll need to make sure you get the go-ahead from the original creator.

                        finish things up

                        Sure, there are plenty of 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 a huge selection for you to explore. therefore, you don’t even have to go to the extra “effort” of creating your own sound.

                        One thing to keep in mind, though, is that just as your content will appeal to a certain group, so will your songs. so keep your style in mind and let it guide you. It’s not always the case that you can pick a song like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and Millennials and Gen Z will respond positively.

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