TikTok is a popular social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the fastest growing apps in the world.
Like other social platforms, TikTok occasionally suspends user accounts for violating its community guidelines or terms of service. Account suspensions can be temporary or permanent depending on the severity and frequency of violations. Temporary suspensions usually last from 1 day up to 2 weeks.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons TikTok suspends accounts, the duration of temporary suspensions, how to appeal a suspension, and tips for avoiding suspensions in the future.
Types of Suspensions
TikTok issues two main types of account suspensions – temporary and permanent.
A temporary suspension, also called a “time out,” blocks access to the account for a set period of time, after which the account is automatically restored. Temporary suspensions may last anywhere from 1 to 30 days, depending on the severity of the violation (TikTok Help Center).
A permanent suspension completely disables the account with no option to restore access. Permanent suspensions are reserved for severe or repeated violations of TikTok’s Community Guidelines (TikTok).
While temporary suspensions are meant to be educational by giving users time to reflect on the rules, permanent bans aim to remove harmful accounts from the platform entirely.
Reasons for Temporary Suspension
TikTok can temporarily suspend accounts for a variety of violations. According to TikTok’s help page on account suspensions, some common reasons for a temporary suspension include:1
- Copyright violations – uploading content that infringes on someone else’s copyright
- Harmful content – uploading videos or comments that promote dangerous illegal behavior or self-harm
- Impersonation – pretending to be someone else or falsely implying affiliation with a brand
- Artificial traffic inflation – using automated means or fake accounts to inflate views, likes, or followers
- Illegal activities – promoting criminal acts or illegal activities
Other common reasons for temporary suspensions include multiple Community Guidelines violations, suspicious account activity, spamming behavior, underage users, and violent threats.2
Suspension Periods
The length of a temporary suspension on TikTok can vary depending on the severity of the violation. According to TikTok’s support page, temporary bans typically last 1-7 days for first-time minor offenses [1]. More serious or repeat violations may result in suspensions of 14-30 days.
For very minor first-time violations, suspensions can last as little as 24 hours. As explained on Quora, “A temporary ban on TikTok typically lasts 24 hours. The duration of a TikTok ban varies depending on the severity of the offense. Generally, a minor infraction results in a 1-day ban, more serious violations lead to longer bans of a week or more” [2].
TikTok uses a system of “strikes” – violations lead to strikes on your account that expire after 90 days. Too many active strikes can lead to a permanent ban. So suspension lengths increase with additional strikes. According to digital marketing agency UAA Team, “The length of the suspension is based on the type or seriousness of violation, as well as the history of previous violations.” [3]
Appealing a Suspension
If your TikTok account has been temporarily suspended, you can appeal the suspension through the app. Here are the steps to appeal a temporary suspension:
1. Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
2. Tap on the three dots in the top right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Report a problem” from the menu options.
4. Choose “Appeal suspended account” from the list of issues.
5. Select the reason your account was suspended from the options provided.
6. Explain why you think your account should not have been suspended.
7. Provide any evidence that supports your appeal.
8. Tap “Send appeal” to submit your request.
TikTok reviews account suspension appeals within 24-72 hours. You will receive an email notification once a decision has been made on your appeal. If your appeal is approved, your account will be reinstated and you can access it again. If your appeal is denied, your account will remain suspended for the duration of the suspension period.
According to TikTok’s support article on account safety, you can continue submitting appeals during the suspension period if you believe the suspension was a mistake (source). However, repeatedly submitting appeals without new information or evidence may not be successful.
Regaining Access
Once a temporary suspension period ends, TikTok will automatically restore full access to your account (Account Suspension FAQs | TikTok For Business). You do not need to take any action to regain access. The suspension will be lifted and you will be able to log in and use your account normally.
If your suspension was for a set number of days, your access will be restored as soon as that time period passes. For example, if you received a 3-day suspension, you will regain full use of your account on the 4th day.
If your suspension notice did not specify an exact date or length, your access is typically restored within 1-2 weeks. However, repeat or severe violations can sometimes result in suspensions of a month or longer (About Account Suspensions).
Once your access is restored, be sure to carefully review TikTok’s community guidelines to avoid future suspensions. You may want to contact TikTok support if you have any questions about what behaviors or content resulted in your temporary suspension.
Preventing Future Suspensions
Here are some tips to help avoid violations that could lead to a temporary suspension on TikTok:
Be mindful of copyrighted material. Do not upload videos using music, images, or other content you do not have rights to use. TikTok has strict rules around copyright that are meant to protect creative rights.[1]
Follow community guidelines around appropriate content. Avoid posting violent, graphic, hateful, or sexually explicit videos which go against TikTok’s rules.[2]
Use branded content properly by following TikTok’s branded content policies. Disclose paid partnerships transparently.[3]
Do not manipulate engagement through artificial likes, shares or views. Only use authentic means to grow your account.[1]
Avoid spamming viewers or flooding hashtags. Post high-quality, relevant content that provides value to your audience.
Be thoughtful about your account’s content as a whole. Having multiple community violations could lead to suspension, even if each video on its own did not warrant it.
Permanent Suspension Risks
While many suspensions on TikTok are temporary, there are cases where TikTok may escalate a temporary suspension to a permanent ban. According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, repeated or severe violations of their policies can result in a permanent suspension.
Some actions that may lead TikTok to permanently ban an account include:
- Repeated temporary suspensions for the same violation
- Severe abuse, harassment, or hate speech
- Impersonation of someone else’s identity
- Posting illegal or dangerous content
- Commercial spam or bot activity
Unlike a temporary suspension, there is no set timeframe for a permanent ban. Once an account is permanently suspended, the user will no longer be able to access or retrieve that account.
Alternatives to TikTok
If your account is temporarily suspended on TikTok, you may want to explore other platforms where you can continue creating and sharing short videos. Some popular alternatives to consider include:
Triller – This app offers similar short video creation tools and filters as TikTok. It has grown in popularity among influencers and creators. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, Triller has over 250 million downloads worldwide.
Snapchat – You can create and share short videos through Snapchat Stories. The platform is already widely used, especially among younger demographics. Snapchat had 265 million daily active users as of Q2 2022 according to Statista.
Instagram Reels – Instagram’s built-in short video feature offers TikTok-style editing tools and viral distribution. Reels can help maintain your following while suspended elsewhere. Instagram has over 2 billion monthly active users as of Q2 2022, per Statista.
Exploring alternative platforms can help creators stay connected with their audience during a temporary TikTok suspension. Just be sure to follow the community guidelines on any new platform.
Conclusion
In summary, temporary TikTok account suspensions can last from anywhere from 1 to 30 days depending on the severity and recurrence of violations. Reasons for temporary suspension include violations of community guidelines, spamming, or exhibiting suspicious activity. While frustrating, a temporary ban is meant to be educational and corrective rather than punitive. The best way to avoid future suspensions is to carefully review community policies, avoid posting prohibited content, and maintain respectable engagement with others. With a commitment to positive participation, your account access can be restored and maintained in good standing.
