The End of TikTok Music: A Look at the Streaming App’s Closure

In a move that may not surprise many, TikTok has officially announced the shutdown of its separate “TikTok Music” streaming app. The decision comes after facing operational challenges and minimal user interest.

TikTok Music, originally launched as “Resso” in India in late 2019, failed to gain significant traction among Indian users. Despite Resso avoiding the ban that TikTok faced in India in 2020, it struggled to attract a dedicated user base.

After rebranding to “TikTok Music” and expanding to countries like Brazil and Indonesia, as well as Australia, Mexico, and Singapore in a closed beta test, the app still faced challenges such as music licensing disputes and tough competition from existing streaming platforms.

As per TikTok’s statement: “We will be closing TikTok Music at the end of November in order to focus on our goal of furthering TikTok’s role in driving even greater music listening and value on music streaming services, for the benefit of artists, songwriters and the industry.”

The TikTok Music website now displays a message informing users of the impending closure, with details on transferring playlists and requesting refunds before the final shutdown date.

While TikTok Music’s closure may not have a significant impact on the larger social media or music landscape, it was a bold attempt by TikTok to establish a foothold in the music industry. Despite its shortcomings, the experience gained from TikTok Music will likely contribute to improving TikTok’s overall music strategy.

Ultimately, while the closure of TikTok Music may not come as a shock, it represents a learning experience for TikTok as it continues to evolve and grow in the competitive music streaming space.