TikTok Business Account vs Personal: Which One Is Right for You? (2024)

As TikTok’s popularity and influence continue to soar, you may consider using this short-form video platform to grow your business. Choosing the right type of TikTok account is crucial for leveraging this platform’s potential. Let’s explore the differences between the TikTok business account vs personal to decide which account type best fits your needs.

We will walk you through these sessions step-by-step to find the answers:

  • The fundamentals of TikTok accounts
  • The comparison between the TikTok business account vs personal
  • The sign-up for a TikTok business account

Let’s get started!

TikTok Business and Personal Account: The Fundamentals

Before diving into the comparison between a TikTok business account vs personal, it is vital to understand the fundamentals. TikTok offers two distinct types of accounts: TikTok business accounts and TikTok personal accounts. Each account type has its own features, advantages, and limitations catering to specific goals and objectives.

TikTok Personal Account: Pros and Cons

TikTok personal account, also called TikTok creator account, is the default account type when you join TikTok. It is designed for individuals who want to create and share content on the platform. This account allows users to follow their interests, engage with other users’ content, and build a community around their unique personalities and interests.

Pros of TikTok personal account

  • Access to more sounds: With a TikTok creator account, creators can use both Sounds and Commercial Sounds in their videos. This feature allows them to leverage trending audio without worrying about copyright issues.
  • Privacy settings: TikTok creators can set their accounts and their videos to private, giving them control over who can view their content. Business accounts do not have the option to switch to different privacy settings.
  • Verification: Creator accounts can be verified on TikTok, providing them with a verified badge that adds credibility to their profile.
  • Access to the Promote feature: Creator accounts can use TikTok’s advertising tools, such as the Promote feature, to increase visibility and gain more followers.
  • Entry to special TikTok development programs: Personal accounts can access exclusive creator-specific programs, such as Creator Next and the Creator Fund. These programs provide opportunities for creators to monetize their content and receive financial support from TikTok.
TikTok Business Account vs Personal: Which One Is Right for You? (1)

Cons of TikTok personal account

  • Narrowed access to Analytics: Creator accounts can access basic analytics through the “Creator Tools” section. However, they cannot download their analytics data, and the in-app view is limited to a 60-day data range. This can make it challenging to analyze long-term trends and share comprehensive performance reports with team members.
  • Limited ability to add a link in bio: Only creators who meet specific requirements can add a clickable link to their bio, directing traffic to external websites or other social media profiles.
  • Limited third-party platform integration: Creator accounts cannot be connected to third-party social media management platforms. This means you won’t be able to schedule posts, manage comments, or access detailed engagement metrics through external tools.

TikTok Business Account: Pros and Cons

As you might have guessed by the name, a TikTok business account is specifically designed for brands and businesses. It provides access to advanced features and analytics to help them maximize their presence on the platform.

Upgrading to a TikTok business account is free and can be done in just a few seconds. But whether you should use a TikTok personal account or business account, let’s take a look at the features and benefits that a TikTok business account offers.

Pros of TikTok business account

  • Access to Website Business Suite: Web Business Suite is a central location that manages the business performance, offering additional features compared to TikTok personal account. It includes Analytics for accessing data about your account and Workspace for managing your Promote information with TikTok’s advertising tool. Additionally, there is Activity & Support, which provides creative ideas and guidance on growing your business account.
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  • TikTok Shop feature: Besides selling on top online marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, or eBay, sellers can leverage the TikTok Shop feature, also known as the TikTok Marketplace, to expand their selling platforms and boost their sales. TikTok business accounts can connect to their current online store (e.g. Shopify or WooCommerce), facilitating selling on TikTok. This connection allows merchants to sell their products directly on TikTok and even conduct live streams to showcase their offerings.
  • Access to the in-app Business Creative Hub: This hub provides valuable resources for your TikTok Business Account. It includes the Business Content Guide with tips on content strategy, video shooting, best posting times, and content moderation practices. Additionally, you can explore the Video Showcase featuring trending content from the past 30 days in your country.
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  • Verification: TikTok offers verified badges to help users make informed choices about the accounts they follow. With a business account, you can get your account verified, increasing visibility and building trust with your followers.
  • Connection to third-party platforms: Business accounts can be connected to third-party social media management platforms, allowing account owners to plan out their content, and schedule their posts for the future, etc.
  • Ability to add an email address and a link in bio: Business accounts can add an email address to their bio. With over 1,000 followers, they can add a website link to their TikTok bio. This feature is valuable for driving traffic to your website and converting engaged viewers into visitors or customers.

Cons of TikTok business account

  • Limited access to sounds: Business accounts only have access to Commercial Sounds, which are pre-cleared for commercial use. Your business is also limited to stitching or dueting videos with non-commercial sound. While this eliminates copyright concerns, it may limit your ability to participate in certain audio-based trends that require specific sounds.
  • No access to TikTok’s development programs: Business accounts do not have access to programs like Creator Next or the Creator Fund, which are exclusive to creators. However, business accounts can still utilize the TikTok Creator Marketplace to connect with creators and find influencers for collaborations.

TikTok Business Account vs Personal: Choose the Right Account for You

Now, let’s review all the different features of a TikTok business account vs personal one to help you make the right choice of TikTok account:

Feature

TikTok Creator Account

TikTok Business Account

Verification badge

Yes

Yes

Access to Promote feature

Yes

Yes

Ability to add clickable links in bio

Yes

Yes (for eligible accounts)

Access to commercial sounds

Yes

Yes

Access to general sounds

Yes

No

Ability to set account private

Yes

No

TikTok Development Programs

Yes (Creator Next, Creator Fund)

No

TikTok Shop

(powered by Shopify)

No

Yes

Connection to third-party platforms

No

Yes

Analytics

In-app access

Full access, downloadable


When choosing the appropriate TikTok account type for your business, it is crucial to consider your niche and goals. Every industry has its unique customer journey, and you must determine where TikTok fits into that journey.

For instance, TikTok can be used to create awareness of your product among customers in the early stages, or it can serve as a platform for customers to make purchases in the later stages. It’s essential to identify the specific role TikTok will play in your customer journey, whether it’s for awareness, purchase, or both.

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A TikTok personal account may suit your business if your primary focus is branding, community-building, and educating your customers through content creation.

However, if you aim to enhance your selling capabilities on TikTok and boost your sales, we recommend switching to a business account. TikTok continuously introduces new features to facilitate connections between businesses and shoppers, with the TikTok Shop feature being particularly beneficial for retailers.

Whether you choose a TikTok business account or a personal account, remember that TikTok is a content-sharing platform. To reach more potential customers, creating valuable and engaging content that resonates with your target audience is crucial.

How to Set Up a TikTok Business Account

Create a new TikTok business account

If you haven’t created your TikTok business account yet, here are the steps on how to create a TikTok business account:

To create a TikTok business account:

  1. Download and open the TikTok app.
  2. Create a new personal account. You can use your email/ phone number or log in with your Google, Twitter, or Facebook account.
  3. Tap Profile at the bottom, then Menu in the top right corner.
  4. Select Settings and Privacy.
  5. Tap on Account (the first option on the screen).
  6. Choose Switch to Business Account and follow the instructions provided to finish.
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Switch to a TikTok business account

If you’ve already got a TikTok personal account, switching to a business account is easy. You can follow the same steps as creating a new account, but you can skip the download and sign-up steps since you already have an existing account.

To switch to a TikTok business account:

  1. Open the TikTok app and tap Profile at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Tap Menu (3-line icon) in the top right corner.
  3. Select Settings and Privacy.
  4. Tap on Account (the first option on the screen).
  5. Choose Switch to Business Account, follow the instructions provided, and choose the category that best describes your brand to finish.
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If you change your mind and want to switch your account back to a personal account, the steps on how to turn off a business account on TikTok are precisely similar to switching to a business account. The only difference is that you choose Switch to Personal Account instead of Switch to Business Account.

TikTok Business Account vs Personal – FAQs

  • Is it better to have a personal or business TikTok?

    The choice depends on your specific goals and objectives. If you promote your brands and want to sell products through TikTok, a TikTok business account provides additional features and analytics to support your marketing efforts. A TikTok personal account may be more suitable if you focus on personal branding or creating content based on personal interests.

  • Does a business account get you more views on TikTok?

    No, possessing a TikTok business account doesn’t guarantee more views. Content quality, relevance, and engagement are the primary factors determining views and reach on TikTok.

  • Is a TikTok business account free?

    Yes, creating and using a TikTok business account is free of charge. However, specific advertising options and additional features may involve costs.

In A Nutshell

Choosing the right TikTok account type for your business is crucial to maximizing its potential. Understanding the fundamentals and comparing the pros and cons of TikTok business and personal accounts is essential. A TikTok personal account is suitable for branding and community-building, while a TikTok business account enhances selling capabilities and offers advanced features.

Setting up a business account is easy, and you can switch back to a personal account if needed. Remember, success on TikTok relies on quality content and engagement, regardless of the account type chosen.

For more insights on selling on multi-eCommerce marketplaces, feel free to message us or join our community. Visit the LitCommerce Retailer Blog for further information on multichannel selling.

TikTok Business Account vs Personal: Which One Is Right for You? (2024)

FAQs

TikTok Business Account vs Personal: Which One Is Right for You? ›

Both TikTok Business and personal accounts offer unique features and benefits. If you have a business or brand that you want to promote on TikTok, a TikTok Business account is the best option. It will give you access to commercial tools, such as the TikTok store AND advanced analytics.

Should you have a business or personal TikTok? ›

Anyone whose primary goal on TikTok is to promote their business (either a product or service) should use a Business Account.

Is there a downside to switching to a business account on TikTok? ›

Limited access to Sounds, Duets, and Stitching.

Business accounts are only licensed to use Commercial Sounds from the Commercial Music Library (or create their own sounds).

Can you switch between business and personal TikTok? ›

On the top right corner, tap the hamburger menu icon to open your Settings and privacy page. Tap Account. Under the Account control options, tap Switch to Business Account. Select a category that best describes your account, then tap Next, and this will complete the process.

Do TikTok business accounts get paid? ›

TikTok business accounts can earn money through various monetization strategies, such as in-app purchases, brand deals, and advertising revenue. However, simply getting many views on TikTok does not directly result in payment.

Does business account on TikTok increase followers? ›

Pros of a TikTok Business Account

This includes access to: TikTok analytics regarding your profile, video, content and LIVE videos. TikTok ads and promoted videos to help get more people to discover your videos, navigate to your website and hopefully gain more followers.

Does TikTok flag you as a business account? ›

If you constantly switch between accounts on TikTok, the platform will mark them as business promotion – leading to shadowban (or a regular ban) and forcing you to buy paid ads.

How much does TikTok pay per 1,000 views? ›

How much does TikTok pay creators? It's estimated that TikTok pays around 2 to 4 cents per 1,000 views on a video. That's all thanks to the TikTok Creator Fund.

What does it mean to switch to a business account on TikTok? ›

Business Accounts are free public profiles that give businesses access to exclusive performance insights, creative tools, and account features to help them think like marketers and act like creators.

Is it worth switching to TikTok business? ›

TikTok Business Accounts allow brands to take full advantage of TikTok's marketing features. A Business Account is better for reaching, engaging, and converting TikTok users than a Personal or “Creator” Account. However, it also comes with some limitations.

How much does a TikTok business account cost? ›

A business account on TikTok is free.

How many followers do you need on TikTok to get paid? ›

Join TikTok's Creator Fund

As a creator, once you have at least 10,000 followers and at least 100,000 video views over the last 30 days, you have the potential to start earning money. The Creator Fund provides an opportunity for you to earn money doing what you love.

Is TikTok business worth it? ›

TikTok for small businesses is a powerful marketing tool can help them reach a wider audience and increase their conversion rate. It allows you to showcase your products and services creatively and engagingly, which can instantly attract the viewers' attention.

Should my small business be on TikTok? ›

TikTok provides small business owners with an opportunity to tap into what content their target audience really wants to see, without spending a lot of money in advertising. If you can create exciting content consistently, the TikTok algorithm will display your content to more and more people, just like on Instagram.

Why should a business have a TikTok account? ›

What's the main difference between a personal and a business account? You gain access to advanced business tools to support your content marketing strategy and help you reach a wider audience. So if you're a business and you want to use TikTok to make more sales and boost brand awareness, it's a no-brainer.

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