Can You Use That Song in Your Listing Video?

A trending song might fit your next listing video perfectly. That doesn’t mean you have permission to use it. Here’s what to check before you post.

You’ve finished the property tour, trimmed the clips and found just the right song. It’s available in the app, so adding it should be fine, right?

Not necessarily. Music available for personal posts may not be licensed for real estate marketing. Before adding a soundtrack, make sure the permissions cover both your business use and where you plan to share the video.

Your Listing Video Is Business Content

A listing tour, open house preview or video promoting your services serves a business purpose. That applies even if you post from a personal or creator account, and even if you aren’t paying to promote the post.

The purpose of the content matters, not just the account type.

Social platforms distinguish between music available for personal use and music cleared for commercial use. Meta’s music guidelines require appropriate licenses for commercial uses. TikTok directs businesses to its Commercial Music Library for promotional content, including unpaid posts and ads.

Commercial music catalogs can help you find options, but review the current terms. Music availability and licensing permissions can change.

Another Agent’s Post Isn’t Permission

Seeing other agents use a popular song doesn’t tell you whether they have the rights to it. It also doesn’t mean your video is covered.

Unlicensed music can lead to muted audio, blocked content or a removed post. It can also expose a business to copyright claims and lawsuits. A video making it through the upload process is not confirmation that the music is properly licensed.

Check Before You Cross-Post

Planning to share the same listing video on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and your website? Check the music permissions for each destination.

A platform’s music license does not automatically travel with your video. For example, TikTok’s music-use guidance identifies its commercial library music as licensed for use on TikTok. Downloading the finished video doesn’t give you permission to upload that soundtrack elsewhere.

If you want one video you can share across several channels, choose audio with permissions that cover those uses from the start.

Build a Soundtrack You Can Use

You have several practical options:

• Record your own voiceover. Talk viewers through the property’s features. If you include ambient sound, check that a radio, television or other source hasn’t captured music you don’t have permission to use.
• Add music separately on each platform. Save a version without music, then choose a track cleared for your commercial use on each platform.
• License stock music. Choose a license that covers your planned channels and uses, including paid ads if you intend to run them. “Royalty-free” still comes with license terms.
• Commission original music. Get a written agreement covering the business uses and distribution you need.

Keep the license documentation with your video files. If a videographer handles the soundtrack, ask them to confirm where and how you can use it before you publish or promote the video.