TikTok is a popular social media app where users can create and share short videos. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the fastest growing social platforms. However, there may come a time when a TikTok user wants to delete their account permanently. TikTok does allow for account deletion, but the process is not straightforward.
In this article, we’ll cover the main reasons TikTok might delete an account, the difference between account deletion and suspension, how users can delete their own accounts, getting a deleted account back, preventing deletion, responding to deletion, rebuilding your audience, and alternatives to TikTok. The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of account deletion on TikTok.
Reasons TikTok Might Delete an Account
TikTok may delete accounts for violating its community guidelines, which prohibit illegal, dangerous, or offensive content. Common violations that can lead to account deletion include:
- Posting illegal content like child exploitation or terrorism
- Spamming or operating bot accounts
- Impersonating other users
- Sharing exaggerated or misleading content
- Violating copyrights or trademarks
- Harassing, bullying, or threatening others
According to TikTok’s latest transparency report, over 104 million accounts were removed in the first half of 2022 for violating community guidelines [1]. The majority were deleted due to suspected spam, illegal content, minor safety, or adult nudity.
TikTok may also disable accounts that have been inactive for 180 days or more, resetting the username [2]. Keeping your account active can prevent deletion for inactivity.
Account Deletion vs. Suspension
TikTok makes a distinction between deleting an account and suspending an account, which are two separate actions with different consequences:
Account deletion is when a user chooses to permanently delete their own TikTok account. This is done through the app settings and completely removes the account and all of its content. Once an account is deleted by the user, it cannot be recovered.
Account suspension is when TikTok disables access to an account due to violations of community guidelines or terms of service. Suspended accounts can be temporarily or permanently restricted, depending on the severity and frequency of violations. According to TikTok, suspended accounts may be restored after a certain time period if the issues are resolved.
The main difference is that account deletion is user-initiated while account suspension is a penalty imposed by TikTok. While deleted accounts are gone forever, suspended accounts have the possibility of being reinstated if the user rectifies the problems that led to the suspension.
How Users Can Delete Their Own TikTok Account
Deleting your own TikTok account is a straightforward process that can be done directly through the TikTok app. Here are the steps:
- Open the TikTok app on your mobile device and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the menu icon in the top right corner (three horizontal lines).
- Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap on “Account” and then select “Delete account.”
- Select “Delete account” again to confirm.
TikTok will immediately deactivate your account, but there is a 30-day grace period before your account and all your videos are permanently deleted. During this time, you can still log back in and reactive your account to prevent deletion.
If you are sure you want to delete your TikTok account permanently, simply wait out the 30 days without logging in. After 30 days, your account and all associated data will be removed from TikTok’s systems and cannot be recovered.
Deleting your account directly through the app is the only way to ensure your account is removed fully. Trying unofficial third-party sites is risky and may not completely delete your account.
Source: https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/deleting-an-account/deleting-an-account
Getting Your TikTok Account Back
If your TikTok account has been deleted, either by you or by TikTok, there may be a way to restore it within 30 days. When an account is deleted, TikTok retains the data for 30 days before permanently deleting it. During this 30 day window, it is possible to recover your account.
To restore your deleted TikTok account within 30 days:
- Download the TikTok app and sign up with the same username that was associated with your deleted account.
- Go through the verification process. TikTok will recognize your device and prompt you to verify your identity.
- After verification, your account should be restored with your previous videos, followers, and data intact.
According to Business Insider, this account recovery process works for both accounts deleted by users and those deleted by TikTok. However, if more than 30 days have passed since deletion, the data may be permanently gone.
Preventing TikTok from Deleting Your Account
There are several steps you can take to try to prevent TikTok from deleting your account:
Follow Community Guidelines – Make sure to carefully read and adhere to TikTok’s Community Guidelines. These cover content, behavior, intellectual property, and more. Violating the guidelines is one of the main reasons TikTok may delete an account.
Avoid Bans – Don’t engage in activities that will get your account banned, such as bullying, hate speech, harmful challenges, nudity, illegal activities, etc. Banned accounts are prime targets for deletion.
Be Authentic – Use your real name and don’t impersonate other people or organizations. Fake or duplicitous accounts often get removed.
Secure Your Account – Enable two-factor authentication and use strong passwords to prevent your account from being hacked. Compromised accounts are more likely to be deleted.
Avoid Spam – Don’t repeatedly post identical or near-identical content, don’t use bots or third-party apps to artificially boost engagement, and don’t add misleading hashtags. Spamming is grounds for deletion.
Appeal Deletions – If your account does get deleted, make sure to promptly appeal the decision within 30 days if you believe it was a mistake. Providing as much context and proof as possible can help.
Overall, being authentic, creative, and engaging while following all guidelines will go a long way towards keeping your TikTok account active and avoiding deletion.
Responding to an Account Deletion
If your TikTok account gets deleted, the first step is to contact TikTok support and submit an appeal. According to TikTok’s Help Center, you can appeal the decision by tapping “Submit an appeal” in the app and following the instructions provided (source). TikTok reviews all appeals, so make your case clearly and provide any evidence that your account was wrongly deleted.
The appeal process will differ depending on why your account was deleted. For example, if your account was banned for being underage, you’ll need to confirm your age to appeal (source). For content violations, your appeal approval will reinstate the removed content or account (source).
Many users facing unjust account deletions recommend repeatedly contacting TikTok support through various channels like email and social media. Persistence is key, as appeals don’t always succeed on the first try. Check TikTok’s community guidelines to ensure your account and content comply in case any violations lead to deletion.
Building Your TikTok Audience Again
If your TikTok account was deleted, either by you or by TikTok, rebuilding your follower base will take some time and effort. Here are some strategies to start over and regain followers:
Create high-quality, engaging content consistently. Post at least 1-2 times per day to keep your profile active. Use trending audios, effects, and hashtags to increase discoverability. Focus on creating content your target audience would enjoy.
Leverage other social platforms to promote your new TikTok account. Let your followers on Instagram, Twitter, etc. know you have a new TikTok profile. This can help jumpstart gaining followers.
Collaborate with other creators. Duet popular TikTok videos or engage with influencers in your niche to gain exposure to their follower base. Be strategic in who you collaborate with.
Use relevant hashtags and captions. Include keywords and phrases people are searching for. Optimize your profile and content for discoverability.
Engage with your new followers. Like comments, respond, and engage with those interacting with your content. This helps build relationships and loyalty.
Consider running TikTok ads. You can promote your account and content to targeted demographics most likely to follow you.
Stay consistent and be patient. Rebuilding a following takes time. Stick with it and continue providing value to your audience.
Alternatives to TikTok
If your TikTok account gets deleted or suspended, you may want to explore other similar apps where you can post short videos. Some popular alternatives to TikTok include:
Instagram Reels – Instagram’s short video feature that lets you record 15-60 second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and creative tools. Reels has a large built-in audience thanks to Instagram’s user base.
YouTube Shorts – YouTube’s TikTok competitor where you can upload short videos up to 60 seconds long. Shorts taps into YouTube’s 2 billion monthly active users.
Snapchat – Popular app for sharing ephemeral photos and videos. You can post short videos to your Snapchat Story or use Snapchat Spotlight to reach a wider audience.
Triller – AI-powered music video app with editing tools. Allows you to create videos up to 1 minute long.
There are many other apps that offer short-form video creation similar to TikTok. Exploring different platforms can help you reach new audiences and express your creativity in new ways if you can no longer use TikTok.
Conclusion
TikTok account deletions can occur for various reasons, some within your control and some not. If your account gets deleted, you may be able to appeal the decision or create a new account, though restrictions could apply. The best approach is being proactive from the start – follow TikTok’s rules and guidelines, build a strong audience base, and maintain your account responsibly. Key takeaways include:
- TikTok may delete accounts that violate content policies or terms of service.
- Users can request to delete their own accounts through account settings.
- Deleted accounts can potentially be restored by appealing to TikTok.
- Preventing deletions involves posting appropriately, securing your account, and building engagement.
- After a deletion, focus on re-establishing your audience and creativity.
- Alternatives like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels are available if needed.
By understanding the causes and impacts of TikTok account deletions, you can minimize your risks and recover gracefully if it occurs. With knowledge and preparation, you can maintain your TikTok presence and followers.
