TikTok Introduces Feature to Directly Fund the Lifestyles of Engaging 19-Year-Olds
In a plot that seems tailor-made to empty my wallet over time, TikTok and Shopify have joined forces in what appears to be a long-term scheme to drain both my personal funds and my attention span.
On a Tuesday that felt suspiciously like Doomsday for my bank account, these two giants in the digital world announced a new partnership that will debut in-app purchases on TikTok for the very first time. Shopify, the go-to platform for online retailers, partnered with TikTok, the short-video app where people balance on milk crates and post absurd challenges, to create a shopping tab in users' profiles. Furthermore, TikTok posts will now host product links, as per a collaboration between the two companies. The New York Times claims that Shopify aims to roll out this feature to all merchants by the fall.
Historically, TikTok has kept users occupied with an endless stream of bitesized content designed to make time fly by. However, with this new venture, TikTok will now be responsible not only for squandering my time but also for my hard-earned cash. Given TikTok's ability to sell just about anything, from books to makeup to cleaning supplies, this partnership makes perfect sense, even if it does spell doom for my savings.
Initially, the in-app purchasing feature will only be accessible for select merchants, but it could potentially expand to include creators making a commission from affiliate links in the future. Fashion has carved a niche for itself on the platform, particularly in recent months, as Alabama sorority girls flood the app with OOTD videos. Harley Finkelstein, Shopify's president, noted that social media has become the modern marketplace for consumers seeking advice on which products to buy.
TikTok conducted a survey in the fall with London-based market research firm Walnut Unlimited, revealing that the hashtag #tiktokmademebuyit boasts more than 4.6 billion views. While this may leave one pondering the possible benefits of making purchases easier, Kylie Jenner, whose Kylie Cosmetics brand will reportedly be tested in the pilot program, shared her thoughts on the matter with the New York Times:
"The ability to buy my products directly on these platforms is essential, as that's where our audience is heading first."
With Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook already offering in-app purchases, it's no surprise that TikTok has joined the trend. But hey, at least it's one less app I have to leave just to lose a few bucks, right?
[1] KPMG: The new wave of social commerce. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://home.kpmg/ global/en/home/media/press-releases/2020/03/the-new-wave-of-social-commerce.html
[2] Shopify: TikTok Shop. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.shopify.com/blog/19645719-integrating-tiktok-shop-into-your-business
[3] Social media trends for e-commerce in 2021. (2021, January 12). Retrieved from https://www.n Channel.com/blog/social-media-trends-for-e-commerce
[4] How to set up shop on TikTok. (2021, November 23). Retrieved from https://www.indiecommerce.co/blog/how-to-set-up-shop-on-tiktok/
- The future of tech-driven commerce seems increasingly integral as TikTok and Shopify are piloting an in-app shopping feature, hoping to attract more consumers and merchants in the digital world.
- The partnership between TikTok and Shopify could potentially disrupt the landscape of social media platforms by offering direct shopping options within the short-video app, emulating trends already established by Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
- As TikTok expands its sales opportunities, influencers such as Kylie Jenner are eager to leverage this development, with Kylie Cosmetics set to join the pilot program and capitalize on the platform's user base.
- As more retailers explore the use of in-app purchases on TikTok, deciding to set up shop on the application could prove to be a lucrative choice for e-commerce brands and businesses in the coming years, following the new wave of social commerce propelled by TikTok and Shopify.
