TikTok Tops $6 Billion in In-App Purchases, Sets New Record for Non-Gaming Apps
TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin have achieved a historic milestone, generating $6 billion in in-app purchase (IAP) revenue in 2024, becoming the first non-gaming app to reach this figure, according to TechCrunch.
A report by app analytics firm Sensor Tower revealed that TikTok earned $1.9 billion from in-app purchases in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone. During this period, no other non-gaming app, aside from YouTube and Google One’s subscription services, came close to TikTok’s revenue figures.
In 2023, TikTok recorded $4.4 billion in IAP revenue, which saw a significant surge to $6 billion in 2024. In comparison, the top-earning game "Monopoly Go" generated $2.6 billion—less than half of TikTok’s total.
In terms of downloads, TikTok ranked second globally in the final quarter of 2024, with Instagram taking the top spot. WhatsApp, Facebook, and Temu followed in third, fourth, and fifth places, respectively.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has postponed a potential TikTok ban by 75 days due to national security concerns but has hinted at the possibility of extending the ban further in the future.
TikTok’s massive in-app revenue significantly impacts the platform's creator economy. Users often purchase virtual gifts for their favorite content creators, which can be converted into real money. However, TikTok retains a 50% commission on each transaction.
