TikTok Adds Hotel Bookings, Fintech Licenses as Meta Unveils AI Subscriptions
META•TikTok launched TikTok GO for U.S. hotel and attraction bookings and applied for two fintech licenses in Brazil to offer prepaid accounts and credit services, intensifying competition with Meta’s core ad business. Meta plans to monetize AI through subscription services beyond digital advertising following repeated failures in non-ad ventures.
1. TikTok Launches Hotel Booking and Local Discovery Features
TikTok introduced TikTok GO in the U.S., enabling users to discover and book hotels, attractions and experiences directly within its app via video, search and location pages. This one-stop booking functionality removes third-party redirects and creates a new in-app commerce channel that competes for user time and spending.
2. ByteDance Seeks Brazilian Fintech Licenses
ByteDance applied for approval from Brazil’s central bank to operate as a financial technology provider with two licenses: one for prepaid accounts to store funds, receive money and make payments, and another to lend its own capital or match borrowers with lenders. This move expands TikTok’s ecosystem into financial services, aiming to boost engagement and open new revenue streams.
3. Meta Rolls Out AI Subscription Services
Meta announced plans to offer paid subscriptions for advanced AI features and services, marking its latest attempt to diversify revenue beyond its dominant advertising business. The company hopes that AI-driven subscriptions will offset repeated struggles in non-ad ventures and establish a sustainable new income source.
