TECH NEWS: TikTok is testing a new tipping feature for selected creators

There are numerous ways to make money on TikTok, which isn’t news in any way, given the fact that creators on social media have a ton of options to earn their living. 

The news, however, is TikTok’s latest effort toward monetization in the form of the “Tips” feature which they are currently testing. 

According to last weeks’ news reported by TechCrunch, TikTok is currently testing a new feature where TikTok users can tip certain creators. This feature on the platform would allow creators to accept money from their fans, who don’t even need to necessarily follow them, and it would happen outside of the existing TikTok Live streams gifting. 

TikTok confirmed that this feature is part of a limited test and it is unknown how widely available the feature is to creators on this platform at the moment. 

Who can be tipped?

There are some requirements for creators in order to have the option to receive tips on their profile. First and foremost, the creator needs to have over 100,000 followers and a “good standing on the platform”. There’s an age requirement they must meet, too, since they have to be over 18 years old. Finally, they have to agree to TikTok’s tips terms.

For the time being, selected creators will be able to submit an application to activate the Tips feature and they will be notified whether their account was approved or not. The ones who have been approved will be given a Tips button and all their followers, and not only, will be able to click on that button and send direct payments to the creators. The minimum amount you can tip is $1 and then you can choose from default options, such as $5, $10, and $15. Or you can send a custom amount of your choice to them.

TikTok noted that the money from the Tips feature will go directly to the creators and TikTok won’t be taking a cut. That is most probably a temporary decision to support the testing phase of the feature and is likely to change in the future.

Can you tip the creator(s)?

As long as you are 18 years or older, you should be able to make direct payments using the Tips feature if you see it on the creators’ profile.

What’s the reason behind this new feature rollout?

According to the report from The Verge, TikTok’s spokesperson said that this is just one of the many new ways the company is trying to bring more value to their community and enrich the overall TikTok experience.

The feature is TikTok’s latest push toward monetization and helping creators make money through its platform. In 2020, the company introduced a $200 million fund with the goal to help creators in the U.S. supplement their earnings and make a living by creating videos on TikTok.

TikTok is not the only platform looking to offer creators more options to make money. In fact, this Tips option is similar to Twitter’s “Tip Jar” feature that launched earlier this year.

It is one of the ways for the company to compete with other digital platforms, such as YouTube and Instagram, which offer lucrative ways for creators to earn their living.