Do ads interrupt your TikTok experience? You might soon get ad-free scrolling soon. Android Authority first reported that TikTok is testing a ad-free monthly subscription plan.
The backend code reads:
“We are testing an Ad-free plan with the TikTok community. By continuing, you agree to the [terms], and acknowledge that you have read our [terms] to learn how we collect, use and share data.”
TikTok confirms its testing
TikTok confirmed to TechCrunch that it is indeed testing the subscription plan. However, contrary to what Android Authority reported, claiming testing will commence in the U.S., TikTok said it’s not testing in the U.S. but in a single English-speaking market outside the country. It also appears the ad-free tiers will only cover TikTok ads and not creator sponsorships.
Aside from the app’s shopping feature, TikTok relies heavily on ad revenue. This strategy has been proven successful despite a decrease in online advertisement spending. TikTok remains the preferred short-form platform for ads by brands, as reported by TechCrunch. Its top spenders on ads include Pepsi and Apple.
Other platforms also offer an ad-free experience
TikTok isn’t the first social media platform to consider an ad-free viewing subscription. Meta is reportedly planning to offer ad-free subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram EU users. For Instagram users, this tier will cost them $14 per month. For those who want the ad-free experience for both platforms on desktop, the monthly subscription is $17. Snap also introduced Snapchat+, which costs $4 per month. And X, formerly Twitter, has X Premium for $8 per month, which gives users a blue check mark and approximately 50% fewer ads.
Is the ad-free subscription plan a sure thing?
It’s important to remember that the ad-free subscription plan is currently in testing and isn’t guaranteed to come out. We’ll just have to wait and see if it proves successful and gets a wider release.