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Mar 18 2024

TikTok’s New Creator Rewards Program Prioritizes Search Value via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern

TikTok has launched its new Creator Rewards Program and introduced a Search Insights tool.

The program, which was previously in beta, rewards creators based on four key metrics:

Originality
Play duration
Search value
Audience engagement

The new Creator Search Insights tool provides data on trending search topics, helping you to create content that meets TikTok’s requirements for “search value.”

Here are the details about the new monetization program and keyword research tool.

Emphasis On Search Value

One of the most notable aspects of the Creator Rewards Program is its emphasis on search value.

In an announcement, TikTok defines search value as:

“Search value is a metric assigned to content based on popular search terms. Content that aligns with in-demand search topics increases its value for searchers.”

To help people create more content with search value, TikTok launched the Creator Search Insights tool, which identifies trending search topics on the platform.

Creator Search Insights Tool

The Creator Search Insights tool, available in select regions, allows you to explore topics that are frequently searched for on TikTok.

By typing “Creator Search Insights” in the search bar, you can access a wealth of information to inspire your content creation process.

The tool surfaces popular search topics sorted by category or personalized based on your content niche. Additionally, you can filter for content gap topics, which are popular terms with limited video content available on the platform.

TikTok stated in its announcement:

“With these insights, creators can source inspiration for their content, tailor their creative strategies to meet audience interests and create content that people want to see more of. Our hope is that Creator Search Insights empowers creators to make content that’s relevant to searchers and positioned to perform well on TikTok.”

Additional Program Metrics & Eligibility

The Creator Rewards Program also prioritizes originality, encouraging creators to showcase their unique perspectives and creative processes in a way that resonates with their audience.

Additionally, the program considers play duration, which accounts for watch time and finish rate, and audience engagement, including likes, comments, and shares.

To be eligible for the program, creators must be at least 18 years old, have a minimum of 10,000 followers, and have generated at least 100,000 views in the past 30 days. Their accounts must also be in good standing and located in a region where the program is available.

Enhanced Dashboard & Creator Academy

Alongside the Creator Rewards Program launch and the Creator Search Insights tool, TikTok has introduced an enhanced dashboard that provides creators with detailed analytics, insights, and customization options to help them analyze their content performance and estimated rewards.

The dashboard also includes direct access to the Creator Academy, a comprehensive education hub offering resources, courses, and insights to support creators at all levels.

TikTok has also improved its Monetization module within the in-app Creator tools. It provides a centralized hub for creators to access all monetization-related operations, including revenue analysis and personalized recommendations.

In Summary

The Creator Rewards Program and Search Insights tool are the latest examples of how TikTok enables creators to make money on its platform.

As the platform continues to evolve and prioritize search, marketers who adapt their strategies accordingly may find new opportunities to earn revenue.

FAQ

How do the new TikTok Creator Rewards Program and Search Insights tool influence content strategy?

Marketers focusing on TikTok must adjust their content strategies in light of the platform’s recent updates. The Creator Rewards Program incentivizes content that aligns with specific criteria, emphasizing:

Originality – Offering a fresh and unique perspective in the content.
Play duration – Creating content that encourages viewers to watch until the end.
Search value – Crafting content that corresponds with in-demand search terms and topics.
Audience engagement – Generating content that fosters likes, comments, and shares.

Content creators and marketers should leverage the Creator Search Insights tool to capitalize on these metrics. By focusing on trending searches and identifying content gaps, they can tailor their content to meet user interests and improve its potential for visibility and monetization on the platform.

To be eligible for TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program, what criteria must creators meet?

For creators to take advantage of TikTok’s monetization opportunities through the Creator Rewards Program, they must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Age – Must be at least 18 years old.
Followers – Must have a minimum of 10,000 followers.
View count – Must have garnered at least 100,000 views in the past 30 days.
Account standing – Must have an account in good standing and based in a region where the program is available.

These prerequisites ensure that active, influential, and engaged creators are rewarded, incentivizing high-quality and engaging content creation on TikTok.

What resources does TikTok provide to creators to help them succeed on the platform beyond the Creator Rewards Program?

TikTok offers resources to support creators in honing their craft and optimizing their content. These resources include:

An enhanced dashboard that delivers in-depth analytics, insights, and customization options, thus enabling creators to analyze content performance and projected rewards.
Direct access to the Creator Academy presents an extensive array of educational material, courses, and insights aimed at aiding creators of varying experience levels.
Improvements to the in-app Monetization module, featuring a centralized hub where creators can manage all monetization aspects, including revenue analysis and tailored recommendations.

These tools empower creators with the knowledge and data to create compelling content and maximize their earning potential on TikTok.

Featured Image: newsroom.tiktok.com, March 2024.

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Jan 15 2024

TikTok Gains Traction As A Search Engine Among Gen Z [STUDY] via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern

TikTok is increasingly being used as a search engine by consumers looking for information, recipes, music, and more, according to a new study by Adobe.

The research involved surveys of over 800 consumers and 250 business owners to understand how TikTok is reshaping search behavior and marketing strategies.

The Rise Of TikTok As A Search Engine

Research shows that 40% of consumers now use TikTok to search for things they need or are interested in learning about.

This trend is prevalent among younger people, with 64% of Gen Z (those born after 1996) and 49% of millennials (born between 1981-1996) turning to TikTok as a search tool.

The platform is being used to look up all kinds of topics – from cooking recipes, which Gen Z searches for 29% more than millennials do, to music, DIY ideas, fashion, and more.

Nearly 10% of Gen Z users now prefer using TikTok over established search engines like Google when looking for information.

ChatGPT is also gaining popularity as a search tool, with over 10% of people using it to query for information like personal finance advice.

Why TikTok Captures User Interest

TikTok has become popular as a search engine because it delivers content in a unique, personalized way – through short, informative videos that tell little stories.

A big part of TikTok’s appeal is how it tailors content to each user’s interests. About 40% of Gen Z users like how TikTok shows them videos aligned to their personal preferences. Even 26% of baby boomers are drawn to TikTok’s story-style content.

Most TikTok users favor video tutorials above other formats – 62% say they’re their top choice. Reviews and personal anecdotes are also appreciated, with 39% and 38% naming them as favorites, respectively.

TikTok’s focus on real people sharing their experiences is part of why many see it as a trustworthy source of knowledge and expertise.

Business Owners Pivot To TikTok

TikTok is gaining traction among business owners as a platform to reach customers searching for products and services.

Over half of surveyed business owners now use TikTok to promote their companies, posting about 9 times per month on average. Collaborating with TikTok influencers for sales and promotions is also a popular tactic, with 25% of small business owners pursuing influencer marketing.

On average, businesses devote 15% of their total marketing budget to creating TikTok content.

They focus mainly on creative tangential content (43%), product reviews (36%), and instructional videos (35%). Looking ahead, over half of businesses (53%) intend to increase their investment in TikTok marketing, despite ongoing challenges around driving engagement and regularly creating compelling content.

Looking Ahead

As TikTok reshapes consumer search behavior, content creation strategies may evolve along with it.

Though TikTok requires ongoing experimentation, it presents opportunities to connect with younger audiences and become an authoritative source.

Stay nimble, as the TikTok landscape will keep changing. Most importantly, put the user experience first, delivering value through entertaining and informative videos.

Featured Image: sentretvector/Shutterstock

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Oct 27 2023

HubSpot & TikTok Announce CRM Partnership For B2B Lead Generation via @sejournal, @kristileilani

In a move that could redefine B2B lead generation, HubSpot and TikTok announced a unique integration to streamline B2B lead generation.

This partnership helps businesses capture TikTok leads into HubSpot’s CRM (customer relationship management) platform.

Rising Customer Acquisition Costs Amid New Opportunities

This partnership is timely, given that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face escalating customer acquisition costs.

HubSpot’s research indicates that 53% of SMBs in the United States experienced rising customer acquisition costs from 2021 to 2022, with over a third witnessing an increase of 20% or more.

TikTok, a platform where over half of its U.S. users discover new brands, hopes to solve this problem uniquely.

HubSpot-TikTok Integration Automates B2B Lead Capture Process

The new HubSpot CRM integration offers automated lead capture from TikTok, turning a highly engaged audience into potential high-value customers.

Karen Ng, SVP of Product at HubSpot, emphasized the transformative power of combining TikTok’s discoverability with HubSpot’s robust customer platform.

“With this integration, we’re pairing the discoverability of TikTok with the power of HubSpot’s customer platform to help more businesses turn tuned-in audiences into high-value customers.”

How The Integration Works

HubSpot’s Smart CRM, the backbone of this integration, ensures a unified customer experience across teams and offers actionable insights through intelligent workflows and analytics.

Users can link their TikTok for Business account with HubSpot, streamlining the initial setup.

Once connected, advertisers can create lead-generation ads on TikTok that automatically sync leads into HubSpot’s Smart CRM in real time.

This centralizes all prospects, making it easier for businesses to manage their sales funnel.

From there, businesses can engage with new leads using HubSpot’s Marketing Hub and determine which campaigns generated the best results with AI-powered analytics.

While the HubSpot CRM integration with TikTok is only available in the U.S. and Canada, it’s slated for expansion to other countries in the coming months.

We have reached out to HubSpot for additional comments about the cost of the new integration and which countries will be next to try it.

TikTok Offers $200 Ad Credit To First 500 Adopters

For a limited time, the first 500 advertisers who integrate HubSpot CRM with TikTok will receive $200 in TikTok ad credits, making it a cost-effective way to tap into a fresh audience.

See how TikTok & @HubSpot can help supercharge your brand’s performance with our new CRM partnership 👏

For a limited time, we’re giving $200 in TikTok ad credits to the first 500 advertisers who integrate their HubSpot CRM with TikTok.*

Learn more here: https://t.co/pxxVbA2P7w pic.twitter.com/XK4Z6Cvttf

— TikTok for Business (@TikTokBusiness) October 26, 2023

Effectiveness Of TikTok Lead Generation Ads

A recent TikTok Marketing Science Global Shopping Ad Products Study in 2022, conducted by Material, shed light on the effectiveness of TikTok’s lead generation ads.

57% of TikTok users said they would likely purchase from a business after viewing an ad, underlining the platform’s potency in driving consumer action.

Additionally, 69% of users felt these lead-generation ads effectively capture their attention, a key metric in the saturated digital advertising space.

Perhaps most intriguingly, half of the surveyed users stated that these ads don’t even feel like traditional advertisements, suggesting that TikTok has succeeded in seamlessly blending promotional content into the user experience.

Enhancing Lead Generation With Social Integration

This partnership holds significant implications for B2B marketers grappling with rising customer acquisition costs.

It marks the convergence of a highly engaged audience on TikTok and HubSpot’s robust CRM capabilities, offering a new avenue for lead generation that aligns with community-based customer acquisition trends.

Featured image: XanderSt/Shutterstock

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Sep 12 2023

TikTok Shop Officially Launches In The US via @sejournal, @kristileilani

Social media giant TikTok is rolling out its retail ambitions in a big way with the full launch of TikTok Shop in the United States.

With inspiring hashtags like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, the company now aims to revolutionize online shopping culture.

TikTok Shop adds shoppable videos and LIVE streams directly into the “For You” feeds for its 150 million American users.

The new ecommerce feature, initially spotted in April, offers a variety of tools to enable brands to sell products directly within the TikTok ecosystem.

TikTok Shop Features For Businesses

TikTok Shop extends beyond in-feed videos and LIVE streams. Users can discover new products via the search bar inside the TikTok app, filtering results to Shop.

Businesses and brands get a dedicated “Shop Tab” to display products and promotions.

This incorporates a product showcase where users can read reviews and purchase directly from your brand’s profile.

Screenshot from TikTok, September 2023

In addition, sellers can take advantage of “Fulfilled by TikTok” – a new logistics solution where TikTok manages storage, picking, packing, and shipping.

The platform even includes an affiliate program, letting popular influencers and creators earn commissions by promoting TikTok Shop products.

TikTok Shop Officially Launches In The US

Screenshot from TikTok, September 2023

How To Sign Up For TikTok Shop

In the TikTok app, visit your profile and, using the menu, navigate to Creator Tools. There, you will see the options to sign up for TikTok Shop as a seller or creator to earn brand commissions.

Creators must have at least 5,000 followers and be 18 years old to be eligible for the TikTok Shop Affiliate program.

Screenshot from TikTok, September 2023

TikTok Shop Integrates With Shopify, WooCommerce

TikTok Shop has integrated with well-known ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud.

This should make it easier for existing ecommece sellers to start selling on TikTok without creating a new store from scratch.

In addition, TikTok has partnered with several multi-channel platforms like Channel Advisor and Feedonomics to support omni-channel businesses.

Sellers can utilize apps from Zendesk, Printful, Yotpo, EasyShip, and more to add more functionality and features to TikTok Shops.

The Future Of Social Commerce And Influencer Marketing

While the potential for TikTok Shop is vast, skepticism will always remain around data privacy.

The company has a tall order to ensure the user experience remains smooth while respecting privacy and security concerns, mainly due to past controversies surrounding user data.

TikTok is committed to user security and privacy, working with trusted third-party payment platforms for transactions.

Integrating ecommerce with TikTok could redefine how brands and creators engage with consumers, as each engagement could lead to a direct sale or affiliate commission.

Featured image: Poetra.RH/Shutterstock

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Aug 10 2023

China is escalating its war on kids’ screen time

This story first appeared in China Report, MIT Technology Review’s newsletter about technology developments in China. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Tuesday.

Two years ago, parents around the world likely looked at China with a bit of jealousy: the country had instituted a strict three-hour-per-week limit for children playing video games. In the time since, it’s also demanded that TikTok-like social media platforms curate a heavily filtered content pool for users under 18, while also limiting their screen time and spending in the apps.

For better or worse, these moves have put China ahead of just about every other country in terms of controlling how minors use the internet.

But Beijing is now going even bigger: last week, the government escalated its current regime into a comprehensive set of restrictions and regulations on how children use all apps, with the goal of limiting them to age-appropriate content on their phones, smart watches, speakers, and more.

On August 2, China’s cyberspace administrator released the “Guidelines for the Establishment of Minors’ Modes for the Mobile Internet.” Essentially, this is a cross-platform, cross-device, government-led parental control system that has been painstakingly planned out by Beijing. Whereas past rules mainly required cooperation from app companies, the government is now asking three sides—app developers, app store providers, and makers of smartphones and other smart devices—to coordinate with each other on a comprehensive “minors’ mode.” This would apply to Chinese companies, though non-Chinese tech giants like Apple and Samsung would be asked to cooperate with the system too.

The rules are incredibly specific: kids under eight, for instance, can only use smart devices for 40 minutes every day and only consume content about “elementary education, hobbies and interests, and liberal arts education”; when they turn eight, they graduate to 60 minutes of screen time and “entertainment content with positive guidance.” Honestly, this newsletter would have to go on forever to explain all the specifics.

I think part of the reason the guidelines are so detailed—prescribing exactly the products that tech companies need to build for underage users—is that the government wants to increase enforcement and eliminate any loopholes, like those it’s seen children exploit in regulations on gaming and social media use.

To take a step back, those rules have generally been pretty effective. A year after the three-hour-per-week gaming rules were instituted, 77% of young gamers had reduced the amount of time spent gaming each week, according to a 2022 survey conducted by Niko Partners, a research firm focusing on the Asian games market. Tencent’s earnings in the first quarter of 2023 also show “a dramatic 96% decrease in gaming hours and 90% decrease in gaming spending” by underage gamers from three years ago, Xiaofeng Zeng, a vice president at Niko Partners, tells me.

But when there are rules, there will always be workarounds. Of the gamers surveyed in 2022, 29% still reported weekly game time over three hours, mostly by using their adult relatives’ accounts. While some companies, like Tencent and NetEase, have started to use facial recognition to verify the actual player, most game developers don’t have the capability to do that yet. Underage gamers are also fueling the growth of gaming account rental platforms, which have less incentive or technological know-how to filter out underage users.

So now Beijing is moving toward a standardized technical system that allows institutions—whether the government or private tech companies—to have almost total, end-to-end control over individual young users in areas far beyond gaming. Many parents, both in and outside China, have celebrated Beijing’s past parental controls as the right approach for a government to take. But will all those people be comfortable with the government’s ever-intensifying restrictions?

(One important caveat I should note: Jeremy Daum, a senior fellow at the Yale Law School Paul Tsai China Center, points out that the rules may not, at least at first, be binding; for example, the regulation has not laid out the liability for companies that fail to comply.)

I’m curious to see how legislators in the United States will respond, since some are trying to introduce similar rules.

My colleague Tate Ryan-Mosley has written about the recent wave of child safety bills being proposed across the US. One of the major obstacles for these rules is that they are hard to enforce technically. In some ways, China’s detailed planning for “minors’ mode” could be instructive for other governments interested in translating child safety concerns into the language of app development and regulation. (Of course, I doubt any American legislator would publicly endorse a piece of Chinese regulation.)

But with increased control come even more concerns about personal data (a point I also made back in March in a piece about limits on TikTok use). As Tate asked in The Technocrat, her newsletter on tech policy, in April: “[A]ll this legislation depends on verifying the ages of users online, which is hugely difficult and presents new privacy risks. Do we really want to provide driver’s license information to Meta, for example?”

Beijing has an easier time answering that question. The government has already built a comprehensive national identity verification system that the gaming and social media companies are using to discover underage users’ accounts. It is also more comfortable and adamant about deciding what content (politics, LGBTQ issues, uncensored news, etc.) is not for children. (The US is catching up on that.)

In the end, it’s the same technical system that protects children from harm, censors online speech, and collects vast amounts of personal data. It’s the same paternalistic attitude that determines what children should watch and what adults should read. How comfortable are we in pushing the balance further to the side of centralized control rather than individual decision-making?

If you are a parent, how do you feel about China’s new and old rules restricting minors’ internet use? I want to hear from you. Write to me at zeyi@technologyreview.com.

Catch up with China

1. Speaking of app stores, Apple just removed more than 100 generative AI apps from its Chinese app store because they violated the country’s new generative AI regulation. (Gizmodo)

The law, passed in July, is wholly focused on generative AI, continuing the Chinese government’s whack-a-mole tradition when it comes to taming new tech phenomena. (MIT Technology Review)

2. China has spent billions of dollars in recent years to build “cities like sponges,” but severe flooding this summer, which has affected 30 million people and caused 20 deaths, shows it’s not enough. (Bloomberg $)

3. TikTok could soon obtain a payment service license in Indonesia, which would boost its e-commerce ambitions. (Reuters $)

4. Neville Roy Singham, an American tech mogul, is at the center of a global web of donations that pushes pro-China talking points within progressive groups. (New York Times $)

5. How Li Ziqi, the original Chinese cottagecore creator on YouTube, rose to fame and then quietly disappeared. (New Yorker $)

6. A new report found that the solar panel industry—with its close ties to China’s Xinjiang region, where forced labor has been documented—has become less transparent about the origin of its products. (New York Times $)

7. As China’s economic growth slows, more wealthy Chinese people are turning to a US program that offers permanent residency in exchange for business investments. (Wall Street Journal $)

8. A batch of online matchmaking apps in China have been created for a new demographic: parents who want their children to marry as soon as possible. (Rest of World)

Lost in translation

The extreme summer heat of 2023 has made it a great year for Chinese air-conditioner manufacturers. According to the Chinese financial publication Yicai, the El Niño phenomenon caused temperatures to reach new heights starting in June, pushing consumers to splurge on AC purchases early this year.

Domestic sales of AC units in the first half of 2023 increased about 40% over last year. The CEO of a Chinese home appliance company told the publication that this is the only large appliance to see an increase in sales this year.

Meanwhile, the global demand for AC also keeps increasing (even though cooling systems are a double-edged sword when it comes to climate change). In June, China’s AC exports rose 12.2%. As the largest AC exporter in the world, the country already has an annual production capacity of 255 million units, and that’s set to increase by another 20 million this year.

One more thing

What’s the trendiest pet on Chinese social media these days? Mango pits. As the South China Morning Post reported, some people are washing, brushing, drying, and applying aloe vera gel to mango pits to make them look like animals, the seed fiber resembling fluffy hair. There are even mango pit pet influencers on social media now! I love mangoes, but I think this is going way too far.

Two photos of mango pit pets, one in yellow and one in pink.

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Jul 24 2023

TikTok Introduces Text Posts To Effortlessly Engage With Followers via @sejournal, @kristileilani

To enhance user creativity and self-expression, TikTok has announced the expansion of text posts on its platform, diversifying the content creation experience for its users.

This new feature demonstrates TikTok’s commitment to social media innovation. The new feature will allow space for written creativity previously limited to comments, captions, and videos.

Text posts represent the latest addition to TikTok’s suite of content creation tools. It broadens the avenues for users to express themselves while dominating short-form content.

This new format would enable creators to share stories, poems, lyrics, and other written content on TikTok, thus making the platform more versatile and engaging.

Creating A TikTok Text Post

Creating a text post has been streamlined for simplicity.

In the TikTok app, on the Camera page, users are presented with options for videos up to ten minutes and text.

TikTok Introduces Text Posts To Effortlessly Engage With Followers

Screenshot from TikTok, July 2023

Selecting ‘text’ directs users to the text creation page where they can draft their content.

TikTok’s text posts boast a range of features aimed at making the content stand out.

With text posts, creators can:

Include stickers to support specific causes, events, or holidays.
Tag other accounts and add hashtags related to relevant topics or trends.
Add various background colors to enhance the visual appeal of the post.
Add sound, a vital element of the TikTok experience, to accompany the written content.

If you’re on mobile, you can see the finished version of a simple text post with features like hashtags, polls, and location tagging here.

You can also try it on a desktop browser, but the poll only appears on mobile.

Social Platforms Integrating New Formats

The integration of text posts signifies TikTok’s ongoing commitment to fostering creativity within its community.

The platform eagerly anticipated the innovative content users will create using this new feature.

Text posts could be valuable for marketers as it presents a new avenue for content creation and customer engagement on TikTok.

Adding text may shift the platform’s dynamic, previously heavily video-oriented. It could allow businesses to explore a broader range of content marketing strategies.

This shift could also allow TikTok to appear in search results like updates from other platforms, like Reddit and the social network formerly known as Twitter.

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, also made new moves in generative AI with the recent release of a CapCut plugin for ChatGPT for AI-generated video.

Featured image: Yalcin Sonat/Shutterstock

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Jul 20 2023

WooCommerce Merchants Can Now Sell Directly On TikTok via @sejournal, @martinibuster

WooCommerce announces a partnership with TikTok that invites all WooCommerce shops owners to a new program that allows merchants to market directly to TikTok users from a TikTok Shop.

The new program, currently in Beta status, gives store owners access to an audience of over 150 million, 61% of which engage in ecommerce behavior.

WooCommerce merchants have the chance, as early adopters, to directly sell products on TikTok and scoop up sales before the service formally opens to more merchants.

TikTok is a Shopping Channel

While TikTok is generally considered as a place for watching videos, it’s actually highly consumer-oriented.

TikTok statistics provided to Search Engine Journal show that 1 in 4 TikTok users use the platform for product research or make a purchase after watching TikTok.

That’s not surprising considering how influencers with audiences up to the millions publish reviews and tips on TikTok.

Many users turn to TikTok for inspiration on fashion, makeup, sports activities and other topics related to retail.

According to TikTok Insights statistics:

The TikTok community is 1.5x more willing to purchase something they discover on the platform.
95% of TikTok users agree that finance-related topics are very important to them.
92% of TikTok users said they take action after watching a TikTok.
81% of TikTok users who made a Back to School purchase said the platform played a role in purchases/gifts bought.
44% of Gen X TikTok users say the platform helps them discover new things.
37% of TikTok users immediately purchased something they discovered through the platform.
38% of TikTok users have convinced a friend or family member to buy a product they have discovered on the platform.
TikTok users spend 14% more when TikTok is part of the retail journey

TikTok Shop and WooCommerce

WooCommerce has an existing relationship with TikTok in the form of their TikTok for WooCommerce ad platform plugin that was launched in 2022.

More recently, WooCommerce launched support for TikTok Smart Performance Campaigns.

TikTok Shop is an expansion of that relationship which will enable merchants to bring their entire inventories into TikTok to sell their products directly to consumers on that platform.

Ways to sell on TikTok:

In-feed videos
Livestreams
Prominent product showcase tab on Woo merchant profile page

Facts About TikTok Shops WooCommerce Partnership

There are no minimums or maximum inventory limits to the amount of products that can be added to the TikTop Shops.

TikTok Shop launched in the US for Alpha testing in early November 2022. TikTok moved its test from alpha to beta in April 2023 in order to allow more merchants to join in the continued test of TikTok Shop in the US.

The TikTok Shop platform is well tested. TikTok first launched TikTok Shop for business in Southeast Asia and the UK and started slowly rolling out support with select US brands late last year.

What Kinds of Products Anticipated To Sell Well on TikTok?

We asked Steve Deckert, VP of Business Development at WooCommerce what kinds of products are anticipated to do well on TikTok.

Steve answered:

“With #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt at over 60 billion views, you’ll find a wide variety of products are actively discussed on TikTok right now.

That hashtag should provide some insights as to what kinds of products are popularly discussed.

We expect our merchant’s products, including fashion, beauty and skincare products, fitness and wellness items, gaming and tech goods, as well as unique home organization and decor solutions, will all find their way into TikTok Shop.

There’s a huge opportunity for diverse brands to find success.

Additionally, food and beverage products may also thrive as TikTok continues to shape culinary trends and consumer preferences.”

Steve underlined the importance of this opportunity to WooCommerce merchants:

“People are changing the way they buy, and Woo is working to make it seamless for merchants to promote and sell on the biggest product discovery channels like TikTok.

Through this Beta, Woo merchants can be among the first to test out this new sales channel, remove steps to purchase, and promote their products to the over 150m monthly active US TikTok users.”

How to Sign Up for WooCommerce TikTok Shops

The TikTok Shop is currently in Beta and available to WooCommerce merchants.

Beta signifies a software development phase when the product is complete, with all features fully functional.

Users in the Beta phase are the first to be able to try out the fully featured service before it’s widely released.

This represents a huge opportunity for WooCommerce merchants to drive an extraordinary amount of sales.

ByteDance Releases CapCut Plugin For ChatGPT via @sejournal, @kristileilani

ByteDance, the parent company, has released its popular video editing software CapCut as a plugin for ChatGPT users.

The new plugin leverages generative AI to create everything you need for publishing video content on TikTok and other social channels.

ByteDance Releases CapCut Plugin For ChatGPT

Screenshot from ChatGPT, July 2023

It only takes a one-sentence prompt to describe the video’s theme, topic, or purpose. But for higher-quality results, the more specific and detailed your prompt is, the better.

CapCut, a tool with over 200 million users, offers the following advice on using its plugin with ChatGPT to get your desired video content.

Screenshot from ChatGPT, July 2023

An Example Of Generating Video With AI Using CapCut And ChatGPT

I used the following prompt to test the plugin: I need a video explaining SEO for beginners.

In its first response, ChatGPT wanted to offer the script idea for the video and confirm the aspect ratio I wanted.

Screenshot from ChatGPT, July 2023

Once I replied with the ratio for a TikTok video, CapCut generated a link to the results. It also gave a link to an email address to give feedback on the video the plugin and ChatGPT generated.

Screenshot from ChatGPT, July 2023

As the video loaded, CapCut offered a quick introduction to its features.