Fake accounts have become a major issue on TikTok, with the platform reporting a 62% increase in accounts being banned for being fake in the first half of 2022 [1]. TikTok removed over 33 million fake accounts in that period alone. These fake accounts are problematic because they artificially inflate follower counts, allow the spread of misinformation and scams, and undermine the authenticity of the platform.
With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the main platforms for sharing and consuming short-form videos. However, the prevalence of fake accounts threatens the integrity of the user experience. It’s important for users to be able to identify signs of fake accounts in order to avoid falling for scams or misinformation spread by bots and fake profiles.
Warning signs in the profile
One major red flag of a fake TikTok account is the profile photo. Bots often use generic stock photos or stolen photos as their profile picture. According to Tiktal.co, accounts using stock photos or stolen professional photos could be fake influencers trying to seem more legitimate [1]. Having no profile photo at all is also suspicious.
The username can also indicate an inauthentic account. Bot accounts tend to have generic usernames with a random string of numbers after them like “user74839292”. If the username seems computer generated or impersonal, that’s a warning sign you’re looking at a fake account. Real people generally have distinctive usernames that relate to their actual identity or interests in some way.
Bot-like behavior
One telltale sign of a fake TikTok account is bot-like behavior. Bots are automated accounts that are programmed to perform simple repetitive actions, like reposting viral videos or always using trending sounds. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, bots on TikTok tend to post very frequently, often reposting the same types of videos over and over again.
Some signs that an account may be a bot include: [Source: https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-audit/]
- Reposting viral videos or sounds
- Posting very frequently, sometimes every few minutes
- Always using trending audios or effects
- Lacking originality or personality in posts
Bots are focused on gaining followers and driving engagement through mass sharing of popular content. But they don’t add much value for real users. If an account seems to be constantly recycling viral content without adding anything new or unique, it could very well be a bot.
Minimal original content
One sign of a fake TikTok account is having minimal original content. Many bots and fake accounts simply repost videos from other accounts, react to videos, or make simple stitches of other videos without adding much new content.
According to a report by TikTok, over 105 million videos were removed in Q3 2022 for violating their community guidelines, many of which were reposts or copies of other videos [1]. Accounts that rely heavily on reposts, reactions, and basic stitches without creating much original content of their own may be bots or fake accounts trying to artificially boost engagement.
Look for accounts that lack their own creative videos. The majority of their posts should not just be reactions, stitches, or straight reuploads of others’ content. Authentic accounts tend to regularly post new videos featuring their own style and original ideas.
Low engagement
One sign of a fake TikTok account is having very few likes and comments relative to the number of followers. According to Rival IQ, the median engagement rate per follower on TikTok is around 5.7% [1]. This means that for every 100 followers, a typical account gets around 6 likes or comments on their videos. Accounts with engagement rates much lower than this industry benchmark could be fake.
For example, if an account has 10,000 followers but is only getting 20-30 likes per video, their engagement rate is extremely low. Genuine accounts with that many followers would expect to get around 570 likes per video. The low engagement rate indicates the account may have used automated bots or purchased fake followers. Pay attention if the number of followers seems disproportionately high compared to the number of likes and comments.
Follower patterns
One sign of a fake TikTok account is having followers from unrelated regions or countries. For example, if an account based in the United States suddenly gains a large number of followers from India or Brazil, many of them may be fake or purchased followers. According to Social Auditor, suspicious geography patterns like this can indicate bot accounts or inorganic growth strategies [1].
Additionally, if the account has a high number of followers but those followers don’t engage with the content through likes, comments, or shares, that’s a red flag. Inauthentic TikTok accounts often have inflated follower counts but very little authentic engagement. Using a tool like HypeAuditor to analyze the audience and engagement can help determine if the followers are real [2].
Links in bio
One sign of a fake TikTok account is having links in the bio that are unrelated to the account’s content or point to suspicious external websites. As noted on Reddit, it’s common for fake accounts, especially those posing as Asian women, to have links in their bio that supposedly “leak all your info or ip” if clicked (1). These types of shady links should be avoided.
According to MalwareTips.com, scammers frequently place malicious links in their TikTok bio descriptions to lure viewers (2). For example, a fake account posting dance trends or lip sync videos may have a link promising freegift cards or cash prizes. The goal is to get users to input personal information or download malware. Links promising easy money, suspect dating/chat sites, and password stealers are red flags.
If an account’s bio links seem irrelevant to their content or post history, or point to sketchy third-party sites, it’s likely a fake account trying to scam or steal from viewers. TikTok users should avoid clicking on unknown links and report suspicious accounts.
- (1) Tiktok Bots with links in bio? – Scams. Reddit. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/lc8rm4/tiktok_bots_with_links_in_bio/
- (2) Beware! 17 Sneaky TikTok Scams Stealing Money And Data. MalwareTips. Retrieved from https://malwaretips.com/blogs/tiktok-scams/
Verification badges
Legitimate and popular creators on TikTok will have a blue verification badge next to their username. As explained on the TikTok Help Center, “A verified badge means that we’ve confirmed the account belongs to the person or brand it represents.” If a creator has millions of followers but lacks a verification badge, that can be a red flag that the account may be fake.
TikTok verifies accounts to confirm their authenticity. Popular creators that don’t have the blue verification badge may be using fake followers or bot accounts to inflate their numbers. The lack of a verification badge despite their large following size is a warning sign that the account could be inauthentic.
Report suspicious accounts
If you come across an account that appears fake or is impersonating someone, you can report it directly within the TikTok app:
1. Go to the profile and tap the Share button at the top.
2. Tap Report and select Report account.
3. Select “Pretending to be someone else” as the reason for reporting.
4. Add any additional details in the text box and submit the report.
TikTok reviews all reports and will remove accounts that violate community guidelines. Reporting suspicious accounts helps keep the platform authentic and secure.
Source: https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/report-a-problem/report-an-impersonation-account
Conclusion
As discussed, there are several ways to identify fake TikTok accounts. Some key signs include minimal original content, bot-like behavior in comments, unnatural follower growth, and suspicious links in bios. While fake accounts may seem harmless, they can spread misinformation, scam users, and negatively impact the TikTok experience.
To maintain trust in the platform, it’s important for users to stay vigilant about spotting and reporting fake accounts. TikTok has systems in place to remove policy-violating accounts, but users also play a role in keeping the community authentic. If an account seems suspicious, take an extra moment to analyze it more closely.
By understanding the warning signs and properly flagging fake accounts, we can all contribute to a more genuine TikTok environment. While impersonators will always exist, a vigilant user base helps ensure the content we see comes from real people sharing their talents, interests, and lives.
