What are TikTok's rules on paid product placement?

TikTok's Branded Content Policy is straightforward: any post created in exchange for payment, free product, discounts, or other compensation must be marked with the Branded Content toggle in the post settings. The toggle automatically adds a "Paid partnership" label visible to viewers.

What counts as compensation: • Cash payments • Free products to keep • Discounts and store credit • Sweepstakes entries or giveaways • Long-term partnerships, ambassador programs

The toggle is non-negotiable for two reasons. First, FTC rules require it regardless of TikTok's policy. Second, TikTok automatically promotes Branded Content posts less aggressively in the algorithm — but the platform reserves the right to remove undisclosed sponsored content entirely, and repeat offenders lose access to the Creator Marketplace.

Prohibited categories: TikTok bans branded content for tobacco, alcohol (in some regions), drugs, weapons, financial products, political advertising, and dating services. Even if disclosed, posts in these categories can't carry the Branded Content tag.

For small businesses running perk-for-post campaigns: every campaign brief should tell the customer exactly to enable the Branded Content toggle before posting. "Tag us in your post" isn't enough — without the toggle, both you and the customer are in violation.

Social Perks injects this instruction automatically into every TikTok campaign brief. Submissions are verified to confirm the Branded Content label is present before the perk is released.