I’ve tried and tried, but I can’t crack the TikTok algorithm. Friends and peers regularly ask for advice on how to get eyes and engagement there, and I hate to admit it, but I’ve got nothing.
Thankfully, TikTok ads are here to bypass the unknowns and reach your audiences, and the best TikTok ads have created quite the playbook to success.
While TikTok’s future is still uncertain — it’s already banned in several countries and is on the verge of the same fate in the United States — its marketing potential can’t be denied.
Marketers report that it has the third-highest engagement of all social media and it is also the fastest-growing (rising 9% year over year from 2023). Let’s take a look at some of the best TikTok ad examples so you can reap some of its rewards.
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Not convinced that TikTok is worth investing your marketing dollars in? Here are some quick facts and statistics that may change your mind:
If you’re new to TikTok, you’ll definitely want to download a copy of our comprehensive guide to TikTok Marketing before we continue.
It’s free and will give you a strong foundation on harnessing the platform’s power for business success.
You can also check out our article “TikTok Ads Guide: How They Work + Cost and Review Process [+ Examples].”
In it, fellow HubSpotter Flori Needle breaks down everything you need to know about creating an account, actually building an ad in the platform, and getting approved.
Keep reading for inspiration for those ads.
While limited in terms of targeting and objectives compared to platforms like Instagram and Facebook, TikTok offers a number of ad formats for marketers and advertisers to choose from.
A TopView TikTok Ad is essentially a video ad shown to users immediately upon opening the app.
It appears as a three-second full-screen experience before transitioning into an in-feed version of the video with icons and the ability to interact or navigate as you wish.
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TikTok claims users are 1.5x more likely to recall a brand from TopView than other ad types, while a study by Kantar found 68% of users were more likely to click on TopView ads than others.
The platform touts this as their most premium ad type, and I don’t blame them for the exposure and undivided attention it provides. That said, this ad type is only available to select users.
What’s it best for? Awareness, website traffic, conversions (lead generation).
In-feed ads appear directly in a user’s content feed and resemble native TikTok videos minus a small “sponsored” tag.
These advertisements can be video-based or image (more on that shortly), up to 60 seconds long, and include a call-to-action button that can direct users to a website, landing page, or even TikTok Shop.
(This is definitely the most popular TikTok Ad type.)
What’s it best for? Website traffic, conversions, app downloads.
While primarily known for video, TikTok also allows you to upload static image content, which brings us to the in-feed image or “carousel” ads.
This format is similar to “Carousel” on Instagram. It allows you to upload multiple images in a sequence that users must then scroll through to see the entire message (though you can also automate the scrolling).
Unlike videos, which people can passively watch, these ads let you highlight multiple things and promote engagement/interaction with your brand in-feed.
What’s it best for? Website traffic, conversions/lead generation, engagement, and promoting products in TikTok Shop.
Branded Missions (commonly referred to as Hashtag Challenges) are essentially larger ad campaigns (usually centered around a hashtag or branded effect) where brands are paired with TikTok creators to create content around their goals.
Rather than crafting a finished ad, brands are putting together more of a creative brief to explain what they’re looking for from creators and convince them to participate.
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A Branded Mission campaign must include:
More details on these from TikTok here.
What’s it best for? Building brand awareness and generating engagement.
Simply put, Spark Ads are like “Boosted” posts on Facebook or Instagram — existing content you decide to promote to new or larger audiences with advertising.
The difference here is that it can be content on your profile or from other users who have granted permission to promote their videos.
In other words, you can share any of the great user-generated content customers create about your product. This allows brands to get the most out of content already proving to work, working “smarter, not harder.”
Spark ads are displayed in-feed like they were initially posted but add a call-to-action butt that can drive traffic to a brand’s TikTok profile, website, or TikTok Shop.
What’s it best for? Building awareness, trust, conversions, Tiktok Shop sales, and customer appreciation.
TikTok ad videos can be up to 60 seconds long, but even the platform recommends keeping them 9 to 15 seconds long, as these tend to perform best.
It’s always wise to keep your content short and sweet to avoid losing your audience’s attention and also leaving them wanting more.
(And willing to click to get it.)
Gaining popularity during the COVID-19 lockdown, TikTok became known for the less-refined production value of its videos.
People from all walks of life could edit and share videos and the majority were shot vertically on a smartphone, had no fancy sound or lighting, and were usually in homes or real-life scenes/settings.
This style became a platform staple and key to adapting to its culture.
Another staple of TikTok is its conversational tone. Much of the content features people speaking to the camera or with a narrative voiceover, making information accessible and easy to understand. It’s rare to see original content that does not follow this style, and great TikTok ads tend to emulate it.
Overall, the best TikTok ads feel native to the platform, aligning with the style of the content shared there and what your particular target audience wants and does there.
Most of the points above come back to this, but here are a few other things we commonly see:
Let’s take a look at some examples of ads that capture these elements well and what you can learn from them.
One of the hallmarks of TikTok content is lower production value. I don’t mean this as an insult in any way; I simply mean it’s less refined.
Rather than looking like a traditional, big-budget television commercial, TikTok videos tend to look like a private consumer filmed them with just a smartphone.
They may be dimly lit, the footage a little shaky. This makes the content come off as more authentic and relatable, a perfect sentiment for BetterHelp.
What We Like:
The Lesson: Keep your video conversational and straightforward. This video doesn’t feel scripted but like an organic conversation with someone who cares about you. Rather than coming off like a pushy sales pitch like a lot of advertising, it makes you want to listen.
Pro Tip: Always include captions in videos with speaking. This makes your video accessible to a larger audience and helps get your message across even if viewers have their sound off.
What We Like:
The Lesson: Know your audience. From the creator to the hook, it’s clear who DoorDash is trying to appeal to with this ad: young adults who want some extra cash for fun things like AirPods. Get to know your buyer persona and cater your TikTok ad to speak to all their interests.
Like many millennial women, my “for you” page is often full of makeup and skincare tips. So, this SuperGoop TikTok fits right in.
In it, a creator shows viewers how to get a “glowy” summer look using two SuperGoop products.
What We Like:
The Lesson: Always end with the next steps for your viewer. It’s one thing to convince someone to want your product or service, but if you don’t tell them how to actually get their hands on it, you only create more friction.
There’s nothing worse than watching an ad that feels scripted or forced. One way to get around this is by filming a vlog-style video, like this one from HelloFresh:
What We Like:
The Lesson: Tell a story. Part of what makes this ad appealing is that it takes you on a narrative journey with the main character. You’re introduced to her and her relatable pain point and are compelled to stick around to see how things turn out for her.
Storytelling is a tried-and-true strategy in any form of marketing, and TikTok is no different.
What We Like:
The Lesson: Tackle objections head-on. I like that JCPenny recognized the potential objections of their audience and addressed them directly. This shows they understand who they’re talking to and are ready to prove them wrong.
Crumbl takes a less conventional approach with this TikTok Ad, leaning into studio shots of its treats and not a single human face — but this works for a brand known for its aesthetics.
What We Like:
The Lesson: Stay true to your brand. While a talking head-style video doesn’t really make sense for Crumbl’s offering, they knew their young audience was on TikTok, and it’s somewhere they needed to be. So, they got creative.
Rather than leaning into trends that didn’t align with their brand, they combined other platform strategies that did (humor and motivation) to create something that feels authentic to them.
Hashtags play an important role on social media. They help users find relevant videos and connect with those with similar interests.
For marketers, they can also boost a post‘s visibility and reach. Kung Fu Tea’s #BobaChallenge is the perfect example of a brand harnessing the power of hashtags in a Brand Mission on TikTok.
The challenge is simple: Stab a straw in your boba cup with your eyes closed. Silly? A little, but also highly engaging, simple to execute, and effective at creating genuine reactions. As a result, the #BobaChallenge went viral, racking up thousands of likes and shares.
What We Like:
The Lesson: Create a sense of community. Social media is all about connection, and using your TikTok Ad to bring people together over a shared experience or love of your product is a great way to use this to your advantage.
Here’s another example of a Branded Mission centered around a hashtag — but this one leverages TikTok influencers.
Clearly, an eyewear company, kicked things off with a branded hashtag (#ClearlyTransform) asking people to show their best look with their favorite pair of glasses.
The overall goal was to help people feel confident while wearing glasses and introduce Clearly as a brand that can make that possible.
To spread this message even further, Clearly partnered with five high-profile creators, including TikTok star Leenda Dong (who has 17 million followers).
What We Like:
The Lesson: Relevant influencers or creators can really help expand the reach of your content. Explore how your brand can partner with those your audience loves in your TikTok Ad.
Learn more about that here.
Like Crumbl, Quince, a lifestyle brand aiming to make luxury style more affordable, leans into aesthetics in its ad.
What we like:
The Lesson: Be concise. Your video doesn’t have to be long to get its message across. Leave your viewers wanting more.
Like SuperGoop, CoverGirl leans into the popularity of beauty tutorials on TikTok by creating one using its new foundation.
The video shows a makeup enthusiast applying the foundation and hyping up the results. The audience is getting value by seeing the product “in action” and learning a few tips from the narrator.
What we like:
The Lesson: Show your product in action. Nothing quiets doubts like being able to see how a product actually performs. Next to samples and trials, “demonstrations” like these are one of the best ways to scratch that itch in buyers.
Need more examples? TikTok has a directory that shares high-performing ads. You can filter by goal or ad type for more inspiration. All you need is a TikTok Ads profile.
TikTok advertising offers marketers a goldmine of opportunities to engage audiences creatively and authentically. As the examples in this article show, the best TikTok ads are less about polished production and more about relatability, storytelling, and aligning with platform trends.
So, don’t be intimidated by the ever-mysterious algorithm — start experimenting with ads that captivate and convert.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in September 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
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