In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Spark Ads.
What is a Spark Ad?
Spark Ads are an attention-grabbing native advertising format introduced by TikTok, it helps businesses to use the platform’s organic content for targeted advertising campaigns.
They are like mini-commercials. Spark Ads contains short videos that advertisers use to show off their products or services to TikTok users.
These ads aim to catch your eye and spark your interest while you scroll through the app.
Types of Spark Ads
Spark Ads are currently available in two formats:
In-Feed Ads:
These ads appear within the user’s “For You” feed, blending seamlessly with other organic content.
TopView Ads:
These premium ads appear as the first video a user sees when they open the TikTok app, offering maximum visibility and impact.
What are the Benefits of Spark Ads?
This unique approach offers a host of benefits for brands looking to reach a wider audience and achieve their marketing goals.
Below are breakdown of what makes Spark Ads stand out:
Native Advertising:
Unlike traditional ads that disrupt the user experience, Spark Ads seamlessly blend into the TikTok feed as they are created using existing organic posts.
This native format provides a more natural and engaging experience for viewers, boosting the overall effectiveness of the ad campaign.
Organic Content Use:
Spark Ads can be created using your own organic TikTok posts or those of other creators with their permission.
It will help you to use that content that people liked before to make your content better for the audience.
Also, when you use stuff made by others, it makes your ad more real and shows it’s trustworthy, making it even better.
Enhanced Performance:
Spark Ads have been shown to deliver significantly better performance compared to traditional TikTok ads.
This can be attributed to the increased engagement levels and trust associated with native content.
Studies have shown that Spark Ads can achieve up to 134% higher completion rates and 220% higher click-through rates compared to standard In-Feed Ads.
Efficient Buying Options:
Spark Ads offers flexible and efficient buying options for businesses of all sizes.
You can choose from various bidding strategies and targeting options to optimize your campaign based on your specific goals and budget.
Combining Strategies:
Spark Ads provides a seamless way to combine organic and paid strategies within your TikTok marketing efforts.
After boosting organic posts that are already performing well, you can significantly expand their reach and engagement, further driving brand awareness and conversions.
How to Create Spark Ads?
Here’s how to create Spark Ads on TikTok:
1. Choose your organic post:
- Select a high-performing organic post that has already received positive engagement (likes, comments, shares).
- Ensure the post adheres to TikTok’s Spark Ads guidelines:
- Video length: 5-60 seconds
- Video format: MP4 or MOV
- Video resolution: Minimum of 720×1280 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 or 16:9
- Video caption: Maximum of 150 characters
2. Apply for Spark Ads authorization:
- Go to the Creative tab in TikTok Ads Manager.
- Click Creative library.
- Select Spark Ads posts.
- Click Apply for Authorization.
3. Create a Spark Ads campaign:
- Go to Campaign.
- Click Create.
- Select Spark Ads.
- Choose your campaign objective (e.g., website traffic, app installs, video views).
- Set your budget and bidding strategy.
4. Create a Spark Ads ad group:
- Name your ad group.
- Select your targeting options (e.g., demographics, interests, behaviors).
- Choose your ad placements (e.g., “For You” feed, search results).
5. Create your Spark Ad:
- Choose the post you want to promote using spark ads.
- Edit the ad details (e.g., headline, description, call to action).
- Add a thumbnail image.
- Choose your budget and bidding strategy.
6. Launch your Spark Ads campaign:
- Review your campaign settings.
- Click Submit.
How do Spark Ads work?
Following are the details about how Spark Ads work:
Own Organic Posts:
You can select any of your own organic posts to turn into Spark Ads.
This allows you to amplify content that has already proven successful with your audience.
User-Generated Content:
You can boost organic posts created by other users (with their permission) by turning them into Spark Ads.
This taps into the power of user-generated content and leverages the creator’s established audience.
Targeting:
Define your target audience based on demographics, interests, and behaviors to ensure your ad reaches the right people.
Budget & Bidding:
Set your budget and bidding strategy to control how much you spend and how your ad competes with others in the auction.
Call to Action:
Choose a desired call to action (CTA) such as website visits, app downloads, or lead generation.
Additional Options:
You can customize your ad further by adding captions, hashtags, and even using interactive features like Duet, Stitch, and Stickers.
Ad Delivery:
- Spark Ads appear seamlessly in the user’s feed alongside other organic content.
- They are labelled as “Promoted” to ensure transparency.
- Users can interact with the ad just like any other organic post, with likes, comments, shares, and clicks on the CTA button.
Summarization:
On the whole, Spark Ads represent a valuable tool for businesses looking to use the power of TikTok for their advertising campaigns.
After combining the genuineness of organic content with the reach and targeting capabilities of paid advertising, Spark Ads can help businesses achieve significant marketing success.
FAQs
What is the difference between spark and non spark TikTok?
Spark:
- Leverages existing organic content to create ads.
- Native ad format seamlessly integrated into “For You” feed.
- Utilizes targeting parameters of organic posts.
- Enjoys higher engagement rates due to existing audience interest.
- Builds brand trust through familiarity of organic content.
Non-Spark:
- Requires creation of new ad creatives specifically for the campaign.
- Appears as a distinct ad unit within the “For You” feed.
- Offers more control over ad content and targeting parameters.
- May require more effort to attract attention due to lack of familiarity.
- Builds brand awareness through unique ad content.
What is the difference between spark ads and dark ads?
Spark Ads:
- Appear in the “For You” feed of targeted users.
- Visible to all users who meet the targeting criteria.
- Can be used to increase brand recognition and interaction with your audience.
Dark Ads:
- Do not appear in the “For You” feed.
- Only visible to users who have shown interest in the brand or product.
- Used for retargeting and reaching specific audience segments.
- Offer greater privacy and control over ad targeting.
How much does spark Ads cost?
Spark ads costs vary depending on your campaign settings and bidding strategy.
However, these are some general benchmarks:
- Average CPC (Cost per Click): $1.00
- Average CPM (Cost per 1,000 Impressions): $6.06
Be sure to note that these are just averages.
Your specific costs may be higher or lower depending on various factors.
What is the difference between spark ads and promotion?
Spark Ads:
- Leverages already successful organic content.
- Ads seamlessly integrate with organic content for a natural feel.
- Targets specific groups based on who engaged with the original post.
- Requires permission from the original content creator.
- Best for established brands with successful organic content.
Promote:
- Pushes your existing TikTok videos to a wider audience.
- Choose a video and set a budget to get started.
- Offers basic targeting options like age and interests.
- Easier to launch but may reach fewer people and generate less engagement.
- Good for new brands or those with limited organic content.
What makes these Spark Ads successful?
These are the points which makes spark ads successful:
- Using user-generated content
- Partnering with influencers
- Creating high-quality videos
- Clear call to action
More on TikTok Ads:
Types of TikTok Ads and TikTok Ad Formats
Does TikTok Have Ads Now? (Yes, But Why?)
How Much Should You Spend on TikTok Ads?