# TikTok Creative Center Top Ads search API

Search the Top Ads of TikTok's Creative Center by keyword: the ad's video, caption, brand name, likes, length and campaign objective; one country at a time, over a chosen period, in the Creative Center's own order or by likes. 20 ads a page. This is a showcase of ads that did well, not an ad library: it has no dates. Up to 20 items a call; $0.0020 per call. Errors and timeouts are not charged; an empty result is charged $0.0020.

- Endpoint: `GET https://api.dataxapi.com/v1/tiktok/creative_center/ads/search`
- ID: `tiktok.creative_center.ads.search`
- Also known as: tiktok top ads, tiktok best performing ads, tiktok creative center ads, TikTok ad library search
- Price: $0.0020 / call
- Live status is not on this page, which is a snapshot. Read it with `GET https://api.dataxapi.com/v1/catalog/status`
- Checked daily with real calls · 4 days on record
- Returns: 20 a page, a page, with a cursor for the next
- Returns ad, a preview structure that may still change
- [Run it in the Playground](https://dataxapi.com/console/playground/?capability=tiktok.creative_center.ads.search&params=%7B%22query%22%3A%22sneakers%22%7D)
- In Chinese: [TikTok 创意中心热门广告搜索 API](https://dataxapi.com/zh/apis/tiktok/creative_center/ads/search/)

## What you get

The first row of a response recorded 2026-10-12 22:19 UTC.

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| format | video |

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `query` | text | Yes | Search terms. Example: `sneakers`. |
| `region` | text |  | Which country's or region's Top Ads, by its two-letter code; the United States when left out. Example: `US`. |
| `window` | text |  | Performance over this recent period. Values: `7d`, `30d`, `180d` (default). Example: `30d`. |
| `sort` | text |  | In the Creative Center's own recommended order, or by likes, highest first. Values: `relevance` (default), `popular`. Example: `popular`. |
| `cursor` | text |  | Cursor returned by the previous page. Pass `page.next_cursor` of the page before, unchanged. Each page is charged as a call of its own. |
| `view` | text |  | How much of each item to return. All three cost the same. Values: `compact`, `standard` (default), `full`. |
| `fields` | list of text |  | Return only these fields. Each by its path, such as `author.name`. |

## Returned fields

`data.items` is a list of ad objects. Preview: the structure may change, announced beforehand.

Three views: `compact` (the most used fields, long text cut short), `standard` (the default: every standard field) and `full` (adds `ext`, the platform's own fields). A field is in the view named and in every larger one.

| Field | Type | Description | From view | This endpoint |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `id` | text | ID; pass it unchanged to the ad's get endpoint. | `compact` | Yes |
| `url` | link | The ad's page in the platform's ad library. | `compact` | Yes |
| `format` | text | Format of the creative; other is a format of the platform's own. Values: `video`, `image`, `carousel`, `text`, `other`. | `compact` | Yes |
| `title` | text | Headline. | `compact` | The platform has none |
| `text` | text | Body text. Long text: the compact view keeps the first 500 characters and says so in `warnings`. | `compact` | Yes |
| `landing_url` | link | Where a click on the ad leads. | `standard` | Not provided here |
| `advertiser` | object | Advertiser. | `compact` | Yes |
| `advertiser.id` | text | Advertiser ID. | `compact` | The platform has none |
| `advertiser.name` | text | Advertiser's name. | `compact` | Yes |
| `advertiser.url` | link | The advertiser's page on the platform. | `standard` | The platform has none |
| `advertiser.avatar_url` | link | The advertiser's picture or logo. | `standard` | The platform has none |
| `images` | list of link | Addresses of the ad's images. | `standard` | The platform has none |
| `videos` | list of link | Addresses of the ad's videos; they expire. | `full` | Yes |
| `first_shown_at` | time | When the ad was first shown. | `compact` | The platform has none |
| `last_shown_at` | time | When the ad was last shown; for an ad still running, when the platform last saw it. | `compact` | The platform has none |
| `ext.likes` | integer | Likes on the ad's video. | `full` | Yes |
| `ext.duration` | number | Length of the video, in seconds. | `full` | Yes |
| `ext.cover_url` | link | Cover of the video. | `full` | Yes |
| `ext.objective` | text | Campaign objective, as the platform's own code. | `full` | Yes |
| `approximate` | list of object | Which numbers of this item are approximate or lower bounds; absent when all are exact. | `compact` | Yes |
| `approximate[].field` | text | Path of the field, such as metrics.views. | `compact` | Yes |
| `approximate[].kind` | text | Approximate, or a lower bound. Values: `approximate`, `lower_bound`. | `compact` | Yes |

A field with no value on an item is `null`. A field this endpoint cannot give is left out and listed in `meta.unavailable`.

Typical size of one item: `compact` 343 B, `standard` 343 B, `full` 1.1 KB (measured on the response recorded 2026-10-12 22:19 UTC).

## Paging

20 items a page. The page size is the platform's; `limit` is not accepted.

For the next page pass `page.next_cursor` as `cursor`; a cursor is valid for 1 hour. `page.has_more` is false on the last page.

## When you are charged

| Case | Charged |
| --- | --- |
| A result with data | $0.0020, once per call |
| Each further page | charged as a call of its own |
| An empty result | $0.0020 |
| Invalid parameters, a failure of ours or of the data source, a timeout | not charged |
| The most one call can cost | $0.0020 (send `X-Max-Price` to refuse anything above your own limit) |

Prices as read 2026-10-21 10:10 UTC, under price book 2, in effect since 2026-10-17 11:00 UTC; the Playground reads the price in force before a run.

## Errors

Every error has the same structure: `code`, `message`, `charged`, `retry`, `retry_after_seconds`, `param`, `docs_url`.

| HTTP | Code | Meaning | Charged | Retry |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 400 | `invalid_params` | A parameter is invalid | No | After a fix |
| 400 | `request_not_served` | This combination of parameters cannot be served at present | No | After a fix |
| 400 | `max_price_exceeded` | The most this call could cost is above the limit you set | No | After a fix |
| 400 | `cursor_invalid` | The cursor does not exist | No | No |
| 400 | `cursor_mismatch` | The cursor was issued for another endpoint or other parameters | No | After a fix |
| 401 | `unauthorized` | No credential was sent, or it is invalid, disabled or expired | No | No |
| 402 | `insufficient_balance` | The balance is too low | No | After a fix |
| 402 | `key_budget_exceeded` | This key's spending limit does not cover the call | No | After a fix |
| 402 | `run_budget_exceeded` | This run's amount or call limit does not cover the call | No | No |
| 403 | `account_suspended` | The account is suspended | No | No |
| 403 | `forbidden` | This credential may not use that option | No | No |
| 403 | `key_scope_denied` | This key may not call this endpoint | No | No |
| 404 | `run_not_found` | No run under this run ID | No | No |
| 409 | `call_in_progress` | The call under this idempotency key is still running; ask again with the same key shortly | No | With the same idempotency key |
| 409 | `idempotency_conflict` | This idempotency key was used for a different request | No | After a fix |
| 410 | `cursor_expired` | The cursor expired; start again from the first page | No | No |
| 410 | `run_expired` | This run has expired and starts no more calls | No | No |
| 429 | `rate_limited` | Too many requests, or too many calls in progress | No | Yes |
| 429 | `cost_cap_exceeded` | This account's allowance for today is used up | No | Yes |
| 429 | `uncharged_cost_limit` | Too many of this account's calls today returned nothing and were not charged; endpoints of this kind can be called again tomorrow (UTC) | No | Yes |
| 500 | `settlement_unknown` | Whether this call settled is not known; ask again with the same idempotency key, or look it up by request ID | Unknown: look the call up | With the same idempotency key |
| 500 | `internal_error` | The service failed | No | Yes |
| 502 | `upstream_failed` | The data source failed | No | Yes |
| 502 | `upstream_changed` | The data source returned an unexpected structure | No | Yes |
| 502 | `upstream_unclear` | The data source's answer could not be interpreted; retry at most once | No | Once |
| 502 | `cursor_unavailable` | The data source this cursor belongs to is unavailable; retry later or start again from the first page | No | Yes |
| 503 | `upstream_busy` | The data source is busy; retry shortly | No | Yes |
| 503 | `capability_paused` | This endpoint is paused | No | Yes |
| 503 | `overloaded` | The service is busy; retry shortly | No | Yes |
| 504 | `timeout` | The data did not arrive in time; retry with the same idempotency key | No | Yes |

[All error codes](https://dataxapi.com/docs/errors/)

## Request

The key is read from the environment; no key is ever written into a page.

### cURL

```bash
curl -G "https://api.dataxapi.com/v1/tiktok/creative_center/ads/search" \
  --data-urlencode "query=sneakers" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $DATAXAPI_API_KEY"
```

### Python

```python
from dataxapi import DataXAPI

dx = DataXAPI()  # reads DATAXAPI_API_KEY
result = dx.tiktok.creative_center.ads.search(query="sneakers")
print(result["data"]["items"])
```

### TypeScript

```typescript
import { DataXAPI } from "@dataxapi/sdk";

const dx = new DataXAPI(); // reads DATAXAPI_API_KEY
const result = await dx.tiktok.creative_center.ads.search({ query: "sneakers" });
console.log(result.data.items);
```

### CLI

```bash
dataxapi call tiktok.creative_center.ads.search query=sneakers
```

### MCP

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dataxapi": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.dataxapi.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${DATAXAPI_API_KEY}"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Add this to your MCP client, then ask your agent to call `tiktok.creative_center.ads.search`.

## Responses

### 200

From a response recorded 2026-10-12 22:19 UTC. Names, text and IDs are examples, and so are the links: none is the recorded one (the page shows no one's personal data); the figures are as recorded. Long lists are cut. The request ID, cursor and balance are made up.

Size as sent: 7.3 KB in the standard view (7.3 KB compact, 23.0 KB full).

```jsonc
{
  "code": "ok",
  "request_id": "f9d55ed5-afa6-4069-8b32-eb2d100b6146",
  "data": {
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1859676182307727",
        "url": "https://library.tiktok.com/ads/detail/?ad_id=1859676182307727",
        "format": "video",
        "text": "Start sneakers with the kit made for beginners",
        "advertiser": { "name": null }
      },
      // … 19 more
    ]
  },
  "page": {
    "next_cursor": "c1.PEjOuuCCkHSgC2hmkuGhVBbDWGa-sOraicw7P4CJ",
    "cursor_expires_at": "2026-10-12T23:19:55.000Z",
    "has_more": true,
    "returned": 20
  },
  "warnings": [],
  "meta": {
    "capability": "tiktok.creative_center.ads.search",
    "result_status": "complete",
    "fetched_at": "2026-10-12T22:19:55.000Z",
    "cached": false,
    "replayed": false,
    "unavailable": {
      "title": "platform",
      "advertiser.id": "platform",
      "advertiser.url": "platform",
      "advertiser.avatar_url": "platform",
      "images": "platform",
      "first_shown_at": "platform",
      "last_shown_at": "platform",
      "landing_url": "capability"
    },
    "billing": {
      "amount": "0.002",
      "currency": "USD",
      "balance_after": "9.998"
    }
  }
}
```

### Empty

From a response recorded 2026-10-12 22:11 UTC. The request ID and balance are made up.

Size as sent: 626 B in the standard view (626 B compact, 626 B full).

```jsonc
{
  "code": "ok",
  "request_id": "57d754d9-b411-4686-bc01-5cd21cb79282",
  "data": { "items": [] },
  "page": {
    "next_cursor": null,
    "cursor_expires_at": null,
    "has_more": false,
    "returned": 0
  },
  "warnings": [],
  "meta": {
    "capability": "tiktok.creative_center.ads.search",
    "result_status": "empty",
    "fetched_at": "2026-10-12T22:11:18.000Z",
    "cached": false,
    "replayed": false,
    "unavailable": {
      "title": "platform",
      "advertiser.id": "platform",
      "advertiser.url": "platform",
      "advertiser.avatar_url": "platform",
      "images": "platform",
      "first_shown_at": "platform",
      "last_shown_at": "platform",
      "landing_url": "capability"
    },
    "billing": {
      "amount": "0.002",
      "currency": "USD",
      "balance_after": "9.998"
    }
  }
}
```

### 400

An example written to the specification, not a recorded response.

```json
{
  "code": "invalid_params",
  "request_id": "29d7a12d-aa82-4c08-816b-8b005431c5ff",
  "message": "A parameter is invalid",
  "message_zh": "参数不合法",
  "charged": false,
  "retry": "after_fix",
  "retry_after_seconds": null,
  "param": null,
  "problems": ["query is required"],
  "docs_url": "https://dataxapi.com/docs/errors#invalid_params"
}
```

### 402

An example written to the specification, not a recorded response.

```json
{
  "code": "insufficient_balance",
  "request_id": "8d16e9fd-0975-46d4-a9a1-33c1282ea768",
  "message": "The balance is too low",
  "message_zh": "余额不足",
  "charged": false,
  "retry": "after_fix",
  "retry_after_seconds": null,
  "param": null,
  "required": "0.002",
  "available": "0",
  "docs_url": "https://dataxapi.com/docs/errors#insufficient_balance"
}
```

### 502

An example written to the specification, not a recorded response.

```json
{
  "code": "upstream_failed",
  "request_id": "64cdd6fe-8ea7-44c6-9788-9d40e66f9d63",
  "message": "The data source failed",
  "message_zh": "数据来源出错",
  "charged": false,
  "retry": "yes",
  "retry_after_seconds": null,
  "param": null,
  "docs_url": "https://dataxapi.com/docs/errors#upstream_failed"
}
```

[This example as a JSON file](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/creative_center/ads/search.example.json)

## Use it in your AI

`dataxapi setup` gives the agents on your machine (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor) the DataXAPI MCP server and the base skill. The key is read from DATAXAPI_API_KEY; none is written into a file.

MCP server: `https://api.dataxapi.com/mcp`. The entry for your client is under MCP in the request examples of this page; then ask your agent to call `tiktok.creative_center.ads.search`.

Or paste this to any AI:

> Read https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/creative_center/ads/search.md and help me use the DataXAPI endpoint tiktok.creative_center.ads.search (TikTok Creative Center Top Ads search).

[Open in ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/?q=Read%20https%3A%2F%2Fdataxapi.com%2Fapis%2Ftiktok%2Fcreative_center%2Fads%2Fsearch.md%20and%20help%20me%20use%20the%20DataXAPI%20endpoint%20tiktok.creative_center.ads.search%20%28TikTok%20Creative%20Center%20Top%20Ads%20search%29.) · [Open in Claude](https://claude.ai/new?q=Read%20https%3A%2F%2Fdataxapi.com%2Fapis%2Ftiktok%2Fcreative_center%2Fads%2Fsearch.md%20and%20help%20me%20use%20the%20DataXAPI%20endpoint%20tiktok.creative_center.ads.search%20%28TikTok%20Creative%20Center%20Top%20Ads%20search%29.)

## Related

Part of DataXAPI's Ads data. The same key also works for: Social media, Creators, E-commerce.

The same thing on other platforms: [LinkedIn Ad Library search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/linkedin/ads/search/), [Meta Ad Library search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/meta/ads/search/), [TikTok Ads Library search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/ads/search/)

More Ads data on other platforms: [Google ad detail](https://dataxapi.com/apis/google/ads/get/), [Google advertiser's ads](https://dataxapi.com/apis/google/advertisers/ads/list/), [LinkedIn ad detail](https://dataxapi.com/apis/linkedin/ads/get/), [Meta ad detail](https://dataxapi.com/apis/meta/ads/get/), [Meta advertiser's ads](https://dataxapi.com/apis/meta/advertisers/ads/list/), [Google advertiser search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/google/advertisers/search/), [Meta advertiser search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/meta/advertisers/search/)

TikTok Creative Center endpoints: [TikTok Creative Center Top Ad detail](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/creative_center/ads/get/), [TikTok Creative Center Top Ads search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/creative_center/ads/search/)

TikTok endpoints: [TikTok Ads Library search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/ads/search/), [TikTok Ads Library ad detail](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/ads/get/), [TikTok comment replies](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/comments/replies/list/), [TikTok hashtag videos](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/hashtags/videos/list/), [TikTok user profile](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/users/get/), [TikTok user search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/users/search/), [TikTok user videos](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/users/videos/list/), [TikTok video comments](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/videos/comments/list/), [TikTok video detail](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/videos/get/), [TikTok video search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/videos/search/), [TikTok video transcript](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/videos/transcript/get/), [TikTok user followers](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/users/followers/list/)

TikTok Shop endpoints: [TikTok Shop product detail](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/shop/products/get/), [TikTok Shop product reviews](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/shop/products/reviews/list/), [TikTok Shop product search](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/shop/products/search/), [TikTok Shop seller products](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/shop/sellers/products/list/)

Related: [All TikTok Creative Center endpoints](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/creative_center/), [All TikTok endpoints](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/), [Ads data](https://dataxapi.com/categories/ads/), [The same thing on 3 platforms, side by side](https://dataxapi.com/roles/ads-search/), [The ad object's fields](https://dataxapi.com/docs/objects/ad/)

## Questions

### How much does the TikTok Creative Center Top Ads search API cost?

$0.0020 per call. The most one call can cost is $0.0020.

### When am I not charged?

Errors and timeouts are not charged; an empty result is charged $0.0020.

### How many items does one call return, and how do I get the next page?

20 items a page. The page size is the platform's; limit is not accepted. For the next page pass page.next_cursor as cursor; a cursor is valid for 1 hour. page.has_more is false on the last page.

---

Last checked 2026-10-21 10:10 UTC. Catalog revision c48ce454ae6c4c65. [HTML version](https://dataxapi.com/apis/tiktok/creative_center/ads/search/)