TikTok’s Testing a New ‘Tips’ Possibility for Chosen Creators

TikTok is trying out another new monetization option for YouTubers, with some users seeing a new one Tips tab in your TikTok settings.

As you can see in this example posted by Jera Bean (and highlighted by Matt Navarre) Some Creators now have a Tips section in their Account Options to apply through for tips from their audience.

As described by TikTok, users must have at least 100,000 followers and their account must be in accordance with TikTok’s platform rules and regulations to be eligible for tips.

TikTok won’t cut corners on Creator Tips, at least initially, as users who have been approved will then receive this new Tips button on their profile page (via Loochy television)

That could be a handy way to generate direct revenue from your biggest fans – we asked TikTok about the new option and they came up with this statement:

“We’re always thinking of new ways to add value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience.”

TikTok has been working on adding more monetization options to motivate users to keep posting and stay competitive with YouTube and Instagram, which offer far more lucrative revenue sharing programs.

But these options are of course more geared towards long format videos, where mid- and pre-roll ads can be inserted, which can then be directly assigned to video views. Short-from videos do not offer the same potential in this regard, which means that TikTok offers additional monetization options such as tips, direct funding, virtual gifts and E-commerce integrations.

TikTok is also looking for help facilitate brand partnership agreements as another source of income for developers, but ecommerce integration seems to be the main focus that made it very successful in the Chinese version of TikTok Douyin.

Tipping is another part of the larger monetization framework that allows users to purchase in-app coins which they can then assign to tips, virtual gifts, or even Shoutouts of the Creatorwhich it also added earlier this year.

Given the multitude of options available, it’s no surprise that TikTok is also testing direct tipping as another option, though it’s pretty limited at the moment and TikTok doesn’t provide details on its actual launch and availability just yet.

But you might notice it during testing, as TikTok is also working on adding more in-app spending options like virtual gifts and rewards to help establish new habits and guide the next phase for the app.