How to Add a Yellow Basket to a TikTok Video

Ready to turn your TikTok views directly into sales? That clickable yellow shopping basket you see on videos is the key, and it’s a powerful tool for creators and brands alike. This guide breaks down exactly how to set up your TikTok Shop and add that yellow basket to your videos, walking you through every step from qualifications to posting.

What is the Yellow Basket on TikTok and Why Does It Matter?

The yellow basket is TikTok's in-app shopping feature, officially known as TikTok Shop. When you see it on a video, it means you can tap it to view and purchase the featured product without ever leaving the app. This is a massive leap from the old method of telling people to "click the link in bio," which created friction and lost potential customers along the way.

For brands and sellers, it’s a direct sales channel built right into the platform where their audience spends time. For creators, it's a way to earn affiliate commissions by promoting products they genuinely love. Essentially, it transforms TikTok from a pure entertainment platform into a dynamic, content-driven marketplace. It shortens the customer journey from discovery to checkout into just a few taps, making it one of the most effective social commerce tools available today.

Before You Start: Getting Approved for TikTok Shop

Before you can add a product link to any video, you first need to be approved to use TikTok Shop. The process and requirements are different depending on whether you're a seller with your own products or a creator/influencer wanting to promote other brands' products. It's important to get this step right.

For Sellers (Brands and Businesses)

If you're a business that wants to sell your own inventory on TikTok, you’ll need to set up a Seller account. The requirements can vary slightly by region (TikTok shop is available in countries like the US, UK, and much of Southeast Asia), but they generally include:

• A registered business address: You need to be based in a country where TikTok Shop for sellers is available.
• Proper documentation: This typically means a government-issued ID for individuals or a business registration license for companies.
• A bank account: You'll need this to receive payments from your sales.

Here’s the general process to get started as a seller:

1. Navigate to the TikTok Shop Seller Center website for your region.
2. Sign up for an account. You can often do this using your existing TikTok account or by creating a new login.
3. Fill out the application, providing all your business information and uploading the necessary documents.
4. Submit your application and wait for the verification and approval process. This can take a few days as TikTok confirms your details.

Once approved, you'll gain access to your Seller Center dashboard where you can manage your products, orders, and promotions.

For Creators (Affiliates)

If you don't have your own products and want to earn commission by promoting others, you can apply to be a TikTok Shop Creator. The eligibility criteria are based more on your influence and account status:

• Follower count: This is the biggest hurdle for many. In the US, for example, the requirement is often 5,000 followers. This number can vary by country or during promotional periods, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest guidelines in the TikTok app.
• Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Account standing: Your account needs to be in good standing with no history of major community guideline violations. You also should have posted consistently in the last month.

Applying as a creator is usually done directly within the TikTok app itself, not through a separate website. If you meet the criteria, you’ll likely see an option for TikTok Shop within your settings.

How to Add Products to Your TikTok Shop Showcase

Once you’re approved, the next step is to populate your "Showcase." A showcase is your personal, curated list of products that you’re able to link in your videos and on your profile page. Again, the process is different for sellers and creators.

For Sellers: Adding Your Own Products

As a seller, you'll manage your entire product catalog through the TikTok Shop Seller Center. This is where you create listings for everything you want to sell.

1. Log in: Head to your Seller Center dashboard.
2. Navigate to Products: Find the "Products" tab and select "Manage Products."
3. Add New Product: Click the "Add New Product" button.
4. Fill In the Details: This is the meticulous part. You’ll need to provide everything:
   • Product Title
   • Detailed Description
   • High-Quality Images and a Product Video (if you have one)
   • Product Category
   • Brand information
   • Price, Inventory/Stock Count (SKUs)
   • Weight and Dimensions for Shipping Calculations
5. Submit for Review: Each product you upload is reviewed by TikTok to make sure it complies with their policies. After it's approved, it will be active in your shop and you can start linking to it.

For Creators: Adding Affiliate Products

As a creator, you'll be browsing a huge marketplace of products from sellers who are looking for affiliates. You get to pick and choose what you want to promote.

1. Open TikTok: Go to your profile page in the TikTok app.
2. Enter TikTok Shop: Tap the shopping bag icon on your profile to enter your shop portal.
3. Find the Product Marketplace: Inside your creator hub, you'll find the "Product Marketplace." This is where you can discover products.
4. Search and Browse: You can search for specific products or brands, browse by category, filter by commission rate, or see what’s trending. You can also request a free sample for some products to create content with.
5. Add to Showcase: When you find a product you like, check the commission rate, and simply tap the "Add" button. This will instantly put the product into your personal showcase, making it available for you to link in videos.

The Main Event: Adding the Yellow Basket to Your TikTok Video

With your account approved and products in your showcase, you’re finally ready to create a shoppable post. The process is smoothly integrated into the normal video upload flow.

Step 1: Create Your Video

Film and edit your video as you normally would. For a shoppable video to be effective, the content should feature the product in an organic way. Think tutorials, unboxings, reviews, or a skit where the product is a prop. A random video of your dog with a link to a blender won't get much traction. The content and the product need to be connected.

Step 2: Go to the Posting Screen

Once your edits are done, add your sound and effects, then tap "Next" to move to the final posting screen. This is the page where you write your caption, add hashtags, and configure your post’s settings.

Step 3: Add the Product Link

Look for an option labeled "Add Link" on the posting screen. Tap it. A menu will pop up with different types of links you can add. Select "Product." This will automatically open your product showcase, displaying the list of items you previously added. Select the single product you want to feature in that specific video.

Step 4: Customize the Product Name Display

After selecting your product, TikTok gives you the chance to change the text that appears on the video as the product link. By default, it will be the product's official title, but you can edit this to be more conversational and eye-catching. Instead of "Super-Moisture Facial Cream with Hyaluronic Acid 50ml," you could change it to something like "The glowy skin cream I used" or "My Favorite Face Cream." This makes the link feel more personal and less like a standard ad.

Step 5: Finalize and Post Your Video

Once the product link is set, finish crafting your caption. It’s always good practice to mention the yellow basket in your caption and even in your video with a voiceover, saying something like, “You can grab one for yourself by tapping the yellow shopping cart right above my name!” After writing your caption and choosing your hashtags, just hit "Post." Your video will now appear on the For You Page with the clickable yellow basket, ready to drive sales.

Best Practices for High-Converting TikTok Shop Videos

Just adding a link isn't enough. You have to create content that makes people want to click. Here are a few tips to increase your chances of success:

• Show, Don't Just Tell: The best shoppable videos are demonstrations. Unbox the item, show how to assemble it, create a look using a makeup product, or cook a recipe with a specific kitchen gadget. Let viewers see the value for themselves.
• Be Authentic and Genuine: Share your honest review. Why do you like this product? What problem does it solve for you? TikTok users value authenticity above all else, so an overly polished, corporate-style ad often falls flat.
• Use Strong Calls to Action (CTAs): In your voiceover, on-screen text, and caption, remember to tell people what to do. The best CTA is simple: "Tap the yellow basket on the screen to get yours!"
• Leverage Trends: Don't forget the fundamentals of what makes a good TikTok video. Use trending sounds, participate in new memes, and use popular effects to make sure your content has the best chance of going viral. The more views, the more potential clicks on your basket.
• Pin Your Best-Performing Video: If one of your shoppable videos takes off and starts making sales, pin it to the top of your profile. This gives it a permanent spot on your page and ensures new visitors see your best content first.
• Interact with Comments: People will have questions about the product. Be ready to respond to comments about sizing, features, or shipping. Each answer builds more trust and credibility for you and the product.

Final Thoughts

Adding a yellow basket to your TikTok videos transforms your content from simple entertainment into a powerful sales engine. By getting approved for TikTok Shop, curating a showcase of great products, and integrating product links naturally into your videos, you are creating a seamless shopping experience for your followers and monetizing your influence effectively.

Creating shoppable content is a huge part of a modern social media strategy, but keeping track of it all can be a handful. With us, you can visually plan and schedule all your TikToks and other social content from one calendar, making sure your product-focused posts go live at just the right time. Since Postbase is designed video-first, you don't have to worry about the reliability issues that often trouble older tools when publishing Reels or TikToks. This way, you can manage your work smoothly and focus on what matters most: making great videos that connect with your audience.