In-Feed TikTok Ads: A Complete Guide for Marketers

AGrowth Agency

TikTok has quickly become one of the most influential platforms for digital advertisers. With users spending over 90 minutes per day on the app, the potential to connect with highly engaged audiences is enormous. Among its various ad options, In-Feed TikTok Ads are one of the most effective formats for brands that want to blend seamlessly into the user experience while still driving meaningful results.

What Are In-Feed TikTok Ads?

In-Feed Ads appear directly in users’ “For You” feeds, designed to look like organic videos. They are full-screen, vertical, and interactive, giving users the ability to like, comment, share, or follow—especially when run as Spark Ads. Unlike disruptive ads, these blend naturally with TikTok’s native content style.

Auction vs Reservation Buying

There are two ways to buy In-Feed Ads:

Auction Ads: Performance-driven, budget-flexible, best for small and mid-sized businesses that want conversions or installs.

Reservation Ads: Booked in advance, guaranteeing impressions, perfect for large brands launching a product or event.

Spark vs Non-Spark Ads

Spark Ads: Promote existing posts from your brand or creators, keeping likes, comments, and shares intact. Great for social proof and authenticity.

Non-Spark Ads: Created from scratch in Ads Manager, with no organic engagement tied to the ad. Better for strict conversion campaigns.

Key Specs You Need to Know

Video: 5–60 seconds (9–15s recommended)

Aspect Ratio: 9:16

File Type: .mp4, .mov, .avi

Caption: Up to 100 characters

CTA: Over 20 options (Shop Now, Download, Learn More, etc.)

Sound: Use trending music or original audio

Creative Best Practices

Hook fast: Capture attention in the first 3 seconds.

Keep it short: 9–15 seconds is the sweet spot.

Design for sound: TikTok is a sound-on platform.

Use text overlays: Reinforce your message even if audio is off.

Stay native: Ads that mimic UGC perform best.

Strong CTA: Always guide viewers toward the next step.

Mistakes to Avoid

Overly polished, commercial-style videos.

Ignoring captions or subtitles.

Poor-quality, non-vertical videos.

Launching without proper Pixel setup.

Weak CTAs that entertain but fail to convert.

Why In-Feed Ads Work

Native experience + strong engagement = better ROI. When executed correctly, they provide a scalable, cost-effective way to reach audiences and drive conversions.

👉 Learn the full details and ad specs here: https://agrowth.io/blogs/tiktok-ads/in-feed-tiktok-ads