What Is the TikTok Events API?

🧠 What Is the TikTok Events API?

The TikTok Events API (formerly “Server-to-Server API”) allows businesses to send web, app, or CRM events directly from their server to TikTok. It’s an alternative or complement to TikTok Pixel and is especially helpful when:

Browser tracking is blocked (e.g., due to ad blockers or iOS14 restrictions)
You want more reliable data and conversion attribution
You’re using multiple tracking systems (CRM, eCommerce backend)

The Events API ensures you don’t lose critical tracking data due to browser-based limitations.

🚀 Benefits of Using TikTok Events API

✅ Bypasses browser limitations (cookies, ad blockers, privacy settings)
✅ Works server-side, allowing more control and better security
✅ Improves attribution by supplementing Pixel data
✅ Combines with Pixel using Advanced Matching to deduplicate data
✅ Tracks full-funnel actions, including offline conversions

⚙️ How Does It Work?

The Events API works by sending structured HTTP POST requests from your server to TikTok’s endpoint. These requests include information like:

Event type (e.g., Purchase, PageView, AddToCart)
User identifiers (email, phone, IP, user agent)
Timestamp
Event ID (to deduplicate with Pixel)
Event source

🛠️ TikTok Events API Setup: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create or Use a TikTok Pixel

Even though this is server-side, a Pixel ID is still required for tracking:

Go to TikTok Ads Manager
Navigate to Assets > Events
Under Web Events, create a new TikTok Pixel
Take note of your Pixel ID

Step 2: Get Access Token (Business Center)

Go to TikTok Business Center
Under Assets > Events API, select your Pixel
Click Generate Access Token
Save this token securely – you’ll use it for API authentication

Step 3: Build Server-Side Tracking Endpoint

TikTok Events API accepts POST requests to:

https://business-api.tiktok.com/open_api/v1.3/event/track/

Each request must include:

HTTP headers: Content-Type: application/json Access-Token: YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN
Body (JSON formatted), example: { "pixel_code": "YOUR_PIXEL_ID", "event": "CompletePayment", "timestamp": 1713115432000, "event_id": "ORDER12345", "context": { "ip": "192.0.2.1", "user_agent": "Mozilla/5.0", "page": { "url": "https://yourstore.com/thankyou" } }, "properties": { "value": 129.99, "currency": "USD" }, "user": { "external_id": "hashed_email_or_phone" } }

Step 4: Hash User Data

For privacy, TikTok requires PII (emails/phones) to be hashed using SHA256 before sending:

import hashlib

email = "test@example.com".strip().lower()
hashed_email = hashlib.sha256(email.encode()).hexdigest()

Use the hashed value under "user" > "external_id".

Step 5: Testing Your Events

TikTok provides a Test Event Tool in Ads Manager:

Go to your Pixel settings
Use Test Events tab
Send sample events with "test_event_code" field in your payload
Verify events are received in real-time

Example payload for testing:

{
  ...
  "test_event_code": "TEST1234"
}

🔁 Common Event Types

Event	Description
`PageView`	Viewing a page
`AddToCart`	Item added to cart
`CompletePayment`	A purchase completed
`Lead`	Form filled or lead captured
`InitiateCheckout`	User started checkout
`Search`	Search made on site
`SignUp`	Account creation