TikTok is a social network with strict moderation. This is especially noticeable in the European and Russian-speaking segment, where every major blogger has every chance of getting banned if he publishes offensive content. In this article, we will figure out what to do if you are blocked on Tik Tok, what are blocking and how to reduce the likelihood of blacklisting accounts.
Types of bans in TikTok
There are three types of bans on TikTok:
- block from user;
- admin ban;
- shadowban.
User blocking is an analogue of the blacklist from other social networks. The bottom line is simple: you add a person to an emergency, and he cannot watch the video and write. All this continues until you get the user from this list.
Blacklists have one vulnerability – if the account is open, then in order to view content and write to private messages, it is enough to make a new profile. If a user really wants to follow you, they can do so.
If you are added to the block, then you will not be able to get out on your own. The only option is to write to a person on another social network or tell them in person to unblock you.
Admin bans — are temporary and indefinite. In the first case, you will be blocked for a slight or moderate violation of the rules for a certain period. The average block time is 14 days.
Temporary ban is a small hint that the rules should not be broken. You can challenge it or wait until it passes over time.
Permanent ban — complete blocking of the account. It is issued either for repeated violations, when a person did not understand the first time that he should not publish such content, or for severely ignoring the rules of the service. In both cases, it will be difficult to challenge the ban. You will need to prove to the administration that you have understood everything and will no longer violate the rules of the service.
Shadowban — content pessimization. Your videos will not be shared with other users, and will not be searched through hashtags. The only way a person can watch your videos is if they go to your profile.
In this case: the shadowban is not displayed. You will be able to see it only when the channel statistics drop sharply, and you start searching for your videos by tags.
The most dangerous thing about a shadow bath is being out of trends and news for a while. Typically, such a block lasts 2 weeks and is issued for violating the rules and recommendations of the social network. Your channel will not have users from the recommendation feed for 14 days, and most of the traffic comes from there.
Many users face shadowbans. Usually they go because of the wrong methods of promotion. For example: instead of the recommended 2-4 hashtags, you put a whole canvas of different tags under each video. Result: you get into the shadowban and lose traffic. Or here’s another situation: you decide to use a proven method of promotion on Insta – like and write comments under other people’s videos. The system may decide that this is spam and put you on the list of violators. Therefore, it is better to follow the official recommendations for promotion.
For what they can get banned on TikTok
TikTok has official bans on certain types of content:
- erotica and pornography;
- substance propaganda;
- alcohol and cigarettes;
- violence;
- fraud;
- extremism;
- calls for bullying;
- use of prohibited music content (which is not available in your region).
Now in all social networks there is approximately the same list of bans. But it is very conditional. A computer game that shows a scene of violence is allowed, sports too, but a fight between two people is no longer. Also with any of the items.
Each theme can be rotated in both directions. On the one hand, there is very rarely explicit propaganda of some illegal actions, but on the other hand, any words can be drawn to a forbidden topic.
Also, TikTok does not have an official ban, but there is a recommendation for some actions. Here is a small list of what not to do or not to do:
- re-upload the same videos;
- reshoot your old videos;
- spamming (including posting videos);
- swearing;
- show children under 13 in the frame without adults;
- post someone else’s content.
As for other people’s content. If you want to insert someone’s video, or other copyright material – they should not occupy more than 30% of your video. The remaining 70% is just your content. Exceptions are channels that create exclusively collections of other people’s content. For example: TV series cuts, music charts, anime lists, etc.
In TikTok, there are no clear prohibitions on all actions that are published on the list. The exception is children in the frame, this is really prohibited. But you won’t get banned for it. Maximum – a shadowban will arrive. For fraud, if users manage to prove it, you can be completely blocked, but this is unlikely. We’ll have to pick up a bunch of evidence base, and even an obvious financial pyramid will calmly pass moderation.
At any time, you can get a ban or shadowban for any violation. This is stated in the rules. On the other hand, if you are a small blogger, you will not be watched so closely. Maximum – after regular complaints from other people. Tiktokers with channels from 1 million users are under the gun – moderators watch them, try to find violations and block them.
How to understand that you have been blocked on TikTok
If you were given a shadowban, then most likely you will not know about it right away. This will be noticeable only after the publication of new videos. Views dropped sharply on them, people practically do not comment on them. Perhaps this is just an unsuccessful video, but if the views dipped on all new content at once, then this is a shadowban.
The easiest way to check if an account is shadowbanned is to leave a few comments on other profiles. If after some time they are deleted, then you have been blocked.
If you are given a temporary ban, you will immediately understand it. You will be able to log into your account, but it will seem that you are blocked.
When a permanent ban is imposed on an account, you simply cannot enter it. The login password does not match. If you try to recover data, the system simply won’t find it.
Sometimes it happens that users simply enter their email or password incorrectly, and then they think that their account is blocked. It is better to save all the data from TikTok somewhere to avoid such a situation.
How to unblock Tik Tok
If your TikTok account has been blocked, you need to understand why this could have been done. All popular reasons are listed in the previous paragraph. Let’s consider two options: you understand why you could be blocked and you do not find a single reason why the profile was banned.
In the first case, everything is simple and complex at the same time. For non-serious violations, a temporary block is given. You can appeal it, but most likely you will not succeed. You will have to wait for the deadline to expire and then you will be able to publish the video on your channel again.
To file an appeal, you need to contact the administration. This can be done even without an account. For this:
- Go to the TikTok app.
- Go to settings.
- Search for Report a problem.
- Under “Report a Problem”you need to look for “Account and Profile”.
- Select “Sign In” and “Account Locked”.
- In the window that appears after the question “Is the problem solved?” click “No”.
The menu for composing a request to technical support will open. Indicate which account was blocked, but do not indicate personal data (phone or mail), describe the possible reason for blocking. If you agree with the reason for the blocking, you can indicate that you will no longer violate this clause and have taken this experience into account. If you disagree, describe all the arguments.
If you don’t know the reason for the ban, you will first need to send a message asking you to explain why your account was banned. After that, you will need to understand whether you really violated something, or whether users just chipped in with complaints.
What to do if the account is permanently banned
If you are banned forever, then you have seriously violated something. In this case, you need to contact technical support and try to establish contact. If the reason for the block is that you offended someone or created controversial content, you can be unbanned if you prove your position. 
The first indefinite blocking is not a reason to despair. Perhaps technical support will meet halfway, especially if the topic is as controversial as possible. For example – an insult to someone’s feelings. In this case, you can be unblocked.
After that, you are guaranteed to be banned and your profile will not be unlocked:
- obvious pornographic content;
- proven fraud;
- constant spam or cheating;
- violation of the law;
- repeated violation of the rules.
If you fall under one of these points, you can still appeal, but the chance of being unbanned is very low.
How to reduce the chance of a ban
If your account is banned, and the administration does not want to meet you, you will have to start all over again. Publish videos, try to get into trends, gain subscribers. It can take several months to just get back to where you left off.
To avoid this situation, it is better not to get banned from the very beginning. It’s not that hard to do. Follow these 5 simple tips:
- Read the rules carefully. It may sound trite, but most users do not want to spend time on this. Knowing what you might get banned for is the best way to avoid problems in the future.
- Avoid spam. TikTok is still giving traffic to all users. Even beginners get the opportunity to get recommended. No need to spam and try to get attention in every possible way.
- Watch what you say carefully. Try not to bring up controversial topics and express yourself unambiguously. No calls for anything.
- Do not post erotic content. TikTok is extremely negative about nude shots and a ban can come for them at any time. It’s better not to risk it.
- Subscribe to thematic communities about TikTok in all your social networks. Stay tuned for updates and news. So you will be aware of the latest trends and will always know what you can get banned for now.
Bans on social media are common. You can fully comply with all the rules, but if you create controversial content in which someone sees even a hint of something prohibited, you will be blocked. No need to panic and immediately create a new channel. Calm down, find what you could be banned for and write a support ticket. If you did everything correctly and within the rules, you will be unblocked. Even if you violated some point of the agreement, do not deny guilt, but say that you understand this and will no longer publish such content or use such promotion methods.
