From my experience as a creator trying to grow on TikTok Shop, I realized early on that understanding the platform’s commission-based model was key to making real money. Many newcomers think you need to charge brands for ad authorization, but actually, the highest earners focus on creating quality content that gets picked up organically under TikTok’s commission-based growth system. The commission-based system means creators earn a percentage from sales generated through their videos rather than earning flat fees for ad placements. If a brand is already investing heavily in TikTok Shop advertising, turning on app authorization allows your videos to reach a much wider audience, often garnering hundreds of thousands of views. This exposure directly translates to more sales and higher commissions. I noticed that brands who pay for TikTok Shop’s premium advertising (GMV.max) automatically enable authorization for content creators, which creates a win-win situation: brands get better sales performance, and creators enjoy larger commissions. However, if you only publish videos without those brands’ backing, your content struggles to gain traction—and thus, income remains limited. For creators interested in finding paid TikTok Shop video opportunities, platforms like Join Brands can be valuable resources. They connect creators with brands that pay specifically for UGC (User Generated Content), providing a direct path to monetization beyond commissions. However, the majority of successful TikTok Shop content still thrives on commission rather than upfront ad charges. So my advice to anyone looking to monetize TikTok Shop is to focus on producing authentic, engaging videos that can be organically picked up by brands already investing in advertising. Building a portfolio of content linked to commission-earning sales will grow your income sustainably, rather than relying on flat-rate ad authorizations that limit your earning potential.