Harry Styles, Dua Lipa and Doja Cat: What viral TikTok songs banked in royalties, ranked

Songs going viral on TikTok can be a surefire way to get a pop hit, but have you ever thought about how much money they make in royalty revenue? The question has come up since Universal Music Group yanked some of TikTok’s biggest songs from some of the world’s most popular musical acts from the app in a dispute about payments. This seemed like a good time to look at some of our favourite tunes and how much they have made now. Here are the most popular viral TikTok songs ranked by their royalties, according to data from NoDeposit.Guide.

8. As It Was by Harry Styles – $75,000

This song from Harry didn’t make it through the great Universal Music Group wipe of 2024. Still, this number might give TikTok some leverage come any negotiations from the label with acts like Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo on its books.

7. Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa – $123,000

Dua might be launching her comeback third album just after her beloved Barbie soundtrack addition, Dance The Night Away, but this song from her debut is the big TikTok earner for her years after its release.

6. WAP by Cardi B – $138,000

You could not escape this Cardi B collab with Megan Thee Stallion in the summer of 2020. This nice chunk of change commemorates the bop, which may or may not evoke horrible memories of the COVID-19 lockdown.

5. Unstoppable by Sia – $177,000

Sia has delivered some bops that have garnered both commercial and viral success throughout her long and storied career.  This song’s melodrama has lent itself to many a TikTok video, leading to this spot in the ranking.

4. Flowers by Miley Cyrus – $186,903

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This ode to Miley’s single status following her divorce from Liam Hemsworth, who famously got her first Grammy, is iconic. It makes sense it has also managed to earn her enough for a never-ending parade of floral arrangements.

3. Title by Meghan Trainor – $201,000

Meghan loves to get fully involved with the TikTok lifestyle, and her videos document her life and friendship with Chris Olsen. It seems to have snowballed into a boost to her bank balance.

2. Say So by Doja Cat – $252,00

This is probably one of the most defining songs of TikTok as there was a point where your FYP was dominated by Addison Rae and her disciples doing wee dances to this. Well, whatever you think of Doja and her antics, it’s literally paid off for her.

1. Savage by Megan Thee Stallion – $330,000

Megan inspired what seems like a million people to do that wee dance that your nan could probably do after a few Christmas sherries. Well, it also inspired all these dollar signs to roll straight into the royalty pile too.

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