Source: The Verge
Summary
TikTok is reportedly expanding its app to include features such as e-commerce, gaming, and social networking. The company aims to make TikTok a central hub for users’ digital activities. According to a report, TikTok is testing a feature that allows users to create their own mini-apps within the platform. The move is seen as an attempt to increase user engagement and compete with other social media platforms.
Our Reading
The launch follows a familiar script.
TikTok’s expansion plans sound like a rehash of Facebook’s and WeChat’s playbook. The app wants to be a one-stop-shop for everything digital, because that’s worked so well for everyone else. Mini-apps within the app? Sounds like Facebook’s “walled garden” approach. And, of course, there’s the obligatory e-commerce and gaming integration, because who doesn’t want to buy stuff and play games on a video-sharing app?
TikTok is just the latest app to try to be the everything app, because being a single-purpose app is so last season.
Author: Evan Null
