- Kyle Chua
TikTok Could Soon Introduce An-Free Subscription Plan
Updated: Dec 18, 2023
TikTok is exploring new ways to earn revenue beyond ads, commissions and in-app purchases.
The short-form video giant is reportedly testing a new subscription plan that lets you pay a monthly fee to have an ad-free viewing experience.
The subscription option was first uncovered by Android Authority in the code of the latest version of the app. Test users would be asked to choose from two plans upon launching the app: Standard and Ad-Free.
Standard is essentially the free TikTok experience that you're enjoying today, which shows you personalised ads based on your activity on the app. Ad-Free, meanwhile, is the new option that removes all ads from the app for US$4.99 per month.
TikTok later confirmed to TechCrunch that it is indeed testing the new ad-free subscription option in a limited capacity. The test is said to be currently limited to a single English-speaking market outside the U.S. The ByteDance-owned social media service, however, noted that the tests aren't indicative of a full launch in the future. That means, as of writing, it's yet uncertain whether TikTok could eventually have an ad-free option.
Similar to content-driven services like YouTube, TikTok largely relies on ads for revenue. It has a number of revenue-sharing mechanisms for creators and provides brands the option to promote products or services on the app. These brands can, for example, use TikTok For Business to run different types of ads, ranging from in-feed videos, brand takeovers, hashtag challenges and custom stickers, among so many others.
If TikTok does eventually launch an ad-free subscription, it would join the likes of YouTube and X, which was formerly Twitter, in providing you with such an option. YouTube Premium is a subscription option that provides you ad-free access and uninterrupted viewing to content across YouTube. X Premium similarly lets you enjoy an ad-free experience on X, while giving you access to tools that let you monetise your content.
TikTok is reportedly testing a new subscription plan that lets you pay a monthly fee to have an ad-free viewing experience.
The short-form video giant said the option is being tested in a limited capacity in a single English-speaking market outside the U.S.
The tests, however, aren't indicative of a full launch of the option in the future.