TikTok Shares Insights Into Its Value as a Shopping Tool

With TikTok on the brink of being removed from the U.S., the timing of this report’s release is particularly interesting.

TikTok has published a new survey report, in partnership with Ipsos, which looks at the value of the app as a product discovery and shopping tool, and the rising utility that U.S. users are finding in making purchases in the app.

The report, based on a survey of 3,876 U.S. internet users, looks at the platform’s evolving eCommerce elements, and how they compare to other apps. And if TikTok does get to stay in the U.S., the findings could be particularly interesting for U.S. retailers.

You can download the full report here, but in this post, we’ll take a look at some of the key notes.

First off, the report looks at the value that TikTok offers as a product discovery engine, based on the popularity of creators, and the insights that they provide.

Indeed, TikTok’s broader ecosystem provides expanded product insights, helping to guide users’ shopping behavior.

As noted, the report also provides a comparison in sentiment versus other commerce platforms, and how TikTok’s approach facilitates a more unique perspective.

According to responses, TikTok also showcases more trending products:

While broader interest in TikTok’s shopping options is rising:

That’s also evident in the rising spending behaviors in the app. It hasn’t become a major online selling platform as yet, as the Chinese version of the app has, but usage of TikTok’s shopping options is rising, and as more people become more comfortable buying products based on TikTok listings, it does have potential to become a bigger commerce player.

Finally, the report provides an overview for retailers on how they can use TikTok to sell their products.

There are some valuable insights and notes here, which could get more retailers re-thinking their approach to the app.

That is, of course, if they have the option, with TikTok set to be removed from the U.S. later this month, as a result of the U.S. government’s forced sell-off push.

TikTok may still be sold to a U.S. company to address the demands of the bill, though that seems unlikely, while the Chinese government has vowed to oppose any sell-off of the app, or its all-powerful algorithms, in response to U.S. pressure.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is now moving to extend TikTok’s timeline, with a view to saving it, and that could also offer a lifeline for the app.

But right now at least, it does look like TikTok’s on the way out in the U.S., at least for the time being, which would render a lot of this data redundant.

But things can change, and nothing is set in stone yet. And if TikTok is allowed to remain in America, these data insights are worth noting.

You can download the TikTok/Ipsos “Commerce Redefined” shopping report here.