Any artist who has released music can apply for a TikTok Artist Account through Artist Hub in TikTok Studio. To get the Artist Tag under your name you need four songs uploaded, and TikTok says you'll hear back within 30 days of applying.
TikTok's Artist Account is how musicians get a Music Tab and an Artist Tag on their profile, and it's open to more people than most think. You don't need a label or a follower target. Here's how it works, from TikTok's newsroom and its artist help centre.
Who can get one
TikTok says the Artist Account is available to every artist or musician that has released music. There's no follower minimum in TikTok's announcement. The one number to know is for the tag: you'll need four songs uploaded to be eligible for the Artist Tag.
What you get
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Artist Tag | Sits under your account name and tells people you're an artist |
| Music Tab | A tab on your profile listing your music, where you can pin songs |
| New release highlight | Spotlights a new track for up to 14 days before release and 30 days after |
The release window is the part I'd plan around. Being able to highlight a song two weeks before it drops gives you time to build anticipation, and the month after keeps it in front of people while it's fresh. TikTok also says it shows the new release on discovery pages for catalogue sounds.
How to apply, step by step
- Open TikTok and go to your profile.
- Tap the three dots in the top corner and choose TikTok Studio.
- Open Artist Hub in the More tools section and tap Apply now.
- Search your full artist name in the TikTok library and tap Claim on the right profile.
- Log in to the streaming or distribution platform you use and take screenshots that show the profile editing buttons, your artist name and your album or track titles.
- Upload the screenshots and tap Submit.
How long it takes
TikTok says you'll get feedback within 30 days. Once you're approved, the Music Tab and Artist Tag appear on your profile and your music shows up in the tab, ready to pin.
After you're approved
Once the Music Tab appears, use it. TikTok's artist help centre explains how to pin songs in the Music Tab, so you can put your newest or strongest track first rather than leaving it to the default order. Pair that with the new release highlight, which can run for up to 14 days before a release and 30 days after, and your profile becomes a working release page rather than just a feed of videos. It's also the obvious place to send people from your bio when a new song drops.
Why applications get rejected
- The screenshots don't prove ownership. TikTok asks for the profile editing buttons to be visible, because that shows you control the account.
- The artist name or track titles aren't in the screenshot.
- You claimed the wrong profile in the library, often one with a similar name.
- You're short of the four songs needed for the tag.
My verdict
If you've released music, apply now; it takes a few screenshots and it makes your profile do far more work. Time your next release so the highlight window lines up with your posting plan. And protect the accounts behind it: a hacked profile can undo all of it, so it's worth knowing how to recover a hacked Instagram account, and on the listening side, how artist blocking works on Spotify shows how fans control what they hear.
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Frequently asked questions
How many songs do you need for a TikTok artist account?
TikTok says you need four songs uploaded to be eligible for the Artist Tag. The Artist Account itself is open to any artist who has released music.
Do you need followers for a TikTok artist account?
TikTok's announcement doesn't set a follower minimum. It says the Artist Account is available to every artist or musician that has released music.
How long does TikTok take to approve an artist account?
TikTok says you'll get feedback within 30 days of submitting your application.
What screenshots does TikTok need for an artist account?
Screenshots from your streaming or distribution platform that show the profile editing buttons, your artist name and your album or track titles, to prove you own the profile.
Where do I apply for a TikTok artist account?
In TikTok Studio, under Artist Hub in the More tools section, by tapping Apply now.
