Does your TikTok Shop presence need a little push? 

If yes, you’re not alone. The platform’s explosive growth has created a gold rush mentality, but success on TikTok Shop is more than just having great products. 

If you find great creators to promote your Shop, then you are cooking. 

This article will help you learn how to find affiliates for a TikTok shop. And as an influencer whitelisting agency, we’re always in the trenches.

Why You Need Good TikTok Shop Affilites? 

TikTok Shop operates as a numbers game. The more quality affiliates you partner with, the faster you’ll rank in search results and appear on users’ For You pages. 

But here’s the challenge: finding affiliates who actually convert, respond to your outreach, and create authentic content isn’t as straightforward as it sounds.

So, how do you build a thriving affiliate network on TikTok Shop?

There’s plenty of ways, but let’s start with the basics.

Use TikTok’s Native Find Creators Tool

The most obvious starting point is TikTok’s built-in “Find Creators” tool. 

Where is the TikTok’s Find Creators Tool? Well, it is located directly in your brand’s Affiliate Center within your Shop account.

It’s easy to find, but here’s a screenshot from TikTok’s official documentation to help:

Image courtesy of TikTok

Why this tool? It allows you to browse potential affiliates and filter them by engagement rate, average video views, follower count, products sold, and gross merchandise value. 

When you find a creator who matches your criteria, you can invite them directly to promote your products through targeted collaborations. Nice.

When can you use it? If you’re just starting out with TikTok Shop we’d recommend it. It’s a low-barrier entry point and you don’t need to leave the platform or invest in additional software. 

You just start recruiting affiliates right away.

However, there’s a significant downside. What we’ve seen (and it’s also been widely reported) is that there’s a huge issue with scalability if you’re only leveraging this. 

You’re still manually combing through profiles one by one and sending individual invites. Good if you’re starting small and just testing the waters. But if you get big… It’s just too much legwork.

On top of that, there’s no guarantee your invitations will even be acknowledged. We’ve been ghosted plenty of times when testing it and there are no repercussions for creators. While nobody really compensates you for lost time.

Takeaway: This tool works if you have time and patience. 

But if you’re looking to scale quickly or need to partner with dozens of affiliates simultaneously, this manual approach becomes a bottleneck rather than a solution. 

Luckily, there are other solutions out there.

Leverage the TikTok Creator Marketplace

Here’s another option that’s worth exploring: The Creator Marketplace.

What is it? It’s TikTok’s official matchmaking platform where brands meet creators. Think of it as a more structured version of the Find Creators tool we just discussed.

Image courtesy of TikTok.

The platform itself is fairly robust. You can filter by region, content topics, reach metrics, and follower counts. Once you identify someone interesting, you can pitch collaboration ideas right through the interface.

Sounds good, right? 

Well, there’s a catch (isn’t there always). The Creator Marketplace has a 10,000-follower minimum for creators to join. 

Meanwhile, TikTok Shop itself only requires 5,000 followers for affiliate eligibility. In fact, TikTok has been testing access for creators with just 1,000 followers in select cases.

Why does this matter? Because smaller creators or micro-influencers often outperform larger ones on TikTok Shop. 

Micro and nano-influencers typically have tighter audience relationships and create more genuine content. The TikTok algorithm actually favors this authenticity over polished corporate-style content.

By sticking exclusively to the Creator Marketplace, you’re potentially missing out on your highest-converting affiliate opportunities.

Takeaway: The Creator Marketplace provides structure and verified creators, which has value. 

But don’t make it your only recruitment channel, especially if your products target specific niches or you want access to smaller, more engaged creator audiences.

Search TikTok Manually for Hidden Gems

Sometimes the best strategy is the simplest one. Just start searching.

The creators you’re looking for might already be making content in your space. They just don’t know you exist yet. And vice versa.

Here’s the approach: Start by brainstorming hashtags your ideal affiliates might use. 

Think broader than just product tags. If you sell skincare, don’t just search #skincare. Try #morningroutine, #selfcare, #glowyskin.

Then layer in TikTok Shop indicators like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, #TikTokShopFinds, or #FoundItOnTikTok. 

These signal creators already understand how to drive commerce on the platform.

When you spot promising creators, check their profiles. Look for the TikTok Shop badge or links to Shop products in their bio. This confirms they’re already set up for affiliates.

The big advantage here? You discover creators with genuine alignment to your brand’s vibe and values, not just demographic matches from a database.

Here’s what we found just by following our own tips:

The obvious downside? Time.

You’re doing everything manually. Discovering, vetting, verifying eligibility, tracking who you’ve contacted. For one or two affiliates, fine. For fifty? It becomes unsustainable fast.

Takeaway: Manual searching works brilliantly as a supplementary tactic, especially for niche products. But treat it as one piece of your strategy, not your entire approach.

 You’ll find quality over quantity here.

Partner with Influencer Marketing Platforms

If manual approaches feel like using a shovel when you need a bulldozer, influencer platforms might be your answer.

The core problem they solve? Scale without proportional effort increase.

Here’s what changes: Instead of you searching for creators, the platform’s algorithms match you with relevant affiliates based on hundreds of data points. 

Think audience demographics, engagement patterns, content style, past performance metrics, and more.

Some platforms have specific TikTok Shop integrations. 

You can literally toggle “Shop-enabled creators only” and eliminate everyone who hasn’t set up their Shop affiliate capabilities yet.

The real game-changer? Guaranteed commitments.

With manual outreach, you might contact 100 creators and get 5 responses. With platforms, you’re working with creators who’ve already agreed to participate. 

The conversion rate from “invitation sent” to “content created” is dramatically higher.

Many platforms also bundle additional features you’d otherwise need separate tools for: campaign management dashboards, automated payment processing, content rights management, even Spark Ads amplification.

The trade-off is cost. Platforms charge subscription fees, percentage cuts, or both. You need to calculate whether the time savings and improved conversion rates justify the investment.

For most brands working with more than 10-15 affiliates simultaneously, the math works out positive. The operational headache you avoid alone makes it worthwhile.

A word from the agency side: If you’re serious about scaling and have budget, influencer platforms eliminate the tedious parts of affiliate management. You get more partnerships with less effort, which is exactly what fast-growing brands need.

What platform to use? It depends on what you prefer. As a part of our TikTok Shop partnership service, we work with Cruva, which is an AI-powered TikTok Shop affiliate tool. But it’s up to you to find what works for your budget and specific needs.

Find a TikTok Shop Agency

Let’s be upfront about this one. We’re a TikTok Shop agency ourselves, so you can consider this a bit of a plug. So we’ll also write this section from our own perspective.  

Why working with an agency makes sense for most brands?

You’d have to build an infrastructure from scratch which might take months. We already have it.  

Plus, we have established relationships with vetted creators across multiple niches, so you’re not starting at zero. Instead, you’re tapping into a network we’ve spent years developing. 

That means faster time to first affiliate post, higher response rates, and less ghosting.

What are the hidden benefits of finding an agency for TikTok Shop affiliate programes? 

Beyond just creator access, you have someone else handle all the operational stuff that bogs down internal teams. Vetting, outreach, contract negotiations, content approvals, performance tracking. 

If you’re a small team juggling product development, customer service, and everything else, outsourcing this complexity lets you focus on what you do best. Sounds great, right?

We also use an influencer platform that streamlines the entire affiliate management process. 

It gives us (and you) real-time visibility into campaign performance, automated payment processing, and data-driven insights on which creators are actually driving sales.

Plus, we offer influencer whitelisting services on social media. 

This means we can take high-performing organic content from your affiliates and amplify it through paid ads using their accounts. 

It’s more authentic than traditional brand ads and typically converts better because it comes from trusted creators rather than your brand account directly.

The strategic piece matters too. We see what’s working across multiple brands and can apply those insights to your program.

• Which commission structures convert best right now? 
• What content formats drive the most sales? 
• How should you navigate algorithm changes? 

You get answers based on real data across our entire client portfolio, not just guesswork.

The downside? Cost. Agencies charge retainers or take revenue percentages. You need to ensure the ROI justifies the investment. 

Also, you’re one step removed from direct creator relationships. Some brands prefer that hands-on control, which is totally fair.

Honest take: If you need to scale TikTok Shop affiliates quickly without building an entire internal team, agencies like ours provide instant infrastructure, creator networks, and strategic expertise. We’re not saying it’s the only path, but it’s the fastest one for most brands.

Reach out if you want to chat about whether it makes sense for your situation.

Send Free Samples to Target Creators

Here’s a tactic that seems obvious but is surprisingly underutilized. Proactively sending product samples.

Why does this work so well? Authenticity.

When creators receive your product and genuinely enjoy it, their enthusiasm shows. Audiences can instantly spot the difference between someone who actually uses a product versus someone reading a script for payment.

Free samples also signal confidence. You’re betting that your product quality will speak for itself. That confidence is attractive to creators who’ve been burned by brands pushing subpar products.

The process is straightforward: Identify creators whose content aligns with your brand. Send a short, personalized message explaining why you think they’d love your product. Offer samples with zero obligation.

Many creators will post organically if they genuinely like what you send. From there, converting them to formal affiliates becomes much easier. You’ve already proven the relationship can be mutually beneficial.

This works especially well for products with “wow factor”—things that are visually interesting, solve obvious problems, or have unique features that naturally inspire demonstration content.

The challenge is logistics at scale. Sending samples to hundreds of creators gets expensive quickly. 

Track your costs carefully and focus on creators whose audiences tightly match your target customers. Quality over quantity.

Product samples build authentic relationships and generate genuine enthusiasm that translates to better content. Start with a focused list of high-potential creators rather than mass sampling campaigns.

BOX One pro tip: Include a simple note with your samples explaining how to become an official affiliate if they love the product. Make the conversion from sample recipient to partner frictionless.

Build a Compelling Commission Structure

Creators get partnership offers constantly. Your commission structure needs to stand out.

Basic flat-rate commissions won’t cut it anymore. To motivate ongoing promotion and preference over other brands, you need something more exciting.

Consider tiered structures that reward performance. Start everyone at a base commission rate—let’s call it the Bronze tier. When affiliates hit specific milestones (maybe 50 sales for Silver, 200 sales for Gold), they unlock higher rates plus bonuses.

But don’t stop there. Add gamification elements that make participation more engaging.

Run monthly challenges where affiliates earn points not just for sales, but for views, engagement, and shares. Offer exciting rewards for top performers—cash bonuses, exclusive products, features on your brand channels, even sponsored experiences.

Transparency matters enormously here. 

Give affiliates a dashboard showing real-time performance, current tier status, and progress toward the next level. This visibility creates healthy competition and keeps your program top-of-mind.

Don’t underestimate non-monetary incentives either. Early access to new products, exclusive affiliate swag, priority customer support, or public recognition can be equally motivating for many creators.

The key is making your program feel less transactional and more like an exciting growth opportunity with clear progression paths.

Use Paid Ads to Recruit Affiliates

Most brands use TikTok ads to reach customers. But there’s an overlooked opportunity—using ads to recruit affiliates directly.

This is of course reserved for brands with a spare marketing budget, but…

Think about it: Potential affiliates are already on TikTok. Why not advertise to them?

Create ads specifically targeting creators. 

Highlight what makes your program attractive. Competitive commissions, strong product-market fit, excellent support, success stories from existing affiliates.

Use TikTok’s interest targeting to reach users interested in content creation, influencer marketing, or monetization topics. You’re reaching people already thinking about affiliate opportunities.

The content style matters tremendously. Don’t create corporate recruitment videos. Make native TikTok content that demonstrates products in action, showcases testimonial from successful affiliates, or provides behind-the-scenes looks at your brand.

Include clear calls-to-action directing interested creators to a simple application page. Make the process frictionless—request only essential information and provide immediate next steps.

This requires advertising budget, but it dramatically increases application volume compared to passive approaches. You’re actively recruiting instead of waiting for discovery.

The key insight? Treat affiliate recruitment with the same marketing sophistication you apply to customer acquisition. Affiliates are a different audience segment that deserves dedicated acquisition strategies.

Offer Product Exclusivity and Early Access

Creators constantly hunt for fresh content that gives their audience something new. 

Exclusive product access before public launch creates a powerful incentive for participation.

This serves multiple purposes. Creators get positioned as trendsetters who surface products before anyone else. Your brand generates anticipation and buzz before official launch.

Structure this strategically. Select your top-performing affiliates or those with audiences perfectly matching your target customers. Give them products 2-4 weeks before public availability along with detailed information and content suggestions.

Encourage coordinated launch-day content that goes live simultaneously. This concentrated burst creates algorithmic signals that your product is trending, potentially triggering increased organic distribution.

Beyond new launches, consider creating limited-edition items or special bundles available exclusively through affiliate links. This gives affiliates unique selling propositions that distinguish their content from generic brand promotions.

The exclusivity strategy works particularly well for products with visual appeal, innovative features, or strong gift potential that naturally inspires creator enthusiasm.

One consideration: Be selective about who receives early access. Giving exclusivity to too many creators dilutes its value. Focus on affiliates who’ve proven they’ll create quality content and drive meaningful sales.

Implement Direct Outreach Campaigns

While many brands wait for affiliates to apply, the most successful ones proactively recruit through targeted direct outreach.

Start by developing a systematic identification process. Use TikTok search to find content related to your category. If you sell fitness products, search “home workout,” “fitness motivation,” or “gym routine.” 

This reveals creators already producing content your target customers watch.

Build a tracking spreadsheet for each potential affiliate. Include their name, handle, a specific video you watched, engagement metrics, and personalized notes about fit. This prevents duplicate outreach and enables customized messages instead of generic templates.

When reaching out, focus on mutual benefit. Explain specifically why their audience would love your product. Reference particular content that resonated with you. Clearly outline commission structure and support you’ll provide.

Persistence matters, but there’s a fine line. Plan multiple touchpoints—initial message, follow-up after one week, final check-in. Many creators are simply overwhelmed with messages and need gentle reminders.

The advantage of direct outreach? Complete control over partner selection and opportunity to build genuine relationships rather than transactional arrangements.

The disadvantage? Time investment. Direct outreach works best for smaller-scale recruitment or when targeting specific high-value creators.

Going Shopping For Shop Affiliates…

Winning on TikTok Shop is mostly about building a system. 

Start small with TikTok’s native tools, add manual outreach for niche creators, and scale through influencer platforms or agencies. 

Focus on retention, not just recruitment. Offer real value, strong incentives, and authentic relationships. 

The brands succeeding now are those growing creator networks consistently, not just spending more. Start today. Every delay costs visibility and market share.