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TikTok Ads

Step-by-step guide to setting up a TikTok ad with attribution tracking in Grovs.

TikTok Ads let you reach highly engaged users through short-form video content. You can run effective app install campaigns with Grovs attribution tracking, even without integrating the TikTok SDK.

Before you begin, make sure you have:

1

Set up your TikTok campaign

  1. Log in to TikTok Ads Manager.
  2. Click Create Campaign and choose the appropriate campaign group.
  3. Select App Install as your campaign objective to optimize for downloads.
  4. Name your campaign for easy tracking.
2

Create a Grovs tracking link

Instead of linking directly to the app store, use a Grovs-generated link for better tracking and device-based redirection. Grovs dynamic links route users to the correct store or open the app directly if already installed.

  1. Go to your Grovs dashboard.
  2. Click + New link.
  3. Select TikTok as the ad platform.
  4. Fill in the link details (title, subtitle, tags, social media preview).
  5. Create and copy the link.
  6. Paste the copied link into your TikTok ad instead of a direct store URL.

The Grovs link also serves as a deep link, routing users directly to the app store listing and reducing friction in the install process.

3

Define your target audience

  • Location -- choose the geographic regions for your ad.
  • Age and Gender -- select the demographics most likely to download your app.
  • Interest Targeting -- target users by interests such as gaming, fitness, fashion, or food.
  • Behavioral Targeting -- reach users who engage with similar apps or install apps from specific categories.
  • Device and OS -- narrow your audience to iOS or Android to match your app's platform.
4

Create your ad

TikTok offers several ad formats:

  • In-Feed Ads -- appear in users' feeds, blending with organic content
  • Branded Hashtag Challenge -- encourage user participation around your brand
  • TopView Ads -- full-screen takeover when users open TikTok
  • Branded Effects -- interactive effects users can apply in their own videos

Keep videos between 9--15 seconds with a strong hook in the first 2 seconds. Include a clear CTA like "Install Now" or "Get Started Today."

Use bright visuals, dynamic transitions, music, and showcase your app's key features quickly.

5

Set your budget and bid strategy

  1. Budget -- set a daily or total budget for the campaign.
  2. Bidding -- choose automatic bidding (TikTok optimizes for lowest cost per install) or manual bidding for more control over CPI.
6

Publish and monitor performance in Grovs

  1. Click Publish to launch your campaign.
  2. Use Grovs Analytics to monitor performance:
    • Installs -- total new users who installed the app
    • Reinstalls -- users who previously uninstalled and reinstalled
    • Reactivations -- users who became active again through the ad
    • Average time spent -- measures post-install engagement
  3. Adjust targeting, budget, or creatives based on the data.

Grovs tracks installs from any campaign objective, not just app install campaigns. You get full attribution regardless of the goal you select in TikTok.