You’ve seen the videos with a little orange shopping cart at the bottom. That’s TikTok Shop, and the creators posting them are usually affiliates.
What it is: As a TikTok Shop affiliate, you promote products sold inside TikTok Shop. You tag them in your videos or lives, and you earn a commission (a percentage of each sale) when someone buys through your tag.
Who can join: You need to be 18 or older with a personal account in good standing. The standard requirement has been 5,000 followers, though TikTok has tested lower entry points for smaller creators. Your Creator Center in the app shows what your account qualifies for right now.
What it pays: The seller sets the commission, and it’s commonly 10% to 20% depending on the category. There are two ways in:
Open collaboration: any affiliate can promote the product at the listed rate.
Targeted collaboration: the brand invites you directly, often at a higher rate and sometimes with a free sample.
What not to do: Don’t treat affiliate as your paycheck. You’re paid only when someone buys, and no sale means no pay. A closet full of free samples is not income.
What to do instead: Use affiliate as proof. When a brand can see your videos actually move product, you have leverage to ask for a flat fee plus commission next time. That’s where affiliate turns into a real brand deal.
Watch the full explainer here:
Talk soon,
Brielle