TikTok partners with Amazon for in-app shopping

TikTok is set to integrate Amazon shopping directly into its platform, allowing users to make purchases without leaving the app.

Why it matters. Advertisers having access to TikTok’s massive, highly engaged user base could be a game changer and reduced friction between discovery and purchase could boost conversion rates.

How it works:

• Amazon product recommendations will appear in users’ “For You” feeds.
• Users who link their TikTok and Amazon accounts can complete purchases within TikTok.
• The integration will show real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates and product details.

The big picture. Amazon is expanding its reach across social media platforms, having signed a similar deal with Pinterest and existing partnerships with Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.

Between the lines. This integration comes as TikTok Shop, launched about a year ago, seeks to gain traction in the e-commerce space.

Yes, but. TikTok users have expressed mixed feelings about ads and TikTok Shop videos in their feeds, raising questions about how this new feature will be received.

What they’re saying. “This shopping experience is powered by Amazon through ads placed on TikTok and allows users to complete product purchases with Amazon in TikTok’s native environment,” TikTok stated.

What to watch. How this integration affects user experience and engagement on TikTok, and whether it significantly boosts Amazon’s sales through social channels.