What is a TikTok Creator Code?
A TikTok Creator Code is a unique referral code that is given to popular creators on the TikTok platform. When a fan uses a creator’s code when making purchases on TikTok, the creator earns a commission. According to TikTok, the Creator Code program “allows creators to share their love for brands while monetizing their passion.”
TikTok launched the Creator Code program in late 2020 as a way for influencers to earn money directly within the app. To be eligible for a creator code, an account must have a minimum of 10,000 authentic followers. TikTok reviews each creator’s content and audience engagement before approving them for the program. Once accepted, the creator receives a unique code that can be shared with their audience.
When followers use a creator’s code to purchase coins or make other transactions in the app, the creator receives a commission. This provides an additional revenue stream beyond advertising and branded content deals. The creator code allows fans to directly support their favorite creators financially.
Creator codes are only available to users aged 18 and older. Codes can be promoted through videos, the profile bio, and off-platform marketing. TikTok also provides a Creator Marketplace for brands to partner with creators and offer special deals and packages using creator codes.
How to Get a TikTok Creator Code
In order to get a TikTok Creator Code, you need to reach certain follower thresholds on the platform. According to TikTok’s website, to qualify for a Creator Code you must have at least 10,000 authentic followers. This means you need 10,000 real followers who actively engage with your content – buying fake followers won’t count.
Once you reach 10,000 followers, you can apply for a Creator Code through TikTok’s Creator Marketplace program. This is done by logging into your TikTok account on the website and navigating to the Creator Marketplace page. There you’ll find the application to sign up for a Creator Code. TikTok will review your account and engagement metrics before approving you.
After getting approved, TikTok will provide you with a unique Creator Code that your supporters can use when making in-app purchases. You will earn a commission on purchases made using your code, allowing you to monetize your TikTok account. The key is growing an engaged audience that will want to support you. According to TikTok, creators earn on average $4.70 per supporter who uses their code.
Benefits of a TikTok Creator Code
One of the main benefits of obtaining a TikTok Creator Code is the ability to earn money when people use your code. When someone creates a new TikTok account using your unique code, you will receive a commission. This provides creators with a passive income stream as their audience grows. According to TikTok’s Creator Marketplace portal, creators can earn $2-$4 per new user that signs up with their code.
In addition, having a Creator Code gives you access to TikTok’s Creator Marketplace where you can collaborate with brands on paid campaigns. As your following grows, more brands will want to partner with you to help promote their products. A Creator Code serves as a way for brands to easily identify and contact you about partnership opportunities. Overall, the code provides monetization options by enabling commissions from sign-ups and opening up brand collaboration potential.
Promoting Your Creator Code on TikTok
One of the best ways to promote your TikTok creator code is to include it prominently in your TikTok profile bio. Be sure to use a clear call-to-action like “Use my creator code XYZ for 10% off!” so viewers know exactly what to do. You’ll want to feature the code in every bio for each of your TikTok accounts if you have more than one.
It’s also important to actively promote your creator code in your regular TikTok posts and Lives. Mention the code, tell viewers about the perks of using it, and remind them to utilize it for their next purchase. You can get creative with how you work this into your content – incorporate the code into captions, graphics, voiceovers etc.
According to this article, you can enable your code directly in the TikTok app by going to your profile, tapping the 3 dots in the top right corner, selecting “Creator Tools”, and scrolling to the bottom to enter your code. This makes it easy to share across all your content.
Consistently promoting your creator code on TikTok is key to getting viewers to actually use it and earn commissions. Efforts like including it in your bio, posting about it, and sharing during Lives will maximize discovery and conversion.
Other Ways to Promote Your Code
In addition to promoting your TikTok creator code on the platform itself, you can also promote it on other social media platforms and websites to extend your reach and drive more traffic to your TikTok profile.
For example, you can promote your creator code on YouTube by mentioning it in your video descriptions or verbally referencing it in your videos. You can also add your TikTok handle and creator code to your YouTube channel banner to constantly display it to your audience.
Similarly, you can promote your TikTok creator code on Instagram by adding it to your Instagram bio and posting Stories that encourage your followers to use your code on TikTok. You can create Instagram posts and Reels that redirect to your TikTok profile as well.
Having a personal website or blog provides another opportunity to highlight your TikTok creator code. You can showcase the code prominently on your website and write blog posts that embed your TikTok content and mention your creator code, driving traffic to your TikTok profile.
Leveraging other platforms allows you to maximize your reach and get your TikTok creator code in front of new audiences who may not yet follow you on TikTok. Promoting your code outside of TikTok is an effective strategy for driving more code scans and potential earnings.
TikTok Creator Marketplace
The TikTok Creator Marketplace connects creators and brands by allowing brands to discover creators to collaborate with on sponsored content campaigns. It is a platform within TikTok where verified creators can list their services and brands can browse creator profiles and content to find the right partners for their campaigns.
The TikTok Creator Marketplace offers a streamlined process for matching creators and brands based on factors like audience demographics, content style, and campaign goals. Brands can search for creators by location, gender, follower count, and content category. Creators have profiles showcasing their audience stats, best-performing content, and rates.The TikTok Creator Marketplace is currently available in select countries.
By providing a centralized platform for brand partnerships on TikTok, the Creator Marketplace makes it easier for both brands and creators to collaborate on impactful campaigns leveraging the power of TikTok.
Examples of Successful Campaigns
Many creators have found great success promoting their Creator Codes through clever campaigns on TikTok. Here are some real-world examples:
Lifestyle influencer @ourfauxfarmhouse did a creative product reveal video showing her painting furniture using products from her Creator Code. The video received over 1 million views and drove a major increase in sales for her code.
Beauty influencer @mikaylanogueira posted an HAUL video showing off a range of makeup and skincare she purchased using her own code. She modeled the products and gave reviews, resulting in a big jump in code redemptions.
Gamer @brookeab created a series of comedy skits centered around her streaming persona and Creator Code. By tailoring content specifically for her audience, she grew her code’s reach exponentially.
Pet influencer @mabel.the.pom cleverly associated her Creator Code with an adorable “unboxing” video of her dog trying new treats. This emotional appeal to fellow pet lovers generated a flood of code sales.
Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes Creators make when trying to promote their code is spamming it everywhere or promoting it inorganically. According to sources like Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/socialmedia/comments/iczmuz/error_message_when_joining_tiktok_creator_fund/), constantly posting your code and begging people to use it will often backfire. TikTok’s algorithm may detect this as spammy behavior and throttle your reach. Instead, focus on creating great content that organically showcases you and your brand. Mention your code periodically in relevant videos, but don’t make it the sole focus.
Additionally, avoid using bots or fake accounts to inflate your code usage numbers (https://ads.tiktok.com/gateway/docs/index?identify_key=c0138ffadd90a955c1f0670a56fe348d1d40680b3c89461e09f78ed26785164b&language=ENGLISH&doc_id=1740027843211265). TikTok can detect inauthentic activity and penalize your account. Play by the rules to build an engaged, real audience that wants to support you.
With some creativity and patience, you can promote your Creator Code successfully without resorting to tactics that will hurt your account. Focus on the fundamentals of creating great content and fostering real connections with viewers.
Metrics for Tracking Performance
There are a few key metrics to track the performance of your TikTok Creator Code. According to TikTok’s analytics, you can view code scans, code uses, and estimated earnings generated. Code scans show how many times your code has been scanned. Code uses indicate how many times your code has been used to give you credit for a purchase. Estimated earnings show how much money you’ve made from your code based on the commission structure.
It’s important to monitor code uses and estimated earnings over time to see if your promotions are successful at driving traffic and sales. TikTok analytics provides data visualizations to easily track trends and optimize your strategy. Overall, focus on driving code scans through compelling content and clear calls-to-action. Then optimize your approach to maximize code uses and earnings.
Future Opportunities
TikTok is continuously rolling out new features and opportunities for creators to monetize their content and further support their Creator Codes. Some future opportunities include:
New shopping features – TikTok is integrating more commerce capabilities that allow viewers to shop for products featured in videos right within the app. Creators can tag and link to products, creating more opportunities for affiliate commissions and sales through their Creator Code.
Livestream shopping – Building on TikTok’s live video features, livestream shopping allows creators to easily showcase and sell products in real-time video broadcasts. Viewers can shop featured items without leaving the livestream.
TikTok Creator Marketplace – An integrated marketplace is coming soon that will connect brands and creators for sponsorships and other partnership opportunities. This will provide a new way for creators to get their codes in front of potential brand partners.
Analytics improvements – TikTok is developing more robust analytics for creators to track performance of specific videos, Hashtags and effects driving traffic to their codes. This will help creators optimize promotion strategies.
Over time, TikTok will likely roll out additional tools to help creators monetize their audience and promote their codes as an important part of their branding on the platform.
