You’ve probably heard many theories and “guaranteed” strategies that claim to be the best.

But when testing products on TikTok, it’s time to cut through the noise.

Today’s issue isn’t about selling you a secret formula'; it’s about showing you the ropes, whether you’re just starting or have been around the block a few times.

We’re going deep into how to set up your testing campaigns on TikTok.

It’s all laid out here, step-by-step, for anyone serious about getting it right on one of the hottest platforms.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive in.

Common TikTok advertising misconceptions.

Let’s set the record straight: Broad targeting isn’t just a shot in the dark; it’s your bullseye.

While you might think narrowing down your audience is the way to go, TikTok’s AI is leaps and bounds ahead, making broad targeting (No interest targeting) effective 90% of the time.

It’s like having a smart bomb that knows exactly where to hit, giving your campaigns a broader but more precise reach.

TikTok doesn’t just adapt; it’s advanced and learns at lightning speed, ensuring that your campaigns fly for maximum performance.

It means your ad spend is smarter, not harder. It cuts through the noise and gets your message in front of eyes that want to see it.

So, ditch the TikTok advertising misconceptions and watch as your campaign takes flight on the wings of TikTok’s unmatched algorithm.

CBOS & ABOS

CBO (Campaign budget optimization) is like putting your campaign budget in the hands of a super-smart robot that knows exactly where to spend your money.

Instead of deciding how much to put behind each ad, you set one overall budget for the entire campaign.

TikTok’s algorithm then automatically distributes your budget across different ads based on which ones are performing the best, ensuring your money is used most effectively to reach your goals.

ABO (Ad group budget optimization), let’s say you set specific budgets for each ad group, ensuring each creative gets equal funding for flair testing.

Unlike CBOs that spread your budget for you, ABOs allow you to see clear performance data for each creative, making it easier to identify which ones truly stand out.

Now that we know what an abo is and what a CBO is, I will now show you the ropes on how to set these up, (If you already know how to do this, follow my specific ways to set these up.)

How to set up a CBO

This is the exact setup I use for every product test. Simply follow my instructions, and I will explain why each step is the way it is at the end of the setup.

Targeting & scheduling

Bidding & optimization

CBO Creative set up

The way we set up how our ads look on TikTok itself is vital to adapting the best metrics we can. I closely follow what I do at each step to ensure you have correctly followed every step.

First, ensure smart, creative ads (SCA) are turned on…

This setup is crucial. You want to come across as someone marketing a brand, not a brand marketing itself. It’s common logic why this performs better.

This is the shit that will give you a 4% ctr (click-through rate) instead of something less than 1%; the same goes with CPM (cost per 1000 impressions) and, therefore, CPC (cost per click).

Ad group level inside of a CBO

After setting up your campaign, you’ll have one ad group in your campaign budget optimization (CBO).

Next, duplicate this ad group until you have five in your CBO.

Why five? It’s the ideal number for testing within your campaign.

Your CBO setup should look similar to my example.

Once your CBO is ready, duplicate it. This way, you will have two CBOs, named “CBO Test 1” and” CBO Test 2,” in your ads manager for comparison and further testing.

ABO set up

The settings before this are the same as the CBO setup; however, ensure the ad group budget is $20, as it auto-sets to 50-70 USD.

ABO creative setup

This way, every creative gets an equal chance to perform with the same budget.

With our 2 CBOs and 1 ABO ready, we’re all set to start spending and see our campaigns in action.