5 Creative TikTok Ads Worth the Steal (+ 2 You Should Never Copy!)

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  • Have you ever seen a TikTok ad but you had absolutely no idea it’s an ad?

    … Till the last minute! Today, I will show you 5 of them that are worth giving a try and 2 that you should never copy! (They’re total flops!) and why they’re like that.

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#1 - Holy Smoke! Who’s She?

This ad doesn’t look like an ad at all, it feels like a regular TikTok post. 

It features an influencer with a body type that matches what the target audience might dream of having. 

There’s no loud sales pitch or direct mention of the product. I love this!

Instead, it’s more of a “slice of life” vibe, which makes people curious about what the influencer is drinking.

Since the influencer looks like they’ve achieved the same results the audience wants, it creates an instant connection and sense of “I want what she’s having.” (The product being advertised!)

Why does the ad work?

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The ad pulls viewers in with curiosity and subtlety. By blending into normal TikTok content, it doesn’t trigger the “skip” reaction. 

The influencer’s appeal to the audience’s desires makes them want to stick around and see what she’s using to achieve her look. 

#2 - Sell the Benefit!

This ad goes straight for the benefit and grabs attention with the line, “I wanna show you how I was able to afford AirPods Pro in 48 hours starting with nothing.” 

It’s a powerful hook because it hints at quick, attainable results and stirs up curiosity. 

People watching want to know the secret behind making money quickly, so they’re naturally inclined to watch the rest of the video. 

This approach works especially well for audiences looking to make money, save money, or earn rewards quickly.

Why does it work?

By focusing immediately on the benefit (affording AirPods in a short time), it gives people a strong reason to pay attention. 

The message is easy to understand and promises something specific, which keeps people interested.

2 TikTok Ads You Should Never Copy!

#1 - Too Commercial

This ad looks like a traditional ad right from the start. 

It’s obvious it’s an ad, with a commercial feel that doesn’t blend into TikTok’s style at all. 

When people see something that looks like a traditional ad, they’re likely to just scroll past. 

On TikTok, viewers expect to see content that feels authentic and organic, so this ad stands out in a negative way.

Why it is a bad ad: 

The ad’s commercial style doesn’t fit TikTok’s casual, creative vibe. 

Since it screams “I’m an ad!” right away, it loses the audience’s interest fast. 

For this type of ad, platforms like Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram Stories would be a better fit, as they’re more suited to traditional ad styles.

#2 -  Is This Even An Ad!?

This ad is cluttered with too much text, all at once, making it confusing and hard to follow. 

The message isn’t clear, and it feels overwhelming for viewers who have only a few seconds to decide if they want to keep watching. 

Because the ad is packed with too much information, it fails to deliver a single, clear point, and viewers are likely to skip without even trying to understand it.

Why it is a bad ad: 

This ad has way too much going on, which makes it messy and unappealing. 

To improve, they could make it simpler, focus on just one main idea, and use clear, readable text. 

TikTok moves fast, so ads need to be easy to understand at a glance, this one just tries to do too much.

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