TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2022 [1]. Its huge userbase and engaging content make it an attractive platform for brands looking to advertise. To run ads on TikTok, you first need to create an advertising account and have it approved by TikTok.
The TikTok ads account approval process aims to ensure advertisers meet TikTok’s policies and create a positive experience for users. Accounts go through business verification and an account review before getting approved. The time for approval varies based on factors like completeness of your application and history with other TikTok accounts. This guide will cover the key steps to get a TikTok ads account approved and tips to speed up the process.
Registering a TikTok Ads Account
To register for a TikTok Ads account, you first need to go to the TikTok Ads Manager sign up page at https://ads.tiktok.com/i18n/signup/. On this page, you will be prompted to create a login using either an email address or phone number along with setting a password [1].
When signing up, you will need to provide some basic information including:
- Email address or phone number
- Password
- Name
- Company name
After entering this required information and agreeing to TikTok’s terms, you can complete the sign up process to create your TikTok Ads account.
Business Verification
After registering a TikTok Ads account, the next step is to go through TikTok’s business verification process. This requires submitting valid documentation that proves the legitimacy of your business. According to the TikTok Ads Manager help center article About Business Verification, “You will need to submit documents that verify your identity or that of your business.”
To complete business verification, you must upload acceptable proof of your business. TikTok provides a list of valid business verification documents that includes government-issued IDs, business licenses, trademark registrations, and more. The full process is explained in the help center guide How to Complete Business Verification. Key steps include:
- Logging into TikTok Ads Manager
- Going to the Business Verification page
- Uploading a valid business document like a business license or government ID
- Entering additional details about your business
- Submitting your verification request
TikTok will then review your submitted documents and information. Make sure to provide current and accurate business details to avoid any verification issues. The approval process may take up to a few business days.
Account Review
After registering for a TikTok ads account, the account goes through an automated review process to check for any policy violations or suspicious activity. According to the TikTok Ads Manager, this automated review typically takes less than 24 hours.
If the automated review flags anything that requires further inspection, the account may also go through a manual review by the TikTok ads team. This manual review checks for factors like:
- Advertising content compliance
- Suspicious account activity
- Policy violations in account history
- Valid business verification documents
- Accurate business information
The manual review aims to verify the account follows all TikTok advertising policies and guidelines. According to TikTok, most manual reviews are completed within 24 hours.
Approval Timeframe
According to TikTok’s Account Approval FAQs, most account reviews take less than 24 hours to complete. Once TikTok has reviewed your account, they will notify you of whether your account has been approved or rejected via email.
The exact timeframe can vary depending on factors like how quickly you provide any additional requested information, the complexity of your business structure, and how busy TikTok’s review team is at the time you apply. But in most cases, you can expect the approval process to be completed within 1-3 business days.
Applying on a weekday when TikTok’s support teams are more readily available can help expedite the process compared to applying late at night or over the weekend. Having all your business verification documents and account information ready before applying also streamlines the process.
Following Approval
After a TikTok ads account is approved, there are some initial limitations to be aware of. According to TikTok’s help article, newly approved accounts have a max budget of $2,000 per day and $7,000 per week across all ad campaigns. There is also a limit of 2 ad campaigns and 5 ad groups per campaign.
TikTok recommends gradually increasing your ad spend over the first few weeks after getting approved. Rapidly scaling up to the max budget limits can lead to your account getting flagged or restricted. It’s best to start small with daily budgets of a few hundred dollars, closely monitor performance and incrementally increase budgets as the account builds trust.
After 1-2 months with consistent ad spending, these restrictions are usually lifted and you gain full access to standard account limits. However, TikTok reserves the right to extend the probation period on newly approved accounts that immediately try to spend the maximum allowed.
Optimizing for Faster Approval
There are a few tips to help get your TikTok ads account approved faster:
- Make sure your ad content follows all of TikTok’s ad policies. Ads should be 5-60 seconds long, not contain prohibited content, and comply with all other guidelines.
- Have all required business verification documents ready before applying. This includes business registration, tax documents, and a company website.
- Provide as much information as possible in the account application, including a detailed description of your business and planned ad activities.
- Respond promptly if TikTok requests any additional information during the review process.
Some common mistakes that can delay approval include:
- Submitting incomplete business verification documents.
- Not providing enough information about your business and ad plans.
- Using prohibited content or formats in ad creatives.
- Not responding to requests for more information.
Following TikTok’s policies closely and having all required documents ready can help get your account approved as quickly as possible.
Appealing Rejected Accounts
There are a few key reasons TikTok may reject an advertising account application, including prohibited content, invalid documentation, or policy violations. According to TikTok’s help articles, accounts may be rejected if the business violates their community guidelines, ad policies or other terms of service.
If an account is rejected, advertisers can appeal the decision directly within TikTok Ads Manager. TikTok offers a “One Click Appeal” process that allows you to request a review of the rejection right from the platform. Simply navigate to the rejected ad and select the “View Details” option. From there, you can submit an appeal which will be reviewed by TikTok’s policy team.
The full appeals process can take 1-3 business days according to TikTok’s policies. It’s recommended to provide as much detail as possible on why the rejection may have been incorrect or why the account should be reconsidered on appeal [1]. Maintaining a policy-compliant account and fixing any issues that led to rejection can help ensure a successful appeal.
Maintaining Account Access
Once your TikTok ads account is approved, it’s important to follow TikTok’s policies and guidelines to avoid getting banned or having your account access revoked. TikTok has strict rules against inappropriate, misleading, or infringing content in ads. Make sure any ads you run comply with the TikTok Ads Policies.
Additionally, avoid using bots or fake engagements to artificially inflate your ad performance. TikTok closely monitors for suspicious activity and may disable your account if violations are found. When running campaigns, focus on genuine, organic reach and engagement from real TikTok users.
Regularly check your email associated with your TikTok ads account for any policy violation notices. If you receive a warning, take prompt action to resolve the issue and bring your account back into compliance. Maintaining consistent policy compliance will ensure ongoing access to advertise on TikTok.
Conclusion
Getting a TikTok ads account approved can take some time and preparation, but is an important step for businesses looking to market on the platform. Key points to remember are:
- Register for a TikTok ad account and provide complete and accurate business information.
- Have all required business verification documents ready to submit.
- The account review process can take 1-4 weeks on average.
- Following approval, optimize your account and ad campaigns for success.
- If rejected, you can appeal or reapply after making improvements.
- Maintain your account access by complying with all TikTok policies.
With some dedication and patience, most legitimate businesses should be able to get approval to advertise on TikTok. This will open up a valuable new marketing channel to reach an engaged audience. Best of luck as you get started!
