Printify + your favorite platform = more sales!
Looking to scale your store? TikTok Shop Ads might be your biggest opportunity yet. Designed specifically to promote TikTok Shop products, these ads blend seamlessly into the content users already love – putting your items directly in front of the right buyers at the right time.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about TikTok Shop Ads – what they are, how they work, how to set them up, what types to use, and how to get the most out of every campaign.
Whether you’re new to TikTok Shop or ready to scale with Printify, we’ve got you covered.
Key takeaways
- TikTok Shop Ads are built for conversions by promoting your products directly among the app’s native content.
- There are multiple ad formats to choose from, including Video Shopping Ads, LIVE Shopping Ads, Product Shopping Ads, and GMV Max campaigns.
- Running ads is becoming essential as TikTok shifts toward a pay-to-play model that favors paid promotions over organic reach.
- Set up TikTok Shop Ads in just five steps – create a shop, connect to Ads Manager, set objectives, create ads, and track performance.
- Partnering with Printify makes selling even easier. Get automatic fulfillment, access to hundreds of customizable products, and tools to create high-quality ad content.
What are TikTok Shop Ads?
TikTok Shop Ads are paid placements that promote TikTok Shop products directly within TikTok’s content feed. These ads are optimized for conversions, driving more product page visits and purchases by targeting audiences who are already shopping on TikTok.
Unlike standard TikTok Ads, TikTok Shop Ads don’t direct viewers to external landing pages or websites. Shoppers never have to leave the app, and the purchase process is fast and seamless.
TikTok Shop Ads overview
TikTok Shop Ads are designed to be simple for merchants but powerful in performance. They work with TikTok’s recommendation algorithms to promote products where they have the best chance of converting – inside short videos, lives, or product feeds.
Let’s walk through the fundamentals.
Why use TikTok Shop Ads?
Here’s why TikTok Shop Ads are becoming a go-to for sellers:
- In-app checkout keeps conversion rates high
Users don’t leave the app to buy, reducing drop-off rates. - Algorithmic targeting matches your products with the right shoppers
TikTok’s feed adapts based on user behavior, so ads show up in relevant placements. - Multiple formats for different goals
From live promotions to shoppable videos, there’s a campaign style for every kind of product and audience. - Scalable visibility for top products
Boost your bestsellers, test new product ideas, or fuel seasonal sales. - Fast path to GMV growth
Ads are designed to maximize gross merchandise value (GMV), TikTok Shop’s core success metric.
Beyond these factors, another big reason for jumping on this marketing tool is that TikTok is starting to prioritize paid ads over organic content.
So while going viral is still great, it’s not something you can count on for consistent sales. If you want to stay visible and keep growing, running TikTok Shop Ads is essential.
How TikTok Shop Ads work
Head to your TikTok Shop account and manage your campaigns under TikTok Ads Manager. To be eligible, you must:
- Operate in the US, UK, or select Southeast Asian countries
- Have an active TikTok Shop account
- List eligible physical products that comply with TikTok’s prohibited products policy
- Accept TikTok’s ad and commerce policies
- Sync your product catalog with Ads Manager
Once set up, TikTok’s recommendation engine uses real-time signals – like user interest, past purchases, and trending content – to place your ads where they’re most likely to convert.
Products can be automatically selected for promotion, or you can manually choose what to feature.
Types of TikTok Shop Ads
There are several ad formats you can use, each with its own strengths:
Video Shopping Ads
These ads appear in-feed as native TikTok videos and include clickable product cards. They blend into organic content and are great for brand storytelling.
LIVE Shopping Ads
These promote your TikTok LIVE sessions, helping you get more viewers and drive sales in real time. They work especially well during product launches and flash sales.
Product Shopping Ads
These show individual product listings in shopping feeds across TikTok. It’s a straightforward way to promote top SKUs to a purchase-ready audience.
Product GMV Max
These campaigns help you automatically promote your products using a mix of paid and organic placements, all with one goal – increasing your total sales (GMV). You can set these up right in your TikTok Shop Seller Center.
LIVE GMV Max
These campaigns are built to push your TikTok LIVE shopping sessions and aim to drive as many sales as possible. Just keep in mind that you can only run one LIVE GMV Max campaign at a time under each TikTok account.
TikTok Shop Ads: Step-by-step setup
Launching your first TikTok Shop Ad is simpler than it sounds. Follow these five steps to get started.
1. Create a TikTok Shop and sync products
First, you’ll need a TikTok Shop seller account. Once your shop is active, upload your products and make sure they meet TikTok’s policies.
New to TikTok Shop? Learn how to start selling on TikTok step by step.
2. Connect to TikTok Ads Manager
In your TikTok Shop Seller Center, go to Marketing → Ads. This will redirect you to TikTok Ads Manager, where you’ll manage all your campaigns.
Make sure your shop is synced with Ads Manager so you can access your catalog and product listings directly within the platform.
3. Choose campaign objectives
Select a campaign objective that aligns with your goal. TikTok Shop Ads are typically optimized for:
- Product sales (conversions)
- Product page views
- GMV growth (Product GMV Max)
We recommend selecting conversion-based objectives to drive real purchases, not just engagement.
4. Targeting, budgeting, and ad creation
Next, define your target audience by age, location, interests, and shopping behavior. Set your daily or total budget, then move on to creative development.
Order product samples or use high-quality mockup images to create your ad content. This helps you shoot polished TikToks that match your brand.
5. Track performance
After launching your ads, utilize TikTok Ads Manager to track key performance indicators, such as:
- Click-through rate (CTR)
- Return on ad spend (ROAS)
- Cost per click (CPC)
- Gross merchandise value (GMV)
- Conversion rates
Analyzing these metrics will help you refine your targeting, creative content, and bidding strategies for improved results.
If you’re linking directly to your TikTok Shop, you won’t be able to use TikTok Pixel for tracking. Instead, utilize TikTok’s built-in reporting dashboard for Shop-linked ads.
Best practices and tools for TikTok Shop Ad creatives
Your ad performance depends heavily on your creative content. Here are a few tips to make your campaigns stand out.
Show products in use
Lifestyle videos outperform static shots. Show your product in action, whether that’s being worn, used, or unboxed.
Grab attention in the first 3 seconds
Use movement, bold text, or verbal hooks to stop the scroll. If you don’t hook viewers right away, they’ll swipe past. Incorporate trending sounds and challenges to stay relevant.
Add a clear call to action (CTA)
Use overlays like “Tap to buy,” “Shop now,” or “Limited time offer.” TikTok viewers need visual nudges to click and convert.
Optimize for mobile
Keep your framing tight and avoid blocks of text. Most TikTok users watch vertically and on mobile, so design with that in mind.
Keep it short and authentic
Don’t overproduce your content. Short videos that feel organic perform better than overly polished brand ads. Keep videos between 15-30 seconds to maintain viewer attention.
Tools for editing TikTok ads
- CapCut: TikTok’s official editing tool, perfect for trimming, transitions, and effects.
- Canva: Great for combining product mockups with text overlays.
- InShot: Easy-to-use mobile video editor with templates and audio features.
Explore more ways to make money on TikTok on our blog.
Sell on TikTok with Printify
Ready to launch or scale your TikTok Shop? Printify makes it simple to turn your creative ideas into a full-fledged eCommerce business – no inventory, no upfront costs, and no hassle.
Here’s how to get started selling custom products on demand.
1. Create your Printify account
Sign up for a free Printify account to access our Catalog of over 1,300 customizable products. From apparel and mugs to phone cases and tote bags, you’ll find plenty of TikTok-friendly items to sell.
2. Design your products
Use Printify’s built-in Product Creator to upload your designs and add them to real products. Preview realistic mockups from multiple angles and order samples before you launch.
Want content for ads? Order samples or use mockups in your TikToks to boost trust and click-throughs.
3. Set up your TikTok Shop
If you don’t already have one, create a seller account on TikTok Shop and complete the onboarding process.
4. Connect Printify to TikTok Shop
Integrate your TikTok Shop by heading to your Printify dashboard, then following these steps:
- Go to Manage Stores
- Click Add new store
- Choose TikTok Shop
- Follow the prompts to link your TikTok Shop and grant permissions
Once connected, your Printify products will sync directly to your TikTok Shop storefront.
5. Publish and promote
Your synced products will appear on your TikTok Shop product page. From there, you can:
- Feature them in shoppable videos
- Promote them with TikTok Shop Ads
- Drive organic traffic using product pins and LIVE selling
Every time you make a sale, Printify automatically fulfills and ships the order directly to your customer – no manual steps required.
Whether you’re experimenting with your first product or scaling a viral store, Printify gives you all the tools and flexibility to grow your TikTok Shop, your way.
Want a full breakdown of standard TikTok Ads? Check out our complete guide to TikTok Ads.
FAQ
Absolutely. TikTok Shop Ads are specifically designed to promote TikTok Shop products inside the app. They offer native in-feed placements and drive users directly to your product pages.
Costs vary based on your targeting, competition, and ad format. TikTok sets a minimum daily budget of $50 at the campaign level and $20 at the ad group level.
To give your campaigns enough time to optimize, we recommend a total budget of at least $500. This allows for consistent ad delivery over several days, giving TikTok’s algorithm enough data to improve performance.
TikTok often gamifies its ad experience by offering ad credits and incentive programs for eligible sellers, so check your dashboard for promotions.
To summarize
TikTok Shop Ads are a powerful way to scale your store, reach new customers, and turn short-form content into real sales. With in-app checkout, intelligent targeting, and multiple ad formats, they’re tailor-made for eCommerce growth.
Ready to grow your TikTok business? Start running Shop Ads and integrate your TikTok Shop with Printify’s print-on-demand solutions. Test products, launch new ideas, and fulfill orders automatically – without inventory or overhead.
