The invention relates to a preparation method of an additive. According to the method, the additive is prepared from citric acid, tartaric acid, Tween-80, alkylphenol ethoxylates, fatty alcohol-polyoxyethylene ether, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamide, iso-tridecanol polyoxyethylene ether, sorbitan trioleate, sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, triethylamine, gelatin and other substances under a series of conditions. The substances are added to germanium-containing zinc oxide smoke leachate and uniformly mixed, an effective protective layer is formed on the surface of tannin germanium slag precipitate generated in the tannin germanium precipitation process, the capacity of adsorbing impurity ions such as Zn, Fe, Mn and As in the zinc oxide smoke leachate during precipitation is weakened, thegermanium grade in tannin germanium slag is improved, and the quality of a germanium concentrate prepared in the subsequent procedure is improved. The prepared additive is small in dosage and high inefficiency, excessive additives which do not participate in the reaction can be removed in the subsequent excessive tannin removal process, subsequent procedures are not affected, and great economic value is achieved.