Learn About TikTok Ads and Common Scams
Are you interested in using TikTok for advertising?
You’re not alone. This app has grown quickly as a platform for influencers, businesses, and even government units. Sadly, it can also be an easy target for scammers looking to make a quick buck.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss TikTok’s appeal to legitimate and malicious advertisers. Moreover, we’ll provide tips to avoid common scams on the platform.
Read on as we cover the following:
- What Are TikTok Ads?
- Different Types of TikTok Advertising
- TikTok Ad specs
- How Much Do TikTok Ads Cost?
- Common TikTok Scams
- Final Thoughts on TikTok Ads and Common TikTok Scams
- Frequently Asked Questions on TikTok Ads and Common TikTok Scams
What Are TikTok Ads?
TikTok ads refer to promotional content, generally full-screen videos that a brand or creator pays to showcase to a targeted audience.
These ads on TikTok are a social media marketing method typically used to raise awareness about a product or service. Ultimately, the goal is to sell to a target audience.
You can organize TikTok ads in three different ways:
- TikTok Ad: A single advertisement with a video that shows how great a product or service is.
- TikTok Ad Group: A group of advertisements on TikTok.
- TikTok Campaign: A group of TikTok ad groups.
Different Types of TikTok Advertising
Here are various advertising options on TikTok:
Note: Not all TikTok ads may be available in your country, so confirm their availability in your local area.
TikTok In-feed ads
Use the Ads Manager feature on TikTok to create the following in-feed ads:
Video Ads
One of TikTok’s most common forms of advertising is using TikTok Video Ads. Brands or creators create and post ads using a TikTok Ads Manager account.
TikTok Video Ads appear like regular TikTok videos, but any interaction with them will directly lead to either a landing page or an app installation page. So, they enable users to directly access posted TikTok ads.
Example: A video ad for a product – The product appears just like your average TikTok. But when you tap the account name (or the custom CTA button), you’re taken to a landing page for the product details.
The video ads will appear in a user’s feed if the advertiser has paid for them. These ads are not permanent posts that do not allow duetting or stitching.
Spark Ads
Spark Ads differ from typical video ads as they boost organic content from any TikTok account.
They appear on your profile just like your other TikTok posts and persist even after you stop paying to advertise them.
You can duet or stitch spark ads, giving your audience more opportunities to positively or negatively engage with them.
Spark ads can positively impact your brand’s overall metrics since they will not disappear once you stop paying for them.
You can use content from your business profile or other content creators’ profiles in Spark ads.
Image Ads
Image ads refer to static images featuring the name of a brand or app along with ad text.
Moreover, you can access image ads via the Global App Bundle and Pangle Placements. However, these features may not be accessible in all regions.
Playable Ads
Playable ads are like mini-games and are perfect for engaging TikTok users who enjoy playing games. However, this feature is only available in certain countries.
Shopping Ads
In Spring 2023, TikTok phased out “Dynamic Showcase Ads” and “Collection Ads.”
Consequently, you can integrate the main function of these features into Video Shopping Ads. As of this writing, these features are currently being tested and only accessible to chosen advertisers.
These are three types of advertisements for shopping:
- Video Shopping Ads: Videos that allow viewers to shop for products directly from the content. These videos target specific audiences and appear on their For You Page (FYP).
- Catalog Listing Ads: Advertisements that promote collections of shippable products
- Live Shopping Ads: TikTok Live lets viewers know where to find a particular product while watching the live stream.
Carousel Ads
Carousel Ads are available only in the series of apps within TikTok’s news feed, BuzzVideo. Advertisers can post up to ten images in a single ad, each with its caption.
Pangle Ads
You can view Pangle ads from TikTok Audience Network.
TikTok Ad Formats Available to Managed Brands
Brands that get together with a TikTok sales representative are managed brands. These brands can use different ad formats, which include:
TopView Ads
When you open the TikTok app, video ads take up the whole screen for 5 to 60 seconds.
Branded Hashtag Challenge
The hashtag challenge page features user-generated content in a three- to six-day ad campaign format to promote engagement.
Branded Effects
Offer branded stickers, filters, and special effects to encourage people to engage with your brand on TikTok.
TikTok Ad specs
Ensure your TikTok ad meets the correct size, shape, and format requirements to achieve social media success. These are the optimal specifications:
- Aspect ratio: 1:1, 16:9, or 9:16.
- Minimum resolution: 540x960px, 640x640px, or 960x540px.
- Video file type: .mp4, .mov, .mpeg, .3gp, or .avi
- Video length: 5 to 60 seconds (TikTok recommends 9 to 15 seconds for best results)
- Video file size: 500MB maximum
How Much Do TikTok Ads Cost?
TikTok uses an auction and bidding model for ads. So, you can decide how much to pay per video view, click, or impression.
There is no set limit on how much you can spend, but note that there is a minimum spend for campaigns and ad groups.
Moreover, your campaign must have a daily budget of at least $50, meaning you will be spending a minimum of $50 each day yours is active.
Every day, your ad group is active, you must spend at least $20 as the minimum budget at the ad group level.
According to TikTok, the amount you bid is one factor that determines how competitive you will be in the auction to achieve your desired results.
Common TikTok Scams
TikTok has over a billion users, which can be a great place to promote your business, but also dangerous. Be careful when using TikTok, and watch out for people trying to scam you.
Many people have shared stories of being scammed on social media platforms because of TikTok.
Our guide will help you recognize and avoid common scams found on TikTok:
Credit Repair Scams
Like most scams, this one operates by making false promises. The person will claim the ability to eliminate valid negative information from your credit report. However, this is impossible.
Unfortunately, many people fall for this and pay the scammer to try to raise their credit score. However, they lose their money with no improvement in their credit score.
It’s important to remember that fixing damaged credit is a process that takes time. Be cautious of anyone who promises fast results, as they may be scamming you.
So, concentrate on practical and legal methods to improve your credit score.
Easy Money-Guarantee Scams
As the name implies, this easy-money scam uses cash as bait to trap its victims.
Scammers can deceive you in several ways, such as implementing pyramid schemes, offering fast cash opportunities, or promoting fake apps that require payment.
Falling for their tactics can be easy if you’re not cautious.
Watch out for these signs that you may be dealing with an easy money scam:
Clickbait headlines: Be careful of headlines that promise to help you earn a lot of money by working part-time from home or making a certain amount per hour in a short amount of time. These could be online scams that offer high profits for minimal work.
Requires payment or investment upfront: Don’t be fooled by TikTok scammers who ask you to pay for job applications. Legitimate work offers never require an upfront cost, even if they claim it’s for training or certification. Remember, you shouldn’t be giving the employer money. Instead, they should pay you for working.
A sense of urgency to hire: The scammer may pressure you to apply quickly by claiming that the job or offer won’t be available for long to create a sense of urgency. Be cautious since quick decisions can be risky. Stay alert, and avoid falling prey to their tactics. Usually, genuine opportunities don’t come with a sense of urgency or desperation.
TikTok Online Shopping Scams
Scam artists on TikTok are advertising fake products in large numbers. They may pretend to represent legitimate brands, tricking users with tempting offers.
We advise you to:
- Always inspect the URL of retailer websites.
- Use the Citizens Advice scam checking tool.
- Watch out for the contact information.
- Only pay for products using a secure payment service.
- Look for spelling and grammar errors on the ad or retailer landing page.
- Research the retailer.
Free “Offers” with a Price Tag
Scammers may trick you into sharing your credit card details by offering “free goods,” but TikTok scammers will charge you. Still, they won’t tell you recurring subscription fees and additional unauthorized costs.
It’s a deceptive scheme.
You don’t have to give your card information if something is free. Keep your card details safe and only share them with people you trust.
Phishing
Be careful if someone sends you website links or tells you to buy a product.
Some people try to trick you into giving them money or personal information. So, be careful when someone is trying to get your information on TikTok, email, or any other platform. Moreover, review the URLs and names of the people you are talking to.
The message may come from a scammer if there are grammatical errors or misspellings in the content.
Donation Scams
People who want donations will ask for them directly or through a website. They will also use TikTok Live to get money from people in real-time.
After the earthquake in Syria, some scammers tried to trick people. They shared a video on TikTok and asked for money for a fake cause that did not bring real help to affected Syrians.
Final Thoughts on TikTok Ads and Common TikTok Scams
Indeed, TikTok is becoming increasingly popular for both entertainment and advertising. Awareness of possible scams can help you remain safe while maximizing the platform’s potential for business promotion. Work with a TikTok marketing company to get your brand in front of the right people, make a lasting impression, and grow your business.
Frequently Asked Questions on TikTok Ads and Common TikTok Scams
Are TikTok-sponsored ads safe?
TikTok has implemented strict guidelines and regulations for sponsored content to ensure that all ads meet the platform’s user safety and privacy standards.
Is it safe to buy from ads on TikTok?
It’s important to do your research before making any purchases. Look for reviews and background checks on the company before entering personal or financial information.
Do ads do well on TikTok?
Research shows that TikTok advertisements receive higher engagement rates than other social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. After all, the platform has high activity and engagement from users who spend hours scrolling through their feeds.
