How To Run TikTok Ads For Affiliate Marketing

Introduction.

TikTok is no longer just for dances, memes, and quick entertainment. It’s quickly become one of the most powerful platforms for affiliate marketers.

If you’re not using TikTok ads to drive traffic to affiliate offers, you’re probably leaving money on the table.

Why? Because TikTok has over 1.5 billion monthly active users (Statista, 2024), and it’s one of the most engaging social media platforms out there.

People don’t just scroll—they watch, interact, and even buy directly from what they see. That’s a goldmine if you’re doing affiliate marketing right.

I’ve seen firsthand how a single TikTok ad can blow up an affiliate campaign. But I’ve also seen people waste hundreds of dollars on ads that just don’t convert. The difference usually comes down to strategy.

So in this post, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to run TikTok ads for affiliate marketing—step by step.

I’ll cover what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid common traps. You don’t need a huge budget. You don’t need to be TikTok-famous. You just need the right setup.

What Is Affiliate Marketing?

Let’s keep it simple: you promote someone else’s product, and when someone buys through your link, you get a commission.

For example, you could promote fitness supplements, online courses, or trending gadgets. You don’t handle inventory, shipping, or support. You just drive traffic. That’s it.

TikTok helps with the “drive traffic” part, and the ads platform lets you pay to put your offer in front of exactly the kind of people who’d buy it.

Why TikTok Ads Work So Well for Affiliate Marketing

A few reasons why I personally love TikTok ads for affiliate stuff:

Low CPMs (Cost per 1,000 impressions) – TikTok is still cheaper than Facebook and Instagram in most niches.
High engagement – People watch longer, interact more, and are open to discovering new things.
Visual storytelling – Great for showing a product in action or demonstrating value fast.
You can look like native content – TikTok users trust content that doesn’t feel like an ad. You can make your ad look organic and still sell.

In short, it’s the perfect mix of reach, targeting, and creativity.

How Do I Run TikTok Ads For Affiliate Marketing?

Here’s how I set up profitable TikTok ad campaigns for affiliate offers.

1. Pick the Right Affiliate Offer

Start with a product that solves a problem and fits TikTok’s audience.

Look for:

A product with high demand or trend appeal
Decent commission (30%+ is good)
A clean, mobile-friendly landing page
Affiliate programs that allow paid ads (some don’t)

Some solid affiliate networks:

Avoid anything scammy or overly hyped—TikTok’s ad review team is picky.

2. Get a Custom Landing Page (Don’t Direct Link)

Never send people straight from your ad to the affiliate link. TikTok doesn’t like that, and it won’t get approved.

Instead, use a bridge page:

A simple one-page site that gives more info
Warm people up before they click to the affiliate link
You can build one with Carrd or Systeme.io for free

This step is non-negotiable. It helps with ad approval and conversions.

3. Set Up TikTok Ads Manager

Go to TikTok Ads Manager, and create a business account. It’s free.

Choose:

Website conversions as your objective
Pixel tracking (install the TikTok Pixel on your landing page)
Custom audience (later you can retarget)

Set your budget low to start—$20/day is fine.

4. Target the Right People

TikTok’s targeting isn’t as advanced as Meta’s, but it still works.

I recommend:

Interest targeting (e.g. fitness, beauty, business)
Device type (iOS vs Android)
Age + Gender depending on your offer
Lookalike audiences (after some data comes in)

You can also just go broad and let the algorithm optimize. TikTok’s AI is surprisingly good at finding buyers.

5. Create Scroll-Stopping Video Ads

This is where most people mess up. TikTok ads need to feel like real content.

Here’s what works:

Short (10-25 seconds)
Vertical format
Hook in the first 3 seconds (e.g. “This saved me $100…”)
Show the product in action
Add text overlays and captions
Use user-generated content (UGC) style — raw, authentic, and mobile-shot

Don’t overthink it. Use your phone. Edit with CapCut.

And always test 2-3 variations.

6. Monitor and Optimize

Watch these metrics:

CTR (click-through rate) – Should be over 1%
CPC (cost per click) – Lower is better
Conversion rate – Check how many people buy or sign up

Kill bad ads fast. Double down on winners. Change your hook, your angle, or your audience if nothing’s working.

TikTok rewards fresh content. Keep testing and updating creatives every week.

FAQs

Can I use TikTok ads if I’m brand new to affiliate marketing?

Yes, but start small. Spend $10–$20 a day and test before scaling. Focus on learning what works.

Do I need to show my face in the ad?

Not at all. Voiceovers, screen recordings, or text-based videos work just fine. But showing your face can boost trust.

How do I avoid getting banned or rejected?

Don’t make unrealistic claims (“make $10k in a week!”)
Don’t send users directly to affiliate links
Keep it clean—no adult or shady products

What’s a good ROI on TikTok ads?

If you’re spending $20 and making $40+, that’s solid. Many affiliates shoot for 2x to 3x ROI.

Is retargeting worth it?

Yes—once you get around 1,000+ visitors, use TikTok’s custom audience feature to retarget people who clicked but didn’t buy.

Tools I Recommend

Here are a few tools that make this process easier:

CapCut – Easy video editor made for TikTok
Carrd – Build bridge pages fast
TikTok Creative Center – Find trending ads and sounds
Systeme.io – Build funnels and email lists for free
Bitly – Track link clicks

Final Thoughts

Running TikTok ads for affiliate marketing isn’t just possible—it’s one of the smartest ways to grow fast right now. But you’ve got to play it smart.

Pick the right offer. Create videos that feel natural. Test more than you think you need to. And always track your numbers.

The cool thing is, once you dial in a winning ad + product combo, it can scale like crazy. Some of my highest-converting campaigns came from $25 test budgets.

So, are you ready to try TikTok ads for your next affiliate offer? Or still deciding what niche to start with? Let me know in the comments or shoot over a question—I’m happy to help.