TikTok Music, the streaming service that aimed to combine social media and music discovery, officially shut down on November 28, 2023. This announcement came on September 24, marking the end of its run in regions like Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, and Mexico. Initially launched as Resso in India in late 2019, the service faced an uphill battle for popularity, especially after TikTok was banned in India in 2020.
In a statement, Ole Obermann, ByteDance’s global head of music business development, emphasized a shift in focus toward enhancing TikTok’s role in the music industry rather than competing directly with major digital streaming platforms (DSPs). The app allowed users to sync their TikTok accounts for music discovery and sharing, but faced challenges with licensing and user engagement.
Now, as TikTok pivots toward its “Add To Music App,” which allows users to save songs discovered on the platform to popular streaming services like Spotify and Amazon Music, the focus is on enriching the user experience. The goal is to create a vibrant space for artists and songwriters, leveraging TikTok’s unique ability to connect fans with music. This strategic shift illustrates TikTok’s ultimate commitment to being a key player in the music landscape, driving not just discovery but genuine connections between artists and their audiences.
For more information, see TikTok Music’s website.