In just a short time, Temu has become one of the most talked-about e-commerce platforms in the world. Known for its incredibly low prices and aggressive marketing campaigns, Temu has rapidly expanded across North America, Europe, and other global markets. But what exactly is Temu, and how can it afford to sell products so cheaply?

This article explores what Temu is, how its business model works, and how the company makes money.

What Is Temu?

Temu is an online marketplace launched in 2022 and owned by PDD Holdings, a multinational commerce group also behind the Chinese e-commerce platform Pinduoduo.

Temu connects consumers directly with manufacturers and third-party sellers, primarily from China. The platform offers a wide range of products, including:

• Clothing and fashion accessories

• Electronics and gadgets

• Home and kitchen products

• Beauty and personal care items

• Toys and hobby supplies

Unlike traditional retailers, Temu does not typically manufacture its own products. Instead, it operates as a marketplace that facilitates transactions between buyers and sellers.

Temu is primarily app-based but also operates through its website. Its strategy focuses heavily on social media marketing, referral programs, and gamified shopping experiences.

Why Are Temu’s Prices So Low?

One of the biggest questions consumers ask is: how can Temu sell products at such low prices?

There are several reasons:

1. Direct-From-Factory Model

Temu eliminates many middlemen by connecting customers directly with manufacturers. This reduces markup costs typically added by wholesalers and retailers.

2. Bulk Production & Scale

Many products are mass-produced at very large volumes, which lowers manufacturing costs per unit.

3. Long Shipping Times

Products are often shipped directly from overseas warehouses, which reduces storage costs in local markets.

4. Subsidized Growth Strategy

Temu has reportedly spent heavily on marketing and discounts to rapidly gain market share. In some cases, the company may operate with thin profit margins — or even temporary losses — to grow quickly.

How Does Temu Make Money?

Despite low prices and frequent discounts, Temu generates revenue through multiple streams.

1. Commission on Sales

Temu charges sellers a percentage of each sale made on the platform. This commission model is similar to other marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.

Every time a product is sold, Temu earns a cut of the transaction.

2. Advertising & Sponsored Listings

Sellers can pay to promote their products inside the Temu app. Sponsored listings appear higher in search results or on featured pages.

This advertising revenue becomes significant as more sellers compete for visibility.

3. Seller Service Fees

Temu may charge sellers additional fees for services such as:

• Logistics and shipping support

• Warehousing

• Payment processing

• Participation in promotional campaigns

These service fees add another layer of income for the platform.

4. Data & Optimization

Temu collects large amounts of shopping behavior data. While the company does not typically sell personal data directly, it uses analytics to:

• Improve product recommendations

• Optimize pricing

• Increase conversion rates

• Encourage repeat purchases

Better optimization leads to higher sales volume, which increases commission revenue.

5. Local Seller Programs

In some markets, Temu allows local sellers to store and ship products domestically. This improves delivery times and allows Temu to expand its product categories.

These partnerships create additional revenue opportunities through service fees and local fulfillment charges.

Is Temu Profitable?

Temu’s rapid expansion suggests a long-term growth strategy rather than short-term profit maximization.

Many analysts believe Temu is prioritizing:

• User acquisition

• Brand recognition

• Global market expansion

Profitability may increase over time as the company reduces subsidies, strengthens logistics, and builds seller competition within the platform.

Challenges and Risks

Temu also faces several challenges:

• Product quality concerns

• Shipping delays

• Regulatory scrutiny in certain countries

• Competition from Amazon, Shein, and AliExpress

How the company handles these challenges will play a key role in its long-term success.

How to Configure Temu Stores/Accounts in BitBrowser

Once you scale beyond one Temu account, account organization becomes critical.

Instead of constantly logging in and out — which increases risk — BitBrowser allows you to create isolated browser profiles for each account.

Step 1: Create a New Browser Profile

Open BitBrowser and click “New Profile.”

Name it clearly, for example:

• Temu US Store #1

• Temu Affiliate UK

• Temu Testing Account

Clear naming simplifies management.

Step 2: Configure a Proxy

In the proxy section:

• Choose HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5

• Enter IP, port, username, and password

For multi-account management, unique IPs reduce account linkage risk.

Tip: Match proxy country to your target market.

Step 3: Add Platform URL

Select “Other” in the platform section and input the Temu website link.

Step 4: Configure Browser Fingerprint Settings

Enable automatic fingerprint generation:

• User Agent

• Timezone

• WebRTC

• Canvas

• Language

• Geolocation

BitBrowser generates unique fingerprints per profile to minimize detection risks.

Step 5: Add Account Notes

Use the notes section to record:

• Niche

• Login email

• Recovery phone

• Affiliate campaign type

• Payout method

• Target region

This becomes extremely useful when managing 5+ accounts.

Step 6: Launch and Log In

Open the profile and log into Temu normally.

Each profile keeps:

• Cookies separated

• Login sessions isolated

• Reduced repeated verification

Step 7: Use Groups for Organization

Group accounts by:

• Temu US

• Temu UK

• Seller Stores

• Affiliate Campaigns

• Testing Profiles

Structured organization improves workflow efficiency.

Conclusion

Temu can be a practical side-income opportunity in 2026, but results depend on strategy and consistency.

Most users earn small rewards.
Structured marketers can build scalable income streams.

Success requires:

• Traffic

• Smart testing

• Campaign optimization

• Careful account management

With realistic expectations and structured execution, Temu remains one of the more accessible entry points into online income opportunities.