Users can now save tracks directly to their YouTube Music playlist from within the TikTok app. The functionality is part of the “Add to Music App” feature, which allows TikTok users to transfer songs they discover in videos to their preferred music service. 

Initially launched in late 2023 with Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music in the U.S. and U.K., the feature was later expanded globally. Deezer and SoundCloud were added earlier this year, YouTube Music now joins the list.

What makes this update more important is not the number of services added, but the strategy behind it. TikTok is no longer limited to a launchpad for viral tracks, it’s now feeding directly into the streaming economy. 

Each click on the “Add Song” button signifies a fleeting interest in a sound and represents a measurable conversion from social discovery to streaming engagement.

“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.

The feature appears as an “Add Song” button beneath the track’s name in video posts. Once clicked, users can select YouTube Music, which then saves the track to a default “TikTok Songs” playlist. Users can also switch between streaming platforms via TikTok’s settings menu, though once a platform is selected, it becomes the default for future saves.

Behind this seemingly simple user feature, TikTok wants to become the music industry’s most powerful funnel. With over a billion track saves already attributed to the feature, the scale is huge. Again, many of these saves have converted to billions of actual streams, giving TikTok both cultural clout and quantifiable influence over artist revenues.

Now, TikTok is boosting how people discover and interact with music, changing behaviour from passive scrolling to active saving, and in turn, creating a direct pipeline from viral moment to measurable listenership. For artists, especially those breaking out independently, this integration could be a game-changer.

With YouTube Music as a partner and seamless transitions from discovery to streaming, TikTok seeks to become an indispensable music discovery engine.

This development comes as the platform seeks to recognise songwriters beyond just background contributors in the music discovery process that TikTok has long dominated.

For the first time, songwriters on TikTok will be able to display the songs they’ve written or co-written directly on their profiles. 

This new section, called the Songwriter Music Tab, allows fans and potential collaborators to explore their works in one place. Additionally, songwriters who register will have a Songwriter label attached to their account name, clearly identifying their role in the music industry.

At the moment, access is restricted. TikTok confirmed that only a small group of selected songwriters and publishing partners can currently use these features, as the rollout is being handled as a closed beta. Those interested in participating must join a waitlist.

Explaining the reason behind this initiative, TikTok referenced extensive research that included 871 surveyed songwriters and 18 in-depth interviews. The conclusion was that songwriters feel overlooked on major platforms, and they view social media as critical for building their careers. The company stated that over half of those surveyed use TikTok specifically for this purpose.

Speaking on the new Songwriter Music Tab, Jordan Lowy, global head of Music Publishing Licensing and Partnerships at TikTok, said: “We are passionately committed to supporting songwriters at TikTok, which is why we built these tools to celebrate and elevate songwriters and their work on our platform.” 

He noted TikTok’s strength in allowing creators to present their music alongside personal content, enabling a blend of professional and personal storytelling.

Despite TikTok shutting down its standalone music streaming app last year, its main platform remains a powerful tool for music promotion. Earlier in the year, the company rolled out TikTok for Artists, a feature allowing artists to track the performance of their music. 

Now, with these songwriter-specific tools, TikTok appears to be addressing a key blind spot in how behind-the-scenes creators are treated.

While TikTok is late to this game, Spotify and Tidal have long provided similar features, the platform’s place in music discovery may give this initiative a unique edge. Songwriters including Lauren Christy, Toby Gad, and Justin Tranter are among the first to participate in the beta programme.

Industry figures have been quick to respond. Lauren Christy commented: “Just as young Songwriters were losing hope on finding a pathway to success in music TikTok comes along to help save the day! I’m so thrilled to collaborate with TikTok on the beta roll out of their Songwriter features, helping songwriters share their music and stories.”

Toby Gad sees the TikTok Songwriter Music Tab as overdue recognition: “It’s so exciting that this feature allows songwriters to step out from behind the curtain and claim ownership over melodies and lyrics they hold so dear.”

From a business perspective, Derek Cournoyer of Kobalt Music commended the move, saying: “Fans are increasingly fascinated not only with the artists they follow, but also with how songs are written, who’s behind them, and the creative journey that brings them to life. These new songwriter features tap into that curiosity by giving songwriters a dynamic way to showcase their work, and TikTok is leading the way in elevating how their contributions are recognised on digital platforms.”

Sentric’s CEO, Chris Meehan, added: “This launch is a meaningful step toward ensuring writers are properly credited, gain more visibility for their work, and are truly spotlighted as the creators behind the music.”

The practical benefits of these features could be significant. As KOLE, songwriter for artists like Kelly Clarkson and Jason Mraz, pointed out: “Since joining the platform, I’ve been able to connect with fans of my work who might never have found me otherwise. They didn’t need to search — I appeared on their For You Page, letting them know I had a hand in making a song they already loved.”

The company is encouraging interested songwriters and publishers to sign up for the waitlist as it continues testing with select partners.