According to press reports a few months ago, the TikTok application is testing paid subscriptions to allow content creators to charge for some of their content, thus earning more for their revenue. At the time, the social network didn’t explain exactly how the new feature would work, but has now decided to shed some light on the matter in a recent blog post.
In its press release, TikTok introduced LIVE Subscription, a monthly subscription for people to support their favorite live creators. Subscribers will get some perks as a gesture of gratitude for their support, allowing them to stand out from the rest of the users.
Those who wish to pay for direct membership will receive “Subscriber Badges”, which will appear next to their profile and indicate how long they have been subscribed with the Creator. They will also have access to exclusive ‘Emoticons’, specially designed by creators, to use during live sessions.
The Chinese app also announced the addition of a subscriber-only chat feature, which, when activated, will likely replace the regular group chat, allowing only those with a subscription to comment.
This all sounds great, but what about the prices? In his blog post, TikTok did not mention how much it will cost you to support your favorite creator. However, some celebrities on TikTok claim that the pricing is “similar” to that of Twitch and that TikTok’s revenue split is the same as that of the competing streaming platform. Twitch memberships start at $4.99 per month, with Twitch getting 30% to 50% of the subscription revenue. So, if the prices are really similar, and you want to support your favorite creator, expect to put in at least $5 per month.
As ByteDance, the company behind the social media platform, the live subscription will be officially launched in beta testing on May 26. But before you start spending your money on Tik Tok celebrities, you should know that only a select group of these celebrities will take part in the quiz. The feature will become available globally in the coming months, so wait a bit if your favorite creator isn’t part of the pick.
Of course, if it’s not a monthly subscription, there are other ways to show your appreciation for your favorite creator’s work. You can send tips, and you can also send them a virtual gift, which they can then exchange for real money.
