On the TikTok platform, digital gifts known as “Roses” function as a form of virtual currency. Users purchase these Roses with real money and then distribute them to content creators during live streams as a gesture of appreciation. The financial yield a creator receives from these digital tokens varies, dependent upon the volume of Roses acquired and TikTok’s conversion rates.
The accumulation of these digital tokens represents a significant avenue for creators to monetize their content and engage with their audience. The practice provides a direct financial incentive for producing compelling live content and cultivates a sense of community through user participation. The concept mirrors, to some extent, older systems of patronage, adapted for a digital and mobile-first audience.