--- title: Run TikTok ads description: Step-by-step guide to launching a TikTok campaign — goal selection, creative requirements, audience targeting, and budgeting. Covers creative best practices and common issues. --- [Skip to content](https://aiads.tips/run-tiktok-ads#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Submit a ticket!](https://aiads.tips/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Submit a ticket!](https://aiads.tips/kb-tickets/new) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [AI Ads Help Center](https://aiads.tips/?hsLang=en) 2. [Launch Campaigns](https://aiads.tips/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en) 3. [Platform guides](https://aiads.tips/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#platform-guides) # Run TikTok ads ## TikTok ads reach a highly engaged, video-first audience. This guide walks you through launching a TikTok campaign from scratch — from selecting your goal to getting your video live. #### Before you begin - Your TikTok account must be connected. See *Connect TikTok*. - You'll need a **vertical video** (9:16 aspect ratio) ready. TikTok's feed is full-screen vertical — horizontal or square videos are not supported for in-feed ads. - Your TikTok Business account must have a **payment method** added in TikTok Ads Manager. ### Campaign goals available on TikTok When launching on TikTok, you can choose from the following goals: - **Traffic** — drive people to a website or landing page. - **Leads** — collect contact details via a native TikTok lead form or a landing page. - **Sales / Conversions** — drive purchases or key actions on your website (requires TikTok Pixel installed). #### How to launch a TikTok campaign 1. Go to the **Advertise** tab and click **TikTok**. 2. Choose your **campaign goal** (Traffic, Leads, or Sales). 3. Upload your **creative**: - Video must be **9:16 vertical format**, recommended resolution 1080×1920. - Recommended length: **15–60 seconds**. Shorter videos (under 30 seconds) tend to see better completion rates. - Add a text overlay or caption — TikTok users watch with sound on, but a hook in the first 1–3 seconds is critical. 4. Set your **audience** — location, age, gender, interests, or a saved audience. 5. Configure the **destination**: - **Traffic:** enter the URL you want to send people to. - **Leads:** create or select a TikTok lead form. - **Sales:** enter your destination URL (TikTok Pixel must be tracking conversions on this page). 6. Set your **budget** and review your campaign settings. 7. Click **Launch**. TikTok ads typically enter a review period of 24 hours before going live. You'll receive a notification when your ad is approved and active. ### TikTok creative best practices - **Hook in the first 3 seconds:** TikTok users scroll fast. Your video needs to grab attention immediately — start with movement, a bold statement, or a question. - **Native-feeling content performs better:** Polished brand ads can underperform. User-generated style content — shot on a phone, conversational, less scripted — typically sees higher engagement on TikTok. - **Include a clear CTA:** Tell people exactly what to do (tap to shop, learn more, get a quote). TikTok overlays a CTA button on your ad but reinforcing it in the video itself improves results. - **Use music or voiceover:** TikTok is a sound-on platform. Trending audio or a direct-to-camera voiceover both work well. Avoid silent or text-only creatives. **Tip:** If you don't have a vertical video ready, the AI creative tools can generate video ads. See *Generate ad creatives with AI* to create video content before launching. ### Common issues #### My TikTok ad was rejected TikTok has strict content policies. Common rejection reasons include: prohibited industries (crypto, tobacco, financial products in certain regions), claims that violate TikTok guidelines, misleading content, or videos that don't meet technical requirements. Review the rejection reason in your TikTok Ads Manager and edit accordingly before resubmitting. #### My video format is wrong TikTok requires 9:16 vertical video. If your video is horizontal (16:9) or square (1:1), it will either be rejected or display with black bars. Re-export your video in vertical format before uploading. #### My campaign isn't spending after approval Check your audience size — very narrow targeting can limit delivery. Also confirm your daily budget meets TikTok's minimum (typically $20/day per ad group). If targeting is broad and budget sufficient, give the campaign 24–48 hours to exit the learning phase before adjusting. #### Related articles - Connect TikTok - Generate ad creatives with AI - Choose the right campaign goal - Check your campaign status   - [Start Here](https://aiads.tips/start-here?hsLang=en) - [Connect Your Accounts](https://aiads.tips/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Platform connections](https://aiads.tips/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#platform-connections) - [Troubleshoot Connections](https://aiads.tips/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#troubleshoot-connections) - [Pixels & tracking](https://aiads.tips/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#pixels-tracking) - [Account Management](https://aiads.tips/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#account-management) - [Launch Campaigns](https://aiads.tips/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Campaign Management](https://aiads.tips/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#campaign-management) - [Campaign features](https://aiads.tips/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#campaign-features) - [Platform guides](https://aiads.tips/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#platform-guides) - [Targeting & audiences](https://aiads.tips/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#targeting-audiences) - [Blockers](https://aiads.tips/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#blockers) - [Creative & AI Tools](https://aiads.tips/creative-ai-tools?hsLang=en) - [Optimize & Results](https://aiads.tips/optimize-results?hsLang=en#main-content) - [AI optimization](https://aiads.tips/optimize-results?hsLang=en#ai-optimization) - [Reading results](https://aiads.tips/optimize-results?hsLang=en#reading-results) - [Improve performance](https://aiads.tips/optimize-results?hsLang=en#improve-performance) - [Budget guidance](https://aiads.tips/optimize-results?hsLang=en#budget-guidance) - [Troubleshooting](https://aiads.tips/optimize-results?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) [![Screenshot 2025-10-30 at 3.21.18 PM](https://aiads.tips/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-10-30%20at%203.21.18%20PM.png?width=275&height=114&name=Screenshot%202025-10-30%20at%203.21.18%20PM.png "Screenshot 2025-10-30 at 3.21.18 PM")](https://aiads.tips?hsLang=en)