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/ads:tiktok

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TikTok Ads audit with 8 checks for learning phase management, budget minimums, creative safe zones, and platform-specific optimization

/ads:tiktok

Run an inline audit on a TikTok Ads account with 8 focused checks. TikTok requires creative-first strategy and strict learning phase management.

Quick Start

/agileflow:ads:tiktok <account-data>                  # TikTok Ads audit

The 8 Checks

#CheckSeverityPass Criteria
TT-1TikTok Pixel installedCRITICALPixel on all pages, Events API preferred
TT-2Learning phase managementCRITICAL50 conversions in 7 days per ad group
TT-3Budget meets minimumCRITICAL$50/day campaign, $20/day ad group
TT-4Creative safe zonesHIGHKey content within center 720x900px
TT-5Video-first creativesHIGHAll ads are video (no static images)
TT-6UGC/authentic styleHIGHNative-feeling content (not polished ads)
TT-7Sound-on designMEDIUMAudio is integral, not optional
TT-8Creative refresh cadenceHIGHNew creatives every 1-2 weeks

Output

You receive:

  • TikTok Score (0-100)
  • Check results - Pass/fail for all 8 checks
  • Key recommendations - Top priorities
  • TikTok-specific tips - Platform best practices
  • Creative guidance - How to create TikTok-native ads

Account Data Needed

Provide details about your TikTok Ads:

  • Pixel installation status
  • Campaign budget and daily spend
  • Learning phase status (conversions/week)
  • Creative types and refresh frequency
  • Video specs (duration, style)
  • Audio strategy
  • Campaign objectives

Example format:

TikTok Ads Setup
- Pixel installed, no Events API
- 2 campaigns, $30/day each
- 5 video ads, 2 weeks old
- Learning phase: 15 conversions/week (need 50)
- Videos are polished product demos

TikTok-Specific Context

Learning Phase is Critical:

  • TikTok needs 50 conversions in 7 days per ad group to exit learning
  • At $20/day minimum: $140/week = 50 conversions needed
  • That requires CPA < $2.80 - often unrealistic for cold audience
  • Solution: Optimize for upper-funnel events (View Content, Add to Cart) until volume builds

Creative Safe Zones Diagram:

+---------------------------+
|      Username (130px)     |
|                           |
|    +----------------+     |
|    |                |     |
|    |   SAFE ZONE    |     |
|    |  720 x 900px   |     |
|    |                |     |
|    +----------------+     |
|                     |btns |
|   CTA + Nav (170px) |     |
+---------------------------+

Creative Best Practices

Hook (First 3 Seconds)

  • Pattern interrupt - Grab attention immediately
  • Don't spend time on branding/intro
  • Hook = success (3-second swipe threshold)

Duration

  • 15-30 seconds - Sweet spot for most objectives
  • Avoid 60+ seconds - Drop-off increases
  • Test 15s and 30s versions

Format

  • Vertical 9:16 only - No landscape videos
  • High contrast - Ensure visibility on small screens
  • Keep safe zone clear - Key content in center

Audio Strategy

  • Sound-ON by default - Design assuming sound is on
  • Captions/text overlay - For sound-off viewing (subways, etc.)
  • Trending audio - TikTok algorithm favors trending sounds
  • Original audio - Sometimes outperforms trending sounds

Creative Style

  • Authentic > polished - Trend-aware content outperforms ads
  • Native TikTok style - Looks like user content, not corporate
  • Influencer/UGC - Often outperforms brand content
  • Behind-the-scenes - Humanizes brand

Example Usage

Basic Audit

/agileflow:ads:tiktok "TikTok: Pixel installed, $30/day, 3 video ads, polished style, only 10 conversions/week. No audio strategy."
# Returns: TikTok Score with key improvements

Detailed Audit

/agileflow:ads:tiktok
# Paste detailed campaign and creative data
# Returns: Full 8-check audit with TikTok-specific recommendations

Expected Improvements

By implementing recommendations:

  • 10-20% improvement in CTR through better hooks
  • Exit learning phase faster with proper creative
  • Creative fatigue reduced through regular refresh
  • Audience reach expanded as TikTok algorithm learns
  • 3-5x improvement possible with authentic UGC content

Learning Phase Strategy

Problem: Need 50 conversions/week to exit learning

Solutions:

  1. Optimize for upper-funnel - Track "View Content" or "Add to Cart" instead of "Purchase"
  2. Combine multiple ad groups - Aggregate conversions across groups
  3. Start with engaged audiences - Website visitors, email list (warmer than cold)
  4. Increase budget temporarily - Get past learning faster (then optimize)
  5. Extend timeline - Plan for 3-4 weeks in learning phase

Platform-Specific Advantages

Why TikTok?

  • 1.5B monthly active users
  • Younger demographic (Gen Z, millennials)
  • Highest engagement rates of any platform
  • Algorithm discovers new content (not just follower-based)
  • Lower CPCs than Meta or Google (for young audiences)

Best For:

  • Consumer products (especially youth-focused)
  • E-commerce (apparel, accessories, beauty)
  • Entertainment content
  • Viral/trendy products
  • Apps targeting under-35 demographic

Tips

  • "Don't make ads, make TikToks" - Native content outperforms ads
  • Spark Ads - Boosting organic content often outperforms traditional ads
  • Creative fatigue hits fast - 7-14 days vs 30 on Meta
  • Use Creative Center - TikTok's tool for trending sounds and formats
  • Test UGC - User-generated or influencer content often wins
  • Audio matters - Trending audio gets algorithmic boost

When to Run

  • Monthly - Monitor creative health and learning phase
  • After creative changes - Ensure new content is TikTok-native
  • Performance decline - Diagnose creative fatigue
  • Quarterly review - Comprehensive strategy assessment

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