Fake accounts have become an increasing issue on the video sharing platform TikTok. TikTok removed over 33 million fake profiles in the first half of 2022, representing a 62% jump from the previous year (Source). These inauthentic accounts take many forms, from bots that automatically like and comment on content to accounts using stolen profile pictures to appear real. The proliferation of fake accounts harms the TikTok community by artificially inflating engagement metrics, spreading spam, and enabling scams. This article will outline techniques to identify common signs of fake TikTok accounts so you can protect your profile and contribute to a more authentic platform.
Account Information
One way to spot a fake account is by looking at the username and profile photo. Fake accounts often have:
- Usernames made up of random numbers and letters like “asdf1234” or “xoxo2938”. This makes the account look automated rather than created by a real person.
- Stock photos or stolen images as the profile picture. The person in the photo may be a model or celebrity, indicating it’s not actually the account owner.
- No profile photo at all. Many fake accounts do not bother uploading a profile image.
- A bio with irrelevant links, emojis, or nonsensical text. Real accounts tend to have descriptive bios.
Checking these account details is an easy way to identify accounts that do not represent genuine users. According to TikTal, fake accounts often use generic or stolen images in an attempt to seem more realistic.
Followers and Following
One sign of a fake TikTok account is having a very low number of followers and following compared to the number of posts and views. Authentic accounts tend to accumulate followers gradually over time, while fake accounts may have only a few followers. According to Sociality.io, looking for accounts with mass purchasing of followers is a giveaway, as real accounts gain followers organically.
Additionally, fake accounts may have followers from unrelated accounts that do not match the content niche or target audience. For example, a food account followed mainly by bots or fashion accounts could indicate inauthentic activity. Real accounts attract followers interested in their content.
Fake accounts also commonly demonstrate mass following with low engagement. They follow many more accounts than follow them back, but receive little engagement on posts. Genuine accounts have reasonable follower-to-following ratios and interactions from followers.
Content
One sign of a fake TikTok account is if their content consists primarily of reposted viral videos or content unrelated to their stated interests. According to TikTal, fake accounts often reuse viral sounds and videos in hopes of getting views and followers quickly. However, their content will seem disjointed or unrelated to any particular niche or focus.
Additionally, the editing quality of fake accounts’ videos may seem sloppy or rushed. You may notice abrupt jump cuts between clips, shaky footage, or other signs of low production value, as these accounts care more about quantity than quality. According to a Quora user, videos full of quick cuts could indicate someone is stitching together content to make it seem more engaging than it really is.
So be wary of accounts that primarily repost viral content, have haphazard editing, or don’t showcase any originality or cohesiveness in their videos. These signs often expose inauthentic accounts just trying to gain traction through any means possible.
Engagement
One sign of a fake TikTok account is very low engagement on videos and posts compared to the number of followers. According to HypeAuditor, overall engagement rates on TikTok are significantly higher than other platforms [1]. If an account has hundreds of thousands or millions of followers but very few likes and comments per video, that’s a red flag.
Additionally, be wary of comments that seem obviously fake or bot-generated, such as strings of unintelligible characters. According to WebFriendly, over 26 billion fake engagements were removed in Q2 2022, so inauthentic activity is rampant [2]. Use your best judgment on whether comments seem legitimately human or not.
Behavior
One telltale sign of a fake TikTok account is repetitive liking or commenting. Bots and fake accounts tend to blindly like and comment on posts without discretion, often posting generic comments like “cool video!” or emojis. This activity is usually done to try and get follows or interaction from real users. Look out for accounts that are constantly liking and commenting on posts in your feed or under popular videos and hashtags. This can indicate an automated account just trying to gain visibility.[1]
Fake accounts also tend to be active during odd hours when real users are asleep or inactive. Bots don’t need sleep, so they can like and comment 24/7. Take note if an account is constantly active late at night or in the very early morning in your timezone. This unnatural activity is a red flag for fake accounts and bots running on automation rather than real people.[2]
Verification Badges
A legitimate verification badge on TikTok is a blue checkmark that appears next to an account’s name or handle. This indicates that TikTok has confirmed the identity of the account holder. As TikTok’s support page explains, verification badges are granted to notable public figures, celebrities, brands or organizations.
One sign of a fake TikTok account is a lack of a verification badge. If a profile claims to represent someone famous or a well-known brand but doesn’t have a blue checkmark, that’s a red flag. Additionally, be wary of badges that seem off – a verification badge should appear solid blue. Fake badges may look pixelated, fuzzy or just visually off. Profiles with fake verification badges are impersonating real accounts in an attempt to deceive users.
Report Suspicious Accounts
If you come across a TikTok account that appears to be fake, impersonating someone, or otherwise suspicious, you can report it directly to TikTok. Here’s how:
1. Go to the profile of the suspicious account and tap the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Select “Report” and choose the option that best describes the issue, like “Impersonation” or “Fake engagement.”
3. Submit any additional details about why you’re reporting the account.
Once an account is reported, TikTok will investigate it. If they find it violates their community guidelines, they may remove the account or content, or take other appropriate action. Reporting helps TikTok identify policy violations and take steps to protect the community.
If you see an account impersonating you or a loved one, be sure to report it right away. TikTok aims to remove impersonation accounts as quickly as possible when notified.
Protect Your Account
One of the best ways to protect your TikTok account is by setting a strong password. According to TikTok’s safety center, your password should be at least 8 characters long, contain uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using personal information or common words in your password. Change your password periodically to further strengthen security.
Enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of account protection. With two-factor authentication, you’ll need to enter a verification code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password when logging in. This prevents anyone else from accessing your account even if they have your password. TikTok’s help center provides instructions for setting up two-factor authentication.
Checking your privacy settings is also important for account security. Make sure your account is set to private so only approved followers can view your content. Limit your interactions to only people you know and trust. Be selective about sharing any personal information in your bio or videos. Keeping your account private reduces opportunities for exploitation from fake accounts.
Conclusion
In summary, to spot fake accounts in TikTok there are several key indicators like low follower and following numbers, fake engagement and content, bot-like behavior, lack of verification badges and suspicious account details. However, be cautious about making false accusations. While some red flags do not necessarily mean an account is fake, multiple signs together suggest you proceed with critical thinking.
It is important to keep in mind that TikTok profiles run a wide gamut – from personal accounts, hobbyists, aspiring creators to professional influencers and brands. Some aspects like low follower count or reused content are not automatically a cause for alarm. However, engage with care when multiple fakes signs are present. Most importantly, report suspicious activity to keep the TikTok community authentic and ethical.
