Important FAQs on TikTok Conversion API Tracking

1. What is the TikTok Conversion API?

Ans: TikTok Conversion API is a tool that allows advertisers to send web events directly from their server to TikTok’s servers. This helps businesses track user actions such as purchases, sign-ups, and other conversions more accurately.

2. What are the benefits of using TikTok Conversion API?

Ans: Using the TikTok Conversion API provides several benefits:

• Improved Data Accuracy: Server-side tracking reduces data loss due to browser restrictions, ad blockers, and cookie policies.
• Enhanced Attribution: More accurate attribution of conversions to TikTok ads.
• Better Optimization: Enhanced data helps TikTok optimize ad delivery and targeting.

3. How do I get started with the TikTok Conversion API?

Ans: Step 1: Set Up a TikTok Business Account

• Create an Account: If you don’t have a TikTok Business Account, sign up for one here.
• Log In: Access your TikTok Ads Manager to manage your campaigns and API settings.

Step 2: Generate an Access Token

• Access TikTok Ads Manager: Navigate to your account settings.
• Create an Access Token:
  • Go to “Library” > “Events Manager” > “API” > “Create Access Token” or “Generate Token”
  • Follow the prompts to generate and copy your access token. To authenticate your API calls, use this token.

Step 3: Study and Follow the API Documentation

• Review Documentation: Visit the TikTok for Developers portal for comprehensive documentation on the Conversion API.
• Understand Requirements: Ensure you understand the required fields, data formats, and endpoint URLs.

Step 4: Implement Server-Side Code

• Choose Your Programming Language: Select a language you’re comfortable with (e.g., Python, JavaScript, PHP).
• Set Up Your Server: Ensure your server can handle HTTP POST requests and has the necessary libraries installed for making API requests.

Step 5: Create an API Request

• Define Your Events: Identify which events you want to track (e.g., purchases, sign-ups, add-to-cart).
• Format Your Data: Prepare the event data, including event name, timestamp, event details, and user data.

Step 6: Test Your Implementation

• Use Developer Tools: Monitor the API requests and responses using tools like Postman or your browser’s developer console.
• Verify Events: Check the TikTok Ads Manager to ensure your events are being received and processed correctly.

Step 7: Deploy Your Code

• Move to Production: Once testing is successful, deploy your server-side code to your production environment.
• Monitor Performance: Regularly monitor the performance and data accuracy through TikTok Ads Manager and make adjustments as necessary.

Step 8: Optimize and Troubleshoot

• Review Data: Periodically review the event data in TikTok Ads Manager to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Handle Errors: Implement error handling in your code to manage any issues with API requests and responses.

Use GTM for ease of setup:

Step 1: Set Up TikTok Pixel in GTM

• Log in to GTM:

• Go to your GTM account and open the container for your website.

• Create a New Tag:

• Click on “Tags” and then “New”.
• Name your tag (e.g., “TikTok Pixel”).

• Choose Tag Type:

• Click on “Tag Configuration”.
• Select “TikTok Pixel” from the list of tag types.

• Enter Pixel ID:

• Enter your TikTok Pixel ID. You can find this in your TikTok Ads Manager under “Assets” > “Events” > “Website Pixel”.

• Set Up Trigger:

• Click on “Triggering” and select a trigger (e.g., “All Pages” if you want to fire the pixel on every page load).

• Save and Publish:

• Save the tag and publish your container.

Step 2: Set Up Server-Side GTM Container

• Create Server-Side Container:

• In your GTM account, create a new server-side container.

• Configure Server Container:

• Follow the setup instructions to deploy your server container on a cloud service like Google Cloud Platform or another cloud provider.

• Add Client in Server Container:

• In your server container, go to “Clients” and add a new “Universal Analytics” or “GA4” client (depending on your setup).

Step 3: Create a Custom HTML Tag for TikTok CAPI

• Go to Tags:

• In your GTM web container, create a new tag.

• Choose Tag Type:

• Select “Custom HTML” as the tag type.

• Add API Code:

• Insert your custom HTML/JavaScript code to send events to the TikTok Conversion API. 

• Set Up Variables:

• Create GTM variables for dynamic data like user IP, user agent, order ID, and hashed user email/phone number. These can be JavaScript variables or data layer variables depending on your setup.

• Configure Triggers:

• Add a trigger that matches the events you want to send to TikTok (e.g., a purchase trigger).

Step 4: Test Your Setup

• Enter Preview Mode:

• In GTM, click on “Preview” to enter Debug Mode.

• Trigger Events:

• Perform the actions on your website that should trigger the TikTok events (e.g., make a test purchase).

• Check Network Requests:

• Open your browser’s developer tools (F12), go to the “Network” tab, and look for requests to TikTok’s API endpoint to verify the data being sent.

• Verify in TikTok Ads Manager:

• Check the “Events Manager” in TikTok Ads Manager to see if the events are being received and processed correctly.

• Save and Publish:

• Save your tag and publish the container.

Step 5: Monitor and Optimize

• Regularly Review Data: Ensure the data being sent is accurate and complete.
• Troubleshoot Issues: If there are any discrepancies or errors, review your GTM setup and server-side implementation.
• Optimize Events: Adjust your tracking setup to capture additional or more relevant events as needed.

 

Is TikTok Conversion API Tracking setup correctly on your website? Get a Free Audit.

Let’s start with us.

 

4. What events can be tracked using the TikTok Conversion API?

Ans: The API can track various events, such as:

• Page Views: When users visit specific pages.
• Sign-Ups: When users register for an account.
• Purchases: When users complete a purchase.
• Add to Cart: When users add items to their shopping cart.
• Custom Events: Other actions relevant to your business goals.

5. How do I authenticate my API requests?

Ans: API requests are authenticated using an access token. You can generate an access token in the TikTok Ads Manager under “Library” > “Events Manager” > “API”. Add this token to your API requests’ authorization header.

6. What data needs to be sent with each event?

Ans: For each event, you should send:

• Event Name: Specific action being tracked (e.g., purchase, sign_up).
• Event Time: Timestamp when the event occurred.
• Event Data: Details about the event, like order value for a purchase.
• User Data: Information to help match the event to a TikTok user, such as email, phone number, or a unique user ID.

7. How do I handle errors in API requests?

Ans: Implement error handling in your code to manage issues such as:

• Authentication Errors: Ensure the access token is correct and not expired.
• Invalid Data: Verify that the data sent conforms to TikTok’s API specifications.
• Network Issues: Handle network errors and retries appropriately.

 

Is TikTok Conversion API Tracking setup correctly on your website? Get a Free Audit.

Let’s start with us.

 

8. How do I test my API implementation?

Ans: To test your API implementation:

1. Use GTM Preview Mode: Enter preview mode in GTM to test tags.
2. Trigger Events: Perform actions on your website that should trigger events.
3. Check Network Requests: Use browser developer tools to check API requests.
4. Verify in TikTok Ads Manager: Confirm that events are received and processed correctly in TikTok Ads Manager.

Testing involves:

1. Using Developer Tools: To monitor API requests and responses.
2. Validating Events: In the TikTok Ads Manager ensure events are received and processed correctly.
3. Checking for Errors: Review API responses for any error messages or warnings.

9. What are common issues with the TikTok Conversion API and how can I troubleshoot them?

Ans:

• Authentication Errors: Ensure the access token is correct and not expired.
• Invalid Data: Verify that the data sent conforms to TikTok’s API specifications.
• Missing Events: Check server-side implementation to ensure events are triggered and sent correctly.

10. Where can I find additional resources and support for the TikTok Conversion API?

Ans: Additional resources can be found at:

• TikTok Developer Portal: For detailed API documentation.
• TikTok Help Center: For FAQs and troubleshooting tips.
• TikTok Support: For direct assistance from TikTok’s support team.

By understanding these key aspects and following best practices, you can effectively utilize the TikTok Conversion API to enhance your marketing efforts and achieve better results.