TikTok is a popular short-form video app with over 1 billion monthly active users. To ensure a positive experience on the platform, TikTok has established Community Guidelines that set standards and rules for appropriate content and behavior. These guidelines cover areas like safety, privacy, authenticity, and more.
According to TikTok, the purpose of the guidelines is to “foster an experience that promotes safety, diversity, and creativity” (Understanding our Community Guidelines). Users are expected to abide by these guidelines whenever they engage with the platform, whether posting videos, commenting, or any other actions.
When users violate the community guidelines, TikTok may take action against their account with consequences ranging from content removal to permanent suspension. Understanding what happens when you accumulate multiple violations is important for maintaining access to the platform.
What Are TikTok’s Community Guidelines?
TikTok’s community guidelines outline the main content categories and behaviors that are prohibited on the platform in order to maintain a safe and positive environment. The guidelines are organized into several key sections:
Safety and Civility – This covers threats, harassment, dangerous individuals and organizations, regulated goods, and more. TikTok aims to prevent harm, radicalization, and illegal activities (TikTok Safety and Civility Guidelines).
Youth Safety and Well-Being – Guidelines around minor safety, sexual exploitation, nudity and sexual activities, and suicide, self-harm or dangerous acts. TikTok aims to protect younger users (TikTok Community Guidelines Overview).
Mental and Behavioral Health – Policies on misinformation that can cause harm, such as around public health crises. TikTok aims to limit harmful misinformation spread (TikTok Community Guidelines Overview).
Sensitive and Mature Content – Restrictions around sensitive topics and events, regulated and illegal goods and services. Aims to limit exposure to potentially distressing content (TikTok Community Guidelines Overview).
How Guidelines Are Enforced
TikTok uses a combination of automated systems and human moderators to detect violations of its community guidelines (TikTok Help Center). This includes:
– Automated systems – TikTok uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to proactively identify potentially violating content. This allows the platform to act quickly in removing inappropriate material.
– User reporting – Users can report content that they believe violates community guidelines. Moderators will review all user reports and take action if needed.
– Human moderators – TikTok has a team of human moderators who review content 24/7 to ensure it adheres to the guidelines. Moderators are able to provide nuanced judgements on contextual violations.
According to TikTok’s own enforcement report, over 90% of removed videos violating adult nudity policies were identified proactively using technology. However, user reporting also plays an important role in flagging policy breaches.
Consequences of Violating Guidelines
TikTok has a penalty system for accounts that violate community guidelines. According to TikTok’s support page, the first violation results in no account penalty. However, the content will be removed and the account will get a warning.
For a second violation, accounts may receive a temporary ban ranging from 3-30 days depending on the severity of the violation. Multiple violations can lead to longer bans of up to 60 days. Accounts could also lose access to certain app features like commenting or live streaming.
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, the most severe violations like illegal activities, violence, dangerous organizations, etc can result in permanent suspension after just one violation. Other violations that can result in permanent bans after multiple infractions include:
- Minor safety
- Adult nudity and sexual activities
- Harassment and bullying
- Spam, misleading information, and scams
- Regulated goods
TikTok aims to educate users first before suspending accounts, unless the violation is particularly harmful. The goal is to promote a safe and positive environment on the platform. However, repeatedly breaking the rules can result in losing access to the account.
First Violation
When a user commits their first violation, TikTok will usually send an automatic warning instead of banning the account right away. According to TikTok’s Help Center article on content violations (https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/content-violations-and-bans), a warning will be sent notifying the user that some of their content went against community guidelines.
The violating content will be removed, and the user will not be able to post anything new for a short period, usually 24 hours. Their profile and previously posted content will remain visible to others during this time. TikTok states the warning is meant to educate users and give them a chance to “reflect on our Community Guidelines before participating again.”
If it’s a minor first offense, TikTok may just remove the content without any ban. But more serious violations will trigger a temporary 24 hour posting ban along with the warning.
Second Violation
For a second violation of TikTok’s community guidelines, TikTok may temporarily restrict some features of an account (Source 1). The main consequence of a second violation is that the account will not be able to post, edit, comment, or use the inbox for 7 days (Source 2). This is meant to give the user time to review TikTok’s policies and make sure they understand the guidelines before fully using the platform again (Source 3).
During the 7-day restriction period, the account can still view content and LIVE videos. However, the user’s existing videos will not be shown to other users in feeds, search results, hashtags, etc for the duration of the restriction. After 7 days, full account functionality will be restored as long as no additional violations occur (Source 1).
Multiple Violations
TikTok has an escalating system of responses for accounts that repeatedly violate the community guidelines. The first violation results in a warning. The second violation leads to a temporary suspension of posting, commenting, or live broadcasting privileges for a period of 1-30 days. Accounts that receive a third violation within a 90-day period face an extended suspension of those privileges for 31-60 days.
If an account continues violating policies and receives more than three violations in a 90-day span, TikTok may permanently ban the account. According to TikTok’s support site, “Our system counts the number of times your account has violated our Community Guidelines, and for each of those violations, you’ll receive a strike on your account.”
The number of strikes and severity of the violations determine the enforcement actions taken. For example, accounts may face immediate permanent suspension after just one egregious violation like illegal activities or dangerous challenges and hoaxes. But minor or accidental first-time violations typically result in warnings before escalating to suspensions and bans for repeat issues.
Account Deletion
If an account receives multiple community guideline violations within a short period of time, TikTok may permanently ban the account. According to TikTok’s support page, “If an account is banned, the account (along with associated information like drafts and machine learning models) and personally identifiable information will be deleted.”
Once an account is permanently banned, the user will not be able to log in or recover any of the account’s data. TikTok states that “A permanently banned account cannot be reinstated.” https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/content-violations-and-bans
The number of violations that leads to a permanent ban is not disclosed by TikTok, likely to prevent abuse. However, the platform warns that posting severe policy violations or having multiple violations in a short span can result in immediate permanent suspension.
Appealing Violations
If your content is removed or your account is banned, you can appeal the violation through the TikTok app or website. According to TikTok’s Help Center, the appeals process is as follows:
1. Go to your profile page and tap the three dots in the top right corner then tap “Report a problem.” If accessing via web, go to tiktok.com and click “Report a problem.”
2. Select “Appeal” and choose the content or account violation you want to appeal.
3. Explain why you think the removal was a mistake. You can upload images or a video to support your appeal.
4. Tap “Submit.” TikTok will review your appeal and respond within 24 hours.
TikTok states that you should not delete any appealed content until the appeal review is complete, as deletion can impact their ability to evaluate the appeal. Also note that you can only appeal a specific violation one time.
According to TikTok’s Content Violations and Bans page, some violations are not eligible for appeal, such as multiple community guideline violations. In this case, you will need to wait out the ban period and be cautious about violations moving forward.
Avoiding Violations
There are steps creators can take to make sure they stay within TikTok’s guidelines and avoid account violations:
Read through the full Community Guidelines so you understand what types of content are prohibited. Some common violations are related to hate speech, nudity, dangerous acts, illegal activities, and spam. Be familiar with prohibited content so you don’t accidentally post something against the rules.
Consider the intent and impact of your content before posting. Even if you don’t mean any harm, your content could still be in violation if it negatively impacts users or spreads misinformation.
Use content moderation features like Restricted Mode and comment filters to help maintain a positive environment. You can also turn off features like duets and stitches if you’re concerned about how others may remix your content.
Delete any videos that receive a notification for violating Community Guidelines. Trying to edit or repost the same content will likely result in further violations.
Don’t try to circumvent restrictions or bans by creating alternate accounts. This is considered ban evasion and can lead to permanent suspension.
Ask other creators to review your content before posting if you’re unsure. Getting a second opinion can help identify potential issues.
Always appeal guideline violations you feel were made in error. But if your appeal is denied, take it as a sign to adjust your posting strategy.
