TikTok Affiliate Marketing Is Blowing Up – Here’s How to Make Money Now

It’s not hype – this is real. TikTok Shop is the platform’s newest feature, and it’s a gold rush for creators and businesses. If you’re not on board yet, you’re leaving money on the table.

In this post, I’ll break down:

• How TikTok affiliate marketing works (and why it’s blowing up).
• Three ways to monetize TikTok RIGHT NOW.
• How to start tagging products in your videos today.

Let’s dive in.

Why TikTok Affiliate Marketing Is a Huge Deal

Affiliate marketing isn’t new… but TikTok just changed the game.

👉 TikTok Shop lets creators tag products directly in videos.
👉 Users buy instantly without leaving the app.
👉 Creators earn commissions for every sale.

Think about that for a second.

One viral video \= thousands of dollars in affiliate commissions.

And the best part? TikTok WANTS you to do this.

They’re actively pushing affiliate programs, free product samples, and bonus incentives for creators to promote products.

How Much Money Are We Talking About?

• Millions – TikTok and sellers rake in millions daily.
• $5,000 per video – One viral affiliate video can make you thousands.
• Zero upfront cost – You can request free product samples directly from TikTok.

This isn’t just some side hustle – it’s a serious income stream if you know how to play it right.

So, let me show you three ways to get started with TikTok affiliate marketing today.

1. Monetize with TikTok Shop (The Big One)

What’s TikTok Shop?

It’s simple – TikTok lets creators sell products directly through videos. Users see a “Shop Now” button, click it, and boom – sale made. You earn a commission on every purchase.

🎥 Example: You review a product, tag it in the video, and drive traffic. Every time someone buys, you pocket cash.

How to Get Started with TikTok Shop

1. Find a Video with a Shop Button – TikTok creators already do this.
2. Click the Link – This takes you to a product page where you can buy directly.
3. Affiliate Commissions – The video’s creator gets $5, $10, or even $25 per sale.

Imagine this:
1,000 sales x $5 commission \= $5,000 from one video.

Now scale that with multiple products. See where this is going?

Requirements for TikTok Shop Affiliate

• Age: 18+
• Followers: 5,000 (but I’ll show you how to bypass this 😉)
• FTC Compliance: Always disclose affiliate links.

Don’t have 5,000 followers yet? No worries. Here’s a hack.

Bypass the 5,000-Follower Requirement

1. Become a TikTok Seller – You don’t actually have to sell anything.
2. Register a Shop – Go to TikTok Shop Seller Center.
3. Set Up as a Seller – Select “Individual” (or LLC if you have one).

Once registered, you unlock TikTok Shop – even with zero followers.

2. Use Link-in-Bio Affiliate Marketing

Here’s the classic method:

You promote products in your videos and drive viewers to your link-in-bio. This works especially well for higher-ticket items or products NOT available on TikTok Shop.

Example: You review a gadget, mention a discount link in your bio, and drive traffic to an external site (Amazon, Best Buy, etc.).

How to Set Up a Link-in-Bio Storefront:

• Use Webflow, Wix, or Squarespace – Set up a simple page with affiliate links.
• Add Products – Curate your top affiliate products.
• Mention It in Videos – Say “Link in bio for a discount!”

Pro Tip: Higher-ticket items (like tech or furniture) can earn $100+ per sale through bio links.

3. Direct Domain Links (The Pro Move)

For big-ticket products, use custom domains that viewers can easily remember.

📱 Example: “Go to primores.org/smartwatch”

When you verbally mention the link AND show it on-screen, you drive traffic directly to your affiliate offers.

How to Set Up Custom Affiliate Links:

1. Buy a Domain – Use Namecheap or GoDaddy.
2. Set Up with WordPress or Bit.ly – Shorten and track clicks.
3. Promote in Videos – Flash the link on-screen so viewers can easily type it in.

Why this works:
👉 Works across ALL platforms (YouTube Shorts, Reels, TikTok).
👉 Drives consistent traffic – even if TikTok Shop isn’t available.

Bonus: Get Free Product Samples

Here’s the coolest part – you can request free samples directly from TikTok Shop.

Here’s how:

1. Go to Creator Tools → TikTok Shop for Creators.
2. Tap Go to Product Marketplace.
3. Request free samples from sellers and promote them.

This lets you test products for free and earn commissions without ever spending a dime.

Key Takeaways (and Why You Should Jump on This Now)

• TikTok Shop is HOT – Millions are already being made, and it’s just getting started.
• Affiliate Marketing Works – You don’t need to create products – just promote them.
• Start Now – The earlier you start, the more you can earn before competition heats up.

Ready to Get Started?

Stop scrolling.

Get your TikTok Shop set up today, start tagging products, and start making real money.