Have you heard about Tiktok’s latest big thing? The platform recently launched an online shop allowing users to sell products virtually anywhere. This new feature is a convenient way to make shopping a lot easier for anyone. Benefitting both users and retailers alike, with the power of social media, this boosts online businesses. TikTok’s shop, a new way of exploration, is an interesting way to see the upcoming products in TikTok’s online shop!

This quote from TikTok’s official blog post underscores the app’s popularity, which has a significant impact on consumer behavior: “Across the US, over 150 million people turn to TikTok to be entertained and inspired by the content they find from their favorite creators — including the latest trends, fashion and beauty tips, recipes, and more.”

According to a study by the influence of the Marketing Hub, 49% of Tiktok users have purchased a product after seeing a sponsored post from a creator they idolize. This indicates that TikTok’s platform boosts the efficiency of considering a person’s decision. An article by a Business Insider discusses this with Zach King, a creator who’s been interviewed and chosen to promote products demonstrating how this new feature creates opportunities to make profit off of their content.

The risks of Tiktok’s new feature for online shopping are considerable. While it may appear as an opportunity for creators to make profit, some creators have pointed out potential risks. An over-sponsored product could make it difficult for users to trust the creator’s advertising. This change includes the focus from creative and entertaining content to a derivative promotion, harming users’ experience on the platform. Moreover, there’s a risk of those who buy from Tiktok being scammed or misled by untrusted sellers, damaging the reputation of Tiktok.