The biggest music industry news | May 2026
YouTube expands its AI tools, Spotify updates subscriptions and discovery features, and TikTok launches an ad-free tier in the UK.
YouTube adds AI song tool for copyright claims
YouTube has introduced a new AI feature that lets creators resolve copyright claims by generating replacement music within YouTube Studio’s ‘Replace Song’ tool. The new ‘Create’ button generates four royalty-free instrumental tracks that creators can use to replace copyrighted audio in flagged videos, automatically releasing the Content ID claim. While the update simplifies the claims process for creators, it could reduce revenue opportunities for artists and rightsholders linked to Content ID and music licensing.
Threads tests in-feed music stickers
Threads is testing playable music stickers that let users attach songs to posts, complete with album artwork and embedded song previews that can be played directly in-feed. The feature, currently in limited testing, could give artists, creators, and brands a new way to share music, promote releases, and drive engagement without relying on external streaming links.
Spotify DJ expands with new language personas
Spotify has expanded its AI DJ feature with four new personas in French, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese, designed to deliver localised music recommendations and AI-generated commentary. The update also brings DJ to Premium users in additional countries, meaning the feature is now available in more than 75 markets worldwide.
TikTok launches ad-free subscription in the UK
TikTok has launched a new £3.99-per-month ad-free subscription for UK users aged 18 and over, removing standard adverts while keeping access to the same content, creators, and app features. Users who stay on the free tier will continue to see personalised advertising and retain control over ad preferences through the app’s settings.
Spotify launches ‘Your Party of the Year(s)’ experience
Spotify has launched a new mobile-only feature, ‘Spotify 20: Your Party of the Year(s)’, giving users personalised listening stats to mark the platform’s 20th anniversary. The experience reveals milestones including users’ first streamed song, most-played artist, and total songs listened to, alongside shareable insights and an ‘All-time Top Songs’ playlist featuring their 120 most-streamed tracks. Available in 144 markets and 16 languages, the feature builds on Spotify’s wider anniversary celebrations and personalised music experiences.
YouTube adds AI search and Shorts remix tools
YouTube has introduced new AI tools for video discovery and Shorts creation, including ‘Ask YouTube’, a conversational search feature, and Gemini Omni-powered remixing tools. Ask YouTube lets users search with text prompts and refine results in real time using content from both long-form videos and Shorts, while the new remix features allow creators to transform eligible Shorts by adjusting visuals, scenes, and styles through AI prompts.
Spotify reshapes subscription plans in India
Spotify has removed its Premium Lite subscription in India and cut the price of its Standard plan from Rs199 to Rs139 per month, with Standard now replacing Lite as Spotify’s cheapest subscription option in the market. The subscription continues to include ad-free listening, offline downloads, and 320 kbps audio quality, while Premium Platinum pricing remains unchanged, and Duo and Family Platinum plans have been removed.
YouTube reports 2 billion monthly Shorts viewing hours on TVs
YouTube says viewers now watch more than 2 billion hours of Shorts on TVs each month, highlighting the growing popularity of short-form vertical video on the living room screen. The platform has expanded Shorts across the TV experience with redesigned viewing layouts, TV search integration, and upcoming placement in the Google TV feed.