An app that allows users to monetize their social media influence is expanding to Hollywood.
Thumzup allows businesses to bypass the multi-billion-dollar online ad market by paying customers directly to post about their products. The start-up launched in 2022.
Until now, only residents in West Los Angeles could use the platform.
“We are excited to introduce Thumzup to the Hollywood community, expanding our geographical reach and enhancing the way individuals interact with and support local businesses through social media,” Robert Steele, CEO and founder of Thumzup, said in a statement.
“This expansion illustrates our continued business growth, all while empowering individuals to monetize their social media presence while discovering and supporting fantastic local businesses.”
Here’s how the app works: Businesses can sign up for an advertising campaign and customers who download the app can then visit the business. Once users post a photo through the app, which will also automatically be posted to their Instagram account, they get paid by the company via PayPal or Venmo.
“Thumzup is the only platform we know of that makes it easy for any brand or business to pay people cash to post about it to their friends and family on social media,” Steele told KTLA.
Similar to how Uber drivers use the platform to earn additional income, Steele hopes that users can do the same thing with his app within the social media marketing space.
Some users have been able to make around $1,000 a month just from using the app, Steele told KTLA.
Payments for posts vary based on the business.
Steele also explained how businesses could benefit from these posts. If the Instagram algorithm notices that more people are posting about it; this could lead to the platform featuring more of its content to more users, thus expanding the business’ visability.
Local businesses like Hallowed Ground in Los Angeles and Bellissimo Venice in Venice Beach have utilized Thumzup, according to the its website.
Other local businesses, like Atacama Home Center, Grow Kid Grow and Morning Kitchen, have also partnered with the platform due to its recent expansion into Hollywood.
Steele hopes that Thumzup will have a national, and eventually worldwide rollout, in the near future.