You could be buying merch directly through TikTok soon
It looks like another change is heading to TikTok soon.
In the midst of conflicts surrounding Trump‘s ongoing U.S. ban plans, the video-sharing platform will soon let users sell their own merch directly through the app. According to a report by The Verge, TikTok’s company ByteDance is partnering with the “social commerce platform” Teespring to launch the feature.
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The merch-selling feature is not widely available yet. However, according to the report, 7,000 U.S.-based TikTok users recently took part in private beta testing. The feature is expected to launch sometime in September 2020.
Teespring currently has partnerships with YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, Discord and Streamlabs. The platform claims to have become “the go-to company for over 300,000 creators to monetize their content creation and create and sell authentic products to their fans.”
The company says it has, on average, 2,400 global creators signing up to its platform each day. As well, over the past two years, Teespring has paid out over $80 million in creator profits.
This latest TikTok partnership will allow creators to use the platform in another way. Since many TikTok stars have emerged from the platform over the years, this merch-selling feature gives creators a more direct way to sell to their growing followers. The feature could lead to not only more engagement on the platform, but potentially more profits.
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Sean Kim, Head of Product at TikTok U.S., says this latest partnership will further support the growth and opportunities available for the platform’s creators.
“At TikTok, we’re focused on providing the best app experience for our users first and foremost,” Kim says. “Creators are the heart and soul of TikTok. We are constantly looking for ways to bring more value and opportunities for them within our platform. We are looking forward to building upon our ongoing commitment to support creators through monetary opportunities. In the meantime, are excited to see what ideas creators bring to life on Teespring.”
The partnership with Teespring comes at a rather strange time for TikTok. The video-sharing platform is currently under pressure from the Trump administration to find a U.S.-based buyer to continue operations in the country. Otherwise, Trump plans to ban the app.
TikTok is also dealing with the arrival of its rival Instagram Reels which launched last month. The in-app feature is directly similar to TikTok and gives Instagram users the option to also make 15-second videos.
Would you buy merch that is sold through TikTok? Let us know in the comments below.
