Creator or Business – Which One Is the Right TikTok Account for Musicians?

If you use TikTok, you have the choice between two different types of accounts: you can either have a personal or creator account, or you can use a business account. But what exactly are the differences, and what are the pros and cons of each from a musician’s perspective?

Relatively small differences

Let’s start with the similarities between the two account types. They are both free and offer the option to run ads. You can also get verified on both. But there are a few smaller differences when it comes to the analytics: the creator account will only let you access them via the app, while on the business account you can download them, as well. Another minor difference is the privacy settings: a creator account can be set to private, while a business account is always public.

Creators can use any sound

One pretty substantial difference can be found in the use of sounds. Business accounts can only use “commercial sounds,” meaning those that have been cleared for commercial use, while with a creator account, you have access to the whole library with millions of songs.

As a creator, you additionally have access to specific programs such as Creator Next or the Creator Fund that are not open to business accounts. However, both accounts can use the Creator Marketplace where companies and creators are supposed to find each other.

Musicians are creators

Most creator accounts don’t have the option to put a link in the bio. Those who additionally like to use external platforms to plan and analyze their content also have to switch over to business. Lastly, there are current limitations for creator accounts when it comes to shopping features, as well.

So, you have a few small restrictions if you’ve got a personal account. But when it comes down to it, a creator account is clearly better suited for normal TikTok users, content creators, and public persons – which includes musicians. If nothing else, this is simply because with a business account you will have massive restrictions in your music selection. But since you can switch between your personal and business account with just one click, you can also easily try out both.