Can My Business Account Use Spotify Music on Social Media?
Just because a song plays on Instagram doesn't mean you have the rights to use it. Business accounts face different rules than personal creators.
Quick answer
In most cases, business accounts can’t rely on Instagram, TikTok, or other platform music libraries for commercial posts. Even when music appears available in the app, platform licenses typically do not cover business or advertising use.
This is one of the most common, and costly, misunderstandings for businesses and creators working on social media.
Why this creates so much confusion
Social platforms make their music libraries feel universal.
You open Instagram, tap “Add Music,” and browse thousands of tracks. Nothing stops you from posting. The song plays in preview.
But technical access is not the same as legal permission.
Platform licenses are designed primarily for personal, non-commercial use. Once content is connected to a business, promotion, or monetization, different rules apply, even if the interface looks identical.
Many business owners only discover this after something goes wrong.
How this works in practice
Here’s how music use typically breaks down across account types.
Personal accounts
Personal accounts can usually use platform music libraries under the platform’s agreements with labels and publishers. These licenses are limited to non-commercial, personal posting.
Business accounts
Business accounts are generally treated as commercial by default.
In most cases:
- Platform music libraries do not cover business use
- Commercial tracks require direct licensing from rights holders
- This applies even when music is only used as background in a product demo or brand post
Some platforms offer limited business-safe catalogs, but these are separate from mainstream music libraries and often much smaller.
Creator accounts
Creator accounts often sit in a grey area.
For non-paid, non-promotional posts, platforms may treat creator accounts similarly to personal accounts. However, this can change quickly when:
- A post involves a brand
- Compensation is introduced (paid, gifted, affiliate)
- Content is repurposed or boosted by a brand
At that point, the use is considered commercial, and separate licensing is usually required.
Monetized content
If you earn money from your content (through ads, subscriptions, sponsorships, or brand deals), platform music licenses typically do not apply.
Once money is involved, music usage is evaluated as commercial use, regardless of account type.
What usually goes wrong
“It let me post it”
Platforms don’t block uploads in real time.
That doesn’t mean the use is licensed.
Enforcement often happens after posting.
Assuming platform music means platform-licensed
Platforms license music for their own purposes, not automatically for yours. Those licenses are narrow and conditional.
Ignoring muted posts
When audio is removed from a post, it’s often automatic rights enforcement. The platform disables the sound instead of removing the entire video.
Muted posts are a warning sign, not a glitch.
Using trending audio for reach
Trending audio is tempting, but for business accounts it’s also one of the fastest ways to use music without permission.
Popularity doesn’t change licensing rules.
How professionals handle music for business accounts
Professional marketing teams and agencies rarely rely on platform music libraries for client content, especially when campaigns involve paid media or brand partnerships.
Instead, they work with music that is clearly licensed for commercial use, such as:
- Subscription-based commercial music libraries (e.g. Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Soundstripe)
- Original or commissioned music they own
- Commercial tracks cleared with proper sync licenses
- Royalty-free music with explicit commercial usage terms
Before committing to a specific song, they typically check:
- Who owns the recording and composition
- Whether those rights holders license for social media use
- Whether the expected cost and timeline fit the campaign
For one-off posts where they want a specific commercial track, they use decision-support tools to assess feasibility.
Music Oracle is one example of this type of tool. It helps teams:
- Identify who controls the rights to a specific recording
- Understand how complex clearance might be for social media
- Estimate whether a track is realistic for a given budget and timeline
It doesn’t replace licensing or guarantee approval. It helps teams avoid wasting time on music that won’t clear.
A realistic way forward for business accounts
If you run a business account
- Don’t rely on mainstream platform music libraries
- Use music explicitly licensed for commercial use
- Keep documentation of licenses
- Treat music selection as part of campaign planning, not an afterthought
If you’ve already posted content with unlicensed music
- Expect some posts to be muted or removed
- Don’t repost assuming it will work next time
- Adjust your workflow going forward
If you need a specific commercial track
- Identify the exact recording you want
- Find out who controls the rights
- Request a quote for social media sync usage
- Budget for music early and prepare alternatives
If budget is limited
- Use commercial royalty-free libraries
- Commission original music
- Reuse music you already own or control
Key takeaways
- Business accounts usually can’t rely on platform music libraries
- Technical access doesn’t equal legal permission
- Platform licenses focus on personal, not commercial use
- Muted posts often indicate rights enforcement
- Early feasibility checks save time, money, and reputation
Making informed music choices early protects your content and your brand.
Renato Horvath
Music supervisor and licensing expert with over a decade of experience in film, advertising, and content production. Founder of Eastaste (2012) and member of the UK & European Guild of Music Supervisors.
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