Why do brands use music without a license on social media?

Every company is a media company now

• Brands publish like media companies: daily posts, influencer campaigns, paid boosts.
• Trending audio drives the algorithm, so social teams reach for popular songs.
• Licensing runs at agency speed; social runs at daily speed.
• Platform terms put the responsibility on the brand.

Proof it matters

In April 2026, Universal Music and Concord sued fashion brand Quince over unlicensed music in TikTok and Instagram marketing, listing 67 recordings and 71 compositions, and seeking statutory damages of up to $150,000 per work.

Sources: Music Business Worldwide, Music Ally.

What it means for you

The same thing happens to independent artists every day, at a smaller scale and mostly unseen. That’s the gap TrackShield closes.

What to do now

1. Save the post. Keep the link, the account and the date.
2. Run a free check. We find the use, build the evidence and tell you what it was worth.

Questions

Why do brands use music without a license on social media?

Brands post every day, and music drives reach on TikTok and Instagram. Licensing a song for each post takes time, so many brands post first and ask later.

Who is responsible for the music in a brand’s post?

Platform terms put the responsibility on the brand. A brand needs its own license for any song in a post or ad.

Does the platform’s music library make it fine for brands to use a song?

No. The libraries cover personal use. A brand’s posts and ads need their own license.

Does this happen to independent artists too?

Yes. The same thing happens to independent artists every day, at a smaller scale and mostly unseen.

What can I do if a brand used my song?

Save the post, then run a free check. We find the use, build the evidence and tell you what it was worth.

Start your free check