How to set up Attribution Source Optimization

Last updated: October 2026

Note: This feature may not be available to you yet. Reach out to your TikTok account manager or contact customer support for more information.


Attribution Source Optimization allows you to choose your preferred reporting and data sources when you set up your ad groups in TikTok Ads Manager.

Before you begin

  • Make sure that you have a complete signal postback integration with TikTok from a supported Mobile Measurement Partner (MMP), the TikTok App Events SDK, or the Events API (eAPI).

  • Attribution Source Optimization is only supported for campaigns in the upgraded Smart+ experience.

Note: If you use the Campaign budget option (also known campaign budget optimization), the attribution source and data source selections must be the same for all ad groups within that campaign.

How to set up Attribution Source Optimization

  1. Log in to TikTok Ads Manager.

  2. Select + Create to create a new campaign.

  3. Select App promotion as the objective and choose either App install or App retargeting as the promotion type.

  4. Select your budget strategy. Note: If you choose Campaign budget, the attribution source and data source selections must be the same for all ad groups within that campaign.

  5. At the ad group level, select your app and optimization goal.

  6. From the Attribution data source dropdown menu, select your preferred source for reporting. Your options will depend on your app's operating system and signal integration.

  7. From the Reporting data source dropdown menu, select your preferred source for conversion signals. The available options depend on the signals TikTok has received from your integrations.

Note: The Attribution data source and Reporting data source menus will only display if TikTok has successfully received signal postbacks. If an option is missing, verify your signal integration status.

Android setup guidance

  • If you send signals from an MMP only, an MMP and SDK, or an MMP and eAPI: You can select either MMP or SAN attribution as your attribution source.

    • If you choose MMP attribution, the data source will automatically be set to MMP signals.

    • If you choose SAN attribution, you can select MMP signals, SDK signals, or eAPI signals as your data source provided the signals are being received.

  • If you send signals from the SDK or eAPI only: You must select SAN attribution as your attribution source. You can then select either SDK signals or eAPI signals as your data source.

iOS setup guidance

  • If you send signals from an MMP only: You must select MMP attribution as your attribution source. The data source will automatically be set to MMP signals.

  • If you send signals from both an MMP and the SDK: You can select either MMP attribution or SAN attribution as your attribution source.

    • If you choose MMP attribution, the data source will be set to MMP signals.

    • If you choose SAN attribution, you can select SDK signals or eAPI signals as your data source.

  • Best practice for SKAN: If you consider SKAdNetwork (SKAN) reporting your source of truth, we currently recommend using the default configuration where both attribution source and data source are set to your MMP.