TikTok Shop offers creators flexibility in how they allow their content to be used in advertising by brands and sellers. When it comes to affiliate marketing and Shop Ads, creators can choose between two types of authorisation: Affiliate Mass Authorisation and Video Code Authorisation.
Both serve different purposes and offer varying levels of control, scalability, and ad eligibility. This guide breaks down the key differences between the two and explains when and how each should be used.
Overview of Authorisation Types
TikTok creators who participate in affiliate programs can grant permission for their videos to be featured in Shop Ads, which are promotional placements across TikTok. Creators may opt to:
- Authorise all of their affiliate posts at once (Affiliate Mass Authorisation), or
- Individually authorise specific posts using unique video codes (Video Code Authorisation).
Importantly, these two types of authorisation do not override one another. Enabling or disabling one does not impact the other. They work independently to offer maximum flexibility.
Affiliate Mass Authorisation
Affiliate Mass Authorisation allows a creator who is affiliated with one or more sellers to give broad permission for all of their affiliate posts to be used in Shop Ads.
Where to Turn On:
- Located in the TikTok Shop Creator Center within the TikTok App.
Scope of Authorisation:
- Applies to all affiliate posts from the creator’s account.
- Once enabled, there's no need to approve each post individually.
How Advertisers Use These Posts in Shop Ads:
- Advertisers go to TikTok Ads Manager and select Affiliate Post as the video source when creating Video Shopping Ads.
- All authorised posts from mass authorisation will appear as eligible for use.
Product Usage Limitation:
- Advertisers must use the exact product linked in the affiliate post.
- Only the seller who listed that product can run ads with the post.
Impact When Post Loses Organic Link or Authorisation Is Revoked:
Ads automatically pause if:
- The creator disables mass authorisation
- The affiliate deal expires
- The post loses its product link
Video Code Authorisation
Video Code Authorisation allows a creator to provide specific, one-time permission for individual posts to be used in ads. This can be used with or without affiliate status.
Where to Turn On:
- Accessed from the Settings menu of each individual post in the TikTok App.
Scope of Authorisation:
- Applies to just one post at a time.
- Each authorised post requires a unique video code, which the creator must share with the advertiser.
How Advertisers Use These Posts in Shop Ads:
- Advertisers enter the provided video code in TikTok Ads Manager to use the post in ads.
- Learn more about using affiliate video codes for Video Shopping Ads here.
Product Usage Flexibility:
- Advertisers can use a different product from the one originally linked in the post.
- Greater flexibility for campaigns that reuse content across different products.
Impact When Post Loses Organic Link:
- Ads continue to run until the video code expires, regardless of product link status.
Commissions
Regardless of the authorisation method used:
- If an ad uses an affiliate post and results in a sale, the creator may earn commission.
- Commission eligibility depends on affiliate participation and campaign structure.
When to Use Video Code Authorisation Even With Mass Authorisation Enabled
Even if a creator has turned on mass authorisation for all affiliate posts, they still need to use video codes in the following cases:
- Posts without product links
- Posts with product links that don’t have an affiliate collaboration
Sellers can still run ads with these posts, even when mass authorisation doesn’t apply.
Choosing the right authorisation method depends on the creator’s collaboration strategy and the level of control they want over how their content is used in TikTok Shop Ads.
Mass Authorisation is ideal for creators working with multiple sellers who want a hands-off, scalable solution. It grants blanket permission for all affiliate posts to be used in ads, provided the linked product and seller remain the same.
In contrast, Video Code Authorisation offers more precise control and flexibility, allowing a creator to authorise specific posts, whether affiliate or not, and giving advertisers the option to promote different products using the same video.
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