ads tiktok

# /ads tiktok — TikTok Ads Deep Analysis

> 25-check audit of TikTok Ads with creative-first strategy and Shop assessment.

## Usage

```bash
/ads tiktok
```

## Process

1. Collect TikTok Ads data (Ads Manager export, Pixel/Events API status)
2. Evaluate all applicable checks as PASS, WARNING, or FAIL
3. Calculate TikTok Ads Health Score (0-100)
4. Generate findings report with action plan

## What to Analyze

### Creative Quality (30% weight)
- >=6 creatives per ad group (T05) — Critical
- All video 9:16 vertical 1080x1920 (T06) — Critical
- Native-looking content, not corporate/polished (T07)
- Hook in first 1-2 seconds (T08)
- No creative active >7 days with declining CTR (T09)
- Spark Ads tested: ~3% CTR vs ~2% standard (T10)
- TikTok Shop integration for e-commerce (T20)
- Video Shopping Ads tested (T21)
- Caption SEO with high-intent keywords (T22)
- Trending audio used (sound-on platform) (T23)
- Custom CTA button, not default (T24)
- Safe zone compliance: X:40-940, Y:150-1470 (T25)

### Technical Setup (25% weight)
- TikTok Pixel installed and firing on all pages (T01)
- Events API + ttclid passback active (T02)
- Standard events configured (ViewContent, AddToCart, Purchase, CompleteRegistration)
- Advanced matching parameters configured

### Bidding & Budget (20% weight)
- Bid strategy matches goal: Lowest Cost for volume, Cost Cap for efficiency (T11)
- Daily budget >=50x target CPA per ad group (T12)
- Learning phase: >=50 conversions per 7 days per ad group (T13)
- No edits during learning phase (resets learning)

### Structure & Settings (15% weight)
- Separate campaigns for prospecting vs retargeting (T03)
- Smart+ campaigns tested: 42% adoption, 1.41-1.67 ROAS (T04)
- Search Ads Toggle enabled (T14)
- Placement selection reviewed (T15)
- Dayparting aligned with audience activity (T16)

### Performance (10% weight)
- CTR >=1.0% for in-feed ads (T17)
- CPA within target, 3x Kill Rule applies (T18)
- Average video watch time >=6 seconds (T19)

## Creative-First Strategy

TikTok success depends primarily on creative quality.

### What Makes a TikTok Ad Work
- **Native feel**: looks like organic content, not a polished ad
- **Sound-on**: 93% consumed with sound (never run silent)
- **Fast hooks**: capture attention in 1-2 seconds
- **Trend alignment**: use trending sounds, formats, editing styles
- **UGC style**: user-generated content outperforms studio content
- **Vertical only**: 9:16 is non-negotiable

### Creative Testing Framework
1. Test 3-5 hooks per winning concept
2. Rotate creatives every 5-7 days
3. Kill underperformers after 3 days if CTR <0.5%
4. Scale winners by duplicating (not increasing budget on same ad)

## Safe Zone

```
+----------------------+
|   UNSAFE (status)    |  Y: 0-150px
+----------------------+
|                 |UNSA|
|   SAFE ZONE     |FE  |  X: 40-940px
|   900x1320px    |icon|  Y: 150-1470px
|                 |    |
+----------------------+  Right 140px: like/comment/share
|   UNSAFE (caption)   |  Y: 1470-1920px
+----------------------+
```

## TikTok Shop Assessment

For e-commerce:
- Product catalog connected and synced
- Product detail pages complete
- Video Shopping Ads linking to in-app checkout
- Shop tab on TikTok profile configured
- Shop CVR benchmark: >10%

## Smart+ Campaigns

- 42% of advertisers have adopted Smart+
- Average ROAS: 1.41-1.67
- Best for: e-commerce with product feed, app installs

## Key Thresholds

| Metric | Pass | Warning | Fail |
|--------|------|---------|------|
| CTR (in-feed) | >=1.0% | 0.5-1.0% | <0.5% |
| Creatives per ad group | >=6 | 3-5 | <3 |
| Video watch time | >=6s | 3-6s | <3s |
| Learning conversions | >=50/week | 30-50/week | <30/week |
| Daily budget | >=50x CPA | 20-49x CPA | <20x CPA |
| Creative age (declining) | <7 days | 7-14 days | >14 days |

## Output

### Deliverables
- `TIKTOK-ADS-REPORT.md` — Full 25-check findings with pass/warning/fail
- Creative scorecard per ad
- Smart+ vs manual performance comparison
- TikTok Shop readiness assessment (if e-commerce)
- Quick Wins sorted by impact