China's video-focused social networking service TikTok has hinted that it may follow Instagram's lead and offer paid memberships to producers.
The service is reconnoitering a feature that would let influencers to paywall at least some of the content they share on the app, as The Information first reported.
TikTok's subscriptions are currently being tested on a small scale, so you may not see your favorite creators using them anytime soon.
The platform did not provide any additional information about how the feature works. "We're always thinking of new ways to add value to our community and improve the TikTok experience," a TikTok spokesperson told Engadget.
TikTok, like Twitch, Twitter, and YouTube, allows viewers to send tips to influencers who are part of the Creator Next program. Users can also purchase and deliver virtual gifts to creators.
Given its other monetization options and the fact that rival platforms have embraced subscriptions, it's not surprising that TikTok is following suit.
TikTok announced a $200 million fund to support creators in 2020.
Meta is also spending a lot of money on influencers. Last year, the company announced a $1billion investment in creators across platforms such as Facebook and Instagram video downloader by the end of 2022, in the hopes of keeping them away from competitors.
According to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the Massachusetts based company will not take a cut of its earnings until at least 2023.
For the time being, Instagram subscriptions are only available to a small number of creators, but there are plans to expand access to others in the coming months.
