Popular music finally returns to TikTok after months of negotiations with UMG

After three months of negotiations, TikTok and UMG – Universal Music Group have come to an agreement to bring music back to the platform. This means that TikTok users can once again add music to their videos.

In February 2024, UMG declared that they would no longer make their music available on the short-form video app because TikTok had rejected their request to increase the compensation given to artists for the use of their music on the platform.

As a result, the platform removed popular songs by hit artists such as Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Billie Eilish.

As a result, users had to think outside the box in order to create new videos that incorporated music, resorting to using different tracks or even performing the songs themselves.

On May 1, UMG and TikTok announced that they had reached a new licensing agreement, allowing UMG’s music to once again be accessible for TikTok creators.

In the joint statement, the two companies further disclosed their plans to collaborate on new strategies for generating revenue through the restoration of music on TikTok. As part of this partnership, UMG’s music catalog will be joined by features such as “Add to Music App,”which will enable users to conveniently save songs to their playlists directly from the platform.

In addition, artists will be able to utilize new data and analytics tools to expand their following and increase their earnings from song royalties when their music is featured in videos.

UMG and TikTok have also announced their commitment to safeguarding musicians and songwriters from the potential harm of AI technologies. Any music generated by unauthorized AI will be promptly removed from the platform.

Currently, there is no set date for the return of the UMG catalog on TikTok.