Yes, UGC videos can include trending sounds or music, but you can only use audio that’s cleared for the exact way you plan to publish and promote the video.
The part that trips businesses up is that “it let me add the song” is not the same as “we can use this in branded content or ads.” Platforms often license popular music for personal, non-commercial use, and that coverage can change when a post is promotional, posted from a business account, or turned into paid media.
What usually works, by where the video will run
| Where the UGC will run | Audio that usually works | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Creator organic post (not boosted) | Platform-added trending sound, or original audio | If it’s sponsored or clearly promoting a product or service, treat it like commercial use and avoid music you can’t clear. |
| Brand post (business account) | Commercial-safe libraries inside the platform, royalty-free, or fully licensed music | Many business accounts have limited access to popular tracks, and audio can get muted later. |
| Paid ads (TikTok, Instagram/Facebook, YouTube) | Commercial-cleared tracks (platform commercial libraries, Meta Sound Collection, or a paid license) | Trending chart music is a common reason ads get rejected, muted, or pulled after launch. |
| Website, email, in-office screens | Fully licensed or royalty-free music you have rights to use off-platform | Platform music permissions don’t automatically transfer to your site or other channels. |
On TikTok specifically, branded posts are generally expected to use the Commercial Music Library (or music you’ve separately licensed for commercial use). On Instagram and Facebook, access to the licensed music library can be restricted for some business accounts and for some post types, and ad use has its own rules.
Our practical approach for Orlando businesses is simple: if the video might ever become an ad (even “just boosting it”), we build an ad-safe version first, then create an optional trend version for organic posting when it makes sense. That way your campaign doesn’t stall because audio got flagged the same week you’re trying to book more patients, cases, or service calls.
How to use trends without creating a licensing headache
- Create two cuts: (1) trend cut for organic, (2) ad-safe cut with licensed music or a clean sound bed for paid.
- Keep audio flexible: record clean voiceover and natural sound so we can swap music without re-editing the whole video.
- Use “trend structure,” not the exact song: the hook style, pacing, captions, and on-screen beats often matter more than the track itself.
- Document the choice: track the audio source and keep proof of any license or library usage in your project folder.
If you want help planning deliverables that won’t get stuck in review, our UGC video service includes ad-safe audio options and alternate cuts for organic posting.
If you’re unclear on who should secure permissions, our FAQ on who handles music licensing in UGC videos breaks down the usual responsibility lines between the brand, creator, and agency.
And if you’re turning UGC into paid media, our PPC management team pairs creative specs with platform approval patterns so your ads launch cleanly, including common audio-related issues that trigger rejections.
For usage planning, it also helps to skim our FAQ on how usage rights change when UGC is used as paid ads, since music, rights, and distribution tend to get decided together.
