TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users globally. With so many users, it’s inevitable that some accounts will end up getting suspended for violating TikTok’s community guidelines.
Getting your TikTok account suspended can be frustrating, especially if you rely on the platform for entertainment, self-expression, or even business. If your account has been suspended, you likely want to get it back as soon as possible.
In this article, we’ll cover the main reasons TikTok suspends accounts, how to appeal the suspension, tips for avoiding suspension in the future, and what to do if the suspension is not lifted.
Why TikTok Accounts Get Suspended
There are several main reasons why TikTok may suspend an account:
TikTok will suspend accounts that violate their Community Guidelines. Some common violations that lead to suspension include:
- Posting inappropriate or dangerous content
- Posting sexually explicit or suggestive content
- Spam, scams or misleading content
- Violent or graphic content
- Hate speech, bullying, or harassment
Accounts can also get suspended for:
- Copyright infringement if you post content you don’t have rights to
- Impersonation of another person or brand
- Artificial engagement practices like bots and fake accounts
- Coordinated inauthentic behavior including spam
It’s important to be aware of TikTok’s rules and guidelines to avoid behavior that could get your account suspended.
Appeal the Suspension
If you believe your TikTok account was suspended by mistake, you can appeal the suspension directly within the app. Here are the steps:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on “Me” in the bottom right.
- Tap on the profile icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Report a problem.”
- Select “Account” and then “Appeal account suspension.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to submit an appeal.
In the appeal, explain why you believe the suspension was a mistake and request your account be reinstated. Provide as much detail as possible. According to this guide, TikTok support typically responds to appeals within 1-2 days.
However, if your account was suspended for a valid reason like violating community guidelines, the appeal will likely be denied. Multiple rejected appeals could lead to a permanent ban.
Avoid Behavior That Leads to Suspension
The best way to avoid having your TikTok account suspended is to follow the platform’s Community Guidelines. Here are some tips to stay in line with TikTok’s rules:
- Do not post illegal, dangerous or offensive content. This includes hate speech, harassment, violence, sexually explicit material, and dangerous challenges or stunts.
- Respect copyright laws and give credit when using another creator’s content.
- Do not artificially increase views, likes, comments or followers using third-party apps or services.
- Do not spread misinformation or manipulate content to be deceptive.
- Protect your account security and do not buy, sell or trade accounts.
Reading TikTok’s Community Guidelines thoroughly and keeping your content and actions in line with their policies is the best way to avoid behavior that could lead to suspension. If in doubt, refrain from posting questionable content to be on the safe side.
Contact TikTok Support
If you believe your TikTok account was suspended unfairly, the best option is to directly contact TikTok support for help. According to TikTok’s support page, there are a few ways to get in touch with their team:
- In the TikTok app, go to your profile and tap the 3-dot menu icon in the top-right corner. Select “Report a Problem” and follow the prompts to submit a request.
- Visit TikTok’s support page and click “Report a Problem” to submit a request online.
- Email TikTok support directly at [email protected] with details about your suspended account.
When contacting TikTok support, provide your username, email address associated with your account, and any other details about why you believe your account was wrongly suspended. Politely request that they review your account and reconsider reinstating it.
Keep in mind response times may be slow, so patience is key. Avoid harassing or sending multiple messages, as this may further delay a response. If possible, escalate your request to a supervisor for additional assistance. With persistence and by providing relevant details, you may eventually get your TikTok account unsuspended.
Wait Out the Suspension Period
If your TikTok account has been temporarily suspended, the suspension is usually for a limited period of time ranging from 24 hours to 30 days, depending on the severity of the violation.
For a first-time minor offense, suspensions typically last 1-7 days. According to TikTok’s support article, temporary suspensions for first-time advertising policy violations tend to last around 2-4 weeks.[1]
More serious or repeat violations can result in suspensions of 14-30 days. Permanent suspensions are rare and usually only issued after multiple temporary suspensions.
If you’ve been suspended, the notification you receive should indicate the length of the suspension period. The only way to regain access is to wait out the suspension and try logging back into your account after the allotted time.
While waiting, be sure to reflect on what may have triggered the suspension so you can avoid repeating the same mistakes when you regain access.
Create a New Account
If you are unable to successfully appeal the suspension or lift the ban on your original TikTok account, one option is to create a brand new account. Here are some tips on starting fresh with a new TikTok account:
Make sure to use a different email address, phone number, and device than your banned account. TikTok may detect if you try reusing the same contact information.
Consider creating the account on a new device if your previous device was banned. However, you can try factory resetting your old device which may remove the device ban.
Avoid reposting the same content that got your previous account suspended. Read TikTok’s community guidelines carefully to understand what type of content is not allowed.
Build up your new account properly by focusing on creating original, high-quality content that does not violate any policies. This will help avoid getting the new account suspended.
Lay low and don’t draw too much attention to your new account too quickly. Slow organic growth may keep your new account under TikTok’s radar.
Be very careful if you choose to link your new TikTok account with any banned accounts on other platforms like Instagram or YouTube.
While frustrating, starting fresh with a new account may be your only option if you are permanently banned from TikTok and cannot recover your original account.
Use Another Platform
If you are unable to access your TikTok account and have exhausted all options to restore it, you may want to consider using another social media platform. Some popular alternatives to TikTok include:
YouTube – YouTube is the largest video sharing platform globally. You can create and upload videos just like on TikTok. YouTube also gives creators opportunities to monetize their content through the Partner Program.
Instagram – Instagram is focused on photos and short videos. You can post TikTok-style short videos through Reels. Instagram also provides analytics on content performance.
Snapchat – Snapchat is known for ephemeral messaging, but also supports short videos through Spotlight. Videos can reach wide audiences and be monetized.
Triller – Triller is a TikTok clone with similar functionality. It provides editing tools optimized for short videos. However, Triller has a smaller user base.
Byte – Byte is a direct competitor to TikTok started by the Vine co-founder. It mimics TikTok’s core features but is much smaller currently.
While no platform has matched TikTok’s scale yet, creators do have options. Assessing each platform’s features, audience, and opportunities can help determine the best alternative if you can no longer use TikTok.
Lessons Learned
Here are some key takeaways and advice to avoid getting your TikTok account suspended based on the experience of others:
Avoid posting any content that violates TikTok’s community guidelines. This includes nudity, violence, hate speech, bullying, harassment, and dangerous challenges or stunts. TikTok has a low tolerance for guideline violations.
Don’t buy views, likes, comments, followers, or any other engagement. TikTok can detect artificial engagement and may suspend accounts as a result.
Don’t use third-party apps or services that claim they can get your account viral. These often break TikTok’s terms of service.
Don’t post too frequently, especially duplicate or repetitive content. Spread out uploads over time.
If your account does get a suspension, be sure to read the email TikTok sends carefully. It will explain exactly why you were suspended. Understanding the cause can help prevent future issues.
The appeal and support process can be frustrating, but remain patient and persistent. Many users have succeeded in getting accounts restored this way.
Conclusion
Getting suspended on TikTok can be frustrating, but there are ways to resolve the issue or work around it. The most direct approach is to appeal the suspension and wait for a response from TikTok. Be sure to avoid further violations during this time. If the appeal is rejected, either wait out the suspension period or create a new account being careful to follow all guidelines. Regardless of the outcome, reflect on what led to the suspension in the first place. Learn from the experience, and aim to produce content that engages audiences without breaking rules. With persistence and care, you can get your TikTok account back on track.
In summary, TikTok suspensions should be taken seriously but not necessarily as a permanent dead end. Review the platform’s rules, adapt your approach accordingly, and keep producing creative videos. Handled constructively, a suspension could ultimately strengthen your presence and content on TikTok.
