How to Get TikTok Ad Code

A TikTok Ad Code is the key to running one of the platform's most effective ad formats: the Spark Ad. This simple code lets you turn an organic TikTok video - either your own or a creator's - into a powerful, authentic ad. This article will show you exactly how to generate that code as a creator and how to use it as an advertiser to launch your next campaign.

What Exactly is a TikTok Ad Code?

A TikTok Ad Code is a unique alphanumeric string generated from a specific organic TikTok video. Think of it as a permission slip. When a creator generates this code for one of their videos, they are giving official authorization for a brand or advertiser to use that video as an ad creative within the TikTok Ads Manager platform.

This is what powers Spark Ads. Unlike regular "In-Feed" ads, which run from an advertiser's account and look like typical ads, Spark Ads appear authentically from the creator's account. All the likes, comments, shares, and views that the video gets from the paid promotion are added to the original organic post. This creates powerful social proof and a seamless user experience, as the ad feels less like a traditional ad and more like a native, viral video.

The Main Benefits of Using an Ad Code for Spark Ads:

• <strong>Authenticity:</strong> The ad comes directly from a real user's profile, making it feel more genuine and trustworthy than a standard brand ad.
• <strong>Social Proof:</strong> All the engagement from the ad campaign (likes, comments, etc.) accumulates on the original video. A post with tons of likes inspires more confidence and engagement.
• <strong>Performance Boost:</strong> Because they look and feel like native content, Spark Ads often see higher engagement rates and lower costs per action compared to traditional ad formats.

Who Needs to Generate or Use a TikTok Ad Code?

The process involves two key players: the creator who owns the content and the advertiser who wants to promote it. Both have different roles and motivations for using the Ad Code.

For Creators and Influencers

If you're a creator, the Ad Code is your tool for collaborating with brands. When a business wants to pay you to use one of your videos in their advertising campaign, they will ask you for this code. By providing it, you grant them permission to put ad spend behind your content for an agreed-upon amount of time.

This is a standard part of most influencer marketing contracts on TikTok. It's how you officially authorize the brand to run the campaign, turning your creative work into a direct monetization opportunity.

For Brands and Advertisers

As an advertiser, you need the Ad Code to gain access to user-generated content (UGC). Whether you're partnering with a major influencer or want to amplify a positive video review from a regular customer, the Ad Code is the non-negotiable first step. It ensures you have the proper permissions to use their content.

You might also use this process for your own brand's content. By generating a code for your best-performing organic video, you can seamlessly amplify what's already proven to resonate with your audience, boosting its reach far beyond your existing followers.

How to Get a TikTok Ad Code: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creators

If a brand has asked you for an Ad Code, the process is simple and takes less than a minute. Just follow these steps on your mobile device.

Prerequisites:

• Your TikTok account must be set to a Business or Creator account. You cannot generate a code from a personal account.
• The video must be public and your own original content.

Step 1: Go to Your Profile and Select the Video

Open the TikTok app and navigate to your profile page. Scroll through your videos and tap on the one you want to authorize for paid promotion.

Step 2: Access the Video Settings

Once the video is playing, tap the three dots (...) icon located on the right side of the screen to open up the settings menu.

Step 3: Find the "Ad Settings" Option

In the menu that appears, swipe left on the bottom row of icons until you find the "Ad settings" icon. It might look like a small flame or megaphone. Tap on it.

Step 4: Turn On Ad Authorization

You'll see a single option on the Ad settings screen: "Ad authorization." Toggle the switch to turn it on. You will be prompted to agree to TikTok’s Advertising Terms of Service. Review and accept them to proceed.

Step 5: Choose the Authorization Period

Next, you need to decide how long the advertiser is allowed to use your video. You can select 7, 30, 60, or even 365 days. This should align with the terms you've agreed upon with the brand. Once the period ends, the brand can no longer use the video in their ads. Once selected, tap the "Authorize" button.

Step 6: Generate and Copy the Code

After authorizing, the final screen will display the Ad Code. Tap the "Generate" button to create the code. Then, tap "Copy Code" to save it to your clipboard.

That's it! You now have the code. Send it directly to the brand or agency contact you are working with so they can set up their Spark Ad.

How Advertisers Use the Ad Code in TikTok Ads Manager

Once you've received the Ad Code from a creator, your job is to add it to your Ads Manager library and use it in a campaign. The process is just as simple.

Step 1: Navigate to Creatives in Ads Manager

Log in to your TikTok Ads Manager account. In the top navigation bar, click on "Assets" and then select "Creatives" from the dropdown list.

Step 2: Apply for Authorization

Inside the Creative library, click the "Spark Ads posts" tab. Then click the blue button that says "+Apply for Authorization".

Step 3: Paste the Ad Code

A pop-up window will appear. Paste the Ad Code you received from the creator into the text field titled "Search for TikTok post" and click the "Search" button.

Step 4: Confirm the Video

The authorized video will immediately appear. Double-check that it's the correct one and click "Confirm." The video is now successfully added to your Spark Ads library and is ready for use in any campaign.

Step 5: Select the Post in a New Campaign

When you create a new campaign, move to the ad level of setup. Under the "Ad Creative" section, for identity, select "Use TikTok account to deliver Spark Ads." Then, choose "Select from library" and pick the authorized post you just added. Finish setting up your campaign targeting, budget, and bidding, and you're ready to launch.

Common Issues and Best Practices

Here are a few tips and solutions to common problems you might encounter during the process.

• I can't find the "Ad settings" option. What do I do? First, ensure your TikTok account is a Business or Creator account. Personal accounts do not have this feature. Second, make sure your app is updated to the latest version. Finally, this option won't appear for videos that use copyrighted music not available in TikTok's commercial music library.
• Can I revoke an Ad Code after sending it? Yes. You can go back into the "Ad settings" for that specific video and toggle off Ad authorization. This will deactivate the code, and any active campaigns using that video will be paused.
• Does the authorization period start when I generate the code or when the ad starts running? The clock starts ticking the moment you generate the code. For example, if you choose a 30-day authorization period, the brand has 30 days from that moment to use your video as an ad. Communicate clearly with the advertiser so they can get their campaign set up in a timely manner.
• Which organic posts make the best Spark Ads? The best Spark Ads come from videos that have already proven to perform well organically. Look for content with high engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) and strong watch times. The data doesn't lie - amplify what's already working to achieve the best results.

Final Thoughts

Generating a TikTok Ad Code is a quick, essential step for running high-performing Spark Ads. Whether you're a creator partnering with your dream brand or a marketer looking to leverage authentic UGC, this simple process bridges the gap between organic content and paid advertising. It empowers you to run ads that feel less disruptive and more like the native content users love.

Once your Spark Ads are live, the next challenge is measuring their true impact. It can be a chore to pull data from TikTok Ads Manager, another platform for Facebook ads, Google Analytics for website traffic, and a spreadsheet for sales data just to see what's working. At Graphed, we solve this by connecting all of your marketing and sales data sources in one place. You can instantly create real-time dashboards by simply asking questions in natural language, like "Show me a report comparing TikTok spend vs. Shopify revenue by campaign this month." This saves you from hours of manual reporting and sterile spreadsheets, giving you a clear, live view of your entire funnel so you know exactly what your efforts are driving.