So… What Is Ghost Commerce Anyway?
Think of ghost commerce like running an online store… without actually owning the products, the warehouse, or sometimes even the website. Yep, it’s basically the “ghost kitchen” model but for e-commerce.
You know those food delivery brands on Zomato or Uber Eats that don’t have a real restaurant? They just cook from some hidden kitchen and slap a brand name on it. Ghost commerce is kinda the same vibe. You promote products, build a storefront (or sometimes not even that, just affiliate links), and money flows without touching inventory.
It’s like dropshipping’s distant cousin who listens to lo-fi beats and hangs out on TikTok all day.
Ghost Commerce vs Dropshipping vs Affiliate Marketing
People confuse this a lot. Here’s a quick table so you don’t get lost:
| Model | Who owns products? | Risk | Where money comes from | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dropshipping | Supplier | Medium | You sell products, supplier ships | Hustle culture 2017 |
| Affiliate Marketing | Brand/Company | Low | Commission on sales | Old-school blogging/YouTube |
| Ghost Commerce | Nobody you see | Very Low | Traffic + hidden product promotion | Gen Z TikTok hustle |
Basically, ghost commerce feels like affiliate marketing 2.0, but with a heavier social media spin.
Why Is Everyone Suddenly Obsessed With It?
I blame TikTok honestly. Scroll for five minutes and you’ll see some 19-year-old claiming they made $20k in a week just “doing ghost commerce.” Sounds fake, right? But the hype is real because:
-
You don’t need to buy stock
-
No customer service headaches
-
Algorithms (TikTok, Insta Reels, even Pinterest) can blow up your “ghost store” overnight
-
People are sick of traditional 9-5s and this feels like a cheat code
It’s not magic though. 90% of folks who try it end up making less than they brag about. Still, the low entry cost makes it attractive.
My Honest Take (from scrolling too much Reddit + trying side hustles myself)
I once tried affiliate blogging. Spent weeks writing about phone accessories. Got like $3 in commissions after three months. Felt like being ghosted by Amazon itself. That’s when I realized ghost commerce (or affiliate/creator-led selling) is basically a numbers game.
If you’re good with memes, short videos, or just have the energy to test trends — ghost commerce might actually work. But if you hate content creation, nah, you’ll just end up binge-watching others flex their “automated ghost stores” while you sulk.
Common Misconceptions About Ghost Commerce
-
“It’s easy money.” Lol, nothing online is. You still need traffic.
-
“It’s scammy.” Not really, unless you’re selling shady products.
-
“It’s new.” Not that new. It’s basically rebranded affiliate + social commerce.
-
“No skills required.” Skills are everything — especially marketing, storytelling, and making content people don’t instantly scroll past.
Quick Example of Ghost Commerce in Action
Imagine you start a TikTok page about fitness hacks. You post fun 20-sec videos about stretching, home workouts, or “that one $10 gadget you didn’t know you needed.”
The gadget links go to Amazon or another site. You earn a cut every time someone buys. Boom. That’s ghost commerce — no warehouse, no products, just vibes and commissions.
FAQs
Q1. Is ghost commerce the same as dropshipping?
Not exactly. Dropshipping still makes you responsible for running an online shop. Ghost commerce leans more toward being a middleman with less responsibility.
Q2. How do you start ghost commerce?
Pick a niche → make content (TikTok, Insta, blog, whatever) → connect products via affiliate programs → drive traffic. That’s it.
Q3. Can you actually make money?
Yes, but most don’t get rich. Average affiliate marketers earn $100–$1,000 a month. Viral ones? Way more.
Q4. Do you need money to start?
Not much. Maybe a domain if you want a site. Mostly you just need time, consistency, and a tolerance for cringe TikTok trends.
Q5. What’s the future of ghost commerce?
Honestly, it’ll get crowded fast. But social media-driven selling isn’t going away. Expect AI-generated content + micro-niche ghost stores popping up everywhere.
Final Thoughts (aka my half-baked conclusion)
Ghost commerce isn’t a scam, but it’s not a golden goose either. It’s like trying to become a YouTuber — possible, but 90% will quit before they see their first $100.
Still, if you’re creative, stubborn, and can handle people commenting “fake guru” under your videos, ghost commerce could actually be fun (and profitable).
