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TikTok Smart Creative and ACO (Automated Creative Optimisation)

TikTok's Automated Creative Optimisation (ACO) and Smart Creative tools automatically test combinations of creative elements. Upload multiple videos, text variations, and CTA options, and TikTok assembles and tests different combinations to find the best performers. ACO is available at the ad group

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Quick Summary

TikTok's Automated Creative Optimisation (ACO) and Smart Creative tools automatically test combinations of creative elements. Upload multiple videos, text variations, and CTA options, and TikTok assembles and tests different combinations to find the best performers. ACO is available at the ad group level. Smart Creative generates variations of your existing creative using AI.

Process Flow

Interactive diagram — drag to pan, scroll to zoom

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these 4 steps to complete this guide

1

Automated Creative Optimisation (ACO)

Enable ACO in your ad group settings. Upload multiple videos (up to 10), multiple text options, and multiple CTAs. TikTok creates all possible combinations and tests them, allocating more budget to winning combinations automatically.
2

Smart Creative

TikTok's AI generates creative variations from your uploaded assets — adjusting video speed, adding effects, mixing elements. This expands your test matrix without manual creative production.
3

When to Use

ACO: when you have multiple creative assets and want to find the best combination efficiently. Smart Creative: when you want to extend the life of existing creative or test variations without producing new content.
4

Best Practices

Upload genuinely different creative (not minor variations). Write distinct text options that test different angles. Let ACO run for at least 7 days before drawing conclusions. Review asset-level performance and replace underperformers.

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