What is Product Seeding?
Product seeding is the process of sending free product samples to creators so they can create content featuring your products. Growi supports two product seeding methods: TikTok Shop Target Collaborations and Shopify Free Samples. Each method is configured in the Details and advanced step of campaign or contract setup.
TikTok Shop vs Shopify: Key Differences
Understanding the difference between TikTok Shop target collaborations and Shopify free samples is important for choosing the right method.
Option | What it does |
TikTok Shop Target Collaborations | Sent via TikTok Shop. Creators receive the invitation directly in TikTok Shop. You cannot approve or deny sample requests in Growi — all management happens in TikTok Shop. |
Shopify Free Samples | Sent via your connected Shopify store. Creators request samples through Growi, and you approve or deny those requests in Growi before the samples are shipped. |
Note: TikTok Shop target collaborations are managed entirely in TikTok Shop. Growi only configures and sends the invitation. Shopify free samples are managed end-to-end in Growi. |
How do I send TikTok Shop target collaborations?
TikTok Shop target collaborations allow you to invite creators to post about specific products and receive free samples. The collaboration request is sent via TikTok Shop, and creators accept or decline directly in the TikTok Shop app.
Setting Up Target Collaborations
Navigate to Onboard Creators > Campaigns (or Contracts).
Open an existing campaign or create a new one.
Go to the Details and advanced step.
Expand the TikTok section.
Click Send TikTok Shop target collaborations.
Target Collaboration Configuration
Target Collaboration Templates
Choose a template to pre-fill collaboration details. Templates save time if you send the same collaboration offer repeatedly. Click a template from the list to load its settings.
Product Selection
Select which products from your TikTok Shop to include in the collaboration offer. Creators can request free samples of these products. Click Refresh Products to sync the latest product list from TikTok Shop.
Offer Free Samples
Toggle this on to allow creators to request free samples of the selected products. Each invited creator can request a free sample of every product in the invitation, including all variations.
Auto Resolve Conflicts
When enabled, creators who have already been invited to a target collaboration for these products — and whose collaboration is still active — will be moved to the new invitation automatically. This prevents duplicate invitations.
Valid Until
Set the expiration date for the target collaboration. Creators must accept the invitation before this date. We recommend setting the expiration date at least 3 months out to give creators enough time to request samples and post videos.
Important: Once the target collaboration expires, creators will lose the shoppable link in their videos. Balance giving creators enough time by keeping target collaborations open with the 1000 maximum active target collaboration limit in TikTok. |
Growi automatically deletes target invitations with 0 creators accepted after 2 weeks to free up space.
Collaboration Details
Option | What it does |
Collaboration Name | Enter a name for the collaboration. This is visible to creators in TikTok Shop. |
Collaboration Message | Write a message to creators explaining the collaboration. This message appears to creators on TikTok Shop when they view the invitation. |
Click Save to send the target collaboration invitations.
Note: Creators receive the invitation in TikTok Shop. You cannot approve or deny sample requests in Growi for TikTok Shop target collaborations — all sample management happens in TikTok Shop. |
How do I send Shopify free samples?
Shopify free samples allow you to send product samples to creators via your connected Shopify store. Unlike TikTok Shop target collaborations, you manage sample requests and approvals entirely in Growi.
Setting Up Shopify Free Samples
Navigate to Onboard Creators > Campaigns (or Contracts).
Open an existing campaign or create a new one.
Go to the Details and advanced step.
Expand the Shopify section.
Click Offer Shopify free samples.
Shopify Free Samples Configuration
Product Selection
Select which Shopify products to offer as free samples. Click Refresh products to sync the latest product list from your Shopify store. Creators can request free samples of any selected product, including all product variations.
Offer Free Samples
Toggle this on to enable free sample requests for the selected products. Each invited creator can request a free sample of every product in the invitation, including variations.
Manual Review vs Auto Approve
Choose how sample requests are handled:
Option | What it does |
Manually Review Requests | You review every submitted request before shipping the samples. Requests appear in the Shopify > Samples section where you can approve or deny them. |
Auto Approve Requests | Every sample request is approved immediately. Samples are shipped automatically without manual review. |
Note: Use Manually Review Requests if you want to screen requests before sending samples. Use Auto Approve Requests if you trust all creators in the campaign and want to streamline the process. |
Allow Many Samples
Toggle this on to allow creators to request multiple samples of the same product. If off, creators can only request one sample per product.
Click Save to enable free sample requests for the campaign.
How do I approve Shopify sample requests?
If you selected Manually Review Requests, you need to approve sample requests before they are shipped. All sample requests appear in the Shopify > Samples request section.
Navigate to Performance Overview > Shopify in the left sidebar.
Click the store tab at the top.
Review the list of pending sample requests.
Check the boxes next to the requests you want to approve.
Click Approve in the action bar at the bottom.
Approved samples are automatically fulfilled via your Shopify store. Denied requests are removed from the queue and no samples are shipped.
