How to Add a Yellow Cart on a TikTok Video

That little yellow shopping cart popping up on TikTok videos is more than just a button, it's a direct gateway for turning views into sales. This feature, powered by TikTok Shop, allows creators and brands to bridge the gap between discovery and purchase right inside the app. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add that powerful yellow cart to your own videos, whether you’re selling your own products or earning commission as an affiliate.

What is the Yellow Cart and Why Should You Care?

The yellow cart is the user-facing icon for TikTok Shop product links. When a creator tags a product in their video, this clickable shopping cart appears above their username. Tapping it opens a product detail page where users can learn more and check out without ever leaving the TikTok app.

For brands and creators, this is a massive opportunity for several reasons:

• Frictionless Shopping: It removes the biggest hurdle in social commerce - sending users to an external website. Keeping them in the app dramatically increases the chances of a completed purchase.
• Increased Visibility: TikTok's algorithm often favors content that uses its native features. Videos with tagged products can receive an organic push, as the platform is heavily invested in the success of its e-commerce ecosystem.
• Clear Path to Monetization: It provides a straightforward way to monetize your content. For sellers, it's direct sales. For affiliate creators, it's a simple way to earn commissions on products you genuinely recommend.

The Two Paths to the Yellow Cart: Seller vs. Creator

Before you can add a product link, you need to be set up on TikTok Shop. There are two primary ways to do this, and the path you choose depends on whether you're selling your own products or promoting products for other brands.

1. TikTok Shop for Sellers: This is for businesses and individuals who have their own products to sell. You create a shop, upload your product catalog, and manage inventory and shipping directly through TikTok.
2. TikTok Shop for Creators (Affiliate Program): This is for influencers and content creators who want to earn a commission by promoting products sold by others. You don't hold any inventory, you simply add products from brands’ shops to your personal "Showcase" and link to them in your videos.

You need to meet certain eligibility requirements for both paths. For Sellers, you'll need to provide business or personal identification for verification. For the Creator program, TikTok generally requires a minimum number of followers (typically 5,000, though this can vary by region), a certain level of account engagement, and to be at least 18 years old.

For Business Owners: How to Add Products from Your Own TikTok Shop

If you're a brand selling your own merchandise, linking products is a direct line to your customers. Here’s the step-by-step process to get your products featured in your videos.

Step 1: Set Up &, Stock Your TikTok Shop

Before you can tag anything, you need an active shop. If you haven't done this already, you'll need to register through the TikTok Shop Seller Center. This involves:

• Registering your business: You’ll provide details about your company or yourself as an individual seller.
• Verifying your identity: This is a standard step to ensure a secure marketplace.
• Connecting a bank account: This is for receiving payouts from your sales.
• Uploading your products: Once approved, start adding products to your shop. Make your listings compelling with high-quality photos, clear titles, detailed descriptions, accurate pricing, and inventory numbers.

Step 2: Create Your Promotional Video

Next, it's time to make your content. This isn't just a traditional ad, it’s a TikTok video. Your goal should be to create engaging content that shows off your product in a valuable and entertaining way.

Some popular video formats include:

• Product demonstration: Show your product in action. How does it work? What problem does it solve?
• Behind-the-scenes: Film how your products are made, packaged, or designed to build a connection with your audience.
• Storytelling: Share a customer story or a creative narrative where your product plays a role.
• Trend-based content: Use a trending sound or format to showcase your product in a way that feels native to the platform.

You can either record your video directly in the TikTok app or upload a pre-edited video from your camera roll.

Step 3: Add the Yellow Cart Product Link

This is where the magic happens. After you’ve created your video and are on the final posting screen (where you write your caption and add hashtags), follow these simple steps:

1. Look for the "Add Link" option. It's usually located above the caption area, near options like "Tag people" and "Location."
2. Tap "Add Link," then select "Product."
3. Your TikTok Shop product listings will appear. Scroll through and select the specific product (or products, you can tag up to 10) featured in your video.
4. After selecting a product, you’ll be prompted to edit the Product Name as it will appear in the video. Keep it short, clear, and compelling! This name is what your viewers see attached to the yellow cart, so make it recognizable.
5. Tap "Add," and you will see the product link appear on the posting screen.
6. Finish writing your caption, add relevant hashtags, and hit "Post."

That’s it! Your video will now go live with the yellow shopping cart icon, allowing anyone who sees it to shop your product instantly.

For Creators: How to Earn Commission as an Affiliate

If you don't have your own products, the affiliate program is your ticket to monetizing your content. You become a virtual storefront for brands you love, earning a cut of every sale you drive.

Step 1: Join TikTok Shop for Creators

First, you need to apply for the affiliate program within the TikTok app. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria (followers, age, etc.).

You can usually find the application by going to your profile >,, tapping the three-line menu icon >,, selecting "Creator Tools" >,, and looking for "TikTok Shop for Creators."

Step 2: Build Your Product Showcase

Once you’re approved, you won’t be selling directly. Instead, you'll need to curate a collection of products you want to promote. This collection is called your "Showcase."

• Browse the Product Marketplace: Inside the "TikTok Shop for Creator" hub, you’ll find a marketplace full of products from sellers looking for affiliates. You can filter by category, commission rate, and product performance.
• Request Free Samples: Many sellers offer free samples to creators so they can genuinely try the product before making a video about it. This is a great way to maintain authenticity with your audience.
• Add Products to Your Showcase: When you find a product you want to promote, simply tap "Add" to include it in your Showcase. This makes it available for you to link in your videos. The Showcase is also visible on your profile, acting as your personal storefront.

Step 3: Create Your Review or Feature Video

Your job as a creator is to create authentic content that feels like a trusted recommendation, not a sales pitch. Honest reviews, tutorials, style guides, or "get ready with me" videos that naturally integrate the product perform best. Your audience trusts you for your genuine opinion, so choose products you actually like and believe in.

Step 4: Link to an Affiliate Product

The process of adding an affiliate link is nearly identical to adding a seller's link. On the final posting screen:

1. Tap the "Add Link" option.
2. Select "Product."
3. Instead of your own shop, you'll see a list of all the products you've added to your Affiliate Showcase.
4. Select the product you’re featuring in the video.
5. The product name will autopopulate. It's best to leave it as is so viewers know exactly what they're clicking on.
6. Tap "Add," complete your caption, and post your video.

Now, when someone watches your video and clicks the yellow cart to buy the product, you'll earn the commission associated with that item. You can track your performance and earnings inside your TikTok Shop for Creators dashboard.

Best Practices for High-Converting Shoppable Videos

Simply adding a yellow cart doesn't guarantee sales. Your content strategy is what ultimately drives conversions. Here are a few tips:

• Call Out the Link Audibly: Don't just rely on viewers noticing the icon. Verbally tell them, "You can grab one for yourself by tapping the yellow shopping cart right there!" Sometimes pointing at it on-screen can help, too.
• Be Authentic and Genuine: Viewers can spot a lazy cash-grab from a mile away. Only promote products you genuinely use and believe in. Honesty builds trust, and trust drives sales.
• Focus on Education and Entertainment: Your video should stand on its own as good content. If someone with no intention of buying still finds your video helpful or entertaining, you’ve done it right.
• Pin a Comment: Pin a comment that either answers a common question about the product or re-emphasizes its main benefit. This can help close the deal for viewers on the fence.
• Engage with the Community: Respond to questions in the comments about the product. Treat it as an opportunity for real-time customer service and pre-sale support.

Final Thoughts

Adding a yellow shopping cart is a straightforward process that unlocks the immense commercial potential of TikTok. Whether you're a seller driving direct revenue or a creator building a new income stream through commissions, TikTok Shop provides the tools to connect content and commerce in a powerful, seamless and exciting way.

Once you start creating shoppable videos, consistency is everything. Having a solid plan for your content calendar keeps your audience engaged and your products top-of-mind. As we've built Postbase, our focus has been a video-first approach because that's where social is headed. We designed it with a clean, visual calendar that lets you drag and drop your TikToks, Reels, and Shorts to see your entire strategy at a glance, helping you maintain a reliable schedule without the headache of spreadsheets or clunky, outdated tools.