How to Set Up Creatives for TikTok Catalog Ads Campaign

Running successful TikTok Catalog Ads campaigns requires more than just uploading products into a catalog. The creative system behind the campaign plays a crucial role in helping TikTok’s algorithm select, generate, and optimize ads that convert.

This guide explains how advertisers can set up and manage creatives for Catalog Ads under the Sales Objective (Creator+), including how to auto-select creatives, add new assets, exclude unsuitable creatives, and optimize catalog-based video templates.

1. [Ads Creation Page] Auto-Select Creatives

Step 1: Visit the Ads Creation Page

Step 2: View the Creative Assets tile

Step 3: Explore various creative selection scenarios:

• If you have a Catalog and Destination URL:

(A) Auto-Select Creatives

• Add in "Destination URL" such that creatives are auto-selected

• "Edit" button: Leads you to the Recommendation Drawer

• "View More" button: Leads you to a description explaining the functionality

(B) Auto-Select Creatives with Manual Creatives added

• "Edit" button: Leads you to the Recommendation Drawer

• "View More" button: Leads you to a description explaining the functionality

If you don't have a Catalog and you don't have a Destination URL:

(C) Manually Added Creatives only

• "Edit" button: Leads you to TikTok posts

• "View More" button: Leads you to a description explaining the functionality

Step 4: Creative Upload

Test out uploading creatives directly on the Ad Generation page

2. [Creative Recommendations Page] Add Creatives

Step 1: Creative Recommendation Page

• Visit the Ads Creation Page

• View the Creative Assets tile

• Auto-Select Creatives

• Click the "Edit" button which will leads you to the Recommendation Drawer

Step 2: Add Creatives

Explore adding creatives from 4 different sources:

• Net New Creatives

• TikTok Posts

• Creative Library

• Catalog Library

Step 3: Auto-Add Feature

• Turn on the auto-add feature

3. [Creative Recommendations Page] Exclude Creatives

Exclude Creatives

(A) Exclude Single Creative in Auto-Selected Drawer

• Go to the exclude drawer

• Hover over the post

• Click "3 dots" icon

• Click "Exclude"

B) Exclude Creatives from TT Post and Creative Library Tab

• Go to TikTok Post or Creative Library

• Select the Creative check box to exclude

(C) Exclude Single Creative in Summary Bar

• Go to the exclude drawer

• Go to the Summary bar

• Click on a Single Creative to exclude

Exclusion Filters

Explore creative exclusion filters across:

• Categories

• Creators: Type in keywords and enter "save" to select

• Keywords: Type in keywords and enter "save" to select

• Creation Date: Select a date range from the calendar (start date or end date)

• Creative Assets: Type in keywords or ID to search

  
  

  4. [Creative Recommendations Page] Catalog Creative

Step 1: View Catalog Creatives in Recommendation Drawer

Step 2: Video Template Selection

• Click "Video Templates"

• Choose selected video templates

Step 3: Enable or Disable Catalog Creative Types

Choose to exclude certain catalog creative types

Conclusion

Creative setup plays a critical role in the success of TikTok Catalog Ads campaigns. By combining automated creative recommendations with manual controls, advertisers can build a strong creative pipeline that continuously adapts to audience behavior. Using features like Auto-Select Creatives, Creative Recommendations, Auto-Add, and Catalog Video Templates, advertisers can scale campaigns faster while maintaining creative quality.

If you want to maximize the performance of your TikTok Ads or TikTok Shop campaigns, proper creative setup is one of the most important factors.

Contact Ecomdy to get expert guidance on setting up and optimizing your TikTok Catalog Ads campaigns. Our team can help you build scalable creative strategies, automate campaign management, and unlock better performance across global markets.