TikTok effects are augmented reality filters and features that allow users to enhance or alter their videos in creative ways. Effects range from subtle beauty filters to animated characters, emojis, and distorted lenses. Users can access a huge library of effects within the TikTok app and apply them to their videos with just a couple taps.
While most effects are fun and harmless, some users choose to block certain effects for a variety of reasons. For example, some effects have become so overused that they are now seen as annoying or cringey. Other effects may contain inappropriate or offensive content. Parents often block effects to prevent their children from accessing mature content. Users also have the option to block effects from their For You Page so their feed isn’t cluttered with videos using effects they dislike.
Overall, blocking effects allows users to customize their TikTok experience and curate the types of videos they see on their feed and profile. The app provides simple tools to block effects as needed, giving users more control over the content they create and consume.
Viewing Effects You’ve Blocked
Once you block an effect on TikTok, it will no longer appear as an option when you are creating or viewing videos. According to TikTok’s support article, blocked effects are hidden from view across your TikTok experience (source). This means you will not see the blocked effect in the effects tray when making a new video, and videos using the blocked effect will simply show up without any effects applied.
You can view a list of effects you have blocked by going to your profile and tapping the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. Select “Blocked effects” to see all the effects you have blocked from your account. This provides a handy reference if you ever want to recall which effects you decided to block.
Blocking Effects from Your Profile
If you don’t want certain effects to show up in the effects tray when creating TikTok videos on your own profile, you can easily block them.
To block effects from your TikTok profile:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile.
- Tap the “+” icon to open the camera.
- Tap “Effects” on the bottom left.
- Scroll through the effects and long press on any effect you want to block.
- A menu will pop up – tap “Hide from tray.”
- The effect will now be blocked and won’t show up in your effects tray anymore.
You can repeat these steps to block as many effects as you want. To unblock an effect, go to your profile, tap the “+” icon, tap “Manage effects” and toggle the effect back on.
Blocking effects can help declutter your effects tray and hide effects you don’t want showing up in your videos. It’s a handy way to customize the TikTok creating experience just for you.
Blocking Effects on Your For You Page
TikTok’s algorithm curates the For You page to show you videos and effects that it thinks you will like based on your interactions. However, you can prevent certain effects from showing up on your For You page by blocking them.
To block an effect from your For You page:
- Tap the Profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the Settings and Privacy icon (the 3 lines in the top right corner).
- Tap “Digital Wellbeing”.
- Tap “Restricted Mode” and toggle it on.
- Under “Content visibility for You”, tap “Effects”.
- Search for and select the effect you want to block.
- Tap “Block” to confirm.
TikTok will stop recommending videos with that effect on your For You page. This prevents certain effects you find annoying or inappropriate from appearing in your feed.
You can repeat these steps to block additional effects. Keep in mind that blocking too many effects may severely limit the content shown on your For You page.
Blocking Effects on Videos You View
If there is a particular effect you find annoying or inappropriate that keeps showing up in other people’s videos, you can block that effect from appearing in your feed. Here’s how:
While watching a video with the effect you want to block, tap and hold on the video. This will bring up an options menu. Tap “More” and then tap “Hide videos with this effect.”
TikTok will now skip any videos using that effect in your Following feed or For You page (source: https://smartphones.gadgethacks.com/how-to/sick-one-tiktok-trend-you-can-easily-block-from-your-feed-0264258/). This helps curate your feed to show you more of the content you want to see.
To unblock the effect later, go to your profile, tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Digital wellbeing > Video effects hidden. Tap “Unhide” next to the effect you want to unblock.
Blocking effects is a useful way to avoid repetitive trends or inappropriate visuals without blocking the creators. You still see their content, just without the filtered effect you chose to block.
Blocking Inappropriate Effects
TikTok allows users to block inappropriate or offensive effects from appearing in their feeds. This can be useful for filtering out effects that contain explicit content, hate speech, or other material you don’t want to see.
To block an effect, tap the share icon on any video using that effect. Then tap “Not interested in this effect.” TikTok will ask you if you want to block that specific effect or all effects from that creator. Choose whichever option suits your needs.
Blocking an effect prevents it from appearing in your Following feed or For You Page. However, it will still be visible if you specifically search for that effect or visit the creator’s profile page. So blocking is more about curating your own feed.
TikTok also has a Restricted Mode that limits mature content. You can enable Restricted Mode in your app settings. This uses filters to hide effects and videos that may be inappropriate for younger users. Restricted Mode isn’t 100% comprehensive, so users may still prefer to manually block offensive effects as well.
If you come across extremely inappropriate effects that violate TikTok’s community guidelines, you can also report them. TikTok reviews reported content and may remove effects that are abusive, dangerous, or illegal.
Overall, effect blocking gives users more control over the content they see on TikTok. It’s an easy way to avoid running into uncomfortable or disturbing effects while browsing your feeds. Families with young kids on TikTok may find it especially useful for maintaining a safer experience.
Blocking Annoying Effects
You may come across certain effects on TikTok that you find irritating or repetitive. Luckily, TikTok allows you to block effects so they no longer appear in your For You feed or other users’ videos.
To block an effect on a video, tap the effect icon while watching. This will bring up the effect gallery. Find the effect you want to block and tap the ban icon next to it. Confirm by tapping “Block” and that effect will no longer show up for you.
You can also block effects by going to your profile, tapping the three-dot menu icon, and selecting “Blocked Effects.” Tap the “+” icon and search for the effect name or sound you want to block. Tap “Block” to confirm.
Blocking effects can help curate your TikTok experience so you only see effects you enjoy. It also reduces repetitive effects from flooding your feed. Just keep in mind that blocking an effect won’t remove it from other users’ videos. It will only hide it from your view.
Unblocking Effects
If you’ve blocked an effect and want to unblock it, here’s how to make it available again on your TikTok account:
On the TikTok mobile app, tap your profile icon in the bottom right. Then go to Settings and Privacy > Content Preferences > Effects.
This will show you a list of all the effects you’ve blocked. Tap the X icon next to any effect you want to unblock. The effect will then become available again for you to use in your videos or see in your For You feed.
You can also unblock multiple effects at once. Tap “Select” at the top of the screen, then check the boxes next to each effect you want to unblock. Tap “Unblock” and those effects will all become available again.
Once you unblock an effect, it will start showing up normally across TikTok. Keep in mind other users may continue using it in their videos, but now you’ll be able to apply it to your own videos if you choose.
If you ever feel an effect you unblocked is inappropriate or annoying again, you can easily re-block it by following the same steps. TikTok gives you full control over which effects you see on your account.
Effect Blocking for Parents
Parents who want to restrict certain effects from being used on their child’s TikTok account have a few options. One is to enable Restricted Mode, which limits the appearance of content that may not be appropriate for all ages. Restricted Mode can be enabled in the app’s Digital Wellbeing controls or Family Pairing settings (TikTok Help Center).
TikTok’s Family Pairing feature gives parents even more control over effects. When Family Pairing is set up between a parent’s and child’s account, the parent can specifically block certain effects from being used on their child’s account. They can do this by going to the Family Pairing settings and selecting “Restricted Effects.” Here parents can search for and select individual effects to block (Aura).
Restricted Mode and Family Pairing effects blocking can help parents prevent their kids from using inappropriate, annoying, or excessive effects. These controls are available on both iPhones and Android devices. However, parents should be aware that determined kids may find ways around restrictions, so open communication remains key.
Conclusion
Blocking effects on TikTok can be a useful tool for customizing your experience. As we’ve discussed, you can block effects from appearing on your profile, on your For You feed, and on videos you view. This allows you to avoid seeing effects you find annoying, inappropriate, or distracting. Parents may want to block certain effects to limit what their kids are exposed to. Overall, effect blocking gives you more control over the content you see on TikTok.
The main takeaway is that TikTok offers options for blocking effects. You can target specific effects to block, or block all community effects. Blocking is easy to toggle on and off as needed. While TikTok’s effects are creative and fun, they aren’t for everyone. If particular effects bother you, blocking them can lead to a more enjoyable TikTok experience.
