TikTok Music App: Spotify and Apple Competition

Author: Geoffrey Mensah

People’s favorite short video-sharing app, TikTok,  is getting ready to battle the likes of Spotify and Apple Music by launching a Music Application.

This means that TikTok will be more than just a video app but a music streaming application combined. 

To affirm this, some reports proved that ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company), has already filed for a trademark in May 2022.

In this article, we’ll be discussing what the new development means for TikTok and its competitors. Keep reading to find out.

The Possible Features of the New TikTok Music App

If the reports are accurate, TikTok Music will allow users to purchase, share, play, and download music through the application. Also, their app may let users create, recommend, and share their playlists, which is similar to the Spotify service.

Additionally, the app is claimed to feature interactive video and audio programming in fields like entertainment, current events, fashion, and sports.

There is also speculation about a feature allowing users to download apps for radio broadcasts and podcast content. But one significant difference from other platforms is that TikTok music may let users comment on songs, and have access to live audio/video streams. 

Furthermore, TikTok music may be used to search for songs playing in the background.

TikTok’s Ties With the Music Industry

TikTok is no stranger to music streaming, as the platform allows its users to have access to songs from diverse artists and make exciting videos with them. 

ByteDance also owns Resso, which is a music streaming app that is popular in Brazil, India, and Indonesia. One report suggests that Resso and TikTok Music will share many functionalities. 

With Resso, users can create and share a playlist with their contacts, friends, and family. Resso also has a community where users can communicate and interact.

Even before talks of TikTok Music, Resso has already started integrating with TikTok. When users watch TikTok videos with music playing, they’ll see a button redirecting them to Resso, where they can enjoy the full version of that song.

Resso also shares a TikTok-style interface that shows recommendations based on a user’s browsing history. This is another feature found on YouTube and Spotify.

Resso is claimed to have over 40 million active monthly users with the majority from India, Indonesia, and Brazil (as of November 2021).

When it comes to growth, Resso grew by a whopping 304%, compared to Spotify with only 38% in the same period. 

These features and statistics show that Spotify, Apple Music, and other music streaming services might face fierce competition when TikTok Music launches.

In addition, Appbrain says that Resso has been downloaded over 100 million times from different parts of the world. 

However, other sources expect that TikTok Music will aim to establish itself in key markets like Europe and USA.

Conclusion

There are lots of features to expect from TikTok Music if it comes into play. Tiktok is a popular platform to discover new music, and they already have their hands in music streaming services with Resso.

With over 1 billion users, TikTok has the user base to compete effectively with Spotify and Apple Music in this space.