TikTok Explores Monthly Subscription Option without Ads

TikTok is currently testing a monthly subscription service that would eliminate ads on its platform. It is being tested in an English-speaking market outside of the US, but the exact location has not been disclosed. The subscription is priced at $4.99. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is also considering ad-free subscriptions for users in the EU to comply with advertising regulations. TikTok currently displays personalized ads for users above the age of 18. The test conducted by TikTok is small-scale and there is no guarantee that the subscription will be available globally. Other platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) already offer ad-free options for a monthly fee. Meta has informed EU regulators that it plans to charge users approximately €10 per month for ad-free Instagram and Facebook usage on desktops, and €13 per month for ad-free usage on mobile devices. The BBC has reached out to Meta for comment.