What constitutes an inactive account on TikTok?
TikTok considers an account to be inactive if it has not been used to access the app for 180 days or more. According to TikTok’s inactive account policy, an inactive account is one that has not been used to post, like, comment, or login for a period of at least 180 days (TikTok’s Inactive Account Policy).
The specific criteria that TikTok uses to determine inactivity includes a complete lack of app usage, including:
- Posting videos
- Commenting on videos
- Liking videos
- Following other accounts
- Logging into the account
If an account has not performed any of these actions in the TikTok app for 180 consecutive days, it will be classified as an inactive account by TikTok’s systems. The inactivity status of an account is not publicly displayed and only known internally by TikTok.
Does TikTok delete inactive accounts?
According to TikTok’s official privacy policy, the platform does not automatically delete accounts simply for being inactive. The policy states that TikTok may delete accounts that are “dormant for an extended period of time,” but does not provide specifics on what constitutes “extended.”
There are some anecdotal reports online of users finding their old, inactive TikTok accounts deleted after not accessing them for several months or years. However, TikTok has not confirmed that it deletes accounts purely for inactivity, and states that any deletion would be due to violation of its Terms of Service.
Some reasons an inactive account may get deleted include:
- Having no content posted
- Violating TikTok’s rules against hate speech, bullying, etc.
- Being reported by other users for policy violations
While TikTok reserves the right to remove inactive accounts, its official policy does not list inactivity alone as grounds for deletion. Users with concerns can contact TikTok support to check on the status of an old, unused account.
Why might TikTok delete inactive accounts?
TikTok may choose to delete inactive accounts for a few key reasons:
First, deleting inactive accounts frees up usernames that can then be claimed by new users. With hundreds of millions of users, username recycling helps ensure available handles for new signups.
Second, removing inactive accounts saves storage space on TikTok’s servers. Maintaining unused accounts takes up unnecessary data storage that could be better utilized for active user content.
Finally, deleting inactive accounts allows TikTok to clear out unused or spam accounts that may have been created in violation of its terms of service. Removing these helps protect the community and platform.
According to a recent Google blog post, inactive accounts often rely on old passwords that could be compromised. Deleting them improves overall security.
What factors may prevent account deletion?
There are a few key factors that may prevent TikTok from deleting inactive accounts despite prolonged inactivity:
Legal and regulatory requirements may obligate TikTok to retain certain user data for a minimum period of time. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU requires a data retention period for certain types of personal data.
Inactive user data can still hold value for advertising purposes. Even if a user is not actively engaging with the platform, data about their interests, demographics, and behavior can provide useful insights for advertisers on TikTok. As long as this data has potential value, TikTok may opt to keep inactive accounts intact.
Additionally, retaining inactive accounts allows for easier reactivation if a user returns to the platform after a prolonged absence. Deleting accounts outright would require users to start fresh if they resumed using TikTok.
How many inactive accounts does TikTok have?
TikTok does not publicly disclose the exact number of inactive accounts on its platform. However, some third-party estimates provide a sense of scale. According to Statista, TikTok removed approximately 18 million accounts in Q2 2023 due to inactivity[1]. This suggests that inactive accounts make up a sizable percentage of TikTok’s total user base, which stood at over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2022[2].
Inactive accounts on social media platforms like TikTok generally fall into two main categories: accounts belonging to users who have left the platform entirely, and accounts where users still log in but rarely post or engage with content. Estimates vary, but typically 15-30% of accounts on social platforms fall into these inactive categories[3]. Given TikTok’s massive user base, this likely equates to hundreds of millions of inactive accounts at any given time.
While the exact figure is unknown, the large volume of accounts TikTok deletes for inactivity points to inactive accounts representing a substantial subset of its platform. This inactive user base accrues over time as some users stop using TikTok regularly or at all.
How can users prevent account deletion?
There are a few things TikTok users can do to prevent their accounts from being deleted due to inactivity:
1. Log in periodically – Even if you’re not actively posting or engaging with content, logging into your TikTok account every few weeks can keep it active enough to avoid deletion. This signals to TikTok that the account is still being accessed.
2. Like or comment occasionally – Occasionally interacting with content by liking or commenting on videos can also show activity and prevent your account from being classified as inactive. Engaging with just a video or two every month may be enough.
3. Adjust account activity settings – Within your account settings, you can tweak options related to account activity. For example, you can extend the period of inactivity that triggers warnings from TikTok before deletion. This may allow more time between logins.
Overall, any minor activity like logging in, liking, commenting or adjusting settings demonstrates the account is still in use. As long as there is some activity every few weeks, TikTok is unlikely to delete the account for inactivity.[1]
What happens when an account is deleted?
When a TikTok account is deleted, either by the user or by TikTok, the user immediately loses access to the account and all of its content. According to this Reddit discussion, the account itself is removed from TikTok’s systems and can no longer be accessed. The unique username also becomes available for anyone else to claim once the account is deleted.
Essentially, deleting a TikTok account erases it from existence on the platform. The user will not be able to log in, view videos they’ve posted, or see their followers. It’s as if the account never existed. TikTok states in its Privacy Policy that they may retain some user data for a limited period of time after account deletion, but the account itself and all of its content will be removed.
Users should be certain they want to delete their account, as the process is irreversible. The only way to restore a deleted TikTok account is to contact TikTok support and request that they reactivate the account, if possible. But there is no guarantee they can recover a deleted account.
How can inactive users reactivate an account?
If an inactive TikTok account gets deleted, it is possible for the original owner to recover and reactivate it, but the process can be challenging. According to Reddit users, TikTok keeps deleted accounts on its servers for 30-90 days before permanently deleting files, so there is a window to potentially restore accounts
To reactivate a recently deleted account within 30 days, the best option is to contact TikTok support directly and request account restoration. TikTok may ask for verification of identity or account ownership before considering reactivating the account. However, success is not guaranteed, as their policies allow account deletion after prolonged inactivity.
For accounts deleted longer than 30 days ago, users have very limited recourse. There are online services that claim the ability to recover accounts deleted up to 90 days prior, but their success rate is questionable according to experts on Quora. In most cases, inactive accounts deleted by TikTok are likely gone for good.
The most reliable way to reactivate an inactive TikTok account is to periodically log in and engage with the platform before the account can be considered inactive. Users unable to access their account can also contact TikTok support for assistance prior to deletion.
Pros of deleting inactive accounts
Clearing out inactive accounts can provide several benefits for TikTok and its active userbase. Here are some of the main advantages TikTok gains by removing accounts that have gone dormant:
Frees up usernames
Deleting inactive accounts opens up unique and desirable usernames that can then be claimed by new users. With so many accounts registered, it can be challenging to come up with an original username that isn’t already taken. Freeing up unused names allows active users more options to choose a username that fits their personal brand or content style.
Enhances platform experience
Keeping inactive accounts cluttering up the platform can negatively impact the user experience. Removing stagnant profiles helps ensure active users can more easily find and connect with other vibrant, engaged accounts. This can lead to improved exchanges and interactions between current users.
Saves storage costs
Maintaining data on millions of inactive accounts accrues substantial storage expenses over time. Deleting accounts no longer being used crucially reduces the infrastructure resources TikTok needs to host and back up that stale data. Limiting accounts to those actually creating and engaging with content allows TikTok to operate more efficiently.
Cons of Deleting Inactive Accounts
While cleaning up inactive accounts may seem beneficial on the surface, there are some downsides TikTok should consider before taking action:
User Data Lost
When an account is deleted, all of the user’s data is erased with it. This includes videos, captions, messages, contacts, and more. Even if the account has been inactive for a while, the user may still want access to this content in the future. Losing it all with no way to recover could upset users.
Legal/Regulatory Issues
In some jurisdictions, there are laws about retaining user data for a certain period of time before deletion. If TikTok fails to comply with these regulations, they could face legal consequences. Quickly deleting inactive accounts may put them at risk.
Advertising Revenue Impact
Inactive accounts still count towards TikTok’s total userbase. A massive deletion of accounts could significantly reduce this user number, which could devalue their platform from an advertising perspective. Fewer overall accounts could hurt ad revenues.
