How to Add a Yellow Basket to TikTok Shop

Seeing that little yellow shopping basket on a TikTok video is a clear sign that a creator has unlocked a powerful new way to earn money. It's not just an icon, it's a direct link that turns casual viewers into customers without ever making them leave the app. This guide will walk you through exactly how to set up TikTok Shop and add that shoppable yellow basket to your own videos, whether you're a business selling your own products or a creator promoting items you love.

What Is the TikTok Yellow Basket, Anyway?

The yellow basket, officially known as a 'TikTok Shop Product Anchor,' is that clickable shopping bag icon you see placed above the creator's username on videos and streams. When you tap it, a window pops up showing an image of the featured product, its price, and a button to view details or buy it immediately.

Why is this such a big deal? Friction. Or rather, the lack of it. Before TikTok Shop, driving sales meant directing people to a "link in bio," hoping they would click your profile, find the link, navigate to your website, find the right product, and then, finally, make a purchase. Most people drop off somewhere along that complicated path.

The yellow basket collapses that entire journey into a single tap. It captures impulse buyers right in the moment they feel inspired by your content. This shift from content discovery to point of purchase makes it one of the most effective social commerce tools available today. There are two primary paths to getting one for your account:

• Sellers (Businesses): You own a brand and want to sell your products directly through your own TikTok account.
• Affiliates (Creators): You don't have your own products, but you want to promote other brands' products and earn a commission on every sale you generate.

The setup process is slightly different depending on which path you take, but we'll cover both in detail below.

Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify (Eligibility Matters)

Before you get started, it's important to know if you meet the requirements. TikTok has specific rules in place to maintain the quality and integrity of its marketplace. Not meeting these will stop your application in its tracks, so check them first.

For TikTok Shop Sellers (Businesses Selling Their Own Products)

If you're a registered business looking to sell your own inventory, you'll need to apply through the TikTok Shop Seller Center. The platform is pretty strict here to avoid scams and ensure legitimacy.

• Location-Based Business Registration: Your business must be legally registered in a country where TikTok Shop is available (such as the United States, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Vietnam, etc.). You'll need to provide official documentation like a business license or passport.
• Valid Bank Account: You need a business bank account to receive payouts from your sales.
• Physical Products: You must sell physical products. TikTok Shop currently doesn't support the sale of digital goods or services.
• Account in Good Standing: Your associated TikTok account cannot have a history of major policy violations. A clean record helps a lot.
• Prohibited Categories: Make sure your products don't fall into TikTok's prohibited categories, which include things like alcohol, weapons, tobacco, and high-risk medical products.

For TikTok Shop Affiliates (Creators Promoting Products)

If you aim to earn commissions by featuring other brands' products, you don't need a registered business. Instead, the requirements focus on your influence and presence as a creator on the platform.

• Minimum Follower Count: You generally need at least 5,000 followers. This number can vary slightly by region, but it's the most common benchmark.
• Age Requirement: You must be 18 years of age or older.
• Active Account: You need to have posted videos on TikTok within the last 28 days. Inactive accounts are typically not eligible.
• Account in Good Standing: Just like sellers, you must have a clean track record without any serious community guideline violations.

Step 2: How to Add the Yellow Basket for Sellers

If you've confirmed you're eligible as a seller, it's time to set up your shop. This involves verifying your business and adding your products so they are ready to be linked in videos.

1. Create Your Account in the TikTok Shop Seller Center

Your shop isn't created within the TikTok app itself. You need to use a desktop browser for this process.

• Navigate to the official TikTok Shop Seller Center website for your region (e.g., search "TikTok Shop Seller Center US").
• Sign up by linking your existing TikTok account or by using your phone and email. Linking your TikTok account is usually the easiest way to go.
• Follow the prompts to begin the onboarding process. You will be asked to provide your business information, which includes uploading your business license or personal ID. This verification step is mandatory and can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to be approved.

2. Add Your Products

Once your shop is approved, you can start populating it with your inventory.

• Inside the Seller Center, find the "Products" tab on the left-hand menu and click "Manage Products."
• Click the "Add New Product" button.
• Fill out the product information with as much detail as possible. This includes a clear product name, a compelling description, high-quality images (use multiple angles!), variations like size or color, price, and how much stock you have. The better your product listing, the more likely customers are to buy.
• After submitting, each product will go through a quick review process by TikTok to ensure it meets policies. This usually takes less than 24 hours.

3. Link Products to a New Video

With approved products in your shop, you're ready to create your first shoppable video.

• Open the TikTok app and record or upload a video as you normally would.
• Proceed to the final posting screen where you write your caption and add hashtags.
• Look for the "Add Link" option. It's hard to miss!
• Tap it, and then select the "Product" option.
• A list of all your approved products from your TikTok Shop will pop up. Select the one(s) featured in your video. You can often add multiple products to one video if relevant.
• Confirm your selection, finish your caption, and hit "Post." The yellow basket will now appear on your video, ready for eager customers.

Step 3: How to Add the Yellow Basket for Affiliates

Creators, your journey is a bit different. Your goal is to get approved, find great products to promote, and then add them to your content. The great part is it all happens within the TikTok app.

1. Apply to TikTok Shop for Creator

First, you have to formally join the program.

• In the TikTok app, go to your profile page.
• Tap the three-line menu icon (the "hamburger" menu) at the top right.
• Go to "Creator Tools."
• Look for an option labeled "TikTok Shop for Creator." If you don't see this, you may not be eligible yet based on follower count or account status.
• If it's there, tap on it and follow the on-screen instructions to apply. Approval is usually very quick if you meet all the criteria.

2. Add Products to Your Showcase

Your "Showcase" is your personal curated shop of all the products you want to promote. Before you can link an item in a video, it needs to be in your Showcase.

• Once approved, head back to the "TikTok Shop for Creator" section. You'll now have access to the Product Marketplace.
• Here you can browse millions of products from thousands of sellers. You can filter by category, see commission rates, view sales performance, and even request free samples from some sellers.
• When you find a product that fits your niche and audience, simply tap the "Add" button to place it in your Showcase. Now it's available for you to link.

3. Link Affiliate Products to Your Video

This final step is nearly identical to the process for sellers. It's simple and streamlined.

• Create your brilliant video content.
• On the final posting screen, tap the "Add Link" option.
• Select "Product."
• Instead of seeing your own inventory, you'll see a list of all the products you added to your Showcase. Choose the product you're featuring.
• Finish your post. The yellow basket icon now links audiences to that product, and you'll get a commission from any sales tracked through your video.

Tips for Better Sales with Your Yellow Basket

Just having the yellow basket doesn't guarantee sales. Here are a few best practices to make your shoppable content more effective:

• Stay Authentic: Don't let your content become a dry advertisement. Integrate the product naturally into the stories you already tell, whether it's through a tutorial, a Get Ready With Me (GRWM), a problem/solution video, or a humorous skit.
• Verbally Call It Out: Always direct viewers' attention to the link. Say something simple like, "I'm obsessed with this, and I linked it in the yellow basket below for you to check it out!" Pair it with a text overlay pointing to the icon.
• Demonstrate Value: Show the product in action. Don't just hold it up to the camera - unleash its benefits. If it's a stain remover, show it removing a stain. If it's a kitchen gadget, show how much time it saves.
• Engage with Product Questions: Be ready for comments asking about sizing, colors, shipping, or how it works. Replying promptly builds tremendous trust and can be the final nudge someone needs to buy.

Final Thoughts

Adding the yellow basket to your TikTok content is a straightforward way to monetize your platform, turning your influence directly into income. Whether you're setting up a full-fledged business with TikTok Shop for Sellers or earning commissions as a creator, following these steps opens up a massive new channel for social commerce.

Once your TikTok Shop is up and running, staying consistent with your content is what drives a steady stream of traffic and sales. Planning out your shoppable content can feel like a full-time job, but we designed Postbase to make that simpler. Our visual calendar lets you organize your entire content strategy at a glance, and because we built our tool for video formats first, you can schedule your TikToks reliably - knowing they'll go live right when you planned.