Getting banned from TikTok can be frustrating, especially for creators who rely on the platform for their livelihood. TikTok has strict rules against certain types of content and behavior, and violating those guidelines can result in account suspension or an outright permanent ban.
When an account gets banned, the user is locked out and unable to access their profile, posts, followers, messages, etc. For TikTok stars with millions of fans, this can be devastating. Even regular users feel the loss of their creative outlet and connections.
The good news is that it may be possible to get an account unbanned by appealing to TikTok directly. The chances of success depend on the reason for the ban, how promptly you take action, and other factors.
This article will examine how and why TikTok bans accounts, the proper way to appeal a ban, alternatives like starting a new account, and what to do if you receive a permanent ban on the platform.
Why TikTok Bans Accounts
TikTok bans accounts for a variety of reasons, usually related to violations of their community guidelines or terms of service. Some of the main reasons TikTok may ban an account include:
Copyright violations – Posting content you don’t have rights to, such as music, videos, or images owned by someone else. TikTok has automatic content detection that flags copyrighted material. According to sources, copyright strikes are one of the most common reasons for being banned on TikTok (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD3jNO5WIJY).
Inappropriate content – TikTok bans accounts for posting content considered inappropriate, dangerous or illegal. This includes nudity, pornography, threatening behavior, dangerous challenges and more.
Hate speech, bullying, harassment – Accounts violating TikTok’s policies against hate speech, bullying, harassment, intimidation or predatory behavior may be banned.
Artificial engagement – TikTok cracks down on any attempts to artificially inflate engagement through bots, fake accounts or other means.
Impersonation – Pretending to be someone else, such as a celebrity, brand or public figure will result in a ban.
Multiple community guidelines violations – Repeated minor infractions of TikTok’s rules can also lead to bans.
Appealing a Ban
If your account has been banned on TikTok, you can appeal the ban directly through the app. According to TikTok’s support article how to appeal tiktok ban without an id, there is an official process to request an appeal:
First, open the TikTok app on your device and find the notification about your banned account. There will be an option to “Appeal” or “Submit appeal request.” Tap this to start the appeal process.
Next, you’ll need to provide details about why you think your account was banned in error. Explain clearly and concisely why you feel the ban should be lifted. Provide any evidence or screenshots you have to support your claim.
After submitting the appeal request, you’ll need to wait for TikTok to review your case. This can take anywhere from 24 hours to a few weeks. According to TikTok, you’ll receive an email once the appeal review is complete informing you whether your ban has been lifted or not.
The key is providing a thoughtful, polite appeal emphasizing why you didn’t violate any terms of service. Having patience is also important, as the review process can be lengthy. With a well-crafted appeal, many users have succeeded in getting their accounts reinstated.
Using a New Account
One common method for getting back on TikTok after a ban is to create a brand new account with a different email address, device, and IP address. This involves starting completely fresh in an attempt to bypass TikTok’s ban
As explained on Pipiads, you’ll first need to use a new email address that hasn’t been associated with your banned account. It’s also recommended to use a completely new device if possible, like a friend’s phone. This prevents TikTok from identifying you based on the device.
You may also need to change your IP address, as TikTok can ban based on IP as stated on the TikTok Help Center. Using a VPN or proxy service lets you mask your IP and appear from a different location.
The key is ensuring no details match your previous banned account, essentially creating a brand new persona. While not foolproof, this method has allowed some users to create new accounts after a ban.
VPN and Proxy Services
Using a VPN or proxy service is one of the most common ways people attempt to bypass a device ban on TikTok. A VPN masks your device’s IP address, allowing you to appear as though you are accessing TikTok from a different location. This can potentially bypass IP address bans levied against your device.
Services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost VPN, and Surfshark are popular choices for accessing blocked sites and services. However, TikTok has been known to block many major VPN IP addresses as well. You may need to experiment with different VPN protocols and server locations to find one that works.
The same concept applies to using proxy services. Tools like hide.me and GeoSurf provide constantly changing proxy IP addresses that can bypass simple IP bans. However, proxies are generally slower and less secure than VPNs for this purpose.
While VPNs and proxies offer ways to potentially bypass device bans, they do not guarantee access to TikTok. TikTok is constantly working to detect and block users trying to circumvent restrictions. These services may work for a while, but require continuously changing configurations as their IP addresses also get blocked by TikTok.
Requests from Influencers
Influencers or creators with large followings on TikTok may be able to get their bans lifted by reaching out directly to TikTok. According to an article on Courthouse News (https://www.courthousenews.com/tiktok-sends-influencers-to-washington-as-its-troubles-grow/), TikTok has worked with some influencers to get their accounts unbanned. For extremely popular accounts that bring a lot of traffic and revenue to the platform, TikTok has more incentive to reconsider bans. However, this preferential treatment is typically only granted to verified accounts with millions of followers. Smaller accounts are unlikely to get personal help from TikTok to lift bans.
While reaching out directly to TikTok as an influencer may sometimes work, there is no guarantee. The platform receives many requests and banning decisions are often final, even for larger accounts. But for influencers who rely on TikTok for their livelihood, it may be worth trying to contact TikTok support or public relations to plead their case if banned.
Waiting It Out
If your TikTok account has been temporarily banned, the most straightforward option is to simply wait out the duration of the ban. TikTok’s ban lengths vary depending on the severity of the violation, ranging from 24 hours up to two weeks or longer.
For minor first-time violations, bans may last 1-7 days. Repeated or more serious offenses can result in suspensions of up to two weeks before your account is automatically reinstated. Per TikTok’s community guidelines, you will receive an on-app notification about the ban length when you try to access your account during the suspension period [1].
There is no way to get your account unbanned sooner than the allotted timeframe. You will simply need to wait for the ban to expire before you can access your account again. Attempting to circumvent the ban by creating a new account may result in more extended or permanent suspensions.
While waiting out a ban can be frustrating, it does give you some time to reflect on the rules and make sure you understand what caused the violation. Going forward, be mindful of TikTok’s guidelines to avoid further bans. With some more caution, most users can return from a temporary ban and continue using TikTok productively.
Permanent Bans
Repeated violations of TikTok’s community guidelines can result in a permanent ban of your account. According to vpnoverview.com, permanent bans are irreversible and you will not be able to access your account again. TikTok typically resorts to permanent bans only after issuing warnings and temporary bans. So if you continue to violate policies after receiving these initial penalties, TikTok may decide to ban you indefinitely.
Some of the most common reasons that could lead to a permanent ban include:
- Posting illegal, dangerous or sexually explicit content
- Bullying, harassment, or hate speech
- Impersonation of someone else’s identity
- Artificially inflating your follower count
- Violating copyrights and intellectual property
According to Niche Pursuits, once you are permanently banned, there is little you can do to regain access to your account. TikTok does not entertain appeals for permanent bans. Your only option is to start over with a brand new account and be careful not to repeat any of the offenses that got your original account banned.
Lessons Learned
The best way to avoid getting banned on TikTok is to carefully follow the platform’s community guidelines. Some key tips include:
- Don’t post illegal, dangerous, or adult content.
- Be respectful in your videos and comments. Avoid hate speech, harassment, and bullying.
- Properly credit any content that isn’t yours. Don’t violate copyright rules.
- Don’t artificially inflate engagement with fake likes, comments or followers.
- Don’t try to circumvent previous bans by creating new accounts.
It’s also important to be very careful with live streams. TikTok aggressively moderates live content to prevent any guideline violations from being broadcast. If you do receive a ban, filing an appeal is often the only recourse. But there’s no guarantee it will be successful, especially for repeat or egregious offenses.
Overall, following TikTok’s rules and posting positive content is the surest way to avoid issues. While bans still happen on occasion even to innocent users, sticking to best practices greatly reduces the chances of losing your account.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few options for users who find their TikTok accounts banned, but not all of them are guaranteed to work. The most direct approach is to appeal the ban through TikTok’s appeal process and provide a clear explanation of why the account should be reinstated. However, success often depends on the exact reason for the ban in the first place.
Creating a new account is possible but also risks being banned again if not careful. Using VPNs and proxies to bypass bans is risky and goes against TikTok’s terms of service. Influencers may have some luck reaching out to contacts at TikTok directly, but average users won’t have this option.
If the account was banned permanently and appeals are definitively rejected, users may ultimately have no choice but to accept the ban and be more mindful to avoid violations if starting a new account. While being banned can be frustrating, it’s a reminder to use social media responsibly and follow community guidelines.
