TikTok joins Instagram in testing creator subscriptions

China-owned social media app TikTok confirmed that it is testing support for paid subscriptions, paving the way for creators on the short form video platform to charge for their content. 

Soon after Instagram started for creators, TikTok revealed that it may be exploring a feature that would allow influencers to paywall at least some of the content they share on the app.

The company didn’t share details about when it might roll out to creators and how many creators are currently testing it, or what the pay structure might look like. 

However, company spokesman Zachary Kizer said that the subscriptions were a “concept that’s been in testing,” and that it was “always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience”.

The platform didn’t provide more details about how the feature works. 

Given its other monetization options and that rival platforms have embraced subscriptions, it’s hardly a surprise that TikTok is following that path too. 

If unveiled, it would be TikTok’s latest move to help its creators monetize their content.

The news comes after Instagram announced that is launching a test of paid subscriptions with a small number of creators and influencers. 

Subscribers, however, will pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content from creators they follow, including Stories and Live videos. 

Reports quoting sources said that the different tiers will range in price from $0.99 to $99.99 per month depending what the creator decides to charge, and a purple badge will denote a subscriber’s status to the influencer in the comments section. 

On the other hand, Meta-owned Instagram said it won’t take a cut of creators’ subscription revenue until 2023.