TikTok has become one of the fastest growing social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2022 according to TikTok. The app lets users create and share short videos set to music, effects and creative filters.
When you first join TikTok, your account is automatically set up as a personal profile. However, TikTok also offers business accounts and creator accounts with more advanced analytics and features tailored for marketers, influencers and brands.
You may have chosen to upgrade to a business or creator account originally. Or perhaps your personal account was accidentally switched without you realizing it.
Whatever the reason, you can seamlessly switch your TikTok profile back to a personal account at any time directly within the TikTok app.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover:
- What are the differences between TikTok‘s account types?
- Why would you want to switch back to a personal TikTok account?
- Step-by-step instructions to change to a personal profile
- What happens after you switch TikTok accounts?
- Pros and cons of personal vs. business/creator
- FAQs about switching accounts on TikTok
Let‘s dive in!
An Overview of TikTok‘s Account Types
TikTok offers three main account types: personal, business and creator. Each serves a different primary purpose:
Personal Accounts
This is the default profile every new TikTok user starts out with. As the name suggests, it‘s designed for individuals using TikTok for personal entertainment. Key features include:
- Ability to use mainstream songs and music
- Access to basic TikTok editing tools and filters
- Profile customization via bio, profile photo and more
- Follow / be followed by other accounts
- Video views, likes, comments and sharing
Personal accounts lack access to professional analytics and account management tools provided with TikTok‘s business and creator accounts. But this account type gives users full creative freedom when making fun lip-sync, dance, comedy and other videos to share with friends or the TikTok community.
Business Accounts
TikTok business accounts are intended for brands, businesses, marketers, advertisers and anyone seeking to establish a professional presence on TikTok. Key business account features include:
- Access to TikTok analytics like audience insights, content performance and more
- Ability to run TikTok ads and influencer marketing campaigns
- Add a clickable website or landing page link in your TikTok profile bio
- Partner privileges like applying for a verified account
The main tradeoff is that business accounts are restricted from using copyrighted songs and music without obtaining proper licensing.
According to TikTok, around 8 million business accounts were active monthly as of January 2022. Major brands like Chipotle, Red Bull and even Manchester United soccer club leverage TikTok‘s business profiles to engage their audiences on the platform.
Creator Accounts
TikTok creator accounts cater specifically to content creators, influencers, artists, public figures and anyone creating videos more professionally. Key features include:
- Access to some TikTok analytics like profile views and interactions
- Clickable website link in bio
- Ability to use mainstream songs adhering to DMCA guidelines
- Apply for TikTok‘s Creator Fund to earn money for top videos
So in summary:
- Personal accounts = For individuals using TikTok casually for fun
- Business accounts = For brands and marketers seeking analytics and advertising
- Creator accounts = For influencers and creative pros focused on content
This breakdown highlights why someone may opt to switch from a business or creator account back to a personal profile. Next let‘s look at some of the top reasons to make the change.
Why You May Want To Switch to a Personal TikTok Account
There are a few key reasons someone might want to revert their TikTok profile back to a personal account after previously using a business or creator version:
1. You use TikTok for personal entertainment
If you originally setup a business account to manage some company videos or dabbled with a creator account but now use TikTok mainly for casual viewing and sharing fun videos with friends, a personal account likely makes more sense aligned with your usage.
2. You want full creative freedom
Personal accounts have the least restrictions around music, content and creativity. You can leverage all songs, filters, effects and editing tools. Business accounts in particular limit song use without proper licensing.
3. You don‘t need advanced analytics
For TikTok marketing, the analytics provided on business and creator accounts are indispensable. But if you aren‘t concerned with audience insights and growth metrics, a personal profile will do just fine.
4. Your account switched on accident
Sometimes users can inadvertently toggle their account to a business or creator version without meaning to. This happens most often when setting up monetization features like TikTok LIVE. Switching back to personal restores your intended settings.
5. You simply prefer a personal experience
Maybe you gave the business tools a try but ultimately decided you favor the more casual, recreational feel of a personal TikTok account. User preference is a perfectly valid reason to switch back.
Those are some of the mot common scenarios for reverting to a personal TikTok account. To change your profile type, follow the steps next.
Step-by-Step Guide to Switch to a Personal Account
Switching your TikTok account back to a personal profile from a business or creator account only takes a few taps in the mobile app. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:
Step 1: Open your TikTok profile
- Launch the TikTok app on your mobile device and tap the "Me" tab on the bottom to navigate to your profile page.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu
- From your profile, tap on the three dots or horizontal line menu in the top right corner.
Step 3: Select "Manage account"
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This will open your TikTok account management options.
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Tap on the "Manage account" choice.
Step 4: Choose "Switch to Personal Account"
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Under the "Account control" settings, tap on "Switch to Personal Account"
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If switching from a business profile, you‘ll get a pop-up alerting you that you‘ll lose analytics access and ability to link in bio. Tap "Switch back" to confirm.
And that‘s it! Your TikTok account type will instantly be changed over to a personal profile.
What Happens When You Switch TikTok Accounts?
When you switch from a TikTok business account or creator account to a personal profile, here‘s what you can expect:
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You‘ll lose access to analytics: Any analytics data from your business/creator accounts will be removed after switching to personal.
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Your bio link goes away: Personal profiles cannot have a clickable website link added to bios.
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Your existing videos and followers will remain: Any previous videos or followers on your account stay the same.
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Your account data resets: Switching account types will reset account data like when you joined TikTok back to the switch date.
So in summary, the main changes are losing analytics and bio linking abilities. Your content and follower count remain unchanged. TikTok essentially transforms your entire presence into a new personal profile.
Pros and Cons of Personal TikTok Accounts
Weighing the pros and cons can help determine if a personal account makes the most sense for your TikTok usage:
Pros
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Full creative freedom: Use any music or content without copyright issues
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Fun, casual experience: No pressure of growth metrics or professional demands
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Easy switching: Seamless to revert if your account changed unintentionally
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Simple and intuitive interface: Made for everyday TikTok users
Cons
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No analytics: Lose out on helpful audience and performance data
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No bio links: Can‘t add clickable website links to your profile
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Less features: Lacks some capabilities of business/creator accounts
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No paid advertising: Can‘t run ads without a business profile
For most individual users looking to enjoy TikTok for personal entertainment, fun videos, and community engagement, the pros of a personal account outweigh the cons. But for brands, marketers and creators wanting to grow their presence, a business or creator profile is likely the better fit despite having slightly more complexity.
How TikTok Account Types Compare to Other Apps
It can be helpful to understand how TikTok‘s varying account types compare to features on other major social platforms:
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Instagram also offers personal, business and creator accounts. But Instagram creator accounts (not business) are required to get swipe-up links in Stories.
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Facebook Pages are similar to TikTok‘s business accounts, with analytics and advertising capabilities beyond personal profiles.
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YouTube allows all accounts to toggle some business features monetization and analytics without switching account types entirely.
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Twitter has a straightforward personal vs professional account system focused on identity verification.
So TikTok‘s approach of segmenting key features across distinct account types is unique compared to other social platforms. The ability to seamlessly switch between these types is very convenient for users.
Frequently Asked Questions About Switching to Personal
Here are answers to some common questions around switching to a personal account on TikTok:
Can I switch my TikTok account back to personal at any time?
Yes, you can change your TikTok account type to personal at any time easily right within the TikTok app. There are no time restrictions or limits.
What if I want to switch back from personal to business later?
You can toggle your TikTok profile between personal, business and creator accounts as often as needed. Just follow the steps above to switch between account types at any time.
Will switching accounts delete my drafted videos or scheduled posts?
No, any drafted videos or scheduled posts in your queue will still be published as planned after switching TikTok accounts. You will not lose any content.
Can I use the same email for multiple account types?
Yes, you can use the same email for both a personal account and a business/creator account concurrently on TikTok without issues.
Do I lose followers if I switch away from a business profile?
No, your current followers carry over even if you switch from a TikTok business profile over to a personal account. You‘ll retain the same follower count.
Conclusion
Switching your TikTok account type back to a personal profile is simple and straightforward right within the TikTok app. Just navigate to account settings, tap “Switch to Personal Account”, and confirm to update your profile.
Before switching, think about your primary usage of TikTok. For casual users, a personal account offers full creative freedom without advanced business features you may not need. But marketers, brands and creators may still prefer a business or creator account.
We hope this complete guide covered everything you need to know about switching your TikTok profile to a personal account. Let us know if you have any other questions!
