How to Add a Product to a TikTok Video

Turning viral views into real revenue on TikTok is more straightforward than you think. You can link your products directly in your videos, creating a seamless shopping experience that guides viewers from the For You Page to checkout without ever leaving the app. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add product links to your TikTok videos, cover the tools you need, and share strategies to make your shoppable content actually convert.

First Things First: Getting Your Account Ready for Shopping

Before you can tag a product, you need to turn your TikTok account into a virtual storefront. This involves a few setup steps depending on how you manage your ecommerce business. You have two primary paths: setting up a TikTok Shop or integrating a third-party partner like Shopify.

Option 1: Set Up an Official TikTok Shop (The Recommended Route)

TikTok Shop is the platform’s native ecommerce solution. It creates the most integrated experience, allowing users to browse and buy your products entirely within the TikTok app. This reduces friction and can significantly lift conversion rates.

How to Register for TikTok Shop:

1. Meet the Eligibility Requirements: As a seller, you'll need to be based in a region where TikTok Shop is available (like the US or UK), provide business verification documents, and have a product catalog that complies with TikTok's policies.
2. Sign Up via the Seller Center: Head to the TikTok Shop Seller Center website and register your business. You'll submit your business information, connect a bank account for payouts, and complete the verification process.
3. Upload Your Products: Once approved, you can begin adding products to your shop. You'll add product images, detailed descriptions, pricing, and inventory information. Make sure your listings are clear, attractive, and complete. They will go through a review process before going live.

Option 2: Integrate a Third-Party Ecommerce Platform

If you already have an established store on a platform like Shopify, you can sometimes integrate it with TikTok. Shopify, for example, has an official TikTok channel app that connects your Shopify product catalog directly to your TikTok for Business account. This can be a great way to synchronize your inventory and streamline backend management.

How to Connect Your Shopify Store:

1. Install the Official TikTok App: Go to the Shopify App Store and install the "TikTok" app developed by TikTok itself.
2. Connect Your Accounts: Follow the prompts to connect your TikTok For Business account and sync your product catalog. Your products will be imported into TikTok, making them available for tagging in videos and ads.
3. Set Up Your Pixel: Take the extra step to set up the TikTok Pixel via the app. This allows you to track conversions, optimize your ads, and build targeted audiences based on who interacts with your products.

Once you’ve successfully set up your shop or integrated your e-commerce platform, your account is ready to start tagging products.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Add a Product to a New TikTok Video

With your product catalog connected, tagging items in your videos is a simple part of the content creation process. The option appears on the final review screen just before you post.

Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

1. Create Your Video: Tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen to open the camera. You can record a new video directly in the app or upload a pre-edited clip from your camera roll. Add your sounds, effects, and text as you normally would, then tap "Next."
2. Find the "Add Link" Option: You are now on the Post screen where you write your caption and add hashtags. Look for the "Add link" button. Depending on your version of TikTok, it might be alongside other options like "Location" or "Tag people."
3. Select "Product": Tapping "Add link" will open up a menu with a few choices. Select the "Product" option, which is usually accompanied by a small shopping bag icon.
4. Choose Your Item: This will open your synced product catalog or TikTok Shop. Scroll through your products and tap on the one you featured in the video. Confirm your selection.
5. Edit the Product Anchor Text: After selecting the product, you’ll be prompted to edit the link's name as it appears on your video. TikTok automatically uses your product name, but you can customize it to be a more direct call-to-action, such as "Get Yours Here" or "Shop This Look." Keep it short and punchy.
6. Post Your Video: With the product link added, finish writing your caption and adding relevant hashtags. We highly recommend adding a verbal and textual CTA in your video like, "Find the link to this right above my username!" Finally, tap "Post" to share your shoppable video.

Once live, your video will feature a clickable yellow or orange shopping bag icon with your new anchor text. Viewers can tap it to see a product card and navigate directly to your shop to complete their purchase.

What About Adding Products to Videos You've Already Posted?

This is a common question, but unfortunately, you generally cannot edit a TikTok after it's been posted. This means you can't go back and add a product link to an older video that gained unexpected traction. TikTok's focus is on in-the-moment authenticity, and editing functionality is limited for this reason.

Here are a few workarounds:

• The Pinned Comment Method: The easiest solution is to pin a comment on your old video. Write a comment like, "You can find this product in our shop! Link in bio ✨" and then pin it to the top so it's the first thing new viewers see. While it adds a few extra steps for the customer, it's better than nothing.
• Stitch or Duet the Video: Create a new video by Stitching or Duetting your popular old video. In the new portion of the video, you can announce that the product is now shoppable and add the product link to this new post.
• Rethink the Content as a Video Ad: Using TikTok Ads Manager, you can sometimes turn an existing post into an ad and attach a product catalog link. This turns the post into a promoted "Video Shopping Ad," which can be a highly effective way to leverage a proven piece of content.

Best Practices for Creating Shoppable Videos That Actually Sell

Simply adding a product link isn't enough. Your content needs to make people want to click it. Successful shoppable TikToks blend entertainment with effective sales techniques.

Show, Don’t Just Tell

The magic of TikTok commerce is in its ability to demonstrate a product in a real-world context. Instead of a polished, corporate-style ad, showcase the product in action.

• Product Demos: Unbox it. Assemble it. Show every feature. If it's skincare, show the texture and application. If it's a kitchen gadget, show it making a meal.
• Problem/Solution: Frame your product as the solution to a common problem. "Tired of your cords getting tangled? This organizer fixes that." This format is instantly relatable and highlights the product's value.
• UGC &, Testimonial Styles: Create videos that look and feel like user-generated content (UGC). This builds trust and authenticity. Film with a phone, use relatable language, and show genuine excitement for the product.

Use a Strong, Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Never assume viewers will know where to click. Direct them explicitly. Use a combination of verbal and on-screen text CTAs to guide them.

Effective CTAs for Shoppable TikToks:

• "Click the orange shopping cart to check it out."
• "I've linked the exact product I'm using right here on the screen!"
• "Tap the little bag icon above my name to get one for yourself!"

Combining a verbal instruction with a text overlay or sticker pointing to the link is the most effective approach.

Leverage Trends & Audio

Integrate your products into trending sounds, memes, or challenges. This helps your content feel native to the platform and expands its reach beyond your existing followers. If there’s a trending sound about "things I wish I bought sooner," it’s the perfect opportunity to feature your standout product.

Engage Fiercely in the Comments

When someone asks, "Does this come in blue?" or "How long does shipping take?" - that’s a buying signal! Answer every product-related question in your comments as quickly as you can. Your engagement not only helps the person who asked but also shows potential buyers that you’re an active and trustworthy seller.

Final Thoughts

Tagging products in your TikTok videos bridges the gap between discovery and purchase, making it simple for engaged viewers to become customers. By integrating your e-commerce platform and following a few best practices, you can create a powerful new sales channel fueled by authentic, entertaining content.

As you build out your strategy for shoppable content, organizing your video calendar becomes essential. From planning your next viral product demo on TikTok to scheduling Reels that drive back to your store, we've found that modern social media management requires a tool built for a video-first world. That's why we designed Postbase to make planning, scheduling, and analyzing video content across all your platforms feel effortless, with a visual calendar that gives you a clear view of your entire sales funnel.