| Step | Stage | Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Before you film | Check the product is allowed and your category is approved. | Restricted items without approval get removed and can add violation points. |
| 2 | Before you film | Know 1–3 real benefits and the price. | Clear benefits sell better than a list of features. |
| 3 | Before you film | Use the actual product, not stock footage. | Buyers want to see the real item; misleading visuals break listing rules. |
| 4 | Before you film | Shoot vertical 9:16 in good light. | Full-screen vertical video looks native on the feed. |
| 5 | Hook | Show the product or the problem in the first 1–3 seconds. | Most viewers decide to stay or scroll almost at once. |
| 6 | Hook | Open with a reason to watch: a result, a question or a surprise. | A strong hook lifts watch time, which drives reach. |
| 7 | Hook | Add on-screen text that states the hook. | Many people watch with sound off. |
| 8 | Demo | Show the product in use, close up. | Seeing it work builds trust more than talking about it. |
| 9 | Demo | Show a before and after, or a side-by-side, if it is honest. | Proof of results drives sales. Exaggerated edits can be flagged. |
| 10 | Demo | Show size, texture or fit with a hand or a common object. | Cuts returns from buyers who expected something different. |
| 11 | Demo | Keep cuts fast: change the shot every 2–3 seconds. | Fast pacing keeps attention on short videos. |
| 12 | Offer | Say the price or deal out loud and on screen. | Price is the top question in comments. |
| 13 | Offer | Mention a real time limit only if there is one. | Fake urgency is misleading and against policy. |
| 14 | Call to action | Tell viewers to tap the orange cart or yellow basket. | A clear next step turns views into clicks. |
| 15 | Call to action | Point to where the link is on screen. | Removes doubt about how to buy. |
| 16 | Posting | Attach the correct product link before posting. | A video without a product link cannot earn sales. |
| 17 | Posting | Write a short caption with the product name and a search keyword. | Helps the video show up in TikTok search and Shop. |
| 18 | Posting | Add captions or turn on auto captions. | Makes the video clear with sound off and more accessible. |
| 19 | Posting | Use 3–5 relevant hashtags, like #tiktokshop plus a niche tag. | Tells TikTok who the video is for. |
| 20 | Posting | Use commercial-cleared sounds on business accounts. | Some popular songs are not licensed for business use. |
| 21 | Policy | Make only claims you can prove. No “cures” or guaranteed results. | False claims are a common reason videos and listings are removed. |
| 22 | Policy | No health, weight-loss or medical claims without approval. | These topics have strict rules on TikTok Shop. |
| 23 | Policy | Do not show minors selling or promoting products. | US rules since Aug 2026: adults must present; minors may not sell or voice promos. |
| 24 | Policy | Disclose paid partnerships and gifted products. | Required for sponsored content; turn on the content disclosure setting. |
| 25 | Policy | Match the video to the listing: same product, color and price. | Mismatches lead to returns, bad reviews and violations. |
| 26 | Policy | Label AI-generated images or voices. | TikTok requires labels on realistic AI-generated content. |
| 27 | Policy | Do not mention or link other shopping sites. | Sending buyers off TikTok can limit or remove the video. |
| 28 | After posting | Reply to questions in comments, ideally with a video reply. | Answers objections and gives you new content. |
| 29 | After posting | Check retention and product clicks in analytics. | Shows where viewers drop off and which hooks work. |
| 30 | After posting | Boost winners with GMV Max or Spark Ads. | Paying to scale a proven video is cheaper than testing with ads. |
Best practices, not official rules, except the policy rows. Check TikTok Shop content policies in Seller Center or Academy.
How to use this checklist
Plan with it
Go through Before you film and Hook while you write the script. Most weak videos fail in the first 3 seconds.
Check before you post
Filter by Posting and Policy and tick each one. A missing product link or a bold claim can waste a good video.
Review after 48 hours
Use the After posting rows to read analytics and pick which videos to boost or remake.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a TikTok Shop video be?
Most selling videos are 15–60 seconds. Long enough to demo the product, short enough to keep people watching.
What gets TikTok Shop videos removed?
Common reasons are false or medical claims, mismatched products, minors selling, unlabeled AI content and restricted products.
Do I need captions on a TikTok Shop video?
They are not required, but many people watch with sound off. Captions and on-screen text help them follow.
Related free tools
→TikTok hook generatorScroll-stopping first lines.→TikTok Shop prohibited productsWhat you cannot sell and what needs approval.→TikTok Shop image requirementsSize, ratio and rules for product photos.
Sources: TikTok Shop bans minors from selling in creator videos and livestreams (PPC Land) · TikTok Shop image requirements in 2026 (soona)