Tik-Tok is now launching an ad-free subscription, limited to UK users 18 and over, for £3.99 a month.

As always, with any subscriptions, this is likely a starting price, and according to their official post:

“Those who choose not to subscribe will continue to be able to use TikTok as they have been, with personalised ads.”

In other words, if you pay money, your data is no longer used for ad targeting. Stick with free and you’ll carry on paying in the traditional modern internet way.

Maybe I’m just noticing it more lately, but subscription fatigue feels like it’s at an all-time high. TikTok isn’t the only one doing this, which I’m sure is painfully obvious to everyone, but to visualise how silly this can get, here are some examples of what can be yours if you pay a few quid a month each:

• Watching stuff: Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, YouTube Premium
• Listening to music: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music
• Social media extras: X Premium, Meta Verified, Snapchat+
• Cloud storage: iCloud+, Google One, OneDrive, Dropbox
• Work/software: Microsoft 365, Adobe
• Games: XBox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online
• Random game perks: Fortnite Crew, GTA+, in-game passes
• News and articles: Newspapers, Substack, supporter plans
• Supporting creators: Patreon, YouTube memberships, Twitch subs
• AI tools: ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro, Gemini Advanced
• Notes and productivity: Notion, Evernote, Todoist, Obsidian Sync
• Websites and domains: WordPress.com, Squarespace, domain renewals
• Security stuff: Password managers, VPNs, antivirus tools
• Smart home bits: Ring, Nest, Arlo camera plans
• Fitness and wellbeing: Apple Fitness+, Fitbit Premium, Calm, Headspace
• Food and delivery: HelloFresh, Gousto, Uber One, Deliveroo Plus
• Banking perks: Monzo, Revolut, credit score apps
• Printer ink: HP Instant Ink, Epson ReadyPrint
• Dating apps: Tinder, Bumble, Hinge upgrades
• Mobile apps: Weather apps, photo editors, scanner apps

None of these are necessarily bad on their own. That’s the annoying part. One subscription can be useful, but sign up to ten of them and it’s easy to forget what’s still active, what the price was, what discount you had for 3 months, how much it all costs, and whether it’s worth it at all.

But back to TikTok.

You can read more from their official announcement here.

Would you pay for ad-free TikTok if, or when, it launches in your area?