Personalized approaches to songs on TikTok has given way to new forms of music being consumed by millions. Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash 

by Kamalika Bhushan Bezzam 

Over the last few years, TikTok has completely changed how music becomes popular. Instead of songs going viral mainly through radio play or music videos, short-form videos on TikTok can now turn almost any track into a worldwide hit sometimes even years after it was released.

TikTok, a short-form video TikTok platform, is built around 15-60 second videos. This format is perfect for music hooks and catchy 5-15 second parts of songs. When users find a sound they like, they can reuse it in their own videos, remix it or create trends around it. Once a sound starts being used repeatedly, the platform’s algorithm pushes it to even more users, creating a chain reaction of exposure.

A song usually goes viral on TikTok in a few stages. A user or creator uses a small part of a song in a video on their own profule while others will copy or adapt the sound for personal exposure through memes and dance videos. TikTok recommends the sound to more users because its gaining engagement. Before long, the possibly obscure song starts appearing on Spotify charts, YouTube and radio platforms.

Because of TikTok, record labels now actively design songs to be “TikTok-friendly.”  These songs will have catchy openings within the first new seconds with memorable lyrics or hooks and easy-to-repeat beats for dances or trends.

Some critics argue this changed how music is written, making songs shorter and more focused on viral moments. Others say it gives smaller artists a chance to blow up without needing major industry connections.

TikTok has become one of the most powerful tools in the modern music industry. A single viral video can launch a song into global charts, revive old hits, and even create new music trends overnight. TikTok has permanently changed how we discover and listen to music.