TikTok is a popular short-form video sharing app with over 1 billion monthly active users. The app allows users to create, edit, and share short 15-60 second videos, often set to music. One of TikTok’s key features is its commenting system, which allows viewers to leave comments on videos posted by creators. TikTok uses filters and controls to moderate comments and prevent spam, abuse, harassment, etc. However, sometimes valid comments get caught in these filters too. This article will examine why TikTok filters certain comments and provide tips for avoiding filtered comments.
Why Filtering Occurs
TikTok automatically filters some comments to reduce spam, abuse, and inappropriate content. According to TikTok’s support page, the platform’s comment filters “help maintain a safe environment” and prevent “unwanted interactions”.
Specifically, TikTok’s automated filtering aims to catch comments containing spam, scams, or advertising. It also filters out “hate speech, bullying, harassment, and other toxic comments” that violate community guidelines (TikTok Help Center).
By filtering out this unwanted content, TikTok hopes to foster more constructive conversations and positive interactions between users. The goal is to remove comments that detract from the experience without limiting free expression.
Types of Filtered Content
TikTok’s comment filtering aims to remove certain types of inappropriate or abusive content from appearing under videos. Some of the main categories of content that get filtered include:
- Spam – Repetitive or irrelevant comments intended to promote something rather than engage in discussion.
- Harassment – Insulting, threatening, or offensive comments targeting another user.
- Hate speech – Derogatory comments attacking someone based on protected characteristics like race, religion, gender identity, etc.
- Sexual content – Explicitly sexual comments or solicitations.
- Dangerous acts or challenges – Comments encouraging risky or dangerous behavior.
- Misinformation – False claims or conspiracy theories.
The goal is to filter out comments that violate TikTok’s community guidelines and detract from meaningful conversations. Moderators regularly update keyword lists and filters to deal with emerging issues and keep conversations constructive.
How Filtering Works
TikTok uses a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and human moderators to filter comments on the platform (TikTok Help Center). The AI is trained to detect certain keywords, phrases, and patterns that may indicate abusive, spammy, or inappropriate comments. When a potentially problematic comment is identified, it is sent to human moderators to review and decide whether to filter it out.
According to TikTok (TikTok Newsroom), their moderation team includes thousands of people covering dozens of languages. The moderators analyze comments in the context of the video and creator’s guidelines to determine if they should be removed. TikTok says context is important, as words or phrases that are fine in one situation may not be in another.
In addition to automated and human review, creators have some ability to customize word and phrase filters to block comments containing language they deem inappropriate. However, TikTok’s algorithms and moderators provide an additional filter to maintain community guidelines.
Common Triggers
Some of the most common triggers that cause comments to be filtered on TikTok are profanity, slurs, and threats. TikTok aims to maintain a positive environment, so overtly negative language often gets flagged by filters.
Profanity of any kind, even somewhat mild words, often gets comments filtered. The filters are quite sensitive and block curses, swear words, or vulgar language. This includes abbreviations and creative spellings meant to avoid filters.
Slurs and derogatory terms related to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or other protected groups also frequently get flagged. Even if not directed at a specific person, these types of words go against TikTok’s community guidelines.
Threatening language, whether directed at a user or more general in nature, is taken very seriously and will cause your comment to be filtered. Specific threats of violence, death threats, or telling someone to harm themselves will not be tolerated.
In general, any language perceived as hate speech, bullying, harassment, or otherwise abusive will likely lead to filtering. TikTok aims to promote respectful engagement.
Appealing Filtering
If your comment was filtered by mistake, you can report it to TikTok and request a review. Go to your profile, tap the three dots in the top right, choose “Report a problem” and select “Appeal comment filter.” Explain why you believe your comment was erroneously filtered. TikTok reviews these requests and will approve legitimate comments.
According to TikTok’s guidelines, comments should be approved if they do not contain hate speech, harassment, spam, misinformation, or other policy violations. Legitimate comments filtered incorrectly are typically approved within 1-2 days of submitting an appeal. However, TikTok does not provide details on their review process or filtering algorithms, so the appeals system is imperfect.
If your appeal is denied but you still believe the filtering was unwarranted, you can submit additional appeals explaining why your comment complies with community guidelines. Persistence is key to getting wrongly filtered comments reinstated. Checking back in a few days is also recommended, as filters may be adjusted over time.
While appealing can be frustrating, it does provide recourse for creators and commenters who feel they were unfairly censored. Maintaining polite and constructive appeals focused on your comment’s merits, not accusations, gives the best chance for successful reinstatement.
Tips to Avoid Filtering
There are some steps you can take to reduce the chances of your comments getting filtered on TikTok:
Use appropriate language. Avoid profanity, hate speech, harassment, threats or revealing private information about yourself or others. TikTok’s algorithms are designed to filter out inappropriate content.
Keep comments relevant and on topic. Straying too far from the content of the video can trigger the filters.
Avoid spamming the same comment repeatedly. Mass-commenting or repeatedly posting the exact same comment is likely to be picked up and filtered.
Be mindful of your account history. Accounts that have had previous moderation issues or violations may have stricter filtering applied. Maintaining a clean account can prevent extra scrutiny.
Appeal incorrectly filtered comments. If you believe a comment was mistakenly filtered, you can appeal to TikTok to have it reinstated. Use the in-app reporting tools.
Avoid circumventing filters. Trying to misspell or creatively insert spacing to get around banned terms may result in your account being penalized.
Keep it positive. Comments focused on constructive feedback, interesting questions, or positive reactions tend to have better success rates.
Criticisms of Filtering
One common criticism of TikTok’s filtering system is that it amounts to censorship or limiting free speech. Users have accused TikTok of being overzealous in filtering comments, blocking benign phrases or words that should not be prohibited. There are many Reddit threads and discussions criticizing aspects of TikTok’s filtering algorithms and advocating for more transparency and user control.
For example, some users feel filtering disproportionately targets comments containing social or political commentary that should be permitted on the platform. They argue that excessive filtering inhibits the free exchange of ideas and meaningful engagement between users. According to critics, the lack of clarity around what exactly triggers filtering also leads to arbitrary limitations on speech.
Another concern is that heavy filtering disenfranchises users and content creators who rely on comments for feedback and discussion around videos. Excessive filtering might cut down on harassment, but also significantly limits organic engagement. Some feel TikTok should be more selective in its approach to avoid undermining the interactive nature that makes the platform compelling.
While TikTok says filtering helps creators avoid abuse, critics counter that users should have more tools to manage their own comment sections without overly relying on AI moderation. Overall, critics urge more transparency from TikTok on how its filtering works to ensure fairness and prevent limitations on reasonable discourse.
Alternatives for Commenting
If your comments keep getting filtered on TikTok, there are some alternatives you can try instead of commenting directly on videos:
Use other platforms. Consider leaving your thoughts on the creator’s Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or other social media profiles if they have them linked in their TikTok bio. You may have better luck getting your comment seen there.
Contact the creator directly. See if the TikTok creator lists an email address or other contact info in their bio or on their LinkedIn/website. Reach out to them directly if you have thoughts to share about their content.
Some users have had more success being able to comment freely on other short-form video apps like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and Snapchat Spotlight. You could consider engaging with creators you like on those platforms instead.
Overall, getting around TikTok’s filtering requires getting creative. Leveraging other social platforms, contacting the creator directly via email, or commenting on similar short-form video apps can help you share your thoughts if TikTok’s algorithm keeps blocking your comments.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok filters comments for various reasons, mainly to maintain a positive environment and stop the spread of harmful content. The filters operate automatically based on AI that looks for prohibited words, spam, and other red flags. Some common triggers include swear words, threats, personal attacks, duplicate comments, links, and phone numbers.
If your comment gets filtered, you can try rewording it or appealing to TikTok. But the best approach is being mindful of what you post and following the community guidelines. While filtering can be frustrating, it aims to cultivate a space where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. With some care and creativity, you can share your thoughts without running into filters.
In the end, filtering is part of the tradeoff we make for massive platforms like TikTok. There are always alternatives like commenting on videos or connecting on other social sites. TikTok isn’t perfect, but it constantly works to refine its systems and create a positive environment for its 1 billion users.
