PostEaseThe short answer
TikTok Shop is shopping inside the TikTok app. People buy products tagged in videos and LIVEs, on a brand’s profile, or from a Shop tab, and check out without leaving TikTok. Sellers list products; creators promote them and can earn a commission.
TikTok announced the full US launch on September 12, 2023, describing “a new way for people to now find and shop for their favorite products,” bringing “shoppable videos and LIVE streams directly to For You feeds across the country.”
What TikTok Shop includes
TikTok’s launch announcement listed these parts:
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| In-feed video and LIVE shopping | Shop tagged products directly from videos and LIVEs in the For You feed |
| Product showcase | Product tiles, reviews and purchases on a brand’s profile, with collections the business curates |
| Shop tab | A marketplace where customers search products and promotions, and manage orders |
| Affiliate program | Commission-based product marketing between creators and sellers |
| Shop Ads | Ads that promote a seller’s TikTok Shop |
| Fulfilled by TikTok | TikTok stores, picks, packs and ships a seller’s products |
Three kinds of Shop creator
TikTok Shop’s US Creator Eligibility Policy, updated September 25, 2026, sorts creators into three types:
| Type | How you become one | What you can promote | Followers needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affiliate creator | Apply yourself | Products from the TikTok Shop Product Marketplace | At least 1,000 |
| Marketing creator | Invited to a marketing creator bind by a shop | The bound shop’s products, plus the Marketplace | No minimum to bind; at least 5,000 to promote other sellers’ Marketplace products |
| Official shop creator | Invited to an official creator bind; same account name and legal entity as the shop | Only the bound shop’s products | No minimum |
Requirements for every Shop creator
The same policy says all TikTok Shop creators must be at least 18, be based in the United States, not be a government, politician or political party account, and follow the TikTok Shop Content Policy, the Community Guidelines and the Creator Code of Conduct. They must have no past record of having e-commerce permissions revoked, or links to accounts that have.
Affiliate and marketing creators also go through identity verification, and may be asked to confirm their age within 2 months of registering, with up to 15 attempts across in-app recognition, a credit card authorization, or an ID and selfie. Official shop creators are exempt from identity verification.
What approved creators can do
TikTok Shop lists three ways approved creators promote products:
- Display products on their TikTok profile page.
- Advertise and promote products with a shoppable link in videos they upload.
- Promote products during TikTok LIVEs.
Is it worth it for a creator?
TikTok Shop keeps the purchase inside the app, so a viewer can buy from the video that convinced them instead of following a link elsewhere. It fits creators who already review, demo or use products on camera. The affiliate tier needs 1,000 followers and is for US-based creators; TikTok updates these policies, so check the current page before relying on the details.
Questions
How many followers do you need for TikTok Shop affiliate?
In the US, affiliate creators need at least 1,000 followers. Marketing and official shop creators, who are invited by a shop, have no minimum to bind, though a marketing creator needs 5,000 to promote other sellers’ products from the Marketplace.
When did TikTok Shop launch in the US?
TikTok announced the full US launch on September 12, 2023.
Do you have to be 18 to sell on TikTok Shop as a creator?
Yes. TikTok Shop’s US policy says creators must be at least 18 and based in the United States.
Where can creators promote TikTok Shop products?
On their profile page, with shoppable links in their videos, and during LIVEs.
Sources
- TikTok Shop, Creator Eligibility Policy, September 2026.
- TikTok Shop, What You Need to Know Before Becoming a TikTok Shop Creator, October 2026.
- TikTok, Introducing TikTok Shop, September 2023.