ByteDance will shut down TikTok Music on November 28; subscribers to get refunds

Few people know TikTok Music, a music streaming service like YouTube Music, Spotify and Apple Music by ByteDance. TikTok Music is a ByteDance’s attempt at music streaming but will shut soon. Perhaps, Bytedance thinks it'd be able to translate TikTok's success to other derivative services given its extensive user base, but seems things are not working in the company's way.

TikTok’s short video format is not only ideal for enjoying fun and informative content, but it's also a powerful tool for music discovery. Songs often gain popularity on the platform when they’re used in trending challenges, dance routines, or memes. This can happen suddenly and unexpectedly, as viral trends spread quickly among users.

When a song becomes associated with a popular meme or challenge, it can reach millions of people, sometimes boosting the artist's visibility and charting success even beyond TikTok. So, it seemed quite logical for TikTok to try to get into the music streaming segment. It would be ideal if, after listening to part of a song in a TikTok video, you could listen to the full version on TikTok Music with a tap.

At least, you should know by now that it takes more than more just good ideas to make a project successful. I believe ByteDance has realized that and that’s why it’s making a u-turn on TikTok Music journey.

The music streaming industry is very competitive, so to succeed, you need to offer a service that’s at least have something platforms likes of Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Audiomark, Boomplay or Tidal is not having. It seems TikTok Music failed to make the grade, so ByteDance will be shutting it down on November 28th.

It's important to note that TikTok Music was never launched globally. The company initially tested the service in select countries such as Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and Singapore. A trademark application for "TikTok Music" in 2022 indicated that ByteDance intended to eventually expand the service to the United States.

TikTok Music to Refund Subscribers

However, ByteDance is planning on refunding subscribers’ money but terms are conditions are applied. If your TikTok Music subscription expires after November 28th, you are eligible for a refund. For Android users, the refund will be processed automatically; however, you may also request a refund directly through Google Play.

For iOS Family on the other hand, they will have to request a refund through Apple support before the deadline.

With that being said, it’s important to note that if you wish to transfer your playlist from TikTok Music to other streaming service, you have until October 28 to do so otherwise, everything will be wipe off.

Why TikTok Music Failed

Like almost all new fish would do, TikTok Music faced a lot of competition from other music platforms right from the start. Big fishes like YouTube Music, Spotify, and Apple Music each have over 100 million songs in their libraries.

These big fishes have never for once relent on offering amazing features. In other words, they offer special features that make them even more popular. For example, Spotify uses AI to create a DJ experience based on your music preferences and also has podcasts.

YouTube Music includes millions of unique covers and remixes alongside official songs. Some platforms, like Tidal and Apple Music, offer high-quality sound plans, with Apple Music even offering Spatial Audio for a more immersive listening experience.

In the end, TikTok Music may not have done enough to stand out. Additionally, late entry into the music streaming market and its geographical restrictions have also participated in its failure. TikTok Music was only tested in a few countries and never saw a global rollout, reducing the platform global reach and potential user base compared to global services.

Lastly recall that TikTok is in an ongoing legal battle with a bill that would possibly lead to the short video sharing app being banned in the United States. This might have diverted ByteDance’s focus of expanding TikTok Music to markets like the U.S. where it could get more reach.

What do you think about ByteDance shutting down TikTok Music globally? Do you think it’s a good idea, or a bad one? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.