Image Credit: Fuzheado
TikTok, the social media platform known for breaking hits and launching careers, is now doubling down on something it’s long been criticized for neglecting: proper credit for songwriters. With the rollout of its new Songwriter Features in beta, TikTok is inviting songwriters to step out from behind the scenes and take their place in the spotlight.
At a time when music creators are demanding more transparency, recognition, and equitable treatment from platforms, TikTok’s move isn’t just timely it’s a statement. The new tools aim to give songwriters visibility within the app, elevate their profiles, and allow them to directly connect with fans.
Let’s break down what’s happening, who’s involved, and what it really means for the music industry.
What TikTok’s ‘Songwriter Features’ Actually Do
TikTok’s Songwriter Features include a few new tools. Songwriters can now:
- Register for a Songwriter Account that labels them clearly on their profile
- Add a Songwriter Tab that showcases songs they’ve written or co-written
- Present both their musical credits and video content side by side
This isn’t a public release yet it’s still in a small-scale, closed beta. But several notable songwriters like Lauren Christy, Toby Gad, and Justin Tranter are already on board. TikTok has also established waitlists for songwriters across the US, EU, and other regions.
According to Jordan Lowy, TikTok’s Global Head of Music Publishing Licensing and Partnerships, the initiative is about more than just credit. It’s about giving songwriters a platform to share their stories and engage with fans. “TikTok is unique in its ability to offer songwriters a way to highlight their musical works alongside their own content… and to raise their profile and build their audience.”
Major Publishers Are Involved and That Matters
Some big names in music publishing are participating in the beta: Warner Chappell Music, Kobalt, Sentric, and Reservoir Media.
This matters for two reasons. First, it signals serious institutional support. Second, these publishers often control vast catalogs of hit songs. Their involvement gives the beta some teeth.
Laura Willoughby, Director of Global Creative Services at Warner Chappell, framed it this way: “We’re seeing a growing trend of music fans wanting to discover and follow the creators behind their favorite songs… We’re proud to champion an initiative that enhances in-app songwriter and music discovery.”
Derek Cournoyer of Kobalt echoed the sentiment, noting 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.”
Even indie publisher Reservoir Media, through President and COO Rell Lafargue, emphasized the tech-forward approach: “We are proud to support these efforts… to elevate the impact of our catalog and the work of our songwriters.”
A Shift in Music Discovery and Who Gets the Credit
Let’s not forget, TikTok has become arguably the most important platform for music discovery over the past decade. But songwriters often didn’t get any credit when a clip went viral or a track blew up.
This new feature aims to fix that by putting a face and a profile behind the pen.
Songwriters like KOLE (credits include Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, Meghan Trainor) said the visibility has already helped connect her with fans who “might never have found me otherwise.”
And songwriter Savan Kotecha praised TikTok’s team, especially Tara Brady, for “making a real effort to shine a light on songwriters who can sometimes get lost in the conversation.”
It’s clear this is part of a broader industry shift. Spotify introduced similar tools in 2020, with songwriter pages and “Written By” playlists. Now, TikTok is catching up and potentially going further by integrating the songwriter’s creative story directly into the content feed.
This Isn’t Just a Feature It’s Strategic
TikTok has been aggressively expanding its music ecosystem despite regulatory pressure in the US and abroad. In just the last few months:
- It partnered with SoundCloud
- Launched TikTok for Artists globally in June
- Added Anghami to its Add to Music App integration
- Rolled out in-app experiences for album drops like Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department
So why focus on songwriters now?
Partly, it’s damage control. The platform’s tense licensing standoff with Universal Music Group put a spotlight on how streaming platforms and apps compensate (or don’t compensate) music creators. But it’s also strategic: by embracing songwriters, TikTok is strengthening ties with the publishing side of the industry and positioning itself as a key part of the music business infrastructure not just a trend machine.
As Toby Gad put it, the new tools allow songwriters to “step out from behind the curtain and claim ownership over melodies and lyrics they hold so dear.”
What Happens Next?
The feature is still in beta, and only time will tell how widely it gets adopted or if TikTok follows through with meaningful impact. But early signs are promising.
Industry bodies like the NMPA (National Music Publishers’ Association) have long called for stronger support of songwriters. Its president, David Israelite, even urged artists and labels to stand with non-performing songwriters “whenever and wherever they strike.” Moves like TikTok’s might be part of answering that call.
The question now is whether this initiative leads to better visibility, opportunities, and critically fair compensation for songwriters as TikTok continues shaping music culture in real time.
Bottom line: TikTok’s Songwriter Features may still be in beta, but they’re signaling something much bigger a cultural and commercial recalibration of who gets recognized in the music industry.
If it sticks, songwriters might not just shape the hits. They’ll finally get seen for it too.
