TikTok is a popular short-form video app with over 1 billion monthly active users. On TikTok, users can create, view, and interact with short videos covering a variety of topics. TikTok utilizes an algorithm to personalize the ‘For You’ feed for each user.
Sometimes, TikTok may block a user’s account due to violations of community guidelines, spam/bot activity, copyright issues, underage usage, or security concerns. A blocked account restricts the user from accessing or posting to their TikTok account. This article will cover common reasons TikTok accounts get blocked, how to appeal blocks, and tips to avoid getting blocked in the first place.
Common Reasons for Blocks
TikTok blocks accounts for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common include:
- Violating Community Guidelines – TikTok has strict rules against content like nudity, violence, hate speech, harassment, and dangerous challenges or stunts. Breaking these rules often leads to account blocks or bans. [1]
- Spam and Bot Activity – Accounts that spam other users with follows/messages or exhibit bot-like behavior will get blocked for violating TikTok’s rules against spam and fake accounts. This includes using third-party apps or services to artificially boost views, likes, or followers.
- Copyright Violations – Uploading videos with copyrighted music, images, or other content without permission can prompt account blocks and takedown notices.
Other common reasons include underage users, account security issues, ban evasion, and more serious violations of TikTok’s Terms of Service.
Violating Community Guidelines
One of the most common reasons for TikTok blocking an account is if the account violates the platform’s Community Guidelines. TikTok has strict policies prohibiting certain types of content like hate speech, harassment, dangerous acts, illegal activities, nudity/sexual activities, and violent content. If TikTok determines an account has violated these guidelines through their posted videos or other activities, they may impose penalties ranging from video removal to full account suspension.
Some of the most frequent violations that can lead to account blocks include posting videos with nudity or sexually explicit content, promoting hatred or discrimination against protected groups, glorifying self-harm or dangerous acts, and sharing graphic violence. Even a single case of severe guideline violation is grounds for permanent suspension according to TikTok’s policies. They use both automated moderation and human content reviewers to identify Community Guidelines violations.
If your account has been blocked for violating Community Guidelines, you will receive an in-app notification explaining the violation. You can appeal the block through the app as well. To avoid future blocks, it is critical to carefully review TikTok’s Community Guidelines and ensure your account’s content and activities fully comply with all policies.
Spam and Bot Activity
One of the most common reasons TikTok blocks accounts is due to spam or bot activity. TikTok has automatic protections in place to detect spammy behavior and bot accounts in order to protect the platform and users. Activities that may trigger these protections include:
Spam commenting – Repeatedly posting unrelated or unwanted comments, especially those including links, can get an account flagged for spam. According to users on Reddit, aggressive comment spamming often leads to blocks (https://www.reddit.com/r/Tiktokhelp/comments/11plouf/new_kind_of_tiktok_bot_spam/).
Bot followers/engagement – If an account shows signs of fake bot followers or engagement, such as an unrealistic spike in followers or likes, TikTok may assume the account is obtaining growth through prohibited means. TikTok aims to cultivate authentic communities.
Automated messaging – Repeatedly sending users auto-generated or copied/pasted messages violates TikTok’s policies. These types of messages are often sent by bots and indicate inauthentic behavior.
The best way to avoid getting blocked for spam or bot activity is to engage on TikTok authentically, adding value for others through unique content, comments, and messaging. Abusive automation and inauthentic growth tactics could prompt TikTok to block accounts.
Copyright Violations
Posting content that infringes on someone else’s copyright can lead to blocks on TikTok. This includes reposting videos, songs, images, or other material without permission from the copyright owner. According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, users should only upload videos they made themselves or have explicit permission to share.
If TikTok receives a valid copyright infringement notice, they will remove the infringing content. If your account has multiple copyright strikes, TikTok may disable your ability to upload new videos for a period of time or suspend your account entirely. The length of the upload ban or account suspension depends on the severity of the violations.
To avoid copyright blocks, always get permission before using someone else’s content or stick to uploading 100% original videos you created yourself. It’s important to understand copyright law and how it applies on TikTok before posting. Ignorance of the rules is not a valid defense against copyright claims. Do your research to ensure you have the rights to use any non-original material.
Underage Users
TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old to create an account. This is done to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which prohibits online services from knowingly collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.
If TikTok believes an account belongs to someone under 13, they will block the account as they are unable to verify parental consent. Under COPPA regulations, TikTok does not collect data from accounts believed to be registered by underage users.
TikTok uses artificial intelligence and reports from other users to identify accounts that may belong to under 13 year olds. Factors that could trigger an account block include young appearance in videos, immature content, and reports of underage use.
Account Security Issues
TikTok may block an account due to suspicious activity that indicates a potential security breach. For example, if someone logs into your account from a new device or unknown location, TikTok’s automated systems may detect this as unusual behavior and temporarily restrict access to protect your account.
Likewise, if your account exhibits signs of being compromised by a hacker, such as changing the username, profile photo, password, or linked accounts, TikTok may block the account as a security precaution. The company has stated that keeping accounts secure is a top priority, so any red flags around unauthorized access will prompt blocks until the issues can be resolved.
Users have reported abrupt blocks after noticing login emails for unknown sessions, profile edits they didn’t make, or losing access to their accounts. In most cases, TikTok blocks the affected account to prevent further misuse while the owner attempts to regain control and boost security.
If you find your TikTok account blocked after potential hacking activity, you should attempt to recover it through TikTok’s account recovery process. Enable two-factor authentication before accessing your account again to keep it protected moving forward. With stronger security settings enabled, blocks related to suspicious access should diminish.
For more tips, see TikTok’s guide to securing your account at https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/account-safety
Ban Evasion
If your account gets banned on TikTok, trying to evade the ban by creating new accounts will likely result in those new accounts getting blocked as well. According to this Reddit post, TikTok does crack down on ban evasion by detecting new accounts associated with a previously banned user. The platform’s systems can identify ban-evading accounts through IP addresses, device IDs, and other signals.
Once TikTok detects an attempt to evade a ban, any new accounts created by that user will likely be automatically blocked. The more accounts someone tries to create, the more aggressive TikTok’s systems become at shutting them down. There is no point trying to evade a ban, as it will just lead to more blocks that are increasingly difficult to reverse. The proper way to get an account unbanned is to appeal the ban directly with TikTok through the proper channels.
Appealing Blocks
If your TikTok account has been blocked, you can appeal the decision to try and get your account restored. Here are some tips for appealing blocks and regaining access to your account:
Submit an appeal through the app – If you received an in-app notification that your account was blocked, tap the “Appeal” button in the notification to start the appeals process. Be sure to provide a detailed explanation of why you believe the block was a mistake.
Use the appeal form – If you can’t access your account, submit an appeal at https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback. Explain clearly why you feel the block was unwarranted and request account restoration.
Highlight that it’s your first violation – If it’s your first community guidelines violation, emphasize this in the appeal and ask for a warning instead of a permanent block.
Provide context around violations – If your content was flagged, clarify the context and intent behind the content to show it was misconstrued.
Note age at time of violation – If your account was blocked due to age restrictions, point out if you were under 13 at the time in your appeal.
Request an appeal review – If your initial appeal is denied, you can request a review of the decision within 60 days to get a second look.
Follow up persistently – Keep submitting appeals and following up if you feel the block was unjustified to increase your chances of getting your account back.
Preventing Blocks
There are some best practices you can follow to avoid actions that commonly lead to blocks on TikTok:
- Carefully review the Community Guidelines and follow them consistently to avoid posting inappropriate or dangerous content.
- Refrain from spamming repetitive or irrelevant comments, posts, links, hashtags, etc. Spamming is against TikTok policies.
- Only upload and share original content that you own or have permission to use. Avoid reposting videos or music without proper licensing to prevent copyright issues.
- Use your account appropriately for your age. Underage users with accounts may face restrictions.
- Do not create multiple accounts if previously banned. Ban evasion will lead to all associated accounts being blocked.
- Secure your account with strong passwords and login credentials. Compromised accounts spreading spam/malicious content often get blocked.
Carefully following TikTok’s rules and posting original, high-quality content is the best way to avoid situations that can prompt blocks. If you feel your account was blocked unfairly, be sure to appeal it through the app.
