THE USEFUL BIT

Can You Use Trending Songs in Videos? A Creator's Guide

You've filmed a great video. The editing looks good, the colours are right, and now you need the perfect song.

You open TikTok or Instagram, find a trending sound and imagine how well it would fit your video. There is just one thing to check before you post: are you actually allowed to use that music?

A song being popular, easy to download or available in one app does not automatically mean you can use it anywhere. Here's how to choose music more safely for YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Why music matters so much in videos

Music can change the mood of a video in seconds. It can make a travel clip feel exciting, give a tutorial energy or turn an ordinary moment into something memorable.

It also plays a growing role in online creativity.

Berklee's 2026 In Sync: Music and Video report surveyed 1,003 video creators, musicians, marketers and music supervisors. It found that 83.7% of respondents had chosen a trending sound before shaping their video around it.

That finding shows how much music can influence creative decisions. But choosing a sound for its popularity should not come before checking whether you have permission to use it.

What does music copyright mean?

Music can involve several different rights, including rights in the musical composition and lyrics, and rights in a particular sound recording.

These rights may belong to songwriters, publishers, performers, record labels or other rights holders.

When you add a popular song to your video, you are not automatically allowed to use it simply because you purchased the song, can stream it online or found it on a website that calls it free.

You generally need permission, an appropriate licence, or another valid legal basis for the specific use.

The rules can depend on your location, how the video will be used, the platform and the terms of the music licence.

Can you use trending music on YouTube?

YouTube offers a useful starting point: the YouTube Audio Library, available through YouTube Studio.

It contains music and sound effects that creators can use for videos under the library's stated terms. Check the information attached to each track, including any attribution requirements.

YouTube also has Content ID, which can identify music that may be protected by copyright. Depending on the rights holder's policy, a video could receive a claim, be blocked in some places or have restrictions on monetisation.

Be careful with music described as "copyright-free" or "free to use." Those labels alone do not prove that a particular track is cleared for your intended video.

Start here: YouTube Help — Tips to find safe music.

What about trending sounds on TikTok?

TikTok has a Commercial Music Library designed to help businesses find music cleared for commercial use on the platform.

This distinction matters. TikTok says businesses should use the Commercial Music Library for commercial activities, including branded content and video ads. Its general music library is not automatically cleared for those uses.

If you are creating a video to promote your business, a client or a product, check the commercial-use rules before selecting a sound.

Also confirm which regions and placements are covered by the specific track's terms.

Read the official guide: TikTok — About the Commercial Music Library.

Is Instagram music safe to use anywhere?

Not necessarily.

Instagram offers a licensed music library, but availability and permitted uses depend on the track, account and location. Meta explains that its licensed music library is intended for personal, non-commercial use, and access may be limited for some business accounts.

Meta also provides Sound Collection, which offers music and sound effects for certain uses, including commercial content on Instagram.

If you are making a sponsored Reel, an advertisement or a video for a client, check the applicable commercial-use permissions rather than assuming that every song in the app is suitable.

You can start with Instagram's music library information.

Can you use the same song on every platform?

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make.

A song available inside TikTok might be licensed for a particular use on TikTok, but that does not automatically give you permission to upload the same video with that song to YouTube, Instagram or your own website.

The licence may be limited by platform, territory, duration, account type or commercial purpose.

If you plan to publish the same video in several places, check that your licence covers every destination. If it does not, you may need a different track for each platform.

Five safer ways to choose music

Here is a practical checklist before you publish your next video.

1. Use the platform's approved music library. Check that the track is available for your intended type of post, especially if the video promotes a business.

2. Create your own music. Original music can be a good option, but make sure you own or have permission to use all the elements in it, including samples and recordings made by other people.

3. Buy or obtain a suitable licence. Read the actual licence rather than relying on a seller's short description. Check whether it covers commercial use, monetisation, editing and distribution on different platforms.

4. Check attribution requirements. Some music licences require you to credit the creator in a specific way. Follow those instructions where applicable.

5. Keep proof of permission. Save the licence, receipt or written permission, including any relevant terms. This can help you respond if a platform raises a question about your use of the track.

What about AI-generated music?

AI-generated music is another option for creators, and the Berklee 2026 report also examined its use in published video content.

However, generated music is not automatically free from legal restrictions. The tool's terms, the rights in the resulting music, any samples used and the laws that apply can all matter.

Before publishing, check the music generator's current terms and confirm that they cover your intended use. If you need music for a commercial project, make sure the terms explicitly support that purpose.

What happens if you use music without permission?

Possible consequences include a copyright claim, muted audio, a blocked video, restrictions on monetisation or a takedown request.

The exact outcome depends on the platform, the rights involved and the relevant policies.

Adding the artist's name to your caption does not replace permission. Neither does writing "no copyright intended" or saying that you do not own the song.

If a video receives a claim, read the platform's explanation and review your licence before deciding whether to dispute it.

The takeaway

Trending music can help set the mood and make a video more engaging. But popularity is not the same as permission.

Before using a song, check the platform, the intended purpose, the licence and whether you can use the track anywhere you plan to publish the video.

Choose the sound for your creativity. Check the rights before you press Publish.

Sources and further reading

Music licensing rules vary by platform, location and type of use. This article provides general information, not legal advice. Always check the current licence terms for the specific track and use.

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Keep your curiosity going.

Good information should help you ask better questions, not stop asking them.

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