What does it mean to be restricted on TikTok?
Being restricted on TikTok means your account has been placed under certain limits by TikTok’s moderation systems. These restrictions are meant to protect younger users from inappropriate content or limit spam/abusive behaviors.
The main types of restrictions include:
- Limited visibility – Your videos, likes, follows are hidden from anyone not already following you.
- Limited discoverability – Your account and content won’t show up in searches, trends, hashtags, etc.
- Limited notifications – You can’t send messages or get notifications from people who don’t already follow you.
- Limited features – You may not be able to comment, go live, upload videos, use sounds, etc.
In general, restrictions limit your reach and interaction on TikTok. Your profile and content become isolated unless people specifically look up your account handle. The goal is to prevent you from engaging with most users until any issues are resolved.
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, restrictions are meant to “protect the broader community from potential harm.” They also encourage users to appeal the restrictions if they believe there has been a mistake.
Why you may have been restricted
The most common reason for getting restricted on TikTok is violating the platform’s Community Guidelines. TikTok has rules against certain types of content and behavior in order to maintain a safe environment. If you break one of these rules, TikTok may restrict your account.
Some examples of content and behavior that could lead to restrictions include:
- Posting sexually explicit or pornographic content
- Threatening violence or harm in videos
- Promoting dangerous or illegal activities
- Bullying, harassing, or defaming others
- Impersonating other accounts or people
- Spamming or artificially inflating engagement
TikTok utilizes a mix of human moderators and AI to monitor content and activity. If you receive multiple Community Guidelines violations, your account may be automatically restricted. The number of strikes before restriction varies depending on severity.
So be sure to carefully review TikTok’s Community Guidelines and avoid posting any prohibited content or engaging in banned behaviors. This is the best way to keep your account in good standing.
How to appeal TikTok restrictions
If your account has been restricted, you can appeal the restriction through TikTok’s appeal form. To access the appeal form:
1. Open the notification about the restriction from TikTok.
2. Tap “Appeal” at the top of the notification.
3. This will open the appeal form where you can provide details on why you believe the restriction was a mistake. Be sure to provide as much context and information as possible in the appeal form according to TikTok’s guidelines.
4. Carefully review the content policy you allegedly violated so you can explain why your content does not actually violate the policy.
5. Submit the appeal form. TikTok will review your appeal and notify you if the restriction has been lifted.
You can also submit an appeal after providing feedback on the restriction through the app. Submitting a thoughtful appeal with relevant details gives you the best chance of getting your account fully reinstated.
Tips for getting your full account access back
If your account has been restricted, getting full access back may take some patience and effort. Here are some tips that may help:
Be patient. The review process for restriction appeals can take some time. Keep checking back for updates but avoid bombarding TikTok with multiple appeals, as that may slow things down. Give them at least a few business days to respond.
Edit any videos that may have violated guidelines. Review your video content and edit or delete anything that could be considered inappropriate. Removing the problematic content shows TikTok that you want to follow the rules.
Strengthen your account security. Enable two-factor authentication and change your password to protect against any potential account breaches. This helps demonstrate your account is secure.
Apologize for any guideline violations. Expressing remorse in your appeal and vowing not to break the rules again makes your appeal more convincing.
Provide context if appropriate. For example, if your content was educational or artistic, explain that context in your appeal. Situational details help TikTok understand edge cases.
Highlight your positive contributions. If you’ve built a strong following producing original videos that uplift the TikTok community, point that out to strengthen your appeal.
Follow up if you don’t hear back. If it has been over a week with no response, politely follow up expressing your desire to have your account fully reinstated.
What to do while waiting for your appeal
Waiting for TikTok to review your appeal and get access back to your account can be frustrating. However, there are some things you can do in the meantime to stay engaged with your audience:
Post on another platform. Consider posting your content on other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook while your TikTok appeal is pending. This will allow you to continue creating and connecting with your followers.
Stay active on TikTok. Even if your account is restricted, you may still be able to view content and engage with comments (depending on the restriction). So try to stay as active as possible so your account doesn’t go stale.
Reflect on content. Think about what may have triggered the restriction and brainstorm new compliant content ideas you can create in the future.
Document process. Keep notes on the appeal process like dates and times so you have a record if needed. Knowing the average appeal review time can also help manage expectations.
Learn guidelines. Thoroughly review TikTok’s Community Guidelines so you understand what is permitted or restricted.
How to avoid restrictions in the future
The best way to avoid getting restricted on TikTok in the future is to carefully review their community guidelines and make sure your content complies. You can find TikTok’s detailed community guidelines here: https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines?lang=en
Pay close attention to sections on nudity, sexual content, illegal activities, regulated goods, dangerous acts, fraud, bullying, harassment, dangerous individuals and organizations, integrity and authenticity, and privacy. To give some examples, TikTok does not allow completely nude content, pornography or graphic sexual acts, the promotion of hard drug use, depictions of illegal activities, content that deceives or misleads others, or repeated targeting or harassment of other users.
Before posting any new content, carefully review it to ensure it does not violate any of TikTok’s policies. It can also help to enable the restricted mode in your account settings, which can prevent borderline content from being posted. If you have any doubts about a particular video or whether it complies with the guidelines, it’s better to not post it. Following TikTok’s rules closely will help you avoid restrictions.
Community Guidelines Checklist
TikTok has strict community guidelines to maintain a safe and inclusive platform. Make sure your content does not violate any of the key rules around:
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Nudity and sexual activities – Avoid showing any nudity, sexual activities, or overtly sexual content. Even suggestive or implied sexual content is prohibited. See: rent 5 days early Police were called and charges were videos
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Harmful and dangerous acts – Do not depict, promote, or provide instructions for dangerous activities that may lead to physical harm. This includes dangerous stunts, choking games, etc.
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Violence and graphic content – Do not post violent, graphic, or shocking content. This includes real or dramatized violence, accidents, corpses, etc.
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Hate speech and bullying – Do not attack or threaten others based on protected attributes like race, religion, gender identity, etc. Also avoid content meant to harass, degrade, or shame an individual.
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Regulated goods – Do not promote or provide instructions for using drugs, firearms, or other regulated goods. Comply with all applicable laws.
Carefully review the full TikTok Community Guidelines to ensure your content does not violate any rules. It’s important to understand what is permitted on the platform.
Examples of permitted and restricted content
TikTok’s community guidelines outline what type of content is permitted on the platform versus what type of content is restricted. Here are some examples to illustrate:
Permitted Content
- Comedy sketches and satire that do not attack or degrade individuals or groups
- Dance trends and viral challenges that are safe and do not promote dangerous acts
- Educational content and how-to tutorials that provide value for viewers
- Positive social messages that unite communities and promote diversity
Restricted Content
- Hate speech targeting protected groups based on attributes like race, religion, sexuality, etc.
- Harassment, cyberbullying, or revealing private information about others without consent
- Dangerous challenges that can lead to injury or illegal activity
- Misinformation meant to incite fear or distrust in individuals or institutions
Screenshots from actual videos can help illustrate the differences between permitted and restricted content types. Always refer back to TikTok’s latest community guidelines for the most up-to-date examples.
Tips for creating compliant content
Here are some tips to ensure your content complies with TikTok’s community guidelines and avoids restrictions:
Build a positive community by avoiding negativity, hate speech, or content that could be considered bullying or harassing others. Promote kindness and respect in your videos. As stated in TikTok’s Community Guidelines, “TikTok is a positive and joyful community. We’re building an ecosystem focused on creativity, self-expression, and spreading positivity.”
Use caution with sensitive topics and make sure to provide context. TikTok advises avoiding “overly blatant, graphic, vulgar, or harmful content.” Though serious topics can be addressed, take care to do so thoughtfully.
Abide by local laws and avoid illegal activities. TikTok prohibits content showing dangerous or illegal behavior, including drug use, violence, etc. Follow all relevant regulations.
Avoid nudity, sexually explicit content, or suggestive themes. As the app has many young users, overtly mature themes could prompt restrictions. Exercise discretion in this area.
Don’t spam others or artificially inflate engagement. Buying views, likes, comments, or followers could lead to restrictions. Focus on creating authentic connections and high-quality content.
Overall, apply common sense and empathy as you create. Consider how others from diverse backgrounds may interpret your content. When in doubt, avoid posting something questionable that could be misconstrued.
Conclusion
Getting restricted on TikTok can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to appeal the restrictions and regain full access to your account. The most important thing is to carefully review the community guidelines and ensure all of your content complies with TikTok’s policies. Avoid common pitfalls like using copyrighted material or posting dangerous challenges. Take the time to create original, high-quality content that provides value for your audience.
In summary, read TikTok’s guidelines thoroughly, delete any non-compliant videos, and submit an appeal explaining how you will follow the rules going forward. With persistence and patience, you should be able to resolve most issues. Just remember – safety, positivity, and creativity are key on TikTok. Maintain that mindset and you’ll be able to fully participate in the community again soon.
Here are some final tips:
- Allow 1-2 weeks for appeal reviews
- Delete old videos that may be non-compliant
- Avoid buying views, likes, or followers
- Refrain from reposting the same content repeatedly
- Create content focused on safety, positivity, and creativity
Best of luck getting your full TikTok access back! Let this be a learning experience and springboard for making even better content going forward.
