TikTok Shop
Type of site | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | |
| Owner | TikTok |
| Industry | E-commerce |
| Parent | ByteDance |
| URL | shop |
| Launched | November 2022 |
TikTok Shop is an e-commerce feature of the video hosting service TikTok. Launched in November 2022,[1] the feature enables users interested in starting a business and generating income to upload their curated products on TikTok for others to discover. Users have the option to purchase these products, which are available for a price.[2]
On average, TikTok Shop purchases generate approximately US$7 million per day, totaling US$17.5 billion annually.[2]
History[edit]
In October 2020, TikTok announced its partnership with Shopify for a feature called TikTok: For Business. This collaboration laid the groundwork for the eventual launch of TikTok Shop.[3]
In November 2022, ByteDance commenced beta testing of the platform in the United Kingdom and several Southeast Asian countries. Subsequently, in September 2023,[1] TikTok announced the launch of TikTok Shop, which was notably influenced by Amazon and its integration of numerous social media-inspired features into their app.[4][5]
In December 2022, Amazon announced the release of Amazon Inspire, a platform resembling TikTok Shop, in a bid to compete with TikTok's e-commerce feature.[6]
Overview[edit]
On TikTok, users can access TikTok Shop by clicking Shop at the top of their screen. Upon entering, users are presented with a search bar, a curated list of items tailored to their preferences, a shopping cart to finalize the purchase of an item they want, a section featuring popular items, and occasionally special holiday deals.
Users can click on a product to view its details and add it to their cart or proceed with the purchase.[7]
Criticism and controversies[edit]
Since its launch, TikTok Shop has encountered issues related to misinformation about products, reviews made by an artificial intelligence to promote the product, review bombs, and instances of scamming.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Napolitano, Elizabeth (12 September 2023). "TikTok officially debuts shopping platform, TikTok Shop, to U.S. consumers". CBS News. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b Klein, Emma (8 February 2024). "TikTok Shop is taking on Amazon — one viral video at a time". NPR. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Perez, Sarah (24 August 2021). "TikTok expands Shopify partnership, pilots TikTok Shopping in US, UK and Canada". TechCrunch. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Korn, Jennifer (12 September 2023). "TikTok Shop is now open for business". CNN. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Mehta, Ivan (12 September 2023). "TikTok Shop officially launches in the US". TechCrunch. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Perez, Sarah (8 December 2022). "Amazon launches Inspire, a TikTok-like shopping feed that supports both photos and videos". TechCrunch. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b Earley, Brigitt (17 February 2024). "Is It Safe to Buy From TikTok Shop? Here's What Happened When We Ordered". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 3 May 2024.