TikTok business account: how to switch and what changes

TikTok's help centre now lists three account types. The old Pro and Creator accounts are being retired: TikTok says it is moving creator tools into the settings of personal accounts instead.

Sources: TikTok Support: Account types on TikTok, checked 14 October 2026; TikTok Support: I can't switch to a Pro or Creator Account, checked 14 October 2026

You change account type in the app's settings:

1. In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
2. Tap the Menu button (three lines) at the top, then Settings and privacy.
3. Tap Account.
4. Tap Business verification and follow the steps to switch your account type.

• TikTok advises against switching back and forth. Your verification isn't saved, so you would have to verify the business again.
• If you want to promote a business and also post personal content, TikTok recommends two separate accounts.

Source: TikTok Support: Account types on TikTok, checked 14 October 2026

TikTok may ask you to verify your business to keep business features. If you don't, the account can be converted back to a General TikTok Account. To verify, tap Profile, look for the business verification prompt or banner, tap Verify, and submit your business information and documents.

TikTok says approval can take up to 5 business days, and you get an in-app notification and an email when it's done. The documents needed depend on your country. Verifying a business is a separate process from getting a verified badge.

Source: TikTok Support: Account types on TikTok, checked 14 October 2026

Both account types get analytics once they have at least one public post, and both can use Promote, TikTok's tool for paying to show a post to more people.

• The Business Suite, in the app or on the web, with an analytics dashboard and a leads manager.
• The Creative Hub, for browsing trending content and tips for your posts.
• Business details on your public profile, such as address, email or phone number.
• A website link on your profile. General accounts need at least 1,000 followers for this.
• Paid and organic conversion anchors: links you can attach to posts, your profile or ads.
• Desktop scheduling, which TikTok also opens to personal accounts with 10,000 or more followers.

Sources: TikTok Support: Account types on TikTok, checked 14 October 2026; TikTok Support: Schedule video, checked 14 October 2026

This is the change that surprises people. A Verified Business Account cannot use TikTok's general music library, because those songs are licensed for personal entertainment only. It can use the Commercial Music Library, which TikTok's Business Help Center describes as about 1 million songs pre-cleared for commercial use.

Personal accounts that promote a brand, product or service aren't off the hook either. TikTok recommends the Commercial Music Library for that content too, and if you use other music while the content disclosure setting is on, you have to confirm you hold the rights.

Templates change too: on a business account, TikTok only lets you use effect templates made with commercially licensed music.

Sources: TikTok Support: Account types on TikTok, checked 14 October 2026; TikTok Business Help Center: Commercial Music Library, checked 14 October 2026; TikTok Support: Commercial use of music on TikTok, checked 14 October 2026; TikTok Support: Editing TikTok videos and photos, checked 14 October 2026

Whichever you pick, check the music you use. A business posting with a popular song from the general library risks having the sound removed.

• Choose a Verified Business Account if TikTok is mainly a way to promote what you sell. That is TikTok's own guidance.
• Stay on a General account if you are a creator whose content is the product, or you need the full music library.
• If you do both, keep two accounts rather than switching one back and forth.
• If several staff need to run one account, ask whether an Organization Account is available where you are. TikTok says these are created from certain business platforms, such as TikTok Shop Seller Center, and a new one can apply for a verified badge.

That is why TikTok suggests a General account for creators and most public figures, and a Verified Business Account when the main goal is promoting a business.

• Use the general music library as well as the Commercial Music Library.
• Switch to a private account, so only followers you approve see your posts.
• Join TikTok's monetization programs for creators, where they're available.

Source: TikTok Support: Account types on TikTok, checked 14 October 2026

Zolyp, which publishes this guide, is an AI social media manager: it plans, writes, designs and schedules posts for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Business, X, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Threads, and you approve the week before anything goes out. It publishes the posts you approve to your connected TikTok account. Music rules stay with your TikTok account type, so pick the account first and the sound second.