Instagram has been continuing to integrate seamless content-shopping experiences into its platform with its Instagram Shopping and Instagram Checkout features, which both received substantial optimizations in Q4. Due to Meta’s comparable size and reach in the U.S., it makes sense for TikTok-centric retailers to migrate to Instagram in the absence of TikTok Shop.

Amazon Live isn’t a platform one would typically think of as social-first, but the behemoth retailer’s social shopping integration is expanding. Some of the most popular Amazon influencers, celebrities, and brands livestream videos and offer product recommendations with shopping experiences directly adjacent. Amazon’s expansive inventory makes it an incredibly compelling one-stop shopping destination.

YouTube Shopping offers a more curated shopping experience than some other social commerce platforms. Sellers must meet a list of eligibility requirements to be allowed a shop on YouTube. The suite of tools allows sellers to promote their products, tag them in videos, and assess success through personalized analytics reports.

Snapchat recently launched a creator-driven campaign called ‘Find your Favorites on Snapchat’ to emphasize to audiences who may be anxious about losing connectivity to their favorite TikTok influencers that they can find them on Snap. Those influencers are being encouraged and supported to establish brand partnerships through a variety of Snapchat initiatives, and Snapchat has been introducing shopping features consistently since 2022.

Flip boasts brand opportunities at each phase of the shopping journey — from raising community awareness through brand interactions to the end-of-funnel purchasing experience. 

Whatnot is most like TikTok in that it offers a unique experience compared to other platforms. Think Instagram’s static photos vs. TikTok’s short, fun videos. Whatnot is a social marketplace where live auctions engage users around niche products. Unlike ultra-glossy influencers approved by YouTube or favored by Amazon Live, Whatnot supports more specialized communities, such as the vintage market and the resale of collectibles. The platform states it “aims to enable anyone to turn their passion into a business and bring people together through commerce.”

Another prospect for retailers if TikTok won’t commit to the terms of the U.S. legal mandate is Neptune. The app isn’t widely available yet and is currently in beta testing. Neptune promises a social shopping paradigm shift, declaring: “We’re not just creating a new platform; we’re pioneering a new era of social media. In a world where creativity often takes a backseat to algorithms and ads, we’re flipping the script.”