A Seller's Guide to "notable brands" on TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop is committed to creating a trustworthy shopping experience. To protect both customers and sellers, we require that brands be verified as "notable brands" before they can be designated as Official Shops. This guide explains what a notable brand is and how our platform determines if your brand qualifies.
Core Concept: We don't use a single score to assess your brand. Instead, we look for multiple, verifiable signals of your brand's influence in the market. The more evidence you can provide, the better.

How to Qualify as a notable brand

We evaluate your brand based on the following signals.
Signal Dimension
Explanation and Example
Proof
Authentic Business Entity
Your brand must be backed by a clear and verifiable legal entity. The name of the applicant should match the company or trademark owner.
Business registration documents, Trademark Registration Certificate, or a complete chain of licensing documents if you are a licensee.
Verifiable Website
Your brand must have a professional, functioning website with a domain name that is clearly related to your brand.
Your official website URL. Ensure the "About Us" and "Contact Us" sections are consistent with your application information.
Valid Trademark
You must have a registered trademark in your target market that covers the products you sell. If you are an authorized seller, you must provide a current and valid authorization document.
A copy of your trademark registration certificate, a screenshot from an official trademark database, or a Brand Authorization Letter.
Official Social Media Presence
Your brand should have official, verified accounts (e.g., with a blue checkmark) or a significant number of followers on major social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
Your official social media handles and a screenshot of your profile page showing follower count and verification status.
Established Sales Channels
Your brand should be available through various channels, such as physical stores or official online stores on other major e-commerce platforms (e.g., Amazon, Shopify).
A list of your physical store addresses or links to your official stores on other e-commerce sites.
Professional Brand Content
You should have a complete and professional visual identity, including a high-definition logo, brand guidelines, product lookbooks, and clear customer service policies.
Vector files of your brand logo (AI, SVG), a PDF or link to your product catalog, and a link to your website's after-sales policy.

Strengthen Your Application

The following can further boost your brand's credibility:
  • Media Coverage & Awards: Links to articles, press releases, or awards from reputable sources.
  • Official Collaborations: Proof of collaborations with other well-known brands.
  • Anti-Counterfeiting Measures: Links to your official anti-counterfeiting or rights protection policies.

What is NOT a notable brand

The following are generally not considered notable brands:
  • Resellers or Distributors: Businesses that only resell other brands' products without their own brand identity.
  • Invalid Trademarks: Brands with unregistered or expired trademarks, or those without valid authorization from the brand owner.
  • White-Label or Factory-Based Businesses: Businesses that focus on manufacturing but have not built a consumer-facing brand.
  • Small, Unverified Social Media Accounts: Brands that only have a small presence on social media with no other verifiable brand assets like a website or stable sales channels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. What if my brand is a startup brand without an official website?
For startup brands, a professional and content-rich official website is a crucial step in establishing brand credibility. If you don't have an official website for the time being, you can try to provide other strong evidence, such as the official store link on mainstream e-commerce platforms, in-depth reports from authoritative media, or certificates of important industry awards. However, please note that the absence of an official website will significantly affect the evaluation of brand credibility.
  1. Why can't I find my brand when applying for the official flagship store?
It may be that your brand does not meet the requirements of a "well-known brand". For information on how to become a well-known brand, please consult your Customer Manager.
  1. My brand authorization is about to expire. Will it affect the certification?
Yes. Official store certification requires the authorized party to hold a continuously valid authorization. If your authorization is about to expire, it is recommended to submit the application or undergo 2nd-round Moderation after completing the renewal and obtaining the new authorization document. The platform will regularly review the validity of the authorization.
  1. What is a "complete authorization chain"?
A complete authorization chain refers to the proof of authorization relationships at all levels from the original trademark holder to the current applicant. For example, if brand A authorizes general agent B, and general agent B then authorizes you C, you need to provide both the authorization letter from A to B and the authorization letter from B to C to ensure that the authorization chain is clear and unbroken.
  1. The brand is sold in multiple countries. Do we need to provide proof for all markets?
No, you don't need to. You only need to provide materials for the target market you are applying to onboard (for example, if you are applying to join TikTok Shop US, provide relevant certificates for the US market). Of course, if you can provide evidence of cross-regional sales of your brand (such as a global official website or having stores on e-commerce platforms in multiple countries), this will be strong evidence of your brand's strength.
  1. How long does moderation take? Can I reapply if it fails?
The moderation duration varies depending on the complexity of the application, and the platform will strive to complete it within a reasonable time. If the application fails, the system will provide corresponding prompts. We recommend that you carefully review and supplement your brand materials based on the reasons for failure, and resubmit the application after being better prepared.

Glossary

  • Official Brand Entity
    • refers to the legally corresponding, unique company or organization of the brand. This is the ultimate party to which the brand's ownership and operational rights belong.
  • Authoritative Domain/Website (Authoritative Domain/Website)
    • refers to the website that is directly controlled and operated by the brand entity and best represents the brand's official image. Its domain name usually corresponds directly to the brand name (e.g., nike.com).
  • Official Social Media Handle
    • refers to the official account username (Username) of a brand on a social media platform, for example nike is Nike's handle on Instagram. It does not include the @ symbol or the full URL.
  • Valid Trademark Authorization
    • refers to a legal document by which the trademark holder authorizes others to use its registered trademark within a specific time, territory, and product scope. This document must be authentic, clear, and within the validity period.