TikTok is now considered one of the most popular applications worldwide. With the ability to open an online store directly on the platform—supported by a strong backend system—many sellers have launched their businesses on TikTok Shop.
As a result, competition on TikTok Shop has become increasingly intense. But that’s not all—TikTok has also introduced the TikTok Affiliate program. What exactly is this program, and why is it important for TikTok users? Let’s break down this strategy and explore how it works.
What Is TikTok Affiliate?
TikTok Affiliate is a program that allows users to attach product links from stores on various applications to their TikTok Shop page or directly to product videos before publishing them on TikTok.
When someone purchases a product through your linked cart, you earn a commission based on the rate set by the seller. In short, TikTok Affiliate is a fast-growing way to earn extra income. You don’t need a physical store, you don’t need to stock products, and you don’t need to invest any money. All you need is engaging content that attracts potential customers and increases your chances of earning commissions.
This approach is quite similar to Affiliate Marketing strategies on other platforms. Not only do TikTok users who join the program benefit, but brands with TikTok Shop stores also gain increased brand awareness and higher sales. It also helps brands reduce the risk of hiring influencers without guaranteed sales results.
Want to Start TikTok Affiliate? It’s Easy—If You Know This!
For TikTok creators who want to earn income through the TikTok Affiliate strategy but are unsure about the requirements, don’t worry—it’s not difficult.
You simply need to understand the program’s eligibility criteria and a few additional conditions before
1. Have at Least 5,000 Followers
For beginners on TikTok who want to become affiliates for shops or brands, you might wonder: Do you need followers to join TikTok Affiliate? And How many followers are required?
Here’s the answer: the TikTok Affiliate feature requires creators to have at least 5,000 followers to be eligible.
Therefore, creators who want to earn through this program need to focus on building their personal brand and attracting followers first. It’s strongly recommended to grow your audience organically rather than buying followers, as genuine engagement will make your affiliate efforts more successful in the long run.
2. Create Engaging Product Reviews
For those interested in joining TikTok Affiliate, one key to success is creating engaging content. Interesting and compelling videos are more likely to go viral—and when a video goes viral, it increases the chances of generating sales and earning higher commissions.
Therefore, before creating each piece of content, you should plan carefully—both in terms of ideas and creativity—to produce videos that are engaging enough to encourage viewers to make a purchase.
How to Apply for TikTok Affiliate?
Now that you have a better understanding of how becoming an affiliate on TikTok works, let’s move on to the application process.
There are two ways to apply for the program, as follows:
1. How to Apply as a Creator
- Step 1 : Search for TikTok Shop from your profile page on TikTok. Once inside the Shop, tap Product Marketplace, then browse and select the product you want to promote through the TikTok Affiliate program.
- Step 2 : Add the selected product and wait for the system to confirm that it has been successfully added. Then, attach the affiliate link to your video content. Before posting your video, tap Add Product, choose the Affiliate menu, and select the product you want to promote from your Shop list.
- Step 3 : Review all details carefully, then publish your video.
2. How to Apply as a Seller
- Step 1 : Go to the Seller Center on TikTok Shop and log in to your store account on TikTok. Select Affiliate Marketing, then click Affiliate Marketplace to search for creators.
- Step 2 : Shortlist creators who match your brand. You can filter them by category, number of followers, interests, age, gender, and monthly video views to find the most suitable partners.
- Step 3 : Select the creator’s account and click Invite to express your interest in collaborating.
- Step 4 : Fill in all required contact details and wait for the creator’s response to confirm the partnership.
- Step 5 : If the creator agrees to join your affiliate program, you can review their response and collaboration history in the invitation records section.
Conclusion
And that’s a helpful overview of marketing through programs on TikTok that we wanted to share with you.
Finally, if you’re interested in TikTok Affiliate marketing but don’t have ideas yet or aren’t sure how to get started, you can contact Digital Factory for professional guidance. We offer full-service digital marketing solutions, including TikTok Ads services. Feel free to reach out to us today!
