Short answer: you can run ads with a creator's affiliate video in two ways. The creator can turn on affiliate mass authorization in the TikTok app, which lets you use all their affiliate posts for your Shop Ads, or share a video code for a single post. In GMV Max you then set “Affiliate post” as the video source, or add the code under Manage creatives. Boost only videos that already sell organically, set a Shop Ads commission so the creator still earns, and remember the ads pause if the collaboration ends or the creator withdraws authorization.
A creator video that sells on its own is your best ad. Putting budget behind it is usually the step that turns a few organic orders into steady volume. This is the last stage of the sample-to-sale funnel: only scale what has already worked.
Two ways to get permission
| Affiliate mass authorization | Video code (Spark-style) | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | All of the creator's affiliate posts for your products | One specific post |
| Who does what | Creator turns on the “Authorize sellers to use affiliate videos in Shop Ads” toggle in the app | Creator generates a code for the video and sends it to you |
| Where you use it | GMV Max: video source “Affiliate post”; Video Shopping Ads: affiliate posts | GMV Max: Manage creatives → Add posts → Add video codes |
| Creator commission on ad orders | Ads with mass authorization may earn the creator commission | Other methods may not; check the current terms |
Sources: TikTok Ads help centre, About affiliate creatives for TikTok Shop ads, affiliate creative authorization FAQ and making creative assets available for Product GMV Max. The help pages don't list supported markets, so confirm availability for the UK in your Ads Manager.
How a creator generates a video code
Third-party guides (for example Growi) describe the usual steps in the TikTok app. Menus change, so ask the creator to check their app:
- Turn on ad authorization once, in the creator tools settings.
- Open the video, tap the share or three-dot menu, and go to the ad settings.
- Choose how long you can use it. Guides list options such as 7, 30, 60 or 365 days.
- Generate the code, copy it and send it to you.
Those guides also say the code should be redeemed within 30 days and that ads stop when the authorization period ends. Agree the length up front, in writing.
Which videos to boost
- Videos that already sell organically. A video with a few organic orders and a click-through rate above your others is a far better bet than a high-view video with none. One experienced seller suggests waiting for 2–3 organic sales and a CTR above 3%; that's a rule of thumb, not a platform standard.
- Creators still active and in good standing. Ads using affiliate posts pause automatically if the collaboration ends or the creator turns authorization off.
- Products you can afford to advertise. Check the break-even ROAS for your margin with the GMV Max ROAS & budget calculator before you spend.
Keep creators on side
- Set a Shop Ads commission in the collaboration if you want a separate rate for orders that come from ads. If you don't, ad-driven orders pay the standard rate (see affiliate commission rates).
- Tell the creator you're boosting their video. It's their face and their account, and it's a good moment to offer a higher rate.
- Don't expect to edit the post. You can't change the product links in an affiliate post.
Measure it
Seller Centre's Ads x Affiliate report compares organic and ad-driven sales, and may show revenue attributed to both ads and the affiliate. Judge a boosted video on profit after ad spend and commission, not on GMV alone.
FAQ
Can I use affiliate creator videos in GMV Max?
Yes. TikTok's help centre says you can set “Affiliate post” as the video source in GMV Max, or add individual posts with video codes under Manage creatives.
Does the creator earn commission on orders from my ads?
Ads using affiliate posts may generate commission for the creator. You can set a separate Shop Ads commission rate in the collaboration; otherwise the standard rate applies.
What happens if the creator turns off authorization?
Ads using that creator's affiliate posts pause automatically. They also pause when the affiliate collaboration ends.
How long does a video code last?
The creator chooses the length when generating it. Third-party guides list options of 7, 30, 60 or 365 days.
Related guides
Spot the creator videos worth boosting. GMVize tracks every creator video's views and orders, so you know which ones have earned ad budget.