YouTube Music Joins the List of Supported Platforms
First introduced in the U.S. and U.K. in November 2023, the Add to Music App tool initially supported three major streaming services: Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. TikTok expanded this feature globally to over 160 countries in early 2024 and later added Deezer and SoundCloud. Now, YouTube Music, already one of the most used music platforms globally, is available as a saving option. Users can select YouTube Music by tapping the “Add Song” button located under a TikTok video’s track description.
Once selected and linked, the song will automatically be saved to a “TikTok Songs” playlist in their YouTube Music library.
“Add to Music App continues to deliver real results for the music industry, with hundreds of millions of track saves translating into billions of streams on music streaming services,” said Tracy Gardner, TikTok’s Global Head of Music Business Development.
A Closer Look at How It Works
The new feature is available to users on both Android and iOS. Once a streaming service is selected as the default, TikTok saves future songs directly to that platform unless the user chooses to change it in the app’s Music Settings.
For YouTube Music users, saved tracks will appear under a dedicated TikTok Songs playlist. The feature simplifies the listening experience, enabling fans to go from viral clips to full streaming sessions within seconds. The integration requires users to be signed in to both apps and running their latest versions. More details on how to use the feature can be found on TikTok’s official help page.
Interoperability with Competitors
Despite TikTok’s ongoing efforts to push its own music streaming brand, TikTok Music this move shows the platform is still willing to work with competitors like Spotify, Amazon Music, and now YouTube Music to maintain user engagement. This cross platform partnership is part of TikTok’s larger strategy to remain central to global music discovery.
“TikTok is already the world’s most powerful platform for music discovery and promotion,” said Ole Obermann, TikTok’s Global Head of Music.
“Add to Music App takes this process a step further, creating a direct link between discovery on TikTok and consumption on a music streaming service.”
In fact, TikTok has also launched other music initiatives like TikTok Rising Artist Programs, Live Performance Challenges, and a Billboard-powered Top 50 Song Chart. These initiatives have become instrumental in boosting both indie and mainstream artists.
Community Response
Early feedback on platforms like Reddit has been largely positive. In a thread on r/YoutubeMusic, users confirmed that the integration is smooth, with some noting that it automatically creates a dedicated playlist and syncs efficiently. Others highlighted its value for discovering niche artists and obscure tracks that would otherwise get lost in TikTok’s fast-moving content feed. However, there are still some limitations. Only one default music service can be selected at a time, and toggling between platforms requires manual reconfiguration in Settings.
YouTube Music Gains Ground
YouTube Music, already ranked just behind Spotify in terms of U.S. listeners, now gains a stronger foothold in the viral music discovery space. While Spotify has long benefited from TikTok virality driving traffic to its platform, this latest integration could see more Gen Z and Millennial users leaning toward YouTube’s ecosystem for full-length listening.
According to recent usage data, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music currently dominate the U.S. market. With integrations like this, YouTube Music may strengthen its position in the TikTok-driven music discovery pipeline.
Broader Implications
This update comes amid wider discussions about TikTok’s growing influence and control over digital media and music trends. In fact, TikTok has faced scrutiny in recent months, with reports that some U.S. lawmakers are exploring new regulations targeting ByteDance’s ownership and data practices.
While there’s no official threat of a shutdown, growing pressure in Washington may affect how TikTok operates with third party platforms in the future, especially those involving user data and streaming partnerships. With YouTube Music now joining the Add to Music App family, TikTok is once again proving that its role in the global music industry is more than just viral trends. It’s a pipeline from discovery to streaming that benefits artists, fans, and platforms alike.
This new addition not only enhances TikTok’s utility for users but also gives YouTube Music a significant edge in an increasingly competitive space. This new feature ensures the song that caught your ear doesn’t get lost in the scroll.
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