How Long Do TikTok Ads Take to Get Approved?

In recent years, TikTok has skyrocketed in popularity, becoming one of the most influential social media platforms globally. With its unique short-form video format, TikTok offers a dynamic and engaging environment that attracts millions of active users daily. This immense user base presents a lucrative opportunity for advertisers looking to reach a broad and diverse audience.

However, for advertisers to leverage TikTok effectively, understanding the ad approval process is crucial. Knowing how long it takes for ads to get approved and what factors can influence this timeline can help businesses plan their campaigns more effectively, ensuring that their ads go live at the optimal time.

1. Understanding TikTok’s Ad Approval Process

Before diving into the specifics of approval times, it’s important to understand the framework within which TikTok operates its ad approval process. TikTok maintains strict advertising guidelines and policies to ensure that all ads are appropriate for its audience and comply with legal standards.

Overview of TikTok’s Advertising Guidelines and Policies

TikTok’s advertising policies are designed to promote a safe and positive environment on the platform. These guidelines cover a range of topics, including content restrictions, prohibited products and services, and creative quality standards. Ads must not contain misleading information, inappropriate content, or anything that violates community guidelines.

Types of Ads You Can Run on TikTok

TikTok offers several ad formats, each catering to different advertising goals and user engagement strategies:

• In-Feed Ads: These are native ads that appear in users’ “For You” feeds. They can include various call-to-action buttons and links.
• Branded Hashtags: This format encourages user participation by promoting branded hashtags that users can include in their own content.
• Branded Effects: Custom filters and effects that users can apply to their videos, enhancing brand visibility.
• TopView Ads: Full-screen ads that appear when users first open the app, providing high visibility.
• Brand Takeovers: These ads can include images, GIFs, and videos that appear as soon as a user opens the app.

The Ad Submission Process

To run an ad on TikTok, advertisers must follow a multi-step submission process that ensures their ad meets all necessary guidelines and is ready for review.

Steps to Create and Submit an Ad on TikTok

1. Setting Up a TikTok Ads Account
   • Before creating an ad, businesses must register for a TikTok Ads account. This involves providing essential information about the business and agreeing to TikTok’s terms and conditions.
2. Creating the Ad Campaign and Selecting Objectives
   • Advertisers need to outline their campaign objectives, such as brand awareness, traffic, app installs, or conversions. This step involves setting the campaign’s budget and schedule.
3. Designing the Ad Content
   • The ad content is designed according to TikTok’s creative specifications. This includes creating engaging visuals, writing compelling copy, and ensuring all elements adhere to TikTok’s guidelines.
4. Submitting the Ad for Review
   • Once the ad is complete, it is submitted to TikTok for review. This step involves providing all necessary details about the ad and the target audience.

Factors Influencing Approval Time

Several factors can influence how long it takes for a TikTok ad to get approved. Understanding these factors can help advertisers manage their expectations and optimize their submission process.

Common Factors That Can Affect the Approval Time of TikTok Ads

• Complexity and Length of the Ad
  • Ads that are longer or more complex in terms of content and creative elements may require more time for thorough review. Simple, straightforward ads typically move through the review process faster.
• Adherence to TikTok’s Advertising Policies and Community Guidelines
  • Ads that closely follow TikTok’s guidelines are more likely to be approved quickly. Any deviation from these guidelines can lead to delays as the ad may require additional scrutiny or revisions.
• The Current Volume of Ad Submissions
  • The time of year and the current volume of ad submissions can also impact approval times. During peak advertising periods, such as holidays or major events, the review process may take longer due to the high volume of submissions.

Typical Approval Timeframes

Understanding the typical timeframes for ad approval on TikTok can help advertisers plan their campaigns more effectively.

Average Time for TikTok Ads to Get Approved

On average, TikTok ads are reviewed and approved within 24 to 48 hours. This standard timeframe allows TikTok to maintain quality control while ensuring that ads go live promptly.

Scenarios Where Approval Might Be Faster or Slower

• Faster Approval: Ads that are straightforward, fully compliant with guidelines, and submitted during non-peak times may get approved more quickly, sometimes within a few hours.
• Slower Approval: Ads that contain complex content, require more thorough review (e.g., involving sensitive topics), or are submitted during peak times (e.g., holiday seasons) may experience longer approval times.

Examples of Ads That Might Require a Longer Review

• Sensitive Content: Ads involving sensitive topics such as health or political content often require additional scrutiny to ensure compliance with guidelines.
• High-Budget Campaigns: Large-scale campaigns with high production values or extensive targeting parameters may undergo a more detailed review process.

Tips to Expedite the Approval Process

To ensure a smooth and quick approval process for TikTok ads, advertisers can follow these best practices:

Best Practices for Ensuring a Smooth and Quick Approval

• Ensuring Compliance with TikTok’s Ad Policies
  • Carefully review and adhere to TikTok’s advertising policies. Avoid any content that could be considered misleading, inappropriate, or in violation of community guidelines.
• Creating Clear and Straightforward Ad Content
  • Simple and clear content is easier to review and less likely to be flagged for issues. Focus on direct messaging and high-quality visuals.
• Providing Accurate and Complete Information During Submission
  • Ensure all required fields are filled out accurately. Provide comprehensive details about the ad and its target audience to facilitate a smoother review process.
• Utilizing TikTok’s Ad Preview Tools to Check for Potential Issues
  • Use TikTok’s ad preview and diagnostic tools to identify and resolve any potential issues before submission.

What to Do If Your Ad Is Rejected

Rejection can happen for various reasons, but understanding and addressing the issues can help get your ad back on track.

Common Reasons for Ad Rejection

• Policy Violations: The ad content may violate TikTok’s advertising policies.
• Misleading Content: Ads that contain false or misleading information are likely to be rejected.
• Poor-Quality Visuals or Audio: Low-quality production can result in rejection, as TikTok aims to maintain a high standard for ad content.

Steps to Take If Your Ad Is Rejected

• Reviewing the Rejection Notice and Feedback
  • Carefully read the rejection notice and any feedback provided by TikTok. This information will help identify the specific issues that need to be addressed.
• Making Necessary Adjustments and Resubmitting the Ad
  • Make the required changes to your ad content based on the feedback. Ensure all issues are resolved before resubmitting the ad for review.
• Contacting TikTok Support for Further Clarification or Assistance
  • If the reason for rejection is unclear or if further assistance is needed, reach out to TikTok support for additional guidance.

Conclusion

Navigating the TikTok ad approval process effectively requires an understanding of the typical timeframes, influencing factors, and best practices for submission. By adhering to TikTok’s guidelines and preparing your ads with care, you can ensure a smoother approval process and maximize the impact of your advertising campaigns. TikTok’s vibrant and diverse audience offers immense potential for advertisers, and with the right approach, you can leverage this platform to achieve your marketing goals.