The Washington PostThe Washington Post

TikTok Shop is a dream for creators. It's putting shoppers at risk.

By Tatum Hunter and Heather Kelly

16 Aug 2023 · 5 min read

informed Summary

  1. TikTok has been testing new e-commerce tools, allowing businesses to sell products directly through the app. While the tools have seen a surge in popularity, the algorithm can also benefit scammers, with some users reporting dubious companies and products.

Eight months ago, Evelyn Nateras was worried about the fate of her small business. Online orders were drying up for her custom T-shirts, coffee mugs and greeting cards, and she wasn't sure she would make it through 2023.

Now the orders are coming in so quickly that she can pay to renovate her dad's truck and save to buy a house for her parents. What changed, the 32-year-old said, is the amount of time she dedicated to marketing and selling her products on TikTok.

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