Spark Ads formats, with examples of each
Creator videos and own-account posts are most Spark Ads. Carousels, interactive add-ons and Duets or Stitches each solve one specific problem.
| Format | What it looks like | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Creator video | A creator’s own post, run from their handle with your CTA under it | Borrowed trust. The comments are real people |
| Own-account post | Your brand’s TikTok post, boosted, with likes landing on your profile | Building the account while you buy reach |
| Photo carousel | A swipeable photo post, 2 to 35 images, with music | Product ranges, step-by-step, before and after |
| Interactive add-ons | A display card, voting sticker, countdown or gift code on the post | Launches, drops and offers with a deadline |
| Duet or Stitch | A creator reacting to, or building on, another post | Reaction and review formats. Needs a code from both creators |
What a good Spark Ad looks like
It looks like a post, not an ad. A face in the first second, native captions, a trending sound, under 20 seconds, one idea.
- The talking-to-camera review. One person, one product, one honest line in the first two seconds.
- The demo. Hands and the product doing the thing, no intro.
- The routine. "Get ready with me" or "a day of", with the product as one step.
- The reaction. A Stitch of a question or a complaint, answered by the product.
- The list. A carousel of five things, the product as one of them.
Real TikTok ads, playable, are in the TikTok ads library, and the opening lines that hold attention are in ad hooks. Ad sizes and safe zones are in TikTok ad specs.
What cannot run as a Spark Ad
Stories, Duet carousels, posts that tag multiple other posts, private posts until they are made public, and anything flagged under community guidelines.
TikTok Shop is its own path now: since July 2025, GMV Max is the default and only supported campaign type for TikTok Shop Ads, with creator and affiliate posts as video sources (TikTok Ads Manager Help Center). Every code error and its fix is on Spark Ads code.
Where Spark-ready posts come from
Creators, your own team, or AI. Whichever you pick, the post has to work organically first, because the Spark Ad is the post.
Creators bring trust and a contract each. AI creators bring volume, covered in AI influencer ads and AI UGC. Your own account brings the follows home.
Director by Sprites is a full creative team for your startup. Every Monday you get finished, on-brand video ads, reviewed by a human. You never write a prompt.
Frequently asked questions
What is an example of a Spark Ad?
A creator posts a video reviewing your product, sends you a Spark code, and you run that exact post as an ad from their handle with a Shop now button. The likes and comments stay on their post.
Can carousels be Spark Ads?
Yes. Photo carousels of 2 to 35 images with music can run as Spark Ads. Duet carousels cannot.
Can I use a Duet or Stitch as a Spark Ad?
Yes, with a code from both creators: enter the second creator’s code first, then the original creator’s.
Can a TikTok Story be a Spark Ad?
No. TikTok Ads Manager rejects Story videos for Spark Ads.
Want posts worth sparking every week?
The Spark Ad is only as good as the post. Director by Sprites is a full creative team for your startup, in private beta. Every Monday you get finished, on-brand video ads, reviewed by a human. You pick the winners. Sprites ships the campaigns.