TikTok Introduces Search Ads for Brands: Targeting the Explorers
TikTok, the popular short-form video platform, has unveiled an innovative way for brands to connect with their audience. This exciting development, the “Search Ads Toggle,” allows advertisers to tap into the vast TikTok user base through a new advertising space: the search results page.
A New Avenue for Brands
TikTok has introduced the Search Ads Toggle to expand its advertising offerings, enabling advertisers to reach users actively seeking information about new products and brands. TikTok has taken a significant step by allowing brands to engage with users interested in the brand’s products or services. This ad type builds upon TikTok’s video ad platform, enhancing its capabilities.
Ray (Jiayi) Cao, TikTok’s Global Head of Monetization Product Solution and operation, expressed the significance of this development, stating,
“The Search Ads Toggle gives advertisers a new ad placement where qualified, high-intent users are searching for content relevant to their business, allowing advertisers to further connect with the TikTok community in authentic and engaging ways.”
Source: Tiktok
Ensuring Brand Safety and Relevance
To maintain the integrity of brand messaging, TikTok offers a feature known as “Negative Keywords.” This feature empowers advertisers to prevent their ads from being displayed alongside search queries that don’t align with their brand values. The introduction of this feature highlights TikTok’s commitment to brand safety and relevance in its advertising ecosystem.
Promising Results
Internal testing conducted in July revealed promising results for advertisers using the Search Ads Toggle. Approximately 70% of ad groups that utilized the Toggle witnessed a reduced Cost per Action (CPA). These tests demonstrated the effectiveness of the new ad format and its potential to deliver value to advertisers.
Challenging the Search Ad Landscape
Though TikTok’s new advertising avenue is a boon for brands, it challenges established players like Google. With an increasing number of young users initiating their searches on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, TikTok’s Search Ads Toggle can potentially disrupt the traditional search ad business model.
TikTok’s search ads strategy aligns with evolving user behavior, providing brands a unique opportunity to engage with their audience. As the advertising landscape evolves, this new offering promises to drive genuine interactions and meaningful results for platform advertisers.
Source: Tiktok
