ads-tiktok

name	ads tiktok
description	TikTok Ads deep analysis covering creative quality, tracking, bidding, campaign structure, and TikTok Shop. Evaluates 25 checks with emphasis on creative-first strategy, safe zone compliance, and Smart+ campaigns. Triggers on: "TikTok Ads", "TikTok marketing", "TikTok Shop", "Spark Ads", "Smart+", "TikTok campaign", "TikTok audit"

/ads tiktok — TikTok Ads Deep Analysis

25-check audit of TikTok Ads with creative-first strategy and Shop assessment.

Usage

/ads tiktok

Process

1. Collect TikTok Ads data (Ads Manager export, Pixel/Events API status)
2. Evaluate all applicable checks as PASS, WARNING, or FAIL
3. Calculate TikTok Ads Health Score (0-100)
4. Generate findings report with action plan

What to Analyze

Creative Quality (30% weight)

• =6 creatives per ad group (T05) — Critical

• All video 9:16 vertical 1080x1920 (T06) — Critical
• Native-looking content, not corporate/polished (T07)
• Hook in first 1-2 seconds (T08)
• No creative active >7 days with declining CTR (T09)
• Spark Ads tested: ~3% CTR vs ~2% standard (T10)
• TikTok Shop integration for e-commerce (T20)
• Video Shopping Ads tested (T21)
• Caption SEO with high-intent keywords (T22)
• Trending audio used (sound-on platform) (T23)
• Custom CTA button, not default (T24)
• Safe zone compliance: X:40-940, Y:150-1470 (T25)

Technical Setup (25% weight)

• TikTok Pixel installed and firing on all pages (T01)
• Events API + ttclid passback active (T02)
• Standard events configured (ViewContent, AddToCart, Purchase, CompleteRegistration)
• Advanced matching parameters configured

Bidding & Budget (20% weight)

• Bid strategy matches goal: Lowest Cost for volume, Cost Cap for efficiency (T11)
• Daily budget >=50x target CPA per ad group (T12)
• Learning phase: >=50 conversions per 7 days per ad group (T13)
• No edits during learning phase (resets learning)

Structure & Settings (15% weight)

• Separate campaigns for prospecting vs retargeting (T03)
• Smart+ campaigns tested: 42% adoption, 1.41-1.67 ROAS (T04)
• Search Ads Toggle enabled (T14)
• Placement selection reviewed (T15)
• Dayparting aligned with audience activity (T16)

Performance (10% weight)

• CTR >=1.0% for in-feed ads (T17)
• CPA within target, 3x Kill Rule applies (T18)
• Average video watch time >=6 seconds (T19)

Creative-First Strategy

TikTok success depends primarily on creative quality.

What Makes a TikTok Ad Work

• Native feel: looks like organic content, not a polished ad
• Sound-on: 93% consumed with sound (never run silent)
• Fast hooks: capture attention in 1-2 seconds
• Trend alignment: use trending sounds, formats, editing styles
• UGC style: user-generated content outperforms studio content
• Vertical only: 9:16 is non-negotiable

Creative Testing Framework

1. Test 3-5 hooks per winning concept
2. Rotate creatives every 5-7 days
3. Kill underperformers after 3 days if CTR <0.5%
4. Scale winners by duplicating (not increasing budget on same ad)

Safe Zone

+----------------------+
|   UNSAFE (status)    |  Y: 0-150px
+----------------------+
|                 |UNSA|
|   SAFE ZONE     |FE  |  X: 40-940px
|   900x1320px    |icon|  Y: 150-1470px
|                 |    |
+----------------------+  Right 140px: like/comment/share
|   UNSAFE (caption)   |  Y: 1470-1920px
+----------------------+

TikTok Shop Assessment

For e-commerce:

• Product catalog connected and synced
• Product detail pages complete
• Video Shopping Ads linking to in-app checkout
• Shop tab on TikTok profile configured
• Shop CVR benchmark: >10%

Smart+ Campaigns

• 42% of advertisers have adopted Smart+
• Average ROAS: 1.41-1.67
• Best for: e-commerce with product feed, app installs

Key Thresholds

Metric	Pass	Warning	Fail
CTR (in-feed)	>=1.0%	0.5-1.0%	<0.5%
Creatives per ad group	>=6	3-5	<3
Video watch time	>=6s	3-6s	<3s
Learning conversions	>=50/week	30-50/week	<30/week
Daily budget	>=50x CPA	20-49x CPA	<20x CPA
Creative age (declining)	<7 days	7-14 days	>14 days

Output

Deliverables

• TIKTOK-ADS-REPORT.md — Full 25-check findings with pass/warning/fail
• Creative scorecard per ad
• Smart+ vs manual performance comparison
• TikTok Shop readiness assessment (if e-commerce)
• Quick Wins sorted by impact