Short video platform Douyin may be looking to form a deeper partnership with internet giant Alibaba, TechWeb reported Wednesday.

Douyin recently began trialing an in-app purchase function. Users can attach links to items on Alibaba’s e-commerce platform Taobao, so viewers can immediately click through to buy products recommended in videos. The feature only connects with Taobao vendors and no other online stores.

Staff from Douyin’s public relations team told Sixth Tone that the function is still in beta testing with a small group of users, and denied rumors, mentioned in the TechWeb article, that it would launch its own online shopping community. (Image: VCG)