Have You Seen the TikTok Shop Ads? Well, Everyone Is Annoyed By Them!

If you’ve been on TikTok, then you may have noticed the app’s new shopping ads. With an estimated 1 billion users, according to Search Logistics, the move to add in-feed advertisements makes sense. The feature was rolled out in October 2022 and includes products of all kinds. From electronics to makeup, and almost everything in between, the TikTok Shop ads have become a prominent part of the user experience.

However, some TikTokers are complaining about the feature, suggesting that there are too many ads on the popular social media app. Users are starting to voice their opinions, and they're clearly annoyed with TikTok. “Is anybody just absolutely fed up with their entire For You Page just being TikTok advertisements?” TikToker @sophska4 asked. Adding, “I'm not being funny. I've never bought anything from the TikTok shop. So, I don't know why it keeps trying to sell me stuff.”

Soph isn't the only person annoyed with the TikTok Shop ads. One person, who goes by @Jouelzy on the app, complained that the advertising feature was “ruining the TikTok experience.” Jouelzy warns that the constant pushing of products doesn't allow consumers to “build trust with the products.” There is now a wave of TikTok users complaining about the advertising videos, but the complaints may be falling on deaf ears.

When TikTok introduced its in-feed ads in October 2022, the company hoped the feature would help simplify the shopping experience. “Shopping Ads is a simpler, smarter, and more advanced ad solution that helps brands meet shoppers wherever they are in the purchase journey, sparking demand and boosting sales,” read TikTok’s press release. However, some TikTok users are annoyed with the in-app ads and are sharing their concerns openly.

One person said that they were on the verge of deleting the social media app completely. While others echoed the sentiment. TikTok definitely needs to listen if it doesn't want to lose people.

Another said that they missed having the ability to scroll on TikTok without having to view product ads. “I miss the funny vids, TikTok drama and AITA vids,” @m_likes2write, wrote.

And while the feature has been around since 2022, some users have suggested that they only started seeing the TikTok Shop videos in August 2023. Whenever the ads started appearing, TikTokers aren't happy about it.

Ultimately, many TikTok users agreed with Soph and Jouelzy, but nothing can be done. TikTok doesn't allow users to limit shopping ads, and the company has yet to address the backlash.

TikTok isn't the only digital platform to see its users get annoyed with in-app advertising. YouTube watchers have also argued that the site is being littered with “too many ads.” In a Reddit thread, which has over 251 comments, Redditor oakmen87 slammed YouTube for increasing the number of ads on their videos.

“First you have the 2 initial ads before a video. Then you have a sponsor ad in the video. Then you have a channel merch ad. Then you have affiliate links,” oakmen87 wrote. Obviously, users are frustrated with all of the ads. Only time will tell if TikTok and YouTube respond.