In an effort to compete with the likes of Amazon and eBay in the ecommerce space, TikTok has launched digital gift cards. The company has been moving more into the world of retail, and this recent launch takes those efforts to new heights.
TikTok sets its digital gift cards apart from others by offering personalized designs and animations, and plans to boost personalization even further in 2026. Ecommerce brands should take note of this focus on personalization and find ways to customize their own offerings, as well.
TikTok Introduces Digital Gift Cards
TikTok has recently introduced a new feature that lets American users purchase digital gift cards to help their friends and family members buy on the platform. The move shows TikTok is aiming to compete with other giants and is strengthening its position and offering in the ecommerce space.
The company strategically launched this feature amidst the holiday season, which is an important period for TikTok and other companies looking to gain market share in the competitive and lucrative retail market. Currently, these gift cards are only purchasable in the USA.
How Digital Gift Cards Work on TikTok
The way that these digital gift cards work is incredibly simple, too. Users can load a gift card with anywhere from $10 to $500, and the gift cards are delivered by email. Recipients must have a TikTok account to redeem the gift card, and once it’s redeemed, the value of the card is added to their TikTok balance.
In addition to just sending these digital gift cards in a basic and boring manner, TikTok lets you personalize them with animated designs, and there are specific animations for occasions like birthdays, weddings, and more.
More Personalization Coming to TikTok Digital Gift Cards in 2026
But while TikTok is already offering some personalization options for these new digital gift cards, the company hopes to take it even further in 2026. In early 2026, the company plans to allow users to record or upload video messages to add to digital gift cards. Also, the experience may include an interactive unboxing experience that captures the reaction of the recipient, as well.
Clearly, the company knows the value of personalization in ecommerce, and is making strides to customize the experience as much as possible. Ecommerce brands should take note of these personalization efforts by TikTok, as personalizing your website, online store, or customer experience can help to:
- Increase loyalty and retention
- Boost sales and conversions
- Improve engagement
- Set your brand or offering apart from the competition
This move by TikTok makes a ton of sense as the platform moves more heavily into the ecommerce space and looks to take market share from other heavy hitters like eBay, Amazon, and other big names in the online shopping world.
Due to this feature, we could also see lots more shopping on TikTok than before, as people who may have never shopped on (or even used) the platform before receive these digital gift cards and become active on TikTok.
As a result of this potential growth due to this feature, if ecommerce brands or retailers aren’t already taking advantage of TikTok Shop, now might be the time to start.
