SoundOn: Will TikTok soon be competing with Spotify?
Growing social media giant TikTok is getting into the music business: With SoundOn, artists can upload their music directly to TikTok and streaming platforms.
TikTok has already made several lesser-known songs known to an audience of millions: As videos went viral, so did the artists behind the sound. TikTok now wants to pursue this model further and offers music creators a new way to upload and monetize their music with SoundOn. The platform allows music to be uploaded directly to TikTok and receive royalties - if the track is used in videos. In addition, SoundOn also allows music to be distributed via Resso - a streaming service from TikTok parent company ByteDance - as well as streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify.
According to the FAQ on SoundOn's website, creators on its own platform are supposed to be paid full royalties. Spotify, for example, does not do this and is therefore repeatedly criticized for paying out too little. For music used on other platforms, creators will receive 100 percent of royalties in the first year and 90 percent thereafter. Distribution fees are currently not to be charged.
Ole Obermann, TikTok's global head of music, said in a statement: [[pullquote: Wir sind sehr gespannt darauf, wie dies neue Talente ans Tageslicht bringt und wie SoundOn zu einer immer vielfältigeren und wachsenden globalen Musikindustrie beitragen wird.]]
The model is intended to promote unknown artists in particular. "TikTok creators are the lifeblood of our platform and the reason why sounds become hits," SoundOn's website continues. The new service is available in the US, UK, Brazil and Indonesia. TikTok has not yet announced if and when SoundOn will come to Switzerland.
Even if many people in this country still don't know what to do with TikTok: In 2021, TikTok was the app that was downloaded the most worldwide.
Testing devices and gadgets is my thing. Some experiments lead to interesting insights, others to demolished phones. I’m hooked on series and can’t imagine life without Netflix. In summer, you’ll find me soaking up the sun by the lake or at a music festival.