David Bridges
Key Highlights
- Feature: TikTok introduces “Viewer Wishes” for live streamers to enhance viewer engagement.
- Functionality: Streamers can set up performative responses for donations, similar to the NPC streamer PinkyDoll.
- Monetization: Successful streamers like PinkyDoll have earned significant income from this interactive feature.
- Content Guidelines: TikTok maintains rules against explicit content while allowing some adult discussions under certain conditions.
Hey, remember how back in 2023, the internet briefly went crazy for that one woman who was streaming as an NPC, and performing robotic interactions for donations on TikTok live-streams?
Well, for one, she’s still doing it. But also, TikTok’s apparently trying to encourage more people to try it out, maybe not in terms of specific performance, but in encouraging viewer donations on TikTok Live by performing specific actions on request.
As you can see in this screenshot, posted by app researcher Jonah Manzano, TikTok’s now giving some live streamers access to “Viewer Wishes,” which enables them to set up performative responses that they’ll undertake on streams for specific donations.
So if a viewer sends a rose donation, the streamer in this example would say hi on stream. You can set up to six actions that you’ll perform on request, with a range of additional controls to manage such requests on live.
You can also choose from a range of templated actions, if you’re not sure what to offer in return for specific gifts.
So it’s pretty much exactly what NPC streamer PinkyDoll does, performing responsive gestures and actions based on donations sent to her broadcast.
And it works for her. At one point, PinkyDoll was generating thousands per day via her streams, while she’s also now established brand deals to complement her direct streaming income.
So maybe it’s worth providing simple prompts for donations, though it does seem like it could veer into less savory areas for some streamers.
I mean, TikTok has rules against body exposure and/or sexualized behavior, but it does allow for some adult content, via age restrictions. That doesn’t cover performative material, but TikTok will let some level of discussion and engagement around adult topics go when the content is locked.
It seems likely that this option will test the limits of such, as creators look for more ways to make money from their streams.
Tessa Everly
Cameron Steel
