Fan Groups: Build a Community That Shops With You

Your best buyers deserve more than a one-time transaction. Fan Groups give you the space to build a real community where your fans stay close, stay engaged, and keep shopping with you.
Fan Groups are public chat communities you can create right inside TikTok's DM inbox. Think of it as your own space to connect with your most engaged followers and buyers, share products, announce drops, and build the kind of loyal audience that comes back again and again.
No more losing fans after a single LIVE or video. No more hoping the right people see your content. With Fan Groups, you decide who's in, what they see, and when they hear from you.

Who Can Use Fan Groups?

Fan Groups are currently available to eligible TikTok Shop affiliate creators. To qualify, you need to meet one of the following:

• Gold+ creators: You're automatically eligible as long as you maintain a Creator Health Rating (CHR) of 200 or above.
• Bronze+ creators with 5,000+ followers: You're eligible as long as you maintain a Creator Health Rating (CHR) of 200 or above.

Not sure what level you are? Check your creator dashboard in the TikTok Shop Creator Center.
Note: Tier benefits are subject to change every month. Your ability to create Fan Groups may vary based on your current tier benefits. Existing fan groups are not affected by benefit adjustments and will remain permanently.

How Do Fans Find Your Group?

Your fans can discover your Fan Group in two ways:

• Your profile page: Once you create a group, it appears on your TikTok profile so anyone visiting can see it and request to join.
• Your LIVE streams: Fans watching your LIVE sessions can find and join your group directly from the LIVE room.

You can also share your group link in your videos, captions, DMs, or even on external platforms like Instagram or WhatsApp to bring in fans from other channels.

How to Create Your First Fan Group

Getting started takes less than two minutes. Here's how:

Option 1: From Your DM Inbox

1. Open the TikTok app and go to your Direct Messages inbox.
2. Tap the Create Group Chat icon in the top right corner.
3. Select Fan Group as the group type.
4. Choose your group name and subtitle. (The default is "Creator group / Build stronger connections with your community," but you can customize this to match your brand.)
5. Set your joining requirements (more on this below).
6. Tap Create and you're LIVE.

Option 2: From Your Profile

1. Go to your TikTok Profile page.
2. Tap the Fan Group entry point.
3. Follow the same setup steps as above.

Option 3: From Your Tier Benefits Page

1. Go to the Creator Center and open your Tier Benefits page.
2. Find Fan Groups under Product Perks.
3. Tap through to the benefit detail page and select Create Your First Fan Group.

Naming Your Group

Your group name is the first thing fans see when deciding whether to join. Make it clear what they'll get out of being a member. Here are a few approaches depending on your style:

• Deals-focused: "[Your Name]'s VIP Deals" or "[Category] Flash Sales"
• Content-focused: "[Your Name]'s Style Tips" or "[Category] Product Reviews"
• Community-focused: "[Your Name]'s Inner Circle" or "[Category] Fan Club"

The best group names tell fans exactly what to expect, whether that's exclusive deals, early access to content, or a space to connect with you directly.
Setting Your Joining RequirementThis is one of the most important decisions you'll make when setting up your group. Your joining requirements controls who can enter, and it directly shapes the kind of community you build.
You have four options:
A few things to keep in mind:

• You can change your joining requirements at any time after creating the group (except for Subscribers, which is locked once set).
• Starting with "Followers" is a solid default for most creators. It keeps the group quality high while still being accessible.
• If you sell higher-ticket items or want a tight-knit community, "LIVE Fans" or "Subscribers" can help you attract your most committed buyers.

Group Limits

Before you start planning, here are the key limits to know:

• You can create up to 20 public Fan Groups.
• Each group can host up to 300 members.

This means you have flexibility to create different groups for different purposes, like one for new product drops, one for exclusive deals, or one for feedback and Q&A.

What You Can Do Inside Fan Groups

Fan Groups aren't just a chat. They come with built-in commerce tools designed to help you sell directly from the conversation. Here's what's available on each side:

What Your Fans See (Follower Action Bar)

Your fans get quick-access shortcuts at the bottom of the group chat:

• View Showcase: One tap to browse your full product showcase.
• View Collections: See your curated product lists (e.g., "Summer Must-Haves," "Under $20 Picks"). Up to 2 collections displayed at a time. (US only)
• Ask About Products: Fans can ask you questions about specific products directly in the chat.
• Emoji Reactions: Quick reactions to keep the conversation going.

What You See (Creator Action Bar)

As the group owner, you get a different set of tools built for selling:

• Share Products: Quickly share popular products from your showcase into the group. (US, SEA, and LATAM only)
• Share Collections: Push a curated product list to the whole group with one tap.
• Share Posts: Drop your latest video or LIVE announcement into the chat to drive views.
• Quick Replies: Instantly respond to common questions like "When does this ship?" or "What sizes are available?" without typing it out every time.

Managing Your Group

Assign Admins

You don't have to manage everything alone. You can assign trusted members as admins to help run your group. Admins can:

• Manage messages that violate your group rules
• Remove disruptive members
• Help answer questions and keep conversations going

This is especially useful if you run multiple groups or have a large, active community. You focus on strategy and content while your admins handle the day-to-day.

Hide Your Member List

You can set your group so that members cannot see each other. This is useful if you want to:

• Keep your group focused on your content and products.
• Protect your community's privacy.
• Create a more exclusive, creator-focused experience.

When this setting is turned on, members who tap on another member's avatar will see: "The group owner has prohibited mutual viewing."

Moderation

As the group owner, you have full control over who stays in your community. You can remove members, manage messages, and adjust your group settings at any time from the group management screen. For users who seriously violate your rules, removing them will prevent them from rejoining any of your Fan Groups.

Best Practices

Building a community takes time. Here's a simple rhythm to follow when you're just getting started:

Week 1: Build your base and break the ice.

Focus on getting members in and making the group feel welcoming.

• Share your group link in your videos, profile bio, and DMs every day.
• Welcome new members and introduce what the group is about.
• Post a simple question or poll to get people talking (e.g., "What products do you want to see me review next?").
• Share 1 to 2 pieces of helpful content each day, like product tips or behind-the-scenes looks. Don't rush into hard selling.
• Goal: Get to at least 50 members and establish a first impression that the group is worth being in.

Week 2: Activate and convert.

Now that people are in, give them a reason to engage and buy.

• Plan your first group-exclusive event, like a flash sale, early access drop, or giveaway.
• Tease it 1 to 2 days in advance to build anticipation.
• Run the event and follow up with a thank-you post and links to anything members missed.
• Encourage members who made a purchase to share their experience in the group.
• Goal: Host at least one exclusive event and drive your first group-sourced sales.

Ongoing Best Practices

Once you're past the initial launch, here are the habits that keep a Fan Group thriving:

1. Post consistently, but don't spam. A good rhythm is 3 to 5 posts per week. Mix it up between product shares, behind-the-scenes content, polls, and casual conversation. Variety keeps people engaged without overwhelming them.
2. Pre-heat your content. About to drop a new video or go LIVE? Share a teaser in the group first. Give your members a reason to show up when it matters. For video creators, this could be a sneak peek of what you're reviewing. For LIVE creators, share a preview 2 to 4 hours before you go LIVE with the time, topic, and any exclusive group deals.
3. Ask your fans what they want. One of the most powerful things about Fan Groups is direct feedback. Ask your community what products they want to see, what price points work for them, or what kind of content they'd like more of. Then act on it. They'll notice.
4. Reward your group members. Drop exclusive deals, early access to new products, or group-only discount codes. Give people a reason to stay in the group and tell their friends about it.
5. Close the loop after big moments. After a LIVE session, a product drop, or a video that performed well, follow up in the group. Share links to the products, post a recap, and thank your members for their support. Members who missed the moment can still convert, and everyone feels included.
6. Use the right joining requirements for your goals. If you're focused on growing fast, start with "Everyone" or "Followers." If you want higher engagement and conversion, try "LIVE Fans" or "Subscribers." You can always adjust as your community grows.
7. Let your admins help. Don't try to do everything yourself. Assign admins to handle Q&A, moderate conversations, and keep the group active when you're busy creating content.

FAQs

1. How many groups can I create? You can create up to 20 public Fan Groups, each with a maximum of 300 members.
2. Can I change my joining requirements after creating a group? Yes, you can change it at any time, except for groups set to "Subscribers," which is locked once selected.
3. Where do fans find my group? Fans can discover your group through your profile page, your LIVE streams, or through a link you share in your videos, DMs, or external channels.
4. Can fans in my group see each other? By default, yes. But you can turn on the "Hide Member List" setting to make members invisible to each other.
5. Can I assign someone to help me manage my group? Yes. You can assign admins who can delete messages, remove members, and help manage the group on your behalf.
6. Are all commerce features available in every market? Not yet. View Collections is currently US only. Share Products is available in the US, SEA, and LATAM. All other features are available globally.
7. What if someone is being disruptive in my group? You have full moderation control. You can remove members and manage messages from your group settings. Removed members will not be able to rejoin any of your Fan Groups.
8. I'm a Level 1 creator. Can I still get access? Yes, if you have 5,000+ followers and a Creator Health Rating of 200 or above, you're eligible.
9. Is Fan Groups the same as regular DM group chats? No. Fan Groups are public communities designed specifically for creators to build and manage a fan community with built-in commerce tools. Regular DM groups are private conversations between individuals.
10. How do I access Fan Groups from my Tier Benefits page? Go to Creator Center, open your Tier Benefits page, and find Fan Groups under Product Perks. Tap through to create your first group or view your existing groups.