How to create an ad in TikTok Ads Manager

Last updated: February 2025

TikTok Ads Manager structures ads into three parts: campaigns, ad groups, and ads. Once you've created a campaign and ad group, you can create an ad. TikTok Ads Manager currently supports images and videos.

Before getting started

Before you create an ad, consider that the advertising objective and ad group selections will impact the fields on the ad creation module.


Note: There is an ad limit of 50 ads per ad group. This limit is not relevant for the Reach and Frequency buying type, Smart Creative or for split tests. Learn more about ad account limits on TikTok.

How to create an ad

To create an ad:

  1. Log in to your TikTok Ads Manager account.

  2. Go to an existing campaign or ad group.

  3. Click Create.

  4. On your ad creation page, turn on/off the Smart creative ads toggle.

  5. Enter an ad name. The ad name is only for your reference and is not part of your ad.

    • Note: Ad names support 512 characters.

  6. Turn on/off the Identity toggle.

  7. Select your ad format - Single video, Carousel, or Collection Ads. TikTok supports video ads. Carousel ad can display images. Our Global App Bundle supports both image and video ads.

  8. Under Ad creatives, click +Add videos or images. You can choose multiple videos and images to add at one time. If you select multiple images, you can create one carousel ad by using all or some of the single image ads.

    • Under the Library tab, toggle between Videos and Images to choose from your creatives.

    • Click +Upload to add media directly from your computer.

    • Click +Create to create a new video in Ads Manager using Video template or Generate video. Learn more about video templates to create videos directly on TikTok Ads Manager.

  9. Choose a thumbnail for your video. You can upload your own custom cover photo or choose from the pre-selected images from your video.

  10. Enter the following text and link elements to be displayed with your ad:

  • Display Name: This name must be consistent with the brand, product, or company name of the promoted website or app.

  • Text: The entered text will be displayed to your audience to tell them what you are promoting.

  • Call to Action: Choose a call-to-action to tell your audience what you'd like them to do when they see your ad. There are dynamic and standard CTAs.

Dynamic:

Shop Now

View Now

Get it Now

Buy Today

Buy Here

Learn More

Order Here

Shop

Buy it Now

Buy Now


Standard:

Download

Learn More

Visit Store

Book Now

Shop Now

Contact Us

Apply Now

Play Game

Watch Now

View Now

Get Quote

Interested

Install Now

Get Showtimes

Experience Now

Sign Up

Subscribe

Get Tickets Now

Listen Now

Read More



Pre-Order Now

Order Now


  • Profile Image: This is your brand's image and will be the avatar people click on to go to your business profile.

  • URL: Enter the URL of the website you want your ad to drive traffic to.

11. Add relevant tracking URLs with TikTok Pixel or supported third-party measurement. Click Build URL parameters to input UTM and custom parameters into their respective fields and preview your URL. Learn more about UTM parameters and how to add URL parameters to your website URL.

12. Use the preview to see how your ad will apear in different ad placements. Learn more about how to preview your ad.

  • Note: Ad previews are not device-specific. Ads are adjusted based on a user's device and network conditions.

13. Click Submit to create your ad.


After you create your ad, you can verify your settings before it is delivered. Visit How to view ad settings for quality assurance to learn more.


Once you submit your ad, TikTok will review it. You can also check your ad status on your TikTok Ads Manager account.