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
editIn 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. In December 2022, Amazon announced the release of Amazon Inspire, a platform resembling TikTok Shop, in a bid to compete with TikTok itself.[4]
In September 2023,[1] ByteDance announced the launch of TikTok Shop globally, which was notably influenced by Amazon Inspire.[5][6]
Criticism and controversies
editSince its launch, TikTok Shop has encountered issues related to misinformation about products, reviews made by generative artificial intelligence to promote certain products, 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.
- ^ Perez, Sarah (8 December 2022). "Amazon launches Inspire, a TikTok-like shopping feed that supports both photos and videos". TechCrunch. Retrieved 20 April 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.
- ^ 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.