Connect TikTok to Heatseeker

Heatseeker runs live experiments as real ads on TikTok. To do that, it needs access to a TikTok ad account and to the TikTok account the ads are posted from.

TikTok is self-serve only for now: you run the media through your own TikTok ad account and connect it from inside Heatseeker. Managed experiments, where Heatseeker's team runs the media, are not yet available on TikTok. If you need that, email hello@heatseeker.ai.

Before you start

Have these ready:

• A TikTok account. TikTok ads are posted from a TikTok account, so your brand needs one. If you do not have one yet, see How to create a TikTok account in TikTok's help center.
• A TikTok Ads Manager account with the ad account you want to use. The person connecting signs in with a TikTok for Business login that can reach that ad account. TikTok grants access per ad account, so only the accounts that login can reach will show up in Heatseeker. If you are starting from scratch, see How to set up a TikTok Ads Manager account.
• Your TikTok account available to the ad account. Every TikTok ad is posted as a TikTok account, which TikTok calls the identity. TikTok no longer runs new campaigns without one, and ads from a real account perform better and give viewers a profile to follow. Your account is available once it appears in the ad account's identity list. If it does not yet, add it from TikTok Ads Manager by logging in to the account or scanning a QR code, following How to set up Identity, or from Business Center by following How to link a TikTok account to ad accounts. Heatseeker cannot add it for you.
• Pop-ups allowed for Heatseeker. Connecting opens a TikTok sign-in window. If your browser blocks it, allow pop-ups for the Heatseeker app and try again.
• Video creative. TikTok experiments run as video ads. Have a video ready before you launch your first one.

If you do not see + Add TikTok under Integrations, TikTok is not turned on for your workspace yet. Email hello@heatseeker.ai and we will enable it.

Connect your own account

Step 1: Sign in to TikTok from Heatseeker

1. Log in to Heatseeker.
2. Go to Settings, then Integrations.
3. Click + Add TikTok.
4. In the window that opens, sign in to TikTok with the login that can reach your ad account.
5. On the permissions screen, tick every permission checkbox, then confirm. Heatseeker needs all of them to publish ads and read their results. If one is left unticked, experiments will fail later even though the connection looks fine.

The window closes on its own once TikTok confirms. Heatseeker then lists every ad account your login can reach.

If you close the window before confirming, nothing is saved. Click + Add TikTok to start again.

Step 2: Choose your ad accounts

In the TikTok row, select the ad account or accounts you want experiments to run from.

An ad account marked Needs attention is not enabled on TikTok's side, for example because it is still under review or has been suspended. Check its status on the account setup page in TikTok Ads Manager. TikTok's Account approval FAQs explain the statuses, and How to troubleshoot a suspended ad account covers appeals.

Step 3: Choose a posting identity

For each ad account you selected, Heatseeker shows the TikTok accounts available to it. Pick the brand account your ads should post from. Viewers will see that account's name on every ad.

• If the list is empty, no TikTok account is available to this ad account yet. Add one using either TikTok guide under Before you start, then reload the Integrations page.
• An identity marked Cannot publish video is not allowed to post ads. Pick a different one, or update its permissions in TikTok.

Step 4: Save

Click Save changes.

You're set. Experiments now run through your own TikTok ad account, posted from the identity you chose.