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TikTok Made Me Buy It: How Social Media Is Impacting Retail

Mahlet Yordanos
Written By
Mahlet Yordanos
Published On
Oct 09, 2023
An animation of things being bought from TikTok

Just when you thought that TikTok couldn’t possibly become more powerful than it already is, that’s when it proves to have *omnipotent* sway over people’s purchase decisions. This platform is no longer here to just ignite viral dances and challenges—it’s here to change the modern retail scene as we know it.

#TikTokMadeMeBuyIt is a certified phenomenon showing no signs of slowing down. It’s a hashtag that’s been used on the app since 2020 as a way for people to share great finds they discovered thanks to TikTok. Since then, it’s bloomed into more than a hashtag as retail stores across the globe have dedicated sections in their stores to it. 

So, if you want people leaving your store saying “TikTok made me buy it” in 2023 and beyond, then it’s time to brush up on your TikTok marketing strategy. The good news? We’re kind of experts on this stuff and ready to share what we know! 

What is the “TikTok Made Me Buy It” Phenomenon?

Once you’ve made a purchase and blurted out (or typed out) the words “TikTok made me buy it,” as justification, it means you’ve given in to the magnetic influence of a viral TikTok product that was clearly powerful enough to reel you in. 

TikTok strategy is powerful. With this social media platform being a haven for discovering everything you’ve always wanted to know about anything, it’s no surprise that it caters to various interests and that diverse industries thrive on it. 

Fashion, beauty, interiors, food—products of all kinds have succeeded in climbing the TikTok made me buy it list. We’re sure you’ve seen those pet hair solutions, and that “pink stuff” paste that promises a thorough clean. 

This phenomenon isn’t just limited to online settings and TikTok users, as it has just as much sway in the offline or IRL world. When the Emily Mariko salmon bowl was all the rage in 2021, Trader Joe’s had a special section dedicated to it in-store with seaweed, kewpie mayo, sriracha, and more so that shoppers could easily hop on the trend.

Video source: TikTok

To date, #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt content has over 71.9 billion views on the app. That says a lot about just how widespread this trend has become and how TikTok has become the new Google—it’s a shopping-centric search engine! 

How Social Media Is Impacting Retail 

Blending Shopping and Entertainment 

If you’ve ever shopped on TikTok, you’d know just how easily you can get both your dose of retail therapy and a dash of entertainment at the same time. The app’s upbeat and dynamic culture pushes brands to create fun content that captures attention. 

Tapping into shoppertainment is a big part of that. When users come across products on the app, they aren’t just simply looking at close-up photos taken from various angles that feature perfect lighting. Rather, #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt videos feature such a creative take on product presentation. It’s usually user-generated content containing honest opinions and showcasing real-life applications that succeed at gaining traction.   

Whether it’s a night light, a compact spray bottle, a miracle cleaning paste, or eco-friendly water bottles, when other users view these entertaining videos that put products under a microscope it becomes memorable to them. They remember it because it was presented to them in an engaging and more organic way. 

Helping Smaller Brands Go Viral 

While many of us tend to stick to being patrons of bigger brands, the rise of TikTok Made Me Buy It has paved the way for lesser-known retail brands to be catapulted to stardom faster than ever through entertaining content.

While they may not have the marketing budgets that their bigger competitors do, they can be just as—if not more—creative. As such, they can get in on the trends and reap the rewards of virality for putting their offerings out there. 

Streamlining Shopping Through Social Commerce 

Social commerce is here to stay. In simplest terms, this trend involves shopping for products directly on social media rather than going to a dedicated storefront… you can probably see how TikTok is making that easier.

From product discovery to finally tapping that “checkout button,” everything just takes place on the app. Being able to actually buy things on the app is a huge reason products on the TikTok made me buy it list are doing amazing numbers! 

Simplifying the Product Research Process

Imagine seeing something online that you’d like to buy, and then scouring the internet for reviews and more product information. Well, you’re bound to end on TikTok during your search because that’s where some of the most useful reviews are always nestled.

Social media influences buying decisions by simplifying the research process on potential purchases. They get to see products in action and hear real people talk about their experiences with them, often delivered in a fun and engaging way. And, most importantly, TikTok enables this while keeping people on their app instead of searching externally.

A phone displaying TikTok’s official account

3 “TikTok Made Me Buy It” Products for 2023 

The best way to understand this trend might be to see it in action. 

To help you, we’ve compiled three products dominating the trend in 2023. Consider why these products might have blown up. Was it because of their novelty? Their utility? It’s important to think about what they offer the consumer, too. 

1. Inkless Sticker Printer 

Sometimes products go viral for their novelty. 

From students to art enthusiasts and business owners, this shark tank-worthy item has so many fans who’ve catapulted it to the top of “TikTok Made Me Buy It” 2023 lists. This particular video of it has accumulated more than 15 million likes!

Video source: TikTok

2. Faucet Extender

Other times, people say “TikTok made me buy it” because of a product’s utility. 

This faucet extender shines bright as one of the TikTok made me buy it 2023 list must-haves. It doesn’t just give you a fun new way to clean dirty dishes—it also streamlines your cleansing regimen unlike any other. It’s garnered over 97K likes for good reason! 

Video source: TikTok

3. Kitchen Tool Set 

Another way to go viral is by offering a set of things people want. 

This super cute kitchen tool set has everything you need to upgrade your master chef skills set. With about 670K, it’s clear that many people agree it’s a total game changer and have responded positively to the all-in-one approach!

Video source: TikTok

Crush TikTok Made Me Buy It in 2023 and Beyond 

Whether you like it or not (you should), TikTok Made Me Buy It is a trend that’s here to stay for the long haul. We’re talking 2023 and beyond. So, with that in mind, the time is now to overhaul your TikTok strategy and start getting results! 

If you’re ready to launch your product to TikTok stardom, then The Influence Agency is here to make it happen. As one of the leading TikTok marketing agencies in North America, we know what it takes to get your brand noticed on this dynamic platform.

Reach out to us today to start climbing the TikTok Made Me Buy It list! 

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Mahlet Yordanos

Mahlet Yordanos is a Social Media Coordinator at The Influence Agency with a love for social media and content creation. Mahlet is a huge foodie who loves showcasing the best eats in the city on her TikTok and Instagram. You can follow her at @heytorontofoodie
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