While it might feel like a brilliant idea to jump on the latest trend bandwagon and use trending audio in your brand promo vids, this can leave you open to trouble. The problem isn’t the music itself, but the license you don’t have.

The license problem

A personal-use platform license typically covers most trending audio used on platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

This license:

  • Exists to keep the vast majority of users creating
  • Covers in-platform and non-commercial use only
  • Does not automatically give the ability to use for brands, ads, sponsorships or monetised campaigns.

A commercial license grants the ability to:

  • It covers brand use, ads, paid promotions, and commercial distribution
  • It protects you, not just the platform

If any money is changing hands, promotion, or clients are involved, you’re likely going to need a commercial license.

Risk decision tree

Here are a set of questions that will help you know if you need a commercial license for the music in your content:

1. Is this content promoting a product, service, or brand?

  • ❌ No → You’re probably fine
  • ✅ Yes → Go to Question 2

2. Are you being paid, sponsored, or using this content commercially?

  • ❌ No → Low risk, but still grey
  • ✅ Yes → Go to Question 3

3. Does your music licence explicitly allow commercial sync use?

  • ❌ No / Not sure → You’re at risk
  • ✅ Yes → You’re covered

Why this catches people out

  • Platforms optimise for engagement, not legal clarity
  • “Commercial Music Libraries” ≠ full sync clearance
  • Viral ≠ licensable
  • Silence from a rights holder ≠ permission

Most issues also don’t occur straight away – they happen after success.

The safe play

If content matters to your brand:

  • Use properly licensed music
  • Treat audio like stock footage, not a meme
  • Build your content on rights you actually own

The cost of using free trending music will show up later, when you think already got reach and you think you’ve saved money in the first place.

Stop risking your channel’s revenue and momentum on a flawed system.

RouteNote Licensing guarantees that the music you license is protected from Content ID claims, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating great content.

Click Here to Start Your Claim-Safe Journey Today!