Short video platform TikTok plans to prohibit e-commerce links from external sites such as Shopify starting on sex video games apps 2017September 12. This move follows the example set by its Chinese counterpart Douyin, which banned links to third-party retailing sites, including Taobao, in 2020 to enhance in-platform shopping. According to a report from Chinese media outlet Caixin on Thursday, TikTok has already updated the notice on its Business Help Center page. This change implies that external e-commerce platforms will no longer be able to drive traffic to their individual stores and products through TikTok unless they opt to establish online stores on TikTok Shop. A previous report by The Wall Street Journal stated that TikTok is preparing to officially launch its e-commerce business in the US in August. [Caixin, in Chinese]
