TikTok Selling Without Verification or Followers: Setup Guide

In May, merchants in the US region of TikTok no longer need to complete personal identity verification when binding official or channel accounts. The follower count threshold has also been removed. As long as the relevant requirements are met, accounts can be successfully bound, allowing verification-free and zero-follower sales. In other words, it's now more convenient and efficient to build an account matrix for the store.

I. Types of TikTok E-commerce Accounts

To operate a TikTok store, it is very important to use a TikTok account for content operations. Understanding and making full use of self-operated merchant accounts can often provide more support in boosting conversions.

1. Official account

An official account is an institutional account (also called a corporate account) that requires corporate qualifications for creation and verification in the Seller Center. A TikTok store can have only one official account.

2. Channel account

Channel accounts, like official accounts, are self-operated merchant accounts. However, multiple channel accounts can help a store build a content and traffic matrix, establish different account images for each, and promote products using varied strategies. A TikTok store can be linked to up to four TikTok accounts.

Channel accounts must meet the following requirements:

• The account holder must be at least 18 years old.

• The account must be physically located in the target sales country (e.g., a US store requires a US-based account), and both the account and store must belong to the same country or region.

• The account must not have a record of e-commerce permissions being revoked by TikTok Shop, nor be associated with any account that has had its e-commerce permissions revoked.

• The account must comply with TikTok Shop Content Policy, TikTok Community Guidelines, and all other TikTok Shop policies.

• It can only be bound to the store through an invitation.

• The account name must differ from the store’s name.

• There is currently no minimum follower threshold.

• The account can only promote products from the store it is bound to.

II. Channel Account Binding and Operation Methods

1. Bind a personal account as a channel account

In the left menu bar of the TikTok Shop Seller Center backend, go to “My Account” → “Bind TikTok Account” → “Bind Channel Account” → “Bind New TikTok Account,” fill in the account information, and send an invitation.

The invited account can check the message in Inbox: Inbox → Activity → Monetization: new request → Accept request → Link account.

Once confirmed, you can view the bound channel account in the store backend under My Account → Linked TikTok Account → Marketing Accounts.

2. Channel account matrix operation tips

（1）Account division

Do not post content from different niches across every account at the start. Since you have multiple channel accounts, try to operate vertically. For example, if one account has low conversion but attracts more followers, use it for content creation and traffic generation. If another account has high conversion, focus on guiding users to private channels, such as sharing your store’s WhatsApp information.

（2）Content repurposing

If a piece of content performs well on one account, you can create variations using different intros, outros, subtitles, transitions, or dubbing. Distribute these across different accounts while aligning with each account’s core positioning. This differentiation usually avoids being flagged as duplicate content.

（3）Multi-store and multi-account association prevention

Many merchants not only use multiple channel accounts but also open multiple stores. Based on TikTok’s channel account requirements, association must be avoided. If one account or store faces an issue, the entire matrix may be affected. Ensure independence by varying store registration information (must be authentic and reliable), main product categories (choose different categories), and network environment (use highly trusted and clean IPs, such as the mainstream proxy IPFoxy) to prevent linkage.

III. Final Thoughts

Fully leveraging the characteristics of channel accounts and reliable online tools can effectively increase exposure and conversion for both stores and products.