Social / UGC

How TikTok pays royalties.

TikTok pays per NEW VIDEO created using your track, not per play — estimated around $0.03 per video. Two separate royalties exist: a master royalty from TikTok's licensing deal with your distributor, and a publishing royalty through your PRO if the work is registered. Payouts are quarterly. This is distinct from TikTok's Commercial Music Library, a separate pre-cleared catalogue for business/ad use inside TikTok only.

Payment model: Per-video licensing fee, not per-play — compensation scales with how many videos use the track, not how many times each is watched.
Estimated rate: Estimated $0.03 per new video using the track; disbursed quarterly.
Royalty types generated: Master recording royaltiesPerformance royalties (if registered)

How to collect it

Opt in to TikTok distribution through your existing distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, etc.) — this is what makes your catalogue eligible for the master royalty.
Register the composition with a PRO before the track gains traction on the platform — the publishing royalty only flows if the work is already registered.

Related royalty types

Public Performance Royalties →

Rates verified 2026-08-28 from cross-industry research; treat all per-stream figures as estimates — they vary by territory, subscription tier, and your own distribution deal. Rekon is independent of TikTok and not affiliated with it.

Find out if you're actually collecting every royalty TikTok owes you.