How to Add Affiliate Links to TikTok

You’ve created an awesome TikTok video showcasing a product you genuinely love, so what’s next? Monetizing your influence is the next logical step, and affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to do it. This guide breaks down exactly how to add affiliate links to your TikTok profile and videos, transforming your passion for content creation into a real source of income.

We'll walk through the technical steps for adding links to your bio and directly into your videos, plus strategies to create content that actually encourages your followers to click and buy.

Understanding the Basics: Who Can Add Links on TikTok?

Before you get started, it’s important to know the rules of the road. Historically, TikTok has been a bit protective of external links, but they’ve opened things up considerably. There are two primary methods for sharing affiliate links, each with its own set of requirements.

First is the classic "link in bio." To add a clickable website link to your profile, you generally need to meet one of two criteria:

• Have a Business Account.
• Have at least 1,000 followers on a Personal Account.

Switching to a Business Account is free and gives you access to analytics and other commercial features, so it's a smart move for any creator looking to monetize. The follower count is a straightforward metric that most dedicated creators can achieve with consistent, quality content.

The second, more integrated method is through TikTok Shop, which allows eligible creators to tag specific affiliate products directly in their videos. The requirements for this are a bit stricter (usually a higher follower count) and vary by region, but it's an incredibly powerful tool for driving sales.

For most creators just starting their affiliate journey, the "link in bio" will be your home base. Let’s get it set up.

Two Powerful Ways to Add Affiliate Links to TikTok

Once your account is eligible, you have a couple of solid options for directing your followers to your affiliate products. Here’s a detailed breakdown of both.

Method 1: The "Link in Bio" Strategy

The most common and accessible way to share affiliate links is by placing one in your profile bio. It's a single, prime piece of real estate that you can use to direct traffic anywhere you want.

Here’s how to add a link, step by step:

1. Ensure Your Account is Eligible: First, confirm you have over 1,000 followers or have switched to a Business Account. To switch, go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," and finally "Switch to Business Account." The app will guide you through the process.
2. Go to Your Profile: Navigate to your main profile page where your videos are displayed.
3. Tap "Edit profile": You'll find this button directly under your follower count.
4. Add Your Link: Look for a field labeled "Website." This is where you’ll paste your destination URL. Tap it, enter your affiliate link or link-in-bio tool URL (more on that next), and hit "Save."

That’s it! A clickable link will now appear on your profile, right under your bio description. Now, every time you post a video, you can direct viewers to visit the "link in my bio" for more information or to make a purchase.

Pro Tip: Supercharge Your Bio with a "Link Hub" Page

The biggest limitation of the link-in-bio method is that you only get one link. What if you want to promote products from your Amazon storefront, a specific skincare brand, and a cool tech gadget all at the same time? Trying to swap that single link for every video is inefficient and confusing for your audience.

This is where "link hub" or "link-in-bio" tools are invaluable. Services like Linktree, Beacons, Koji, or Later’s Link in Bio let you create a simple mobile landing page that houses multiple links. Instead of linking to a single affiliate product, you use your TikTok bio link to direct users to this hub page.

Setting Up Your Link Hub:

• Get started: Sign up for a free or paid account on your chosen platform.
• Add Your Links: Start populating your page with your key affiliate destinations. Think strategically. You can create links like:
  • "My Amazon Storefront"
  • "Shop My Morning Routine"
  • "My Desk Setup Essentials"
  • "Get 15% Off Your First [Brand Name] Order"
• Organize and Customize: Arrange the links in a logical order, perhaps placing your most popular or timely promotion at the top. Customize the colors and style to match your brand aesthetic.
• Generate Your Hub URL: Once your page is ready, copy your unique link hub URL (e.g., linktr.ee/yourusername).
• Paste it into your TikTok Bio: Follow the steps from Method 1 to add this new, all-in-one link to your profile.

Now, when you tell your audience to "check the link in my bio," they'll find an organized list of everything you recommend, making for a much smoother and more effective user experience.

Method 2: Integrating Products with TikTok Shop

For more established creators, TikTok Shop offers a far more direct way to sell affiliate products. It functions as an in-app e-commerce solution where creators can earn commissions by featuring products from participating sellers.

When you tag a product from the TikTok Shop in your video, a small shoppable icon appears on-screen. Viewers can tap this icon to see the product details and purchase it right in the app, creating a frictionless buying process that can lead to higher conversion rates.

How It Works:

1. Check Eligibility and Apply: TikTok Shop for Creators typically requires you to be over 18, have a minimum number of followers (often starting at 5,000, but it varies), and have an active, healthy account. You can apply through the "TikTok Shop for Creator" hub within the app's settings.
2. Find Products in the Product Marketplace: Once approved, you can browse a marketplace full of products from various sellers. You can see commission rates upfront and request free samples for many items to create content with.
3. Build Your Showcase: Add the products you want to promote to your personal "showcase," which appears as a separate tab on your TikTok profile. This acts as your personal storefront.
4. Tag Products in Your Videos: When you’re uploading a new video, tap the "Add Link" option before posting. You’ll be able to select a product from your showcase. This will automatically add the shoppable tag to your video.

While the entry barrier is higher, this method is the future of e-commerce on TikTok. The seamless integration keeps users on the platform and makes impulse buys effortless.

How to Actually Get People to Click Your Links

Simply having a link isn’t going to generate income. The magic happens in your content. Pushing products too hard can alienate your audience, so the goal is to integrate your affiliate promotions naturally into videos that provide genuine value.

Create Content That Genuinely Helps or Entertains

Your followers appreciate you for your perspective, your humor, your expertise, or your relatability. Affiliate marketing works best when it enhances that relationship, rather than feeling like a commercial break. Here are some proven content formats:

• Tutorials and How-Tos: Show, don’t just tell. A video demonstrating how you achieve a perfect winged liner with a specific eyeliner pen is far more compelling than just saying, "Buy this eyeliner."
• Sincere Reviews: Give your honest thoughts on a product you’ve used for a while. Talk about the pros, the cons, and who you think it’s for. Authenticity builds trust, which is the foundation of affiliate sales.
• Problem/Solution Videos: Frame your content around a common pain point. "If you struggle with organizing your pantry, this container system saved me so much hassle." This connects the product directly to a real-life benefit.
• Unboxing and First Impressions: Capture your authentic reaction to a new product. This format creates a sense of shared discovery with your audience.
• "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) or Routine-Based Content: Naturally incorporate products into your daily or weekly routines, like morning skincare, making coffee, or setting up your workspace.

Master the Art of the Call to Action (CTA)

Your viewers need to be prompted to act. You need to clearly and concisely tell them what to do next. Integrate your CTA in multiple ways:

• Spoken CTAs: Within your video's voiceover or as you speak to the camera, say something direct and friendly. "I have this exact model linked in my profile if you want to check it out for yourself!"
• On-Screen Text: Use TikTok’s text editor to add non-intrusive text during a relevant part of your video, like "Products linked in bio!" often accompanied by an emoji of a pointing finger (👇).
• Caption CTAs: Reinforce your verbal and on-screen CTAs in your video's caption.

Use Specific Coupon Codes Whenever Possible

Many brands in affiliate programs will offer unique discount codes for promoters. If you can get one, use it! It’s a powerful incentive that delivers tangible value to your audience and gives them a reason to use your link over someone else’s. Announce the code clearly in your video and repeat it in your caption - "Use my code CREATOR20 for 20% off at checkout!"

Where to Find Affiliate Programs to Join

Wondering where to find products to promote? The options are nearly endless. Here are some of the most popular places to start:

• Amazon Associates: This is the go-to for most beginner affiliate marketers. It’s incredibly easy to join, and you can create links for any of the millions of products on Amazon. It’s perfect for the viral “Amazon Finds” videos.
• Brand-Direct Programs: Many of your favorite brands run their own in-house affiliate programs. Check the footer section of their website for an "Affiliates," "Partners," or "Ambassadors" link. This often yields higher commission rates than going through a network.
• Affiliate Networks: These are large platforms that act as middlemen, connecting creators with thousands of brands. Popular networks include ShareASale, CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction), and Rakuten Advertising.
• TikTok Shop: As discussed earlier, this is a fully integrated ecosystem directly inside the app, offering a seamless experience for you and your audience.

Final Thoughts

Adding affiliate links to TikTok is a fantastic way to monetize your content, but it's a process built on trust. By using either the "link in bio" method with a clever link hub or diving into the integrated TikTok Shop, you can create clear pathways for your audience to find the products you recommend. True success, however, comes from creating valuable, authentic content that naturally incorporates these promotions without feeling like one long sales pitch.

Once we had our own affiliate strategy down, we realized the biggest challenge was actually planning and keeping up with a consistent posting schedule. We built an internal tool for ourselves to fix this, which eventually grew into Postbase. We use a simple visual calendar to schedule out our TikToks, Reels, and Shorts weeks in advance, so we never fall behind on the content that drives traffic to our links. It’s helped us stay focused on creating good content, not just on the logistics of getting it posted.