TikTok rolls out expanded Subscription packages letting fans unlock exclusive content

TikTok is giving creators on its platform a new way to monetize their content with a revamped Subscription feature that is similar in form and function to Patreon or YouTube’s channel memberships.

According to the official announcement, “‘Subscription’ allows creators to offer… exclusive perks [and] unique experiences” to their biggest fans “for a monthly fee.” It creates a space where the two sides can become closer — the creator gains a stronger community around their content while viewers enjoy content and interactions not available anywhere else. 

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TikTok states creators can customize their “Subscription” packages to be split across three distinct tiers with each level offering different content based on their needs. What a tier provides depends on the creator and they decide how close subscribers can get.

For example, buying into the first tier can mark you with a “Community Identifier” — offering a special sticker or badge primarily for TikTok LIVEs to appear on a viewer’s profile or next to their name in video comments — giving you a distinct identifier within this particular creator’s curated community. 

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A second tier may offer exclusive content such as hidden videos, LIVEs, or notes visible only to subscribers. Creators can also provide custom perks such as shoutouts, performance requests, or roles on a Discord server just to name a few. 

The last set of benefits involves “private communication channels” allowing viewers to directly interact with a favorite creator. This involves obtaining “privileged access” to video comments, messages, or a Sub Space which is essentially a private chat room.

To utilize Subscription, a TikTok account will need to meet certain requirements. The user behind it must be 18 years or older and be in “good standing.” This means the account must have “at least [10,000] followers and [100,000] video views” within the last calendar month. 

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A creator must also “meet specific LIVE eligibility requirements.” The company has a list of these requirements on its support website. If you have a TikTok profile yourself and need help getting started, the platform’s Creator Academy has a ton of helpful resources.

At the time of this writing, Subscription is currently “rolling out to eligible creators in select regions” including the US, the UK, South Korea, and Brazil. TikTok told TechCrunch it plans on expanding the “feature to more marketing in the coming weeks.”