So, you are a paid search marketer who also enjoys the regular happy scrolly hour when you literally scroll away to glory through your TikTok feed trying to get some creative inspo as well as that much-needed mojo to get through the demands of a workday!
Source (Yep! We feel ya, Mojo Jojo! That’s us, too, on a Wednesday noon! 😉 )
As you sip, munch, and scroll, your fingers pause momentarily and hover over the screen because something really cool has just caught your eye.
Maybe it’s a hilarious challenge, a jaw-dropping product demo, or a heartwarming story. Now, imagine if brands could take that kind of content and turn it into ads—without it feeling like an ad.
That’s exactly what TikTok Spark Ads do! Unlike traditional ads that can sometimes feel disruptive, Spark Ads amplify organic TikTok content—either from your own business account or a creator’s profile—to seamlessly blend into users’ feeds.
If you’re a brand or a marketer working for one, looking to boost visibility, drive engagement, and connect with your audience authentically, TikTok Spark Ads might just be your new best friend.
With a rich repertoire of experience and love for all things social media, we at Mavlers have Samridhi Garg, our in-house SEM expert, spilling the beans on leveraging these ads for maximum visibility and better ROIs.
Let’s get scroll-happy, shall we?! 😉
So, what are TikTok Spark Ads?
You may think of Spark Ads as TikTok’s way of saying, “Let’s make ads feel less like ads.” These native-style ads use organic content to promote your brand while keeping that authentic, user-generated feel intact.
Wondering how are they different from regular TikTok Ads?
Well, with regular TikTok ads, businesses create content that looks like an ad—branded visuals, call-to-action buttons, etc. Spark Ads, on the other hand, allows you to boost existing organic videos, making them feel more natural and engaging.
Since these ads are linked to the original TikTok post, they can:
✅ Retain organic video quality
✅ Appear in multiple placements (For You Page, Search Results, Profile, etc.)
✅ Keep the original engagement metrics (likes, comments, shares)
And the best part? The original creator (or your brand) still gets credit for the content!
How to run Spark Ads on TikTok
So, there are three ways you might consider if you want to run a TikTok Spark Ads campaign.
Check ‘em out, people!
1️⃣ Boost an existing video from your business account
If your brand has already posted a high-performing video, you can give it an extra push with Spark Ads.
✔ Link your TikTok Business Account to TikTok Ads Manager
✔ Select the video you want to boost
✔ Set up the campaign details (budget, targeting, etc.)
✔ Go live 🚀
2️⃣ Boost a creator’s video
Want to tap into influencer marketing? You can partner with TikTok creators and turn their content into Spark Ads.
✔ Find a relevant creator whose content aligns with your brand
✔ Get their permission (via a unique video code)
✔ Apply the code in TikTok Ads Manager
✔ Launch your ad 🎯
This method is great for influencer collaborations because the video still appears under the creator’s profile, making it feel 100% organic to their followers.
3️⃣ Create and publish a new video as a Spark Ad
If you don’t have existing organic content to boost, no worries! You can create a new video, upload it through TikTok Ads Manager, and run it as a Spark Ad.
How Spark Ads work behind the scenes
Alright, so you’re excited about Spark Ads and ready to dive in. But before you start turning organic TikToks into high-performing ads, let’s talk setup—because, let’s be real, ad account logistics can feel like untangling a set of earphones that have been in your pocket for too long.
Here’s the good news: TikTok has actually made it pretty simple.
- Each TikTok ad account can manage just one TikTok Business Account. Think of it like a one-on-one relationship—one ad account, one business profile.
- If you’re running ads for multiple brands (or working at an agency), you’ll want to use TikTok’s Business Center. This lets you manage multiple TikTok accounts (both business and personal) under one umbrella. It’s a lifesaver if you’re juggling multiple campaigns.
- The best part? Multiple marketers can collaborate on Spark Ads for the same TikTok Business Account. That means your team—or even external agencies—can work together without stepping on each other’s toes.
So, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur trying to boost your brand or a marketing team running campaigns for multiple clients, TikTok’s setup makes it easy to scale without the usual account chaos. Once you’ve got everything linked up, you’re ready to start turning scroll-stopping content into high-performing Spark Ads! 🚀
How to buy Spark Ads? 💰
Getting started with Spark Ads is pretty simple. You’ve got two options, depending on how much visibility (and budget) you’re aiming for:
🔹 TopView Ads – Want to be the first thing people see when they open TikTok? That’s exactly what TopView ads do. They take over the screen, giving you premium real estate on the app. But since these are high-impact placements, you can’t just buy them directly—you’ll need to go through a TikTok representative and purchase them via Reach & Frequency.
🔹 In-Feed Ads – These ads blend right into a user’s For You feed, making them feel like natural, organic content instead of traditional ads. You can get them in the following two ways:
✔ Auction-based bidding – Quite the perfect fit if you like flexibility and want to control your ad spend.
✔ Reach & Frequency – Ideal if you want predictable results and structured ad delivery.
Whether you want to go big with TopView or keep it subtle with In-Feed Ads, Spark Ads give you the tools to connect with the right audience—without disrupting their scrolling experience. 🚀
Why should businesses use TikTok Spark Ads? 🤔🚀
If you’re still on the fence about Spark Ads, let’s break down why they’re a game-changer for businesses. Spoiler alert: They’re not just ads—they’re an organic, engagement-driven way to get your brand noticed.
🔥 1. Massive brand exposure
With over 2 billion active users, TikTok is a goldmine for reaching new audiences. Spark Ads help push your content to more people while keeping it authentic and engaging—no forced, salesy vibes here.
🎬 2. Ads that don’t feel like ads
People scroll past traditional ads, but Spark Ads? Well, they are a different story!
They blend seamlessly into TikTok’s short-form video format. Your brand’s content stays fun, engaging, and 100% native to the platform.
🎯 3. Smart targeting that works
Why would you wanna waste money showing ads to the wrong people? Spark Ads let you laser-focus your audience based on:
✔ Interests
✔ Location
✔ Behavior
✔ Device type
…and more! The result? Higher engagement and better ROI.
🔗 4. Built for engagement
Unlike regular ads, Spark Ads invite users to interact. They can:
✔ Like, share, and comment—just like organic content
✔ Follow your brand with a single tap
✔ Click directly to your website, store, or landing page
🤝 5. Supercharging your influencer collaborations
Love working with creators? Spark Ads let you boost influencer content directly from their profiles, keeping that authentic, user-generated feel while boosting reach.
It’s a win-win for brands and creators!
📊 6. Data-driven & trackable
No more guessing whether your ads are working. TikTok Ads Manager gives you real-time insights on:
✔ Engagement metrics
✔ Click-through rates
✔ Conversions & ROI
💰 7. More bang for your buck
Since Spark Ads amplify content that’s already performing well, they often outperform traditional ads—meaning you get better results for less money.
🛒 8. Seamless e-commerce integration
Selling a product? Spark Ads make shopping ridiculously easy with:
✔ Shoppable product tags
✔ Direct checkout links
✔ In-ad CTAs that drive instant conversions
At the end of the day, Spark Ads don’t just drive views—they get you real engagement, brand trust, and sales.
If your brand isn’t leveraging them yet, you’re missing out on TikTok’s most powerful advertising tool. 🚀
The road ahead
Now that you know how to re-ignite the “spark” with TikTok, you might wanna grab a dekko at ~ How to Use TikTok Ads to Attract and Convert Gen Z & Millennials.
Samridhi Garg
Samridhi Garg is a results-driven Performance Marketer with over five years of experience in digital advertising. Specializing in Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and Snapchat Ads, she excels in strategic campaign management, data analysis, and optimization to maximize ROI. In her current role, she manages and optimizes multi-platform campaigns while directly engaging with clients to address queries and provide strategic guidance, ensuring their marketing objectives are achieved.
Naina Sandhir - Content Writer
A content writer at Mavlers, Naina pens quirky, inimitable, and damn relatable content after an in-depth and critical dissection of the topic in question. When not hiking across the Himalayas, she can be found buried in a book with spectacles dangling off her nose!
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