TikTok Shop glossary.
Short definitions of the terms you meet on TikTok Shop, from GMV to open plans.
TikTok Shop has its own vocabulary, and the same thing can have a different name in each market. This glossary explains the terms our guides use, and says where a rule differs between the UK, the EU and the US. Hover over or focus a dotted word in any guide to see its short definition.
Partners and roles
- Creator Agency Partner (CAP)
An agency registered with TikTok that represents creators on TikTok Shop and takes a share of their commission, with their approval.
- Multi-Channel Network (MCN)
An agency registered with TikTok that represents a roster of creators on TikTok Shop. Partner Center lists it next to the CAP.
- TikTok Shop Affiliate Partner (TAP)
An agency that runs affiliate campaigns between sellers and creators. The seller is its client.
- TikTok Shop Partner (TSP)
An agency registered with TikTok that works on the parts of a shop the seller hands over. The seller grants and can remove its access.
Affiliate plans and tools
- Affiliate program
The system that lets creators promote a shop's products and earn a commission on the sales they drive.
- Creator matchmaking (match-up)
A campaign run by an affiliate partner that matches a seller's products with suitable creators at scale.
- GMV Max
An automated TikTok Shop ad campaign. With a creator's authorization, it can use their affiliate videos as ads.
- Open collaboration (open plan)
A commission offer any eligible creator can add straight away, at one rate the seller sets. In the US, the seller can turn on approval.
- Outreach quota (sample quota)
A limit on how many new creators a seller can invite or message. In the US it is weekly and based on the last 30 days of sales.
- Product link
The product tag on a video or LIVE that viewers tap to buy without leaving TikTok.
- Sample request
A creator's request for a free product from a seller, in exchange for a video or LIVE about it.
- Showcase
A creator's product list on their profile, where followers can browse and buy what the creator promotes.
- Target collaboration (targeted plan)
A commission offer the seller sends to creators it chooses, at a rate set for them, which can be higher than the open rate.
Money and fees
- Commission rate
The percentage of a sale a seller pays the creator who drove it. The seller sets the rate.
- Gross merchandise value (GMV)
The total value of goods sold. It is a sales figure, not profit.
- Referral fee
The percentage TikTok charges the seller on each order. It differs by market and category.
- Revenue share (creator agency)
The share of a creator's TikTok Shop commission that goes to their agency. The creator approves it first.
- Shop Ads commission
A second, lower rate some sellers set for sales that come from ads built from a creator's video.
- Standard commission
The commission a creator earns on sales from their own content, with no paid ad in between.
Levels and scores
- Creator badges
Monthly creator levels set from recent sales: Level 1 to 8 in the UK, Bronze to Diamond in the US.
- Shop Performance Score (SPS)
A 0 to 5 score of a shop's delivery, cancellations, returns, reviews and customer service. TikTok's UK affiliate policy asks for 3.5 or more.
- Violation points
Penalty points for breaking TikTok Shop rules. In the US, high violation points can limit some creator benefits.
LIVE
- LIVE Creator Network
An agency that partners with TikTok LIVE to develop creators who stream. It registers on LIVE Backstage, not in TikTok Shop's Partner Center.
- LIVE shopping
Selling products during a TikTok LIVE stream, with viewers buying while it runs.
Shops and access
- Cross-border seller
A seller that sells into a market from a business based in another country. TikTok's UK seller terms cover those it invites.
- Data authorization
Permission a creator gives an agency to see their TikTok Shop sales data. In the US, the creator accepts it in the app.
- Local seller
A seller registered in the market it sells in, such as a UK business on TikTok Shop UK. UK and EU rules also ask for local stock, with some EU exceptions.
- Partner Center
TikTok's portal where agencies register for TikTok Shop partner roles and send access requests to sellers and creators.
- Seller authorization
Permission a seller gives an agency to use chosen parts of Seller Center, for a period the seller sets. The seller can remove it.
- Seller Center
The dashboard where sellers run their TikTok Shop: products, orders, affiliate plans and settings.
- Ship by TikTok
TikTok's shipping option: TikTok arranges the carrier and the seller still hands each parcel over, within two working days in the UK and EU.
- Shop tab
The storefront inside the TikTok app where people browse and search for products, as on a marketplace.