A Spark Code is an authorization that you generate in TikTok that gives a brand permission to run your TikTok as a paid Spark Ad — appearing as your original post, from your handle, within TikTok's ad system.
When a brand asks for a Spark Code, they're asking for the right to spend their ad budget behind your content, your name, and your audience's relationship with you. It's TikTok's version of Instagram whitelisting. And it should be priced the same way: as a separate line item.
Why Brands Want Spark Codes
Spark Ads that run from a creator's original post outperform standard brand ads significantly — because your followers and potential new viewers see your name in the ad, not a brand's. Your engagement history travels with the ad too: the likes, comments, shares, and watch time your post accumulated carry over into the paid promotion.
Brands get access to your proven content, your audience's trust, and your account's credibility for whatever ad spend they decide to put behind it. That's a high-value license. Price it as one.
But this can come at the cost of reputation. TikTok users will now see your face and username as the publisher of the ad. Most people don't love to see ads on their For You page.
The brand is paying you to take that reputational cost instead of them. This is why you should charge the brand accordingly.
How to Price a Spark Code
Spark Codes are not included in your content creation fee and should not be bundled inside a general "usage rights" clause without being explicitly named and priced.
The code has a duration — you control this when you generate it (typically 7, 30, 60, or 90 days). Price by the duration the brand is requesting:
| Spark Code Duration | Typical Add-On (above content fee) |
|---|---|
| 7 days | ~20–40% of content fee |
| 30 days | ~50–80% of content fee |
| 60 days | ~80–100% of content fee |
| 90 days | ~100–150% of content fee |
These are directional. Brands running high-spend campaigns should be quoted at the top of the range — the value they extract from a Spark Ad scales directly with how much they're willing to spend behind it.
Selah detects Spark Code requests and prices them as a separate line item in your quote →
What to Watch For in Brand Messages
Brands don't always use the phrase "Spark Code." Look for:
- "Spark Code" (direct)
- "Spark Ads authorization" or "Spark Ads access"
- "TikTok ad boosting" or "boosting your TikTok"
- "We'd like to promote your video" — follow up: "Are you looking to run Spark Ads from my account?"
- "Right to run ads on TikTok" — ask if they mean Spark Ads specifically
- Any request to "boost" a TikTok you haven't posted yet — this means they want Spark Code access pre-post
If you're unsure, ask directly: "Are you looking to run Spark Ads from my TikTok?" Knowing the answer tells you exactly what you're pricing.
A Spark Code is one of the most undercharged elements in TikTok brand deals — because most creators don't know what it is until they've already given it away. Now you do.
For the full pricing framework that Spark Codes fit into, see How to Price a Brand Deal →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Spark Code in a TikTok brand deal? A Spark Code is an authorization you generate in TikTok that gives a brand permission to run your organic TikTok video as a paid Spark Ad — appearing as your original post, from your handle, within TikTok's ad system. It is TikTok's version of Instagram whitelisting, and it should always be priced as a separate line item above your content creation fee.
How much should I charge for a Spark Code? Spark Code pricing is based on duration. A 7-day Spark Code typically adds 20–40% of your content fee; a 30-day code adds 50–80%; a 90-day code can reach 100–150%. The higher the brand's ad spend behind your content, the more you should quote toward the top of the range — the value they extract scales directly with how much they put behind the ad.
Is a Spark Code the same as usage rights? No. Usage rights let a brand repurpose your content on their own channels or in their own ads. A Spark Code specifically lets the brand run paid ads from your TikTok account — your handle appears as the publisher of the ad. That is a higher-value authorization than standard usage rights, and it should be priced separately on top of them.
How do I know if a brand is asking for a Spark Code in their message? Look for "Spark Code," "Spark Ads authorization," "Spark Ads access," "TikTok ad boosting," "boosting your TikTok," or "right to run ads on TikTok." If the brand says they want to "promote your video" or "boost from your account" on TikTok, ask directly whether they mean Spark Ads.
Do I generate the Spark Code myself or does the brand do it? You generate the Spark Code through TikTok's app and control the duration. The code is time-limited — you choose whether to issue a 7, 30, 60, or 90-day code. Once generated, the brand uses it to run the ad. Always match the code duration to the term you quoted and priced in your deal.