What Every Business Needs to Know About Using Music on Social Media
At the Franklin Chamber, we have been working hard to create content that focuses on boosting our engagement and following. Recently, we created a TikTok video and shared it across all of our platforms. We soon realized what a mistake this was.
Shortly after posting the video to Meta (which owns both Instagram and Facebook), we received a formal letter notifying us of a copyright violation. The issue? The music we used was licensed for use on TikTok, but not licensed for use on Facebook or Instagram. As a result, we were asked to pay a hefty fee to resolve the matter.
Here’s what we learned, and what you need to know:
TikTok Music ≠ Facebook/Instagram Music
Each social platform has different licensing agreements with music rights holders. Just because a song is available in TikTok’s sound library does not mean it's okay to use that same video (with music) on Instagram or Facebook. Meta is not obligated to tell you that it doesn’t have the music rights on their platforms.
What Happens If You Violate Music Copyright?
Violations can result in:
- A takedown of your video
- Your account being flagged or restricted
- A formal legal notice and fees for unlicensed use
- In some cases, your page could be temporarily or permanently disabled
How Can You Avoid These Issues?
1. Use royalty-free or Meta-approved music
When posting to Instagram or Facebook, choose music directly from their in-app music libraries. These are pre-cleared for business use.
2. Avoid cross-posting videos with licensed music
If you create a video in TikTok using their music, do not download and upload that same video to other platforms. If you want to reuse the content, remove the original sound and re-add music using Instagram or Facebook’s approved library.
3. Use original audio
Creating your own voiceover or background music is always a safe and creative option.
Social media is an amazing tool for marketing and storytelling, but there’s a legal side we all need to be aware of. As businesses, we don’t just want to create, we want to protect our brand, reputation and budget.
We hope this helps other local businesses avoid the same costly mistake. When in doubt, use original audio, royalty-free tracks or platform-approved libraries. And always double-check before you post.
If you have questions or need help navigating your business's social media strategy, the Franklin Chamber is here to help!