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 Koji, a &ldquo;link-in-bio&rdquo; tool and social media app provider, has launched Pop Up Shop, a free-to-use photo-based storefront app.&nbsp;
 
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 The platform allows creators to upload and tag items for sale in images to allow audiences to click on the tag, view product details, and purchase items directly from the Pop Up Shop app in the creator&rsquo;s link-in-bio.
 
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 <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/creator-economy-platform-koji-announces-pop-up-shop-app-301502628.html">
 Press release
 </a>
 
</div>

Creator Economy

Koji announces photo-based storefront app Pop Up Shop

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 SoundCloud has joined forces with AI companies including Tuney, Tuttii, AIBeatz, TwoShot, Starmony, Pex, and Audible Magic to improve music creation tools and provide better content protection. The partnership has resulted in six innovative AI-powered music creation tools that enhance music creation, remixing, and production. 
 Additionally, Audible Magic and Pex contribute content identification tools to this collaboration, ensuring correct identification and fair compensation for rights holders. SoundCloud users have access to these advantageous tools via a convenient "Upload to SoundCloud" button, and songs uploaded this way are automatically tagged to indicate the AI tool utilized in their creation. 
 Also, SoundCloud Next Pro creators receive special benefits, such as exclusive discounts and free trials for all nine partnered tools.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 These new partners join the list of AI integrations (e.g., Fadr, Soundful, and Voice-Swap) that SoundCloud has already incorporated into its platform. AI-powered music creation tools could potentially attract a new demographic of creators who may not have traditional music-making skills but are interested in experimenting with AI-generated music.

SoundCloud partners with AI companies to expand music creation tools and responsible use of AI

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 TikTok is currently testing a new affiliate linking feature that allows specific creators to add product links from third-party networks to their posts. The test is presently limited to only a handful of creators and has integrated with well-known retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
 This new feature situates product links at the beginning of a post's comment section. It gives creators the platform to incorporate affiliate links from numerous networks. These include Rakuten, Impact, CJ, Expedia, Clickbank, Temu, and LTK. The integration allows users to access product links without having to leave TikTok.
 Already established as the go-to platform for beauty purchases, TikTok also ranks as the second-most popular platform for social media shopping. TikTok's data suggests that 14% of consumers have made purchases via social media in the past 30 days, with clothing being the most popular category.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake : 
 TikTok has been updating its platform to support content creators. In <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/36183"> November 2024 </a> , the company introduced Symphony Creative Studios, a dedicated solution for video content creation. In <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/33884"> September 2024 </a> , TikTok launched a revamped subscription monetization offering in select regions.

TikTok tests third-party affiliate product links for creators

<div>
 TikTok has introduced Symphony Creative Studios, a video creation suite powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) for global advertisers and creators. The platform is designed to enhance the efficiency of TikTok content production, with the ability to translate content in multiple languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese.
 The suite features a virtual assistant that guides users through the content creation process, ranging from brainstorming to scriptwriting, all enabled by AI. It also offers video generation from text prompts, digital avatar creation, integration with Adobe Express, the Top Ads feature, and Trend Analysis capabilities.
 TikTok asserts that Symphony Creative Studios will lessen the workload in video creation and enable businesses to formulate virtual spokespersons without the need for costly video shoots. Moreover, it will allow users to engage with international audiences by providing support for multilingual content.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 With this recent development into TikTok’s platform, TikTok is directly competing with other popular creator tools on platforms like <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/17915"> YouTube Studio </a> and Instagram Creator Studio .

TikTok launches Symphony Creative Studios for video content creation

<div>
 SoundCloud, a popular music streaming and sharing platform, has introduced a new feature called Next Pro Artist. This feature aims to streamline the music creation and uploading processes for artists. It is currently in the beta testing phase and is available only to a select number of artists.
 The feature is rich with functionalities including a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, distribution support for over 60 platforms such as Spotify, automatic notifications for fans when new tracks are uploaded, and personalized algorithmic recommendations. In addition, a merchandise program is included, which allows some artists to design and sell exclusive products to their fans.
 SoundCloud envisages that the introduction of Next Pro Artist will provide several benefits to artists. This includes the ability to appeal to new audiences more efficiently, increased revenue generation potential from uploading songs directly, and the chance to better engage with listeners and industry professionals, driven by its unique algorithmic recommendation feature.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 SoundCloud has been actively enhancing its platform by launching new features back to back. In <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/28533"> April 2024 </a> , SoundCloud introduced new interaction features and uploading tools for users, followed by the launch of "Ascending" to support emerging artists with tailored packages in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/33354"> September 2024 </a> .

SoundCloud launches Next Pro Artist feature for music creators

<div>
 YouTube has launched a novel feature for YouTube Shorts creators through the Dream Track program. This feature enables creators to create distinctive versions of existing songs for their 30-second Shorts.
 With the Dream Track tool, creators can pick from a selection of eligible songs and detail how they want to alter them. They can adjust elements like genres or moods to form a unique version. An AI then produces a remixed version of the song that retains the original's core essence while incorporating the creator's modifications. All AI-remixed songs properly credit the original tracks within the Short and on the audio page.
 According to YouTube, this new song remixing tool allows creators to add a new spin to existing tracks, fostering originality and creativity in their content while preserving the original song's primary feel.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 YouTube is strategically accelerating its presence in the short-form video creation sector through&nbsp;consecutive product launches. In <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/35746"> November 2024 </a> , the platform introduced a feature allowing Shorts creators to request brand partnerships.

YouTube launches new feature for creators to remix songs with AI

<div>
 The content monetizing platform, Patreon, has added features for creators and fans to gift subscriptions and present subscription discounts. Creators use the platform to share writing, podcasts, and videos with both free and paid tiers.
 The gifting feature lets fans gift memberships of varying tiers and durations. Creators have the option to give complimentary memberships lasting between a month and a year, and also to establish personalized discounts and sales for specific user groups.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 The platform follows similar gifting models already implemented by other subscription-based platforms like <a href="https: 
//on.substack.com/p/new-on-substack-gift-subscriptions"> Substack </a> and <a href="https: 
//influencermarketinghub.com/how-to-gift-subs-on-twitch/"> Twitch </a> , where subscription gifting has become a core feature.

Patreon launches subscription gifting and discount features to help creators grow their subscriber bases

<div>
 Spotify has announced a new initiative called the "Partner Program". Its objective is to provide financial incentives to podcast hosts who create popular videos on their platform.
 The scheme aims to encourage creators to incorporate a video element into their podcasts. The income hosts can generate will be determined by viewer engagement and will not be solely reliant on advertisement revenue. Another notable feature of the program is ad-free viewing for premium subscribers, fostering a better video podcast viewing experience.
 The new feature will also offer creators the option to select thumbnails for their podcasts and enhance the transparency of performance and growth analytics. The roll-out of the update is scheduled for January 2, 2025, and will be available in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.
 As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the video experience, Spotify plans to introduce additional functionalities including chapters, comments, pinch-to-zoom, and thumbnail scrubbing.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 This initiative seems to be a move to challenge YouTube's dominance in the video podcast segment, which entered the space in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/16624"> 2023 </a> with podcast features&nbsp;in YouTube Music.

Spotify unveils partner program for monetizing video podcasts

<div>
TikTok has integrated with its sibling app, Lemon8, to establish a unified login system enhancing accessibility for users on both platforms. This integration not only allows users to cross-share photographs but also avails to them a variety of interactive tools on Lemon8 like filters, effects, stickers, and text templates. The content browsing mechanism has been borrowed from popular platforms Instagram and Pinterest, incorporating 'Following' and 'For You' feeds into the system.
</div> Analyst QuickTake : 
 As TikTok faces a <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/27505"> potential ban </a> in the US, ByteDance may use this integration to transition users and creators to Lemon8 or other apps. However, these apps could also face restrictions, given US lawmakers' concerns about ByteDance's Chinese ownership. Integrating with Lemon8 also aligns with TikTok's recent move to embrace photo content, expanding beyond its short-video origins. TikTok began testing a dedicated photo-sharing app in <a href="https: 
//moviemaker.minitool.com/moviemaker/how-to-get-photo-mode-on-tiktok.html"> 2022 </a> and introduced TikTok Notes in <a href="https: 
//techcrunch.com/2024/04/17/tiktok-starts-testing-its-instagram-competitor-tiktok-notes-in-canada-and-australia/"> April 2024 </a> after introducing photo-sharing features.

TikTok integrates with Lemon8 to allow cross-platform photo sharing

<div>
 SoundCloud, a music streaming platform, has teamed up with supply-side platform, PubMatic. This collaboration aims to provide premium advertising inventory across PubMatic's array of tools and solutions. 
 Advertises can access SoundCloud's global programmatic video and display inventory via this partnership, across both desktop and mobile app platforms. PubMatic will extend its knowledge, create unique monetization opportunities, and provide access to differentiated demand. However, programmatic audio advertising is not included in this collaboration.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 This recent partnership aligns with SoundCloud's strategy of entering partnerships to enhance its product offering. In <a href="https: 
//www.eu-startups.com/2024/11/the-hague-based-bubty-raises-e3-million-to-expand-global-freelancer-compliance-solution/"> July 2023 </a> , SoundCloud partnered with SquareSpace, Adobe, Discord, and Rap Plug to improve member benefits.

SoundCloud partners with PubMatic to expand programmatic advertising capabilities

<div>
 Beehiiv, a newsletter platform, has launched a new reader-determined pricing mechanism. This allows subscribers to determine their own price for newsletter subscriptions. Besides keeping conventional payment options, the platform offers this new flexible pricing model without any platform fees.
 The novel pricing system comes with features such as optional support for free newsletters, premium access rewards for referrals and the option for creators to experiment with dynamic pricing based on how the audience perceives value.
 According to the platform, this approach aids in converting casual readers into active members of the community, creates fresh monetization avenues for free newsletters and allows paid publications to execute flexible pricing that mirrors their audience's perceived value.

</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 The new pricing model contrasts with many of Beehiiv’s competitors that follow traditional paywalls and subscription models. The success of this model could challenge this norm and provide Beehiiv with an edge while pushing the industry toward more flexible, trust-based monetization strategies.

All Updates

Koji announces photo-based storefront app Pop Up Shop

SoundCloud partners with AI companies to expand music creation tools and responsible use of AI

TikTok tests third-party affiliate product links for creators

TikTok launches Symphony Creative Studios for video content creation

SoundCloud launches Next Pro Artist feature for music creators

YouTube launches new feature for creators to remix songs with AI

Patreon launches subscription gifting and discount features to help creators grow their subscriber bases

Spotify unveils partner program for monetizing video podcasts

TikTok integrates with Lemon8 to allow cross-platform photo sharing

SoundCloud partners with PubMatic to expand programmatic advertising capabilities

Beehiiv launches reader-determined pricing for newsletters to create new monetization opportunities

Creator Economy

Koji announces photo-based storefront app Pop Up Shop

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