Has your sound been removed on TikTok? In January and February 2024, some Australian TikTok users have noticed sounds being removed from videos across the app without warning. But, why is TikTok removing sounds?
In short: TikTok is running a month-long test which involves removing sounds from many Australian TikTok accounts. Not all users are impacted, but some can no longer access the full music and sound library.
The strange part is, we have noticed that these sounds are not appearing to be removed for all users. Half of our team can still hear the sounds on Born Social’s TikTok account, while they show as ‘removed’ for the other half of our team. These videos have not only included trending sounds, but original audio as well. This tells us it is not a copyright issue.
Key takeaways:
1. Testing Phase: TikTok is conducting a month-long test in Australia, which has led to the removal of sounds from many users' videos.
2. Inconsistency: Not all users are equally affected; some can still access sounds while others see them as 'removed.'
3. Licensing Disputes: The removal includes music from major artists due to a licensing dispute with Universal Music Group (UMG), affecting sounds from artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish.
4. Impact on Content: Videos with removed sounds, including music and voice-overs, are significantly impacted, rendering them less effective.
5. Future Uncertainty: There is no official guidance from TikTok on how to handle this issue, leaving creators hopeful for sound reinstatement after the test.
Why Is The Sound Removed on TikTok?
News sources are reporting that some TikTok sounds have been removed as part of a month-long test. A spokesperson for TikTok also said ‘some of our users will not be able to access our full music and sound library’. We have also recently discovered music from Taylor Swift, Drake, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish have had disappeared due to a licensing dispute with Universal Music Group.
Now, users can't create new videos using official tracks from Universal Music Group artists. Additionally, videos already out there with music from their extensive catalog have been muted, along with messages stating, “Sound removed due to copyright restrictions.” UMG's collection features a wide range of artists, from BTS to the Beatles, so any video with their music could face this issue.
It’s being suggested that this ‘test’ is TikTok is looking to negotiate lower prices for music usage in their app, claiming music is not as crucial to the user experience on TikTok as music publishers suggest. TikTok issued a statement in response to Universal Music Group's actions.
"It is sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters.
Despite Universal's false narrative and rhetoric, the fact is they have chosen to walk away from the powerful support of a platform with well over a billion users that serves as a free promotional and discovery vehicle for their talent.
TikTok has been able to reach 'artist-first' agreements with every other label and publisher. Clearly, Universal's self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans."
If this is true, we wholeheartedly disagree! The removal of these sounds has rendered the affected of videos useless - with not only music missing, but also voice-overs.
What Do I Do If TikTok Has Removed My Sound?
For the duration of this test, TikTok has not shared any tips on what to do if your sounds are removed. Many creators are confident that after the test is complete, their sounds will be reinstated. Fingers crossed!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the perplexing removal of sounds on TikTok has sparked concerns among Australian users. While attributed to a month-long test, the lack of clarity adds to the frustration. Born Social's observation of inconsistent sound removal underscores the mystery surrounding this phenomenon. Speculations about TikTok negotiating music prices raise questions about the impact on user experience. If your sounds are affected, TikTok provides no guidance, leaving creators hopeful for reinstatement post-test.
Navigate Sound Removal Challenges on TikTok
Experiencing sound removals on your TikTok videos can be puzzling and frustrating. This recent phenomenon affecting Australian users is part of a month-long test by TikTok, potentially linked to licensing disputes with major music publishers. Such disruptions underscore the unpredictable nature of content management on social media platforms.
At Born Social, we monitor these developments closely and are here to help you adapt your strategy during these changes. Whether it's understanding the impact of missing sounds on your content or deciding between platforms with our insights on 'Reels or TikTok', we're here to support your content creation efforts and help you navigate through these challenges effectively. Contact us today to optimize your TikTok strategy and stay ahead in a rapidly changing digital landscape.