TikTok has become one of the most influential spaces for marketing, storytelling, and brand visibility. Whether you are a small business or a growing content creator, having a professional social media manager or agency in your corner can help you maximise your TikTok strategy.
But before your agency can start creating content, analysing performance, or running paid ads on your behalf, you will need to grant them the right access. The good news? You can do this without ever handing over your login credentials.
In this guide, we will show you exactly how to give an agency access to your TikTok account securely using TikTok Business Centre and TikTok Ads Manager. You will also learn which permissions to assign, how to manage roles, and what to avoid to keep your account secure.
Why Use TikTok for Business?
Before we jump into access and permissions, let us quickly touch on why businesses are flocking to TikTok.
TikTok offers unmatched organic reach, creative flexibility, and direct audience engagement. Brands that leverage TikTok well often enjoy:
- Rapid brand awareness
- High engagement rates
- Authentic community building
- Seamless integration with eCommerce platforms
- Strong ROI through TikTok Ads
If you are serious about growing your online presence, TikTok is no longer optional.
Do You Need to Share Your TikTok Password?
No. TikTok offers a much better way to collaborate through the TikTok Business Centre and TikTok Ads Manager. These tools are built specifically for multi-user access, making it safe and simple to grant permissions to agencies or contractors without compromising your login.
If an agency ever asks for your TikTok login, consider it a red flag. Professional partners should always work through proper access channels.
Step 1: Switch to a TikTok Business Account
To begin, ensure your TikTok account is set up as a Business Account. This allows for greater analytics, advertising options, and account linking.
How to switch:
- Open TikTok and tap your profile icon
- Tap the three lines in the top right
- Select Settings and privacy
- Tap Account > Switch to Business Account
- Choose the category that best fits your business
Once your account is a business account, you can move on to creating your Business Centre.
Step 2: Create a TikTok Business Centre Account
The TikTok Business Centre is where you manage users, partners, assets, and permissions. You can create one:
Steps:
- Visit the Business Centre site and sign in with your TikTok account
- Choose Create Business Centre
- Add your business name, email address, and time zone
- Confirm and verify your account via email
Once created, you will have access to a dashboard where you can invite people, assign roles, and link assets.
Step 3: Invite the Agency to Your Business Centre
Now it is time to invite the agency or social media manager as a Partner or User.
Option A: Add as a Partner (if they have their own Business Centre)
- In your Business Centre, go to Partners
- Click Add Partner
- Enter the agency’s Business Centre ID (they will give this to you)
- Assign permissions (e.g. TikTok Ads Account, Pixel, Audiences)
Option B: Add as a User (if they will work inside your Business Centre)
- In your Business Centre, go to Users > Add User
- Enter the agency’s email address
- Choose their access level (Admin, Operator, or Analyst)
- Assign them to specific assets like Ads Manager or TikTok Pixel
If the agency is running paid campaigns, you will likely want to assign them as Operator or Admin so they can manage ads.
Step 4: Link Your TikTok Account to Business Centre
If your TikTok account is not yet linked to Business Centre, follow these steps:
- Go to your Business Centre dashboard
- Click on Assets > TikTok Accounts
- Click Add TikTok Account
- Log in with your TikTok credentials
- Authorise Business Centre to manage the account
Once added, your TikTok account can be shared with team members or partners based on assigned roles.
Step 5: Set Up TikTok Ads Manager (If Required)
If the agency will be managing paid TikTok campaigns for you, you must either:
- Share access to your existing Ads Manager
- Or create a new TikTok Ads Manager account under your Business Centre
To add an Ads Account:
- Go to Assets > Ad Accounts
- Click Create New or Add Existing Account
- Assign the agency as a user or partner
Ensure the agency has access to both the Ads Account and the TikTok account if they will be creating native content and paid ads.
Step 6: Assign Roles and Permissions Carefully
When adding the agency as a user or partner, you can assign different roles based on what they need to do.
Here is a breakdown of TikTok Business Centre roles:
If the agency is running paid campaigns and reviewing analytics, Operator is usually the right choice. If they are in charge of your full strategy including setup, Admin may be better.
Step 7: Review and Approve Access
Once you have sent the agency an invite, they will receive an email to accept and join your Business Centre or Ads Manager.
Double check:
- That they appear under Users or Partners
- That they have the correct permissions
- That they can access the assets they need
If needed, you can adjust or revoke their access at any time through the Business Centre dashboard.
Step 8: Set Expectations for Collaboration
Now that the technical side is sorted, it is time to lay the groundwork for a productive working relationship. Make sure you discuss:
- Content calendars
- Approvals and feedback loops
- Ad budgets and billing
- Brand tone and creative direction
- Performance reporting schedules
Clear communication leads to better outcomes. Treat your agency as a strategic partner, not just an outsourced task handler.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced brands make missteps when granting access. Here is what to avoid:
Sharing Login Details
This is against TikTok’s terms of service and a major security risk. Always use Business Centre access instead.
Giving Admin Access Without Need
Do not assign full admin rights unless absolutely necessary. Stick with Operator or Analyst when possible.
Ignoring User Activity
Regularly review who has access to your Business Centre and Ads Manager. Remove users who no longer work with you.
Not Using Business Centre
Relying only on mobile access or personal accounts will limit your ability to scale. Business Centre is essential for professional collaboration.
What Happens If the Relationship Ends?
If you part ways with an agency, you can immediately remove their access.
- Go to Users or Partners
- Find their name
- Click Remove Access
It is simple and ensures your brand remains protected.
You can also change your Ads Manager billing settings or pause campaigns if the agency was managing paid media.
Do You Need a Social Media Manager?
At Cemoh, we connect you with experienced, vetted social media managers who know TikTok from top to bottom. Whether you need help with organic content, paid strategy, or complete channel management, we have the right match for your business. Let us take the guesswork out of your TikTok marketing. Hire a social media manager today and watch your brand grow on TikTok.