What you get when you actually buy the 4-cent yoghurt drink TikTok keeps advertising on your FYP

We’re not starting a cult but some followers on Instagram would be nice. Thank you.

I thought I had enough social media platforms to keep me entertained.

When Musical.ly ceased to exist and made way for TikTok, I was determined to avoid the platform that was known as that dancing app for Gen Zs (even though I’m a Gen Z myself. Hah.).

But that resolve quickly dissipated at the peak of Covid-19 lockdowns.

Everybody was stuck at home and one way to deal with cabin fever was to mindlessly scroll through TikTok.

For the limitless entertainment and enlightenment that TikTok has brought me, I am eternally grateful.

But I have a new bone to pick with it.

Why do I keep getting these yoghurt drink ads ah???

I came to TikTok for the memes, not to spend money I already don’t have.

But I don’t actually mind ads. It’s a free app, after all.

What’s TikTok shop?

Since TikTok Shop — the app’s in-app shopping experience — launched in August 2022, I’ve been seeing lots of accounts promoting their products as I scroll through my feed.

From portable chargers to makeup products, I’ve seen everything.

And I get the appeal of it for sellers and consumers.

The app offers as little as 0% commission and zero transaction fees, and there are also new user coupons and discounts provided by TikTok Shop.

In short, it might just be the next super app or e-commerce giant.

Please make it stop

What I have a problem with is how often the algorithm pushes TikToks promoting the yoghurt drink.

Everything I’ve seen about the yoghurt drink was not of my own free will (yes, I’m talking about those skits) because it just keeps appearing on my FYP.

As irritated as I am, you have to know that I’m weak in the face of a good deal.

The yoghurt drink was going at S$0.99 for a pack of 24 bottles for the first purchase, instead of the usual price of S$19.60.

That’s a cheap, cheap price of four cents per bottle.

So after seeing it on my FYP for perhaps the 10293485495th time, I caved and clicked on the yellow shopping bag.

I don’t even like yoghurt drinks but I was still pleasantly surprised to see a carton of it at my office doorstep.

I offered the drink to my colleagues, but some of them were sceptical because of how dirt cheap it was.


But I’m here to assure you that the drink tastes normal and has a decent shelf life.

A happy ending?

Funnily enough, I’ve been seeing less of these yoghurt drink ads on my FYP ever since I made that purchase.

That’s quite a win-win solution: I have loads of yoghurt drinks and the ads have finally stopped.

Or so I thought…

Now the algorithm is pushing another trending item on TikTok Shop: This tiny wireless microphone.

Damn it.

Top image from yoyiclovesingapore and williamtiktokshop on TikTok.