TikTok has become a popular place for people to discover and buy products. If you’re new to TikTok shopping, you may be wondering where exactly people are shopping on the platform. Here’s an overview of the main ways people shop on TikTok:
1. Shopping Directly in Videos
Many TikTok creators now include shoppable links in their videos. When you’re watching a video, you may see a shopping bag icon pop up on the screen. Tapping this icon will take you to the product page for the item being featured in the video. This makes it super easy to find and purchase products you discover on TikTok.
To add these shoppable links, creators can use TikTok’s affiliate marketing program. Creators can earn commissions when followers purchase products through their links. So it’s beneficial for creators to make their videos shoppable.
You’ll often see shoppable videos for fashion, beauty products, home goods, tech gadgets and more. So if you see something you love in a video, be sure to check for a shopping bag icon to get that product!
2. Shopping on Brands’ TikTok Profiles
Many brands now have their own TikTok profiles to showcase products and promotions. For example, Sephora, Target, Amazon, and Ulta all have popular TikTok accounts.
On a brand’s profile, you’ll find TikTok videos focused entirely around their products. This makes it easy to see the products in action. Brands will also create shoppable videos here using the affiliate links mentioned above.
So if you know there are specific brands you want to shop from, make sure to follow their TikTok accounts. Their profiles are dedicated shopping hubs you can scroll through to find products you’ll love.
3. Discovering Products on Hashtag Pages
Browsing popular TikTok product hashtags is another great way to uncover shoppable content. Some hashtags to search are #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, #TikTokFamous, #TikTokFinds, and more.
For instance, searching #TikTokFamous will show you products that have gone viral on TikTok. People use these hashtags so viewers can more easily find the products featured. So browsing these tags can reveal the hottest items making waves on TikTok right now.
Often the videos tagged will also have shoppable links integrated. So you may be able to purchase coveted items you discovered under trending shopping hashtags. This makes it easy to jump on product trends thanks to TikTok.
4. Checking Out TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop is the platform’s own integrated shopping experience. It exists within the TikTok app itself. To access it, click the shopping bag icon on the homepage. Or you can also get to it through the “Discover” page.
TikTok Shop allows brands to list their products directly on the platform. And it includes livestreamed shopping as well. During a live, viewers can purchase featured items without ever leaving the app.
TikTok Shop is still in the early stages, but it’s available in certain regions. It offers an easy browsing and shopping experience. So it’s worth checking out if you want to uncover unique products picked out by TikTok.
5. Visiting Shoppable Profiles
Some TikTok accounts are entirely dedicated to shopping content. These accounts help viewers discover and purchase new products.
For instance, accounts like TikTokFamousFinds and TikTokMadeMeBuyItOfficial curate shoppable videos. They find viral products and fun gadgets and showcase them to their followers. Their content is centered around helping people shop on TikTok.
Following these kinds of profiles is an easy way to see shoppable videos in one place. You can discover a wide range of products from clothing to tech without having to search. So give these accounts a follow if you love TikTok shopping.
6. Shopping Recommended Products
TikTok will also recommend products to you based on your interests and engagement. On the “Discover” page and the “For You” feed, you may see product recommendations in between videos.
These recommended products are often accompanied by shoppable TikTok videos showcasing them. So it’s easy to see them in action. The algorithm picks them out based on your interactions on the app.
Browsing recommended products can help you uncover items you’ll actually be interested in. It takes the guesswork out of searching through endless products since they’re tailored to you.
7. Using Shoppable Sounds
Trending sounds on TikTok are also being utilized for shopping. Some brands will create sounds featuring their products. They’ll include a shoppable link in the sound’s bio.
Users can then create TikToks using that sound. This helps expand the product’s reach across the platform. When people use a shoppable sound, it helps drive more traffic to the product page.
So if you’re browsing popular sounds, look out for ones that have shoppable links. You may be able to discover cool products you can instantly buy from there.
8. Shopping LIVE Videos
LIVE videos on TikTok have also become popular shopping destinations. During a LIVE stream, the creator can display products and share links for easy purchasing.
Viewers can buy from LIVEs right away without interrupting the stream. It makes for a fun and engaging shopping experience. You can shop new items in real-time and interact with the host and other viewers.
Many creators will announce upcoming LIVE shopping streams too so you can tune in. So turn on notifications for your favorite shopping creators so you don’t miss out.
9. Buying From Links in Bios
Lastly, don’t forget to check out creators’ bios for shoppable links! In their TikTok bios, many creators will link out to their online stores or product websites.
This allows you to shop the items featured across all their videos in one place. Their bio serves as a hub linking out to all the shoppable products they showcase on TikTok.
So if you want to explore and purchase products from your favorite creators, be sure to click the link in their bio. That’s often where you’ll find the direct shopping destinations.
Tips for Safe TikTok Shopping
When buying products on TikTok, keep these tips in mind to shop safely:
- Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. This could indicate a scam.
- Thoroughly vet sellers and read reviews before purchasing expensive or custom items.
- Use secure payment platforms like PayPal to protect yourself in case issues arise.
- Avoid providing sensitive personal or financial information through TikTok or sellers.
- Make sure sellers have policies for returns, refunds, and exchanges in case you need to send an item back.
- Reverse image search product images to make sure they’re not fake or stolen.
Shopping safely on TikTok comes down to using common sense precautions. Follow the tips above to make sure your shopping experience is smooth and secure.
The Future of Shopping on TikTok
As TikTok shopping rises in popularity, expect the experience to become even more streamlined. More brands will likely join and advertise through TikTok Shop. And creators will continue finding innovative ways to integrate shopping into videos.
Virtual try-on technology is also emerging, allowing you to see how products like makeup and clothes look without having to test them. AR shopping experiences may become more common as well.
Overall, TikTok is working to become a real competitor to other shopping platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. The app’s immersive, short-video format lends itself perfectly to online shopping. Shopping on TikTok will only get bigger and better from here.
So next time you’re looking to discover or purchase some cool new products, don’t forget to browse TikTok. The platform makes shopping fun, trendy, and easier than ever. Use the tips in this guide to unlock the full TikTok shopping experience!
