Process Flow
Animated overview of the full workflow
TL;DR
TikTok uses a Campaign > Ad Group > Ad hierarchy. Campaigns set the objective and optional budget. Ad Groups control targeting, placement, budget, schedule, and bidding. Ads contain the video creative, text, CTA, and destination URL. TikTok recommends fewer, broader ad groups with 3-5 ads each for better algorithmic performance. Consolidate rather than fragment — the algorithm learns faster with more data per ad group.
Overview
TikTok uses a Campaign > Ad Group > Ad hierarchy. Campaigns set the objective and optional budget. Ad Groups control targeting, placement, budget, schedule, and bidding. Ads contain the video creative, text, CTA, and destination URL. TikTok recommends fewer, broader ad groups with 3-5 ads each for better algorithmic performance. Consolidate rather than fragment — the algorithm learns faster with more data per ad group.
Related Guides
See our complete guide library for detailed coverage of account setup, tracking, campaign creation, and optimisation strategies across all platforms.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these 2 steps to complete this guide
- 1
Best Practices
Start with the recommended default settings and optimise based on data. Review performance metrics regularly. Make incremental changes. Document your configuration for reference.
- 2
Common Issues and Solutions
Check the platform's help centre for the latest troubleshooting guidance. Allow 24-48 hours for tracking data to populate. Ensure you have the correct permissions. Verify all integrations are active.
Frequently asked
Questions & answers
How long does setup take?
Most configurations take 10-30 minutes. Full optimisation is ongoing.
What budget should I start with?
Start with enough to generate 50+ conversions per week for effective algorithm learning.
When should I expect results?
Allow 2-4 weeks for the initial learning phase before making strategic decisions.
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