What changed, and when.

Manual ad campaign setup ends for Sales, App and Lead campaigns Verified

What changed

After December 31, 2026, TikTok stops the old manual way of building Sales, App Promotion and Lead Generation campaigns. New ones are built as Upgraded Smart+ campaigns.

Why it matters

If you run website-sales ads on TikTok (not TikTok Shop ads), plan your new campaigns in Smart+. Some reports, like per-video retention and creative fatigue, aren't available on Smart+ ads. TikTok Shop ads (GMV Max) are not part of this change.

This is about TikTok's non-Shop ad campaigns. GMV Max is not part of it; it's listed under GMV Max so you don't confuse the two.

Editing one field can re-review the whole listing Our observation

What changed

In our own test on a live TikTok Shop listing, a title-only edit went through, then failed review with “Missing Safety Data Sheet (SDS)”. The old title stayed live.

Why it matters

Any edit to a title, description, attributes or images sends the whole listing back through review against today's category rules, not just the part you changed. Some categories require documents like an SDS based on how you answer attributes (for example, “Flammable Liquid?”). Get required documents on file before you edit, or every edit will fail the same way. Price and stock edits don't trigger review.

Stricter quality rules for TikTok Shop LIVEs Verified

What changed

TikTok Shop US “Requirements for High-Quality Videos and LIVEs” took effect: no AI-generated voices or recordings in a LIVE, the host's face must be visible, still or animated content may cover at most 50% of the screen, and no screenshots of product-page images.

Why it matters

AI-avatar or slideshow Shop LIVEs are out. Plan for a real host, talking live, with the real product on camera.

Seller Center menus moved Verified

What changed

Seller Center's navigation changed: Promotions and Free shipping now sit under Shop. Older guides still show Marketing › Promotions.

Why it matters

If a guide's menu path doesn't match your screen, look under Shop first.

Supplements are invite only; some are banned Verified

What changed

TikTok's Restricted Products Policy puts dietary supplements in Level 3 (invite only, through a TikTok Account Manager). Weight-management and mental-wellness supplements are prohibited outright.

Why it matters

Supplement brands can't simply apply for the category. You need an invitation first.

Reported referral fee rise to 8% Unverified

What changed

Third-party reports say TikTok Shop raised the US referral fee from 6% to 8% on Aug 4, 2026, with 9.5–11% for select beauty categories.

Why it matters

If true, it changes the margin on every order. Until TikTok's own table says so, plan on 6% and check the rate in your Seller Center Finance tab.

Company shops must link an Organization Account Verified

What changed

Since Jul 1, 2026, enterprise sellers must link an Organization Account as the shop's official TikTok account.

Why it matters

Companies setting up a shop need an Organization Account ready before they link. One official account plus up to 4 marketing accounts can sell for a shop.

Referral fee table revised Verified

What changed

TikTok revised its US referral fee table. Almost every category is 6%, covering all TikTok fees except shipping and tax.

Why it matters

6% is the number to plan with on a typical order: $3.00 on a $49.99 item.

TikTok's campaigns now require GMV Max Verified

What changed

Platform campaigns tagged GMV Max enabled require a GMV Max ads account. If you don't create one, TikTok auto-creates a seller-funded GMV Max campaign 7 days before the event, and it keeps running afterward until you stop it.

Why it matters

Joining TikTok's sales events now comes with ad spend attached. Watch for the auto-created campaign after the event ends.

GMV Max became the only TikTok Shop ad type Verified

What changed

Since July 2025, GMV Max is the only campaign type for TikTok Shop ads.

Why it matters

Shop ads are one automated campaign that spends to maximize total shop revenue, judged on gross revenue including organic orders.

One bulk-listing template per category Verified

What changed

Since June 2025, bulk listing uses one spreadsheet template per final category.

Why it matters

Big catalogs need a separate upload file for each last-level category.

LIVE Studio access: 10,000 followers (old figure) Unverified

What changed

TikTok's Creator Hub listed 10,000 followers for non-gaming creators to get LIVE Studio access.

Why it matters

If your account can't open LIVE Studio, use LIVE Manager or the phone. Check Your LIVE access in LIVE Studio for your own status.