TikTok Shop Creator Pilot Program Feature Guide
06/23/2025
Summary
What is the TikTok Shop Creator Pilot Program and who is it for?
- The program helps TikTok creators with 1,000 to 5,000 followers learn to sell effectively, connect with audiences, and grow earnings on TikTok Shop.
- It offers guidance, support, and educational resources to help creators avoid common mistakes and maximize their potential.
What are the initial restrictions and how can creators graduate from the program?
- Creators can post up to 5 Shoppable Videos and 3 Shoppable LIVEs weekly, with no campaign eligibility initially.
- Graduation requires meeting specific criteria within 30 days, like growing followers beyond 5,000 or completing educational tasks.
How can creators access products to promote on TikTok Shop?
- Creators can use refundable samples, search by image for products, and request free samples after making their first sale.
- The program provides access to products with a shop performance rating of at least 95%.
What tips are provided for creators to succeed in the program?
- Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content and understand TikTok's policies to avoid violations.
- Engage authentically with the community and keep an eye on the Creator Health Rating for successful graduation.
TikTok Shop Creator Pilot Program
Unlock your potential to earn on TikTok Shop, even if you're just starting your creator journey.
Benefits
- Turn your passion into a paycheck: Get early access to features that let you earn commissions from your shoppable content.
- Grow with support and guidance: We provide tools and education to help you craft engaging videos and LIVEs that drive sales and avoid early account violations.
- Fast-track your success: Complete the program in as little as 30 days to get access to unlimited Shoppable LIVEs and grow past 5,000 followers to and gain access to unlimited Shoppable Videos and even more TikTok Shop features.
- Connect with brands: Easily request samples and promote products directly within the TikTok Shop ecosystem.

How It Works
The Creator Pilot Program is designed to guide TikTok creators with 1,000 to 5,000 followers on their journey to becoming successful TikTok Shop sellers. It's all about helping you learn the ropes, create amazing shoppable content, and grow your influence!- Sign up for the journey: If you're a TikTok creator with 1,000 to 5,000 followers, you can apply for the Creator Pilot Program through our usual entrances like Creator Search Insights, TikTok Studio (look for TikTok Shop for Creator under Monetization), product pages, ShopTab, and the desktop Creator Portal. Because of your follower count, your sign-up page will be tailored specifically for the Pilot Program.
- Start with support (and a few gentle limits!): Once you've successfully verified your identity and applied for affiliate permission, you'll automatically be enrolled in the program for 30 days. During this time, we'll give you a supportive environment to learn and grow responsibly. This means you'll have a few initial limits (note, these limits are subject to change):
- Product Access: You'll have access to products on the TikTok Shop Product Marketplace with a shop performance rating of at least 95%.
- Content Posting: You can post a maximum of 5 Shoppable Videos and 3 Shoppable LIVEs each week.
- Campaigns: You won't be eligible to join campaigns just yet.
- Level up and graduate: Your goal is to graduate from the program within 30 days, which unlocks more features for you. There's a few ways to think about graduation:
- Grow your following: If your follower count goes beyond 5,000 during the program, you'll automatically lift restrictions and unlock full posting rights.
- Hit your milestones: Pay attention to the specific tasks on the Creator Pilot Program page and ensure you hit them within a 30 day timeline in order to unlock unlimited Shoppable LIVEs. If you can't, some of the tasks will reset and you'll have another 30 days to try again.
- Stay in the Loop: Throughout your pilot journey, you can always check your progress on the Pilot Program page, accessible from your Account Settings. We'll also send you in-app messages to guide you during content creation and direct you back to this page if you're nearing your limits.
Tips
FAQs
- Quality over quantity: While there are limits on your posting frequency, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content.
- Know our policies: New creators sometimes face challenges with understanding our policies. Take advantage of the educational resources provided in the program to understand our guidelines and avoid violations. This helps ensure your growth on a strong, stable, and compliant foundation.
- Experiment with products: You don't need free samples to start! Explore options like refundable samples or using the search-by-image feature to link products you already love and use at home. As you grow and once you make your first sale, you'll unlock free sample requests too.
- Engage with the community: TikTok Shop is all about connection! Create authentic content that converts by showcasing products you truly love.
- Keep an eye on your health rating: Your Creator Health Rating is important for graduation. Make sure you're consistently meeting the requirements to keep it healthy!
- Q: What is the TikTok Shop Creator Pilot Program?
- A: It's a program to help you get started and succeed on TikTok Shop. You'll learn how to sell effectively, connect with your audience, and grow your earnings.
- Q: Why should I join?
- A: The program provides guidance and support to help you navigate TikTok Shop, avoid common mistakes, and maximize your potential to earn and grow your influence.
- Q: How do I join the program?
- A: You can apply to join via links on the Creator Search Insights page, Shop Tab, or product detail pages. One of the most reliable ways to get to the self-apply page is from TikTok Studio, where you'll go to TikTok Shop for Creators under Monetization. If you meet the eligibility requirements, which include having at least 1,000 followers, you'll see these entry-points and see the self-apply page. Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
- Q: Are there any restrictions?
- A: Yes, there might be some initial limits on features like the number of videos or LIVEs you can post. These are temporary and designed to help you get started successfully. As a creator in the program, you can also create and share affiliate links (which has no restrictions).
- Q: How do I get access to products to promote?
- A: You can use refundable samples, search by image to find products, and explore other options. As you grow, so do your opportunities including access to free sample requests.
- Q: How do creators graduate from the program?
- A: You can graduate by meeting specific criteria over 30 days, such as posting shoppable content, completing educational tasks, and understanding our platform policies. Some creators can graduate early by growing their creator count beyond 5,000 followers. You can find more specific info here.