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]
Type of site | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | |
| Owner | TikTok |
| Industry | E-commerce |
| Parent | ByteDance |
| URL | shop |
| Launched | November 2022 |
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.