Guide · TikTok
TikTok ads: 10 common mistakes and how to fix them
The most common TikTok ad mistakes are a slow opening, a horizontal video, text hidden under the buttons, a silent ad or unlicensed music, and no call to action. TikTok requires sound on its reservation ads, recommends 9:16 and introducing your proposition in the first 3 seconds. Here are the 10 mistakes and how to fix each one.
The 10 mistakes, and what to do instead
No statistics here: only what TikTok writes in its help center, and what you can see on screen.
Opening on your logo
A logo gives nobody a reason to stay. TikTok recommends introducing your proposition in the first 3 seconds and placing your hook in the first 6. Open on the problem or the result and keep the brand for the end.
Posting a horizontal video
TikTok accepts 16:9 and square, but recommends vertical 9:16 and at least 720p. A horizontal video leaves wide empty bands and looks recycled from another platform.
Putting text under the buttons
The safe zone depends on the format, your caption length and any add-ons: the longer the caption, the smaller the safe zone. Download TikTok's safe zone template and keep text and logo inside it.
Running a silent ad
For reservation In-Feed ads, TikTok states that all video creatives must have sound, and its best practices list sound or music among the basics. Add a voice-over, music, or both.
Using music from the general library
TikTok states that businesses cannot use the general music library for commercial use. For an ad, use a track from the Commercial Music Library, music you hold the rights to, or music composed for you.
Running too long for the format you bought
Reservation ads accept 5 to 60 seconds and TikTok recommends 9 to 15. For auction ads, the spec page recommends no length. Cut anything that does not serve the hook, the solution or the call to action.
Making a TV spot
TikTok recommends a DIY, not overly polished style, and featuring people: creators, employees or customers. An ad that is too glossy reads as an ad at first glance.
Putting too much text on screen
TikTok recommends 5 to 10 words per second when you use text. Beyond that, nobody has time to read before the next shot: keep one short line per screen.
Forgetting the call to action, or relying on the caption
TikTok recommends ending with a clear call to action. And a non-Spark ad caption supports no clickable links, no @ and no hashtags: say and show in the video what to do.
Running the same ad until it wears out
TikTok advises refreshing your creatives when results show a consistently declining trend, and adding new ones to the existing ad group rather than creating a new one. Plan several versions from the start.
TikTok's rules to check before you launch
What the TikTok for Business help center says, read on 24 October 2026.
| Rule | What TikTok says | How to follow it |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Vertical 9:16 recommended (at least 540 × 960 px), 16:9 and 1:1 accepted | Export in 9:16, at 720p or more |
| Safe zone | Its size depends on the format, caption length and add-ons | Use the downloadable template and the preview before launch |
| Sound | Required for reservation In-Feed ads, recommended everywhere | Voice-over or music across the whole video |
| Music | No general library for commercial use; the Commercial Music Library is meant for ads | A Commercial Music Library track or music you hold the rights to |
| Length | Reservation: 5 to 60 s, 9 to 15 s recommended; auction: up to 10 min for non-Spark | Aim short, cut what does not serve the story |
| Caption | Non-Spark: no clickable links, @ or hashtags; Spark: 4 lines shown at most | Put the call to action in the video itself |
Spec pages can change: check the preview in TikTok Ads Manager before every launch.
Do this in 20 minutes
adkix starts from your website address, your Instagram account or a one-line idea, and writes a story with its hook and call to action. You approve the angle, the style and the script before anything is produced.
In about 20 minutes you get a vertical 9:16 video of 15 seconds, 30 seconds or one minute, with voice-over, generated shots, original music composed for it and word-by-word captions. No avatar, no shoot, and the MP4 is ready for TikTok.
What it costs on adkix
You get 1,000 free credits when you sign up, no credit card. After that, monthly plans with no commitment. Current prices:
Starter
€39/month
≈ €0.60 per second of video
8,000 credits a month. To post every week.
- Script, voice-over and music included
- Animated captions
- Scene-by-scene edits
- 81 languages
- Scheduled posting to your networks
- 3 brands
- Extra credits at your plan's price
- Most popular
Pro
€89/month
≈ €0.55 per second of video
19,800 credits a month. To post several times a week.
- Script, voice-over and music included
- Animated captions
- Scene-by-scene edits
- 81 languages
- Scheduled posting to your networks
- 10 brands
- Extra credits at your plan's price
Business
€279/month
≈ €0.50 per second of video
68,000 credits a month. For several brands or one post a day.
- Script, voice-over and music included
- Animated captions
- Scene-by-scene edits
- 81 languages
- Scheduled posting to your networks
- 30 brands
- Extra credits at your plan's price
No subscription? Buy credits one time (≈ €0.70 per second of video): make and download your videos, without scheduled posting.
Where these rules come from
- TikTok Ads Manager, Creative best practices for performance ads
- TikTok Ads Manager, TikTok Auction In-Feed Ads (specs, updated June 2026)
- TikTok Ads Manager, TikTok reservation in-feed ad specifications, including Reach & Frequency (updated July 2025)
- TikTok Ads Manager, About the Commercial Music Library (updated July 2025)
Read on
Frequently asked questions
Does a TikTok ad need sound?
Yes. TikTok requires it for reservation In-Feed ads and lists sound or music among the basics of its creative best practices.
Can I use a trending song in my TikTok ad?
Not from the general library: TikTok states that businesses cannot use it for commercial use. Use a Commercial Music Library track or music you hold the rights to.
Where should text go in a TikTok ad?
Inside the safe zone, which changes with the format and your caption length. TikTok provides downloadable templates and a preview to check.
How long should a TikTok ad be?
TikTok recommends 9 to 15 seconds for reservation In-Feed ads. For auction ads, its spec page recommends no length and accepts up to 10 minutes for non-Spark Ads.
Is the music in an adkix video a rights problem?
Every adkix video gets original music composed for it, not a track taken from a library. Still check your campaign's rules before launch.
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