Attention all foreign trade partners running TikTok ads for international markets! A new platform regulation that directly affects future ad account openings and profile linking has taken effect.
According to an official announcement from the TikTok Ads Manager:Starting October 7, 2026, TikTok accounts that have not completed Business Verification will not be able to link new ad accounts or create ads.
In a nutshell:Existing linked accounts will continue to run ads as usual. New accounts must first complete corporate qualification verification before they can run ads.
I. Key Points of the New Regulations
Essentially, this adjustment involves TikTok gradually phasing out the ad placement model for “Custom Identity” and unverified accounts. The platform requires that advertisers be traceable in order to enhance ad transparency and create a more compliant advertising ecosystem.
✅ Unaffected accountsUntil October 7, 2026, TikTok profiles that have already been successfully linked to an ad account may maintain their current ad delivery status, and ad campaigns will continue to run normally, unaffected by these new regulations.
⚠️ Restricted AccountsAfter October 7, all those who need toNew RelationshipTikTok accounts, including those used forSpark AdsNative ads and TikTok profiles used for ad display must first complete business verification. Unverified accounts will be automatically blocked by the system, preventing account linking and making it impossible to create ads.
TikTok’s official business verification documentation clearly states: An account’s verification status directly determines its ad placement permissions.
The original document states: When you create an advertising account on TikTok, the system will require you to verify your company information. This helps verify the authenticity of all advertisers and companies, thereby better ensuring user safety. Once your ad spend reaches the platform’s set threshold, you will also be required to complete business verification, and you must do so by the deadline for your ads to continue running normally.
II. Three Things to Do Right Now to Prevent Ad Campaign Interruptions
With the effective date fast approaching, we recommend that foreign trade advertising teams complete their account reviews and prepare their credentials as soon as possible to allow for a sufficient review period:
- Comprehensive Review of the Account Linking List
Review the TikTok profiles linked to the advertising account, identify new accounts and profiles scheduled to go live after October 7, mark them separately, and prioritize their processing. - Submit Corporate Qualification Verification Earlylog inTikTok Business CenterOr, on the advertising management platform, go to [Tools] > [Account Settings] > [Business Verification], and follow the platform’s instructions to submit electronic copies of your business license, company registration documents, and the legal representative’s identification, among other materials.
Document Requirements: The text in the image must be clear and complete, and the business license number must be clearly visible. When taking and uploading photos, it is recommended to use a dark background to ensure the text is legible.
- Complete the account authorization and linking before the deadline
If you have advertising plans for the next quarter and need to link new TikTok profiles, please complete the account authorization and linking process by October 7 to secure your linking permissions and avoid the risk of being unable to perform these actions once the new regulations take effect.
III. Two Common Pitfalls You Must Avoid
Many foreign trade advertisers find that their qualifications are often rejected during the review process, which delays their ad campaigns. Avoid these two pitfalls in advance:
🔴 Pitfall 1: Inconsistencies in the submitted informationThe company’s full name, business license number, and other information entered in the corporate verification form must match the original documents exactly. Any discrepancies will result in the application being rejected outright, and repeated submissions will prolong the processing time.
🔴 Pitfall 2: Insufficient time allocated for reviewVerification of business credentials and linking of the homepage account typically take 1–3 business days. Do not wait until your ad campaign is ready to launch to initiate verification at the last minute, as this can easily delay your ad schedule.
IV. What Is TikTok’s Mandatory Business Verification? What Are the Benefits of Completing Verification?
Enterprise Verification is TikTok’s identity verification mechanism, designed to confirm that a company actually exists and holds valid registration credentials, thereby ensuring that ads can continue to run. When ad spend reaches a threshold set by the platform, this verification process is triggered for Business Center/Ad Manager accounts. It must be completed by the deadline specified in the notification; otherwise, ads will be paused.
There are four key benefits to completing business verification:
✅ Continuous Placement: Complete the verification on time to ensure your ad campaign continues to run and to prevent your ads from being suspended by the platform.
✅ Verify once, and it applies to all your accounts: Once your business is verified in the Business Center, all of your advertising accounts will automatically inherit the verified status; there is no need to resubmit documents for each account individually.
✅ Trust and Security: Verify the advertiser's true identity, protect platform users, and enhance the company's own brand reputation.
✅ Well-Organized Account Management: A verified business profile that links the account, assets, and payment information to the verified business entity.
Note: The thresholds for triggering verification based on ad spend vary by region; the specific amounts will be listed in the notifications issued by the platform.
V. Why Has TikTok Tightened Its Account Verification Rules?
This rule change isn’t just an additional step for uploading qualifications; it marks a significant shift in TikTok’s advertising system:
- Say Goodbye to Anonymous Ad Placement; Implement a Real-Name System for Ads
In the past, advertisers could use custom identities to run ads without linking them to real accounts, making it difficult for the platform to trace the actual advertisers and leading to a proliferation of fake accounts and bulk-created fraudulent accounts. Phasing out custom identities and mandating account verification essentially amounts to a real-name system for ad placement. - Addressing Global Advertising Compliance Regulations
Countries around the world regardingAd TraceabilityRegulatory oversight of advertising transparency continues to tighten. Account verification mechanisms, which ensure that every ad is traceable and accountable, are essential measures for platforms to address global regulatory requirements. - Strongly Support the Spark Ads Native Advertising Ecosystem
TikTok continues to encourage advertisers to use authentic accounts to post native content for Spark Ads. Native posts appear more natural, inspire greater user trust, and deliver better conversion results, while also helping the platform strengthen its content ecosystem. - Cleaning Up the Advertising Environment Benefits Legitimate Foreign Trade Brands
Qualification requirements can help block fake accounts, fraudulent ads, and accounts used to inflate metrics, thereby reducing malicious competition. For foreign trade businesses that are seriously committed to expanding their brands overseas, the advertising environment will be healthier in the long run.
Overall, TikTok is building an advertising ecosystem based on “authentic accounts, authentic entities, and authentic content.” While this will increase the workload associated with preparing the necessary credentials in the short term, it will help filter out unscrupulous players in the long run, which is a positive development for businesses expanding overseas in compliance with regulations.
If you encounter any issues during the business verification or account linking process, you can contact a TikTok agency for assistance.
If you want to stay up-to-date on the latest overseas advertising policies from TikTok, Meta, and Google, and get first-hand, practical insights on cross-border advertising, follow the WeChat official account 【Cross-Border Trade Practical Tips】. We’ll continue to provide updates on practical topics such as account verification, ad placement, creative development, and overseas customer acquisition—helping international trade partners proactively avoid platform policy risks and steadily scale their global campaigns.
