Initially launched in 2016, the rise of TikTok has been phenomenal, helped by a surge of users during the Covid-19 pandemic when people were in lockdown. According to Statista, TikTok saw 180% growth among the 15-25 age group during this time.
In September 2021 TikTok reached one billion active users, achieving this milestone in just five years.
With these growth statistics, it’s no wonder that social media marketers are flocking to the platform. But, how do you know whether you should stick with a personal TikTok account or convert it into a business account?
The Personal TikTok Account
Most TikTok users — general users, many public figures, and content creators — are happy with a personal account. Personal accounts allow users to watch and interact with content made by other users. With advanced creator tools, users can learn what their audiences like watching and start building their own “community.”
Users with personal TikTok accounts can:
- Access more music, Sounds, and Commercial Sounds (business accounts only get Commercial Sounds)
- Make their accounts private, requiring other users to get your approval before they can follow you and/or see your content
- Become eligible for Creator Next, which helps creators monetise and has its own special features and tools to help you grow on TikTok
- Become eligible as a creator on the TikTok Creator Marketplace – the official collaboration platform to connect brands and creators for paid campaigns
The Business TikTok Account
Business accounts allow brands and business to use a range of marketing tools to help promote a product or service.
With a Business TikTok account you can:
- Access the Web Business Suite, which has features like Analytics, Activity & Support, and Workspace — these provide information about account interactions, how to grow the account, and help users get more people discovering their content, visiting their websites, and following their accounts
- Access the in-app Business Creative Hub – to see tips and best practice guides
- Attach an email address to their profiles
- Use songs and sounds from TikTok’s pre-cleared Commercial Music Library.
- Use the video showcase which features trending content from the base 30 days.
The limited library of sounds is often the biggest barrier to switching to a business account, however, if you want to run ads then royalty-free, commercial sound clips are the only option. Also, to note, only videos with non-commercial audio can be stitched or dueted by a business account.
Finally, only business accounts can be connected to a social media management tools such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social.
Which Type of TikTok Account Is Better?
Whether you should go with a personal or business TikTok account depends on what you seek from the platform. If you are using TikTok for business purposes, then switching to a Business Account is the better option.
To switch your account type:
1. Tap Profile in the bottom right to go to your profile.
2. Tap the 3-line icon in the top right to go to your settings.
3. Tap Manage Account.
4. Tap Switch to Business Account
Both types of accounts have features to help you create and promote content, including access to basic analytics (insights into how your videos are performing) and TikTok LIVE (note – you must have a certain number of followers to be able to go LIVE).
Want to talk about how TikTok can support your business? Get in touch.