No, you cannot sell digital products on TikTok Shop because it wasn't built for that yet. You won't find an option to list a digital products for direct purchase on the TikTok Shop itself. However, you can use TikTok to sell digital products indirectly. Promote your items and then convert viewers into buyers on another site. TikTok is no longer just a goofy dance app—it has a vast audience. DemandSage says TikTok has around 1.69 billion active users every month globally. Each TikTok user spends nearly an hour per day on the app. That's a massive crowd; wherever there's a crowd, there's potential for sales.
Many creators sell digital products on TikTok. They promote their digital products and direct buyers to an external link. This link is usually in their bio or video captions. Then, it leads to a personal website, Shopify store, Etsy, or Gumroad. For example, an influencer can share short workout clips and then tell viewers to buy a full workout plan in PDF format. They direct them to a Shopify or Gumroad page for purchase. An artist can also share digital illustrations on TikTok. They can also add a link to their Etsy store, where customers can buy high-resolution printables.
TikTok creators sell popular digital products this way, including:
Chris Tech Guide states that you can't sell digital products on TikTok Shop. However, you can promote them and drive sales through your bio link. To do this, create engaging TikTok videos that showcase your product. Use hooks, demonstrations, and testimonials to grab attention. Add a call-to-action (CTA). Direct viewers to the link in your bio to buy from your website, Gumroad, Etsy, or Shopify store. You can also use TikTok ads or live streams to increase visibility. This method helps you reach TikTok's huge audience.
A Quora user notes that TikTok Shop only sells physical goods. It does not support digital products. However, you can still market your ebooks, courses, and templates on the platform. Quora's post states you can make fun videos showing off your products. Each video has a call-to-action (CTA) that tells viewers to visit sites like Gumroad, Shopify, or Etsy. Use the "link in bio" feature to send traffic to your websites or online stores. There, your audience can find your digital products.
Selling digital products on TikTok Shop is popular in 2025. However, it is more challenging than selling physical items. I make over $52K monthly from digital goods, but not through TikTok Shop. In this article, I explain why people still sell digital products on TikTok Shop, even if it’s not allowed. I also show how TikTok’s audience and algorithm help sellers reach buyers. I explain how Kat Norton earns money from digital products on TikTok. I also point out the significant downsides of selling digitally on the platform.
1. TikTok's Huge Audience Provides Potential Buyers.
TikTok has a massive audience of over 1 billion active users worldwide. Millions of potential buyers might find digital products interesting. When a product gets popular on TikTok, it can go viral fast. A viral video can bring in thousands of views and turn those views into sales. Digital products are great because you do not need to keep stock or ship items in large quantities. They can sell as many as they want without running out.
TikTok also influences buying decisions. Adweek and Morning Consult found that more than 55% of users bought something after seeing it on TikTok. Digital sellers use TikTok because one viral video can bring in many new customers. Although TikTok Shop doesn’t allow digital products, sellers still market them because of its large and active audience.
2. TikTok's Algorithm Finds the Right Customers
TikTok's system shows videos to people who are likely to be interested. Sellers can reach the right audience without spending much money on ads. A new seller without followers can still get noticed. Posting videos about their digital products can attract the right audience.
According to TikTok Marketing Science Global Retail Path to Purchase, over 61% of TikTok users use the platform to find new products. This is great for digital products because many buyers are open to trying something new. Since digital products solve specific problems, TikTok connects them with the right audience. Sellers use TikTok Shop for free exposure without a big marketing budget.
3. TikTok Videos Help Digital Sellers Build Trust
People may hesitate to buy digital products because they can't see or touch them before purchasing. TikTok helps solve this by allowing sellers to show their products in action. For example, a seller can record their screen to show how a digital planner works. A seller offering online courses can share student testimonials or lesson previews. HubSpot reports that 48% of Gen Z use short-form video platforms like TikTok to find new products.
TikTok Live also allows sellers to answer questions in real time. Analyzify shows that 64% of TikTok users enjoy watching live videos from brands. Digital sellers use this feature to show how it works and connect with potential buyers.
Does TikTok Shop Allow Digital Product Sales?
TikTok Shop does not allow digital product sales. According to TikTok Shop Academy, digital products are not allowed, including:
TikTok Shop manages shipping, inventory, and delivery for physical items. But digital products don't need shipping and come with other challenges. For example, how do you send a file? How do you handle refunds or piracy? TikTok Shop isn't set up for these issues yet.
But there is one exception. You can sell a digital product if it comes with a physical item. For example, you can use a printed workbook with a download code or a DVD with digital content. The main product must be physical; the digital part is a bonus. However, this is not the same as selling digital products on TikTok. It's more like using a backdoor to include digital content with something physical.
Are Digital Products Popular on TikTok?
Yes, digital products are popular on TikTok. There is a growing appetite for digital goods on TikTok. TikTok's community is very diverse. Aside from physical products, people also talk about digital downloads and online content. The digital product has over 245k search popularity on Creator Search Insights. The frequency of searches for a topic determines its popularity. A higher search score means that more people are looking for the topic.
Some popular types of digital products that do well in TikTok:
How Do Sellers Make Money with Digital Products on TikTok?
Kat Norton, known as "Miss Excel," turned her TikTok fans into paying customers for her online courses. She started by sharing fun and helpful Excel tips on TikTok. As her following grew, she created an Excel training course and sold it through her website. Her online course quickly became a success. Two months after launching, she made more money from her course than from her full-time job. She left her job to focus completely on selling courses. One of her biggest wins was making $100,000 in one day from digital products. This success came from her TikTok audience. TikTok didn't handle the payments, but it drew in customers and boosted her business.
Is TikTok Shop Worth It for Selling Digital Products?
Yes, TikTok Shop is worth it for selling digital products because the audience is large, and the shopping behavior on the platform is notable. Studies have shown TikTok's influence on buying habits. Statista found that 71.2% of TikTok users bought something after seeing it in their feed. Also, 58% use TikTok for shopping ideas. TikTok's short, engaging videos can quickly turn viewers into customers. Trends like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt show how the app sparks impulse buys. People share products they bought after seeing them on TikTok.
The platform's algorithm can put your content (and product) in front of millions of TikTok users. You can go viral and attract buyers without costly marketing. TikTok's audience loves quick value and entertainment video. If your digital product, like a recipe PDF or a photo filter, is useful, TikTok is a good place to find buyers. Sell where your audience already spends their time.
What Are the Disadvantages of Selling Digital Products on TikTok Shop?
Conclusion: Why Is Local Lead Generation the Better Business Model?
Local lead generation is better because it lets you sell digital services without restrictions. The TikTok Shop Help Center says you can't sell digital products like ebooks, courses, or templates on the platform. But, local lead generation doesn't have those limits. You can sell digital leads or services directly. This way, you won't depend on TikTok's changing rules. It is a more stable and scalable business model.
According to the TikTok Business Report, over 500,000 U.S. sellers compete at TikTok Shop. To succeed, you need to create content, run ads, and make viral videos to attract customers. Statista shows that 40% of Americans haven’t used TikTok Shop and aren’t interested in it. This limits your potential buyers. In comparison, local lead generation has far less competition. According to BrightLocal, 75% of local searches lead to a contact or sale. A single local lead generation website can earn between $500 and $3,000 per month passively.
Additionally, local lead generation gives you complete control over your business. A lead generation website needs little upkeep once it ranks. It continues to bring in steady leads. Forbes reports that companies pay $50 to $200 for each lead. Many also choose monthly lead subscriptions. Local lead generation offers higher profit margins, fewer restrictions, and long-term financial security than selling digital products on TikTok.
