When creating a TikTok account, there are two types to choose from — a personal account or a business account.
Personal accounts are for individuals who want to use TikTok for social networking, sharing, and hanging out with friends. In contrast, business accounts are designed for marketing purposes. A company will create a TikTok business account to drive brand awareness, advertise their services, and more.
Who Should Use a TikTok Business Account?
Business accounts are an excellent option for:
- Anyone who wants to promote a business, product, or service — even individual content creators with a product line.
- Businesses that want to entertain their customers and promote engagement.
- Businesses that want to use commercial tools on TikTok, such as those in the Business Creative Hub.
TikTok Business Account Features
When you create a business account on TikTok, you’ll have access to six helpful features:
- Commercial Music Library (CML) access: A collection of songs and sounds you can use in your videos without paying copyright fees. These tracks are pre-cleared for commercial use on TikTok, and business accounts can use them for organic or branded content.
- Post scheduler: Schedule posts up to 10 days in advance.
- Business website link: Display a link to your business on your TikTok profile.
- Business email address: Display your business email address on your TikTok profile.
- Exclusive analytics page: See metrics that reflect your account growth, view audience demographics, and more.
- Business Creative Hub: A special section in the TikTok app that shows content creation tips and trending business content.
Note: Business accounts don’t have access to TikTok’s General Music Library (GML). The music in that collection is for personal entertainment only, which is why only personal accounts can use songs from the GML.
This also means that business accounts cannot duet or stitch with videos that contain music from the GML. So if you want to create content by remixing what’s already out there or doing collaborations, a business account won’t be helpful. You would only be able to duet/stitch with accounts that use music from the CML.
Who Should Use a Personal TikTok Account?
Most people on TikTok — public figures, general users, content creators — use a personal account for their video content. They typically aren’t selling a product, representing a company, or looking to drive brand awareness.
You should create a personal account if you want to:
- Watch videos on TikTok and interact with creators.
- Create videos on TikTok for friends, family, and broader audiences.
- Build a community of loyal followers.
- Monetize your TikTok account through the Creator Fund, Tips, Live Gifts, etc. (Many of these features aren’t available for business accounts).
- Use advanced tools to discover who your viewers are and what appeals to them.
Personal TikTok Account Features
A personal account has some features that a business account does not. Some of these benefits include:
- General Music Library access: A collection of songs and sounds that have not been licensed for commercial use, thus making them usable for regular users.
- Use Regular Sounds and Commercial Sounds: Users with a personal account can add any TikTok sound to their content. By contrast, business accounts can only use commercial sounds.
- Set your account to private: Only let approved users see your videos or follow the you.
- TikTok Creator Next: This program is designed to help TikTok creators monetize their accounts while they build a community of followers.
- TikTok Creator Marketplace: Where brands and creators connect to build paid campaigns.
- TikTok Creator Fund: A $200M fund that pays talented creators for their hard work and innovative content.
- Video Gifts: Collect “Diamonds” from viewers that can be redeemed for cash.
- Live Gifts: Collect “Diamonds” from viewers that can be redeemed for cash, but only during live streams.
- Tips: Collect monetary tips directly through your TikTok profile.
- Advanced creator tools: Determine the type of content your audience likes and see metrics to back it up.
How to Switch to a Business or Personal TikTok Account
If you choose the wrong TikTok account, don’t worry. You can switch from one to the other at any time.
Here’s how to make the switch:
1. Open the TikTok app and tap Profile in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap the menu icon in the top right corner.
3. Tap Settings and Privacy at the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap Manage Account.
5. Tap Switch to Business Account or Switch to Personal Account.
Follow the additional instructions that pop up, if any.
TikTok recommends that you do not switch back and forth between business and personal accounts. If you want to create both types of content, consider creating two accounts: one for personal and one for business.
Which Type of Account Should You Choose?
The best TikTok account for you depends on how you plan to use the platform. For example, if you already own a business and want to use TikTok to promote that business, a business account is likely best. This will allow you to continue building your existing brand, provide access to commercially licensed sounds, and ensure that you have the best tools to market yourself.
It's easy to think, "I'm building a business, so I need a business account." But considering how those accounts are structured, a solopreneur or an individual might need a personal account until they have a certified business. That way, they still have access to TikTok monetization tools, advanced creator tools, and the ability to duet with more creators.
Also, it makes sense to keep a personal account if you’re looking for brand deals. A personal account gives you access to the TikTok Creator Marketplace (within the Creator Next program), where brands and creators can find each other and start building campaigns.
Now that you know which account to create, learn how to find trending TikTok sounds for your content.
