Why TikTok Accounts Get Disabled
There are several common reasons why TikTok may disable an account, including:
Copyright violations – TikTok has strict policies against posting copyrighted content like movies, TV shows, and music without permission. According to TikTok’s Copyright Policy, accounts can be disabled if they repeatedly post copyrighted content.
Community guidelines violations – Accounts that violate TikTok’s Community Guidelines on things like hate speech, harassment, dangerous acts, and other prohibited content can be disabled. In Q2 2023 alone, TikTok disabled over 10 million accounts for Community Guidelines violations according to Statista.
Suspicious activity – TikTok takes measures against spam, inauthentic accounts, bots, and other suspicious activity. Accounts identified as inauthentic or trying to artificially boost distribution may get banned.
Multiple account violations – People trying to evade bans by creating multiple accounts for the same purpose may have all associated accounts disabled. TikTok’s policies prohibit ban evasion.
Appeal the Disabled Account
If your TikTok account has been disabled, the first step is to appeal the decision through TikTok’s official channels. There are two main ways to submit an appeal:
Appeal through TikTok app
Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page. Tap on the menu icon in the top right corner and select “Report a problem”. This will open up the appeals form where you can explain why you think your account was disabled incorrectly.
Appeal through TikTok website
Go to https://www.tiktok.com/appeal/ and fill out the online appeal form. You will need to provide your username, email, phone number, and reason for appealing the account disable.
No matter which method you use, it’s important to provide a detailed explanation of why you believe your account was wrongfully disabled. Clarify any misunderstandings and emphasize that you did not intentionally violate TikTok’s terms of service. Be polite and respectful in your appeal to increase your chances of success.
The average TikTok account appeal takes 10-20 days to receive a response according to sources. All you can do is wait patiently for TikTok to review your appeal and make a final decision. Unfortunately there is no way to expedite the process.
Fix the Violation
If your account was disabled for violating TikTok’s community guidelines or terms of service, the first step is to fix the issue that caused the violation. This may involve removing any infringing content that led to the suspension.
Be sure to thoroughly review TikTok’s community guidelines and terms of service to understand what content or behaviors are prohibited. Make sure you fully understand the rules to avoid repeating violations.
It may also help to change your username or bio if those contained offensive language, impersonated others, or otherwise violated policies. Select a new username and bio description that follow the platform’s rules.
Fixing the initial violation shows TikTok that you understand where you went wrong and are committed to following their guidelines moving forward.
Reach Out to TikTok Support
If your TikTok account has been disabled, one of the best ways to get it reinstated is to reach out to TikTok’s support team directly. Here are a couple methods you can use to contact them:
Email Support: You can email TikTok at [email protected] or file an appeal at https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback. Be sure to include your username and any other details about why your account was disabled. According to sources, TikTok aims to respond to most emails within 6-8 hours, however it may take longer depending on the issue.1
Social Media Support: You can also try reaching out to TikTok through their social media channels like Twitter (@TikTokSupport) or Facebook. Describe your issue and ask them to review your disabled account. This public-facing method may compel them to look into your case faster.
The key is to be polite, patient, and persistent when contacting their support team. Provide all relevant details and explain why you believe your account should be reinstated. With some luck and perseverance, TikTok support may review and restore your disabled account.
Wait for Review
While it can be frustrating to have your account disabled without warning, the best course of action is to be patient and wait for TikTok’s review process. According to sources, the average TikTok account review takes 24-72 hours [1]. There’s no way to expedite the review, so your only option is to sit tight during this period.
The review process allows TikTok to thoroughly investigate what caused your account to be disabled. They need time to determine if any community guidelines were violated or if the disable was triggered erroneously. Rest assured your case will get proper attention, even if it takes a couple days.
While waiting, consider how you may have accidentally violated TikTok’s rules. Read through their community guidelines again to refresh your understanding. This will help you avoid repeating mistakes in the future, whether on a new account or if your current one is reinstated. Patience now can pay off with a more thoughtful, compliant account later.
Create a New Account
If your account was permanently banned, one option is to create a brand new account on TikTok. However, you’ll need to take precautions to avoid getting banned again:
- Use a new email address and phone number not associated with your old account
- Download the app on a new device or clear cache/data from the old device
- Avoid reposting the same content that got you banned
- Build your following slowly and organically, don’t use bots or fake engagement
The key is starting fresh and avoiding the behaviors that violated TikTok’s community guidelines. Be thoughtful about the content you post and engage properly with other users. With a new start, you can potentially recreate your account and following on TikTok.
Consider Paid Services
One option is to hire an account manager service that specializes in getting disabled TikTok accounts reinstated. These services have experience navigating TikTok’s appeals process and negotiating with the platform to reopen accounts.
According to reviews on Glassdoor, TikTok account managers report moderate satisfaction rates in getting disabled accounts reactivated. However, success is not guaranteed. TikTok has final say and control over disabled accounts.
The risks of using paid services are account managers may make inflated promises to get your business. Do your research to find an established company with proven results. Understand there is always a possibility TikTok may reject the appeal, in which case you’ve lost time and money.
The cost of professional services can range anywhere from $200 to $2,000+ depending on the size of the account and complexity of having it reinstated. For high-value accounts, the investment may be worth it if you get the account back. But keep in mind the risk if unsuccessful.
Build Your Brand Elsewhere
If your TikTok account gets disabled, it’s a good idea to build your brand on other social media platforms so you don’t lose all your hard work and followers. Some popular alternatives to explore include:
- Instagram Reels – create fun 15-60 second video clips to share
- YouTube Shorts – make brief vertical videos under 60 seconds
- Snapchat – share ephemeral photos and videos that disappear
- Triller – an app like TikTok focused on music videos
Building an engaged following on sites like these can help you retain fans if your TikTok disappears. You can promote your other accounts in your TikTok bio and encourage people to follow you elsewhere.
If your disabled TikTok does get reactivated, be sure to link back to it from your other social profiles. Let followers know your TikTok is back up and running so they can find you again.
Diversifying to multiple platforms makes your brand more resilient if any single account is shut down. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – branch out to grow your audience across several sites.
Learn from the Experience
If your TikTok account gets disabled, take it as a learning opportunity to improve your content and social media strategy going forward. Here are some tips:
Understand TikTok guidelines – Take time to thoroughly read through TikTok’s Community Guidelines to ensure you understand what content is allowed or not allowed on the platform. Knowing the rules can help prevent your account from getting disabled again.
Improve content strategy – Analyze what content may have violated guidelines or been considered low-quality. Refine your content creation strategy to focus on high value, original content that engages your audience without breaking rules.
Diversify platforms – Having all your efforts on just TikTok creates risk. Consider cross-posting content to other platforms like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts to expand your reach.
Don’t Give Up
Getting your disabled TikTok account back can be a frustrating process, but it’s important not to give up hope. Many users have found that persistence pays off when trying to get an account reinstated. Keep submitting appeals and reaching out to TikTok support, providing any additional information that could help your case. Accounts have been known to get reopened after multiple appeal attempts and ongoing communication with TikTok.
Try to view this as an opportunity to improve your approach to using TikTok going forward. Reflect on what content may have violated the platform’s rules and aim to avoid repeating similar mistakes in the future. Use this experience to become a more responsible and creative TikTok user who brings value to the community.
