On TikTok and Publishers, We’ve Seen This Story Before

Uh oh. Here we go again. 

In today’s headlines: TikTok, which could use some positive press attention at the moment, has begun allowing publishers to sell ads alongside their videos while keeping half the revenue. And some big publishers are taking it up on the invitation.

The Wall Street Journal heralds the move thusly: “The opportunity to sell ads in social media’s hottest app comes as many publishers are struggling to deal with tough economic conditions, resulting in cost-cutting and layoffs across the industry.”