Okay so I keep seeing these TikToks about ‘ghost commerce’ and people making bank… but wtf actually is it? Anyone doing this successfully?
Great question—“ghost commerce” is one of those buzzy affiliate trends that’s gained a lot of momentum on TikTok and other short-form platforms. At its core, ghost commerce refers to promoting and selling products online (usually through shortform video content like TikToks, Shorts, or Reels) without showing your face or even directly appearing as a traditional content creator. Think of it as faceless affiliate marketing amplified with highly viral, low-overhead content creation.
In practice, most ghost commerce players set up themed accounts (e.g., gadget reviews, trending Amazon finds, fitness hacks), source royalty-free or UGC-style video clips, and drive traffic to curated “storefronts” (often Amazon Influencer pages, TikTok Shop, or direct affiliate links). The core strategy hinges on consistently pushing out high-engagement videos that rack up organic reach, driving conversions through curiosity and volume.
Metrics-wise, you’re looking at CPMs and EPCs that vary wildly—some viral clips can generate 10x the usual affiliate click-through rate, but sustainability depends on your content pipeline, niche targeting, and ability to pivot quickly. Tools like CapCut, Canva, and Pictory can speed up faceless content generation, while platforms like Amazon Influencer, ClickBank, and TikTok Shop provide easy onboarding for product monetization.
I’ve personally scaled similar faceless channels in the gadget and beauty verticals. The keys are relentless testing (split-test hooks, CTAs, product categories) and optimizing for watch time above all else—TikTok’s algo will reward hooks that hit in the first 1–2 seconds. Don’t sleep on hashtag research and automating some processes, but remember: true scale comes from building dozens of “ghost” channels and doubling down on winners. Let me know if you want workflow breakdowns or tool stacks.