TikTok Tips & Strategies

How to Get TikTok Spark Ads Code

By Spencer Lanoue
November 11, 2025

Ready to run TikTok ads that don't look like ads? Generating a TikTok Spark Ads code is the key, allowing you to boost existing organic videos from your own account or a creator's. This guide breaks down exactly how to get that code and use it to launch authentic ad campaigns that truly connect with your audience. We'll cover the process for creators, businesses, and advertisers step by step.

What Exactly Are TikTok Spark Ads?

Think of Spark Ads as the most native form of advertising on TikTok. Instead of creating an ad from scratch that runs separately (often called a "dark post"), Spark Ads let you put ad spend behind an already existing, organic TikTok video. This video can be from your own brand's account or from a creator you're collaborating with.

The magic is in the authenticity. The ad appears in the For You Page just like a regular TikTok video, with the original creator's username, caption, and audio. All the likes, comments, shares, and saves generated by the ad campaign also accumulate on the original organic post, giving it even more social proof. Essentially, you're not interrupting the user experience with a jarring ad, you're simply boosting a piece of great, native content to a wider audience.

The Big Wins: Why Bother with Spark Ads?

Running a regular In-Feed ad is certainly an option, but Spark Ads offer some powerful advantages that make them a favorite among savvy marketers:

  • Boosted Authenticity and Trust: Because they originate from a real TikTok account and retain all organic engagement, Spark Ads feel genuine. Users see real comments and likes, which builds a level of trust that "traditional" ads can't replicate.
  • Better Campaign Performance: TikTok's data consistently shows that Spark Ads outperform standard, non-Spark ads across the board. They often see higher completion rates, better engagement rates (more likes, comments, and shares), and a lower cost-per-action (CPA). Users are simply more likely to engage with content that feels organic.
  • Increased Social Proof: Every like, comment, and share your ad gets is added to the original organic post. This creates an evergreen asset. When the ad campaign ends, the video remains on the account with incredibly high engagement metrics, signaling its quality to TikTok's algorithm and future organic viewers.
  • Fewer Creative Headaches: You don't always have to create new ad content from scratch. You can identify content that is already performing well organically and simply pour gasoline on the fire. This saves time and resources while betting on a proven winner.

How to Get a TikTok Spark Ads Code: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creators and Brands

Whether you're an influencer authorizing a brand to use your video or a brand authorizing your own organic content, the process for generating a code is the same. It all happens within the TikTok app itself.

Before you start, make sure you have a Business or Creator account on TikTok. A personal account won’t have the "Ad settings" option.

Step 1: Choose Your Video

Open the TikTok app and navigate to your profile. Scroll through your feed and select the video you want to authorize for ad use. This should be a video that has shown strong organic performance or perfectly aligns with the advertiser’s campaign goals.

Step 2: Access the Settings

Once you're viewing the video, tap the three dots (...) on the right-hand side of the screen. This will open up a menu with various options for sharing and saving.

Step 3: Find the Ad Settings

In the bottom row of icons, scroll to the right until you find the "Ad settings" icon (it often looks like a small flame or a promotional tag). Tap on it.

Step 4: Authorize the Video for Promotion

You’ll now be on the Ad settings screen. First, you need to agree to TikTok's Advertising Terms of Service if you haven't already. Then, toggle on the "Ad authorization" button.

Step 5: Set the Authorization Period

This is a super important step. You are giving an advertiser permission to use your video for a specific amount of time. TikTok gives you several options:

  • 7 Days
  • 30 Days
  • 60 Days
  • 365 Days

Choose the duration that you have agreed upon with the brand or that fits your campaign timeline. Once the period expires, the advertiser can no longer use the video in their active campaigns. Tap "Authorize" to lock it in.

Step 6: Generate and Copy the Code

After authorizing, a "Generate code" button will appear. Tap it. TikTok will create a unique code for your video. Tap "Copy" to save the code to your clipboard.

And that's it! You now have the code. Send it over to the advertiser (e.g., via email or direct message) so they can plug it into their TikTok Ads Manager.

How to Set Up a Spark Ad in TikTok Ads Manager: For Advertisers

Once you have the code from the creator or your own internal team, it's time to put it to work. Here’s how you set up the campaign.

Step 1: Create Your Campaign

Log in to your TikTok Ads Manager account. Start by creating a new campaign. Choose your campaign objective (e.g., Reach, Video Views, Community Interaction, or Conversions) that aligns with your goal for this particular ad.

Step 2: Navigate to the Ad Creation Level

Set up your Ad Group settings as you normally would, defining your audience, placements, budget, and schedule.

Step 3: Select "Spark Ad"

Once you get to the Ad Creation level, you'll see a section called "Identity." Here, you need to check the box that says "Use TikTok account to deliver Spark Ads." This tells Ads Manager that you won't be uploading a new creative, but rather using an existing post.

Step 4: Use the Authorized Post

Below the Identity, you'll see the "Ad Details" section. Select "Post." You now have two options:

  • Pull from your linked account directly: If you're boosting your own content and have linked your business TikTok account to your Ads Manager, you can simply click "+ TikTok Post" and select the video from your library.
  • Use the code provided: If you're using a creator's video (or just prefer using the code), click on "+ Authorize TikTok Post."

Step 5: Paste and Search for the Code

A pop-up window labeled "Use authorized post" will appear. Paste the Spark Ads code you received into the search bar and click "Search."

TikTok will find the video linked to that code. A preview will pop up, showing you the creator's username and the video thumbnail. Confirm it's the right one and select it.

Step 6: Finalize and Launch Your Ad

Once the video is loaded, all that's left is to configure the final details. You can choose your Call-to-Action (CTA) button text (like "Learn More," "Shop Now," or "Sign Up") and enter your landing page URL.

Double-check all your campaign settings and when you’re ready, hit "Submit." Your Spark Ad will go into review and, once approved, will start running to your target audience. Success!

Best Practices for Winning with Spark Ads

Getting the code is easy, but building a winning strategy takes a little more thought. Here are a few tips to maximize your Spark Ad performance:

  • Choose Proven Performers: Scour your own brand account or your creator partners' accounts for videos that already have great organic metrics. A high view count, a strong engagement rate, and lots of positive comments are good indicators that the content already resonates with people.
  • Clear Creator Communication: If working with an influencer, be explicit about your agreement. Define the authorization duration, agree on the content usage rights, and make sure their compensation reflects their partnership in the ad.
  • Match the Creative to Your Goal: The video content should align with your campaign objective. A funny, trending video might be amazing for brand awareness and Reach, but a video demonstrating a product's key feature and benefits is better suited for a Conversions campaign.
  • Maintain authenticity in the Caption: Remember, the ad uses the video's original caption. A caption filled with natural language, genuine emotion, and relevant hashtags will almost always perform better than one that sounds like stiff marketing copy. Let the CTA button do the selling.

Final Thoughts

Generating and using a TikTok Spark Ads code is a straightforward process that unlocks one of the most powerful and authentic ad formats available to marketers today. It enables both brands and creators to collaborate effectively, blending paid advertising seamlessly into the native content environment of the For You Page for better results.

Of course, finding the perfect piece of content to turn into a Spark Ad starts with having a strong, consistent social media strategy. We know it can be a challenge to manage that pipeline, especially when juggling different plans for TikToks, Reels, and Shorts. At Postbase, we designed our visual calendar to make it simple to see everything at a glance, so you can easily spot your top-performing videos and plan your upcoming campaigns with confidence.

```

Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.

Other posts you might like

How to Add Social Media Icons to an Email Signature

Enhance your email signature by adding social media icons. Discover step-by-step instructions to turn every email into a powerful marketing tool.

Read more

How to Record Audio for Instagram Reels

Record clear audio for Instagram Reels with this guide. Learn actionable steps to create professional-sounding audio, using just your phone or upgraded gear.

Read more

How to Check Instagram Profile Interactions

Check your Instagram profile interactions to see what your audience loves. Discover where to find these insights and use them to make smarter content decisions.

Read more

How to Request a Username on Instagram

Requesting an Instagram username? Learn strategies from trademark claims to negotiation for securing your ideal handle. Get the steps to boost your brand today!

Read more

How to Attract a Target Audience on Instagram

Attract your ideal audience on Instagram with our guide. Discover steps to define, find, and engage followers who buy and believe in your brand.

Read more

How to Turn On Instagram Insights

Activate Instagram Insights to boost your content strategy. Learn how to turn it on, what to analyze, and use data to grow your account effectively.

Read more

Stop wrestling with outdated social media tools

Wrestling with social media? It doesn’t have to be this hard. Plan your content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and analyze performance — all in one simple, easy-to-use tool.

Schedule your first post
The simplest way to manage your social media
Rating