TikTok just explained the new rules for TikTok Shop Affiliates...

Summary

In this video, the creator clarifies TikTok's new guidelines for affiliates using TikTok Shop. These guidelines focus on reducing spam and ensuring high-quality, engaging content. Key points include the importance of creating unique, informative videos, showing the product physically, and including personal perspectives. The creator also emphasizes that faces content is encouraged, but not mandatory, as long as the content remains engaging. Additionally, the video touches on issues like re-editing content, using green screens, and pricing transparency. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the TikTok experience for both creators and users.

Takeaways

• 😀 Content must be unique: Avoid re-uploading the same video with only slight changes like different text or hooks.
• 😀 B-roll usage is allowed: Reuse short B-roll footage to enhance your video, but don't reuse long clips that make the video feel repetitive.
• 😀 Content must be informative and engaging: Provide more information than what is available on the product display page, including personal perspective.
• 😀 Faces in content are encouraged: TikTok prefers videos with faces as they are more engaging, but you don't have to include your face if it doesn't fit your content type.
• 😀 Always show the physical product: Don’t forget to include the product in your videos, especially in video replies.
• 😀 Video length doesn't have to exceed 30 seconds: TikTok recommends 30 seconds, but shorter engaging videos can still perform well.
• 😀 Green screens are allowed for specific cases: You can use them to promote books or pre-order products but avoid using them for regular product promotion.
• 😀 Don’t mix clips of content: Re-editing or combining previous videos in a slightly modified way can lead to spam and violates guidelines.
• 😀 Always include the product price: Mention the current price of the product, referencing the exact amount at the time of filming.
• 😀 Guidelines are designed to reduce spam: The goal is to improve content quality and avoid low-quality, repetitive posts that could drive users away from TikTok.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of TikTok's new guidelines for affiliates?

The main purpose of TikTok's new guidelines is to reduce spam and improve the overall quality of content on the platform. TikTok wants to ensure high-quality videos that engage users and prevent repetitive or low-value content that might drive users away from the platform.

Are TikTok's new guidelines actual rules that can lead to account bans?

No, these are guidelines, not strict rules. If you don't follow them exactly, your account won't be banned. However, TikTok encourages adherence to these guidelines to maintain a high-quality, engaging platform.

Can creators reuse their own content according to the new guidelines?

No, TikTok does not want creators to reuse large chunks of content. If you copy or slightly edit your own content (e.g., changing the text or adding a minor hook), it will be flagged as duplicate content. Small segments of b-roll footage can be reused, as long as they are short and don't dominate the video.

What is b-roll, and how can it be used on TikTok Shop affiliate videos?

B-roll is supplementary footage, such as product demonstrations or other relevant visuals, overlaid on top of the main content. TikTok allows creators to use b-roll in affiliate videos as long as it is brief and doesn't overshadow the primary content. This helps maintain engagement without violating the guidelines.

What does TikTok mean by 'engaging and informative' content?

TikTok expects creators to provide content that offers more than just product display. This means including personal perspectives, such as why you like the product, how it worked for you, or how it benefits the user, rather than just reading the product details from the label or description.

Do creators need to include the price of products in their videos?

Yes, creators should mention the current price of a product in their videos. TikTok recommends stating the price as of the day of filming to avoid violations from price discrepancies. However, omitting this detail won't result in a violation as long as the content remains engaging.

Do TikTok's new guidelines require videos to be more than 30 seconds long?

No, videos do not need to be longer than 30 seconds. While TikTok suggests that videos of this length work well for including all key information, shorter videos can still be effective as long as they are engaging and provide value to the audience.

Are creators required to show their face in TikTok videos?

No, TikTok encourages creators to include faces in their content for engagement, but it's not mandatory. Creators who prefer not to show their face can still create engaging content, such as tutorials or animal-related videos, as long as the video remains interesting and informative.

Can creators use green screens to promote pre-order products or flash sales?

Yes, creators can use green screens to promote books or products that haven't been released yet, but for most other products, using green screens is discouraged. It may come across as inauthentic or spammy, and TikTok prefers creators to showcase real products to ensure authenticity.

What should creators avoid doing in video replies when promoting products?

Creators should avoid forgetting to show the product in video replies. Even though it's a response to a comment, creators should still include their hook, product, personal perspective, and call to action, just as they would in a standalone video.