TikTok is getting a new subscription fee
TikTok is introducing a new subscription fee aimed at bettering the user experience.
If your nightly routine involves opening TikTok while your Netflix show plays in the background, congratulations, you are officially part of modern society’s “double-screen Olympics”.
Now that scrolling habit could come with an extra monthly bill.
TikTok has announced a new £3.99-per-month “Ad-Free” subscription for UK users aged 18 and older.
Starting from 11 May, users will gradually begin receiving notifications about the new option.
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Before anyone dramatically throws their phone into the ocean, TikTok is still free. You do not have to pay to keep using the app.
The new fee is only for users who want to stop receiving personalised TikTok ads.
What exactly is changing?
Currently, users in the UK can opt out of personalised ads while still using TikTok for free.
However, under the new system, that option disappears. Instead, users will face a choice:
- Allow TikTok to use your data for personalised advertising
- Pay £3.99 a month for an ad-free TikTok experience
It’s called a “consent or pay” model, and it’s becoming increasingly common across social media platforms.
Why are apps doing this?
Personalised advertising is incredibly valuable for businesses. Apps track things like:
- What you search for
- What videos you watch
- What posts you like
- Sometimes even your location
That information helps advertisers target users more effectively. Basically, if you spent 45 minutes watching sneaker videos at 2am, don’t be shocked when your next ad is trying to sell you limited-edition Jordans.
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How will this work?
If you subscribe to TikTok Ad-Free, TikTok says you’ll no longer see ads directly served by the platform.
However, you will still see sponsored creator content, like the classic: “Guys this protein shake changed my life #ad”
So while TikTok’s own adverts disappear, influencer promotions and paid partnerships will still appear in your feed.
This means your favourite creator can still try convince you to buy a neon water bottle that “changed their mindset.
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