TikTok Creators Rejoice: Affiliate Product Links Are Here 🔗

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TikTok is testing a new integration with various third-party affiliate networks. It allows creators to add affiliate product links from Amazon, Walmart, Target, LTK, Rakuten, Impact, CJ, Expedia, Clickbank, Flexlink, and Temu.

According to in-app notifications received by creators, when publishing a video, they can tap More Options, toggle on Content Disclosure and Ads, and check Branded Content. Below this, they’ll find an Add a Product Link option, allowing them to insert URLs for product links from participating affiliate networks

Once the video is published, the affiliate product link appears at the top of the comment section under a “Related Product | Click to View” label (after a review process) on mobile. Viewers can click through the link, and if they make a purchase, creators earn a commission.

Notably, affiliate product links are displayed differently from TikTok Shop product tags, which are more prominently shown above the creator’s handle and overlaid on the video itself.

Here are some examples (reminder: the links only show up on the mobile app):

This integration could significantly impact the affiliate marketing space. Here’s how it impacts and benefits key stakeholders:

Creators have greater potential to earn commissions. Those already signed up with affiliate networks can seamlessly promote products through organic videos. This streamlined process can boost sales, as viewers can now click directly through native links instead of navigating to a creator’s link-in-bio page.

With videos featuring these links eligible to appear on the For You Page, creators may benefit from increased traffic to their profiles, helping them grow their following.

For viewers, TikTok’s highly personalized algorithm means they’ll see tailored product recommendations. Add in this more seamless path to purchasing, and viewers get both a personalized shopping experience and an easy way to take action. Another benefit is that shoppers who might not be comfortable buying from TikTok Shop might be more willing to purchase via these links, due to the presence of trusted brands like Amazon and Target.

Affiliate networks and brands should see increased website traffic and sales. Integrated links simplify the purchasing process, reducing the chances of losing conversions to viewers who might otherwise go directly to a retailer or brand’s website to make a purchase.

With more brands shifting their attention to performance-based engagements with creators, this organic way of promoting products and rewarding creators when they drive sales aligns with that shift.

This strengthens TikTok’s shopping ecosystem. While TikTok Shop remains its commerce centerpiece, native linking offers a complementary avenue to attract creators, shoppers, brands, and affiliate networks. Overall, it increases the pool of participants within affiliate marketing.

Interestingly, TikTok’s approach mirrors its moves in other industries, such as music, where it is partnering with Apple Music and Spotify—once seen as competitors when TikTok Music was live—on integrations. While TikTok's long-term plans may center around TikTok Shop, if it wants to become the number-one destination for shopping, it needs to collaborate with companies that, while potentially seen as competitors, also support its own efforts, as demonstrated here.

It’s unclear whether TikTok takes a commission on sales from these links, but if so, this could open a valuable new revenue stream with minimal effort.

This comes at a time when companies outside traditional affiliate networks are increasingly entering the affiliate marketing space. While influencer marketing platforms have been at the forefront of this trend, link-in-bio tools are now joining the race. Traditionally used to share affiliate links across platforms like TikTok, these tools are evolving to offer more native support.

Some notable examples include:

With TikTok’s new integration likely expanding to more creators and affiliate networks, questions arise about how creators will balance using link-in-bio tools versus TikTok’s native affiliate product links. Will creators prioritize TikTok’s product links to drive sales on the platform over direct traffic to their link-in-bio tools?

Ultimately, the bigger takeaway is that the increasing number of companies entering the affiliate marketing space is a win for everyone. Creators now have more opportunities to share affiliate links and earn commissions. Shoppers can discover curated recommendations from their favorite creators in more places and ways. And brands and affiliate networks gain new avenues to partner with creators and drive sales.

Need help with your influencer marketing efforts in the new year? I'm taking on new clients in 2025. Learn how I can help you here, or reach out directly to set up a time to chat.

Spotify announced the Spotify Partner Program. Eligible creators in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK can now monetize their podcasts through the Spotify Partner Program in two ways: Ad Revenue, where creators earn a share of ad revenue from Spotify and other platforms, and Premium Video Revenue, where creators earn based on video consumption by Premium subscribers, who will now enjoy an ad-free experience. Additionally, Spotify has rolled out new features, including the ability for creators to upload Clips, customize episode thumbnails, and access enhanced analytics and video features. By drawing inspiration from YouTube’s model, Spotify intensifies its competition with YouTube for podcasting dominance, which is likely to attract a broader range of podcasters.

Instagram is now highlighting the Top Sources of Views for posts. Creators can see a detailed breakdown of where their views come from, such as Feed, Reshares, Profile, and Recommendations. It gives creators insight into how their content is being discovered and engaged with, whether through followers, direct messages, profile visits, or algorithmic recommendations.

Instagram added a ‘Deactivated Account’ category when a user views their followers. This feature identifies accounts that follow a user but have been deactivated. It's an easy way for creators or brands to remove these inactive accounts from their follower list, helping maintain an accurate and engaged following that reflects only active users.

Facebook announced that Views will now be the primary metric for posts, following Instagram’s lead. Views will replace Plays and Impressions as the main metric across Reels, Videos, Posts, and Stories. This move provides creators and brands with a clearer understanding of content performance, both across formats and between platforms.

TikTok added a Refundable Samples option for TikTok Shop. It enables brands to offer creators the chance to purchase product samples and receive refunds based on pre-set performance criteria such as posting a certain number of videos. It benefits both sides: creators can cover costs by meeting performance goals, while brands gain a reliable way to collaborate with creators at scale, without needing to distribute free products upfront.

YouTube made Partnership Ads available to all advertisers, allowing brands to feature creator videos in their ad campaigns. The platform is also testing a Creator Partnership page in Google Ads, designed to highlight creator videos promoting their brand. This new feature enables brands to request the linking of creator videos to their accounts, allowing them to use these videos as ads. By expanding creator-led advertising, YouTube is helping more brands integrate creator videos into their paid media strategies, resulting in stronger performance. For example, Shorts Partnership Ads have been shown to deliver up to 20% higher conversions compared to standard brand ads.

YouTube is rolling out Stickers on Shorts ads, where the platform automatically generates images from retailers’ product feeds and overlays them on Shorts ads. Viewers can tap the sticker, which will display a product carousel and a "Shop Now" button, creating an interactive component that encourages viewers to explore and purchase products. Just like adopting features from TikTok and Instagram Reels, it is now adding comparable ad features from its competitors as well.

YouTube launched Jewels, a digital currency that allows viewers to purchase and send animated gifts to creators during vertical live streams. Similar to TikTok’s live gifting feature, Jewels offers another way for creators to monetize their live content on YouTube, enhancing fan interaction and creating additional revenue opportunities during live broadcasts.

Pinterest unveiled over 1,000 shoppable gift guides curated by creators, celebrities, and publishers, spanning 27 categories such as fashion, beauty, and travel. The platform also introduced new features like Quick Save and Wishlists, allowing users to save Pins from the guides and add them to a shoppable wishlist. Additionally, a new Holiday Finds tab provides a personalized feed with recommended gifts. With one billion searches for "gifts" and "presents," Pinterest is leveraging this behavior to bridge the gap between digital discovery and purchase, making it easier for users to shop directly from the platform.

Visa is officially recognizing creators as small businesses, offering them access to the same financial tools, resources, and products that were previously reserved for traditional small businesses. This includes access to capital through Visa Business Credit Cards, real-time payments via Visa Business Debit Cards, and savings on digital advertising through Visa’s SavingsEdge program. This move serves as a prime example of a legacy company acknowledging creators as a distinct consumer segment—one of my main predictions for 2024.

Patreon added membership gifting and discount features. Fans can gift memberships to others, while creators can gift memberships to their fans and offer discounts. With the 'holiday boom' season approaching, these additions give creators the opportunity to capitalize on this period of increased consumer spending to grow their paid memberships.

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