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Last Updated: Feb 26, 2026

TikTok Community Guidelines & Ad Standards 2026

Master the TikTok algorithm's safety filters. Learn how to avoid shadowbans and keep your commercial content compliant.

TikTok's enforcement is heavily driven by 'Safety' and 'Originality'—low quality or unoriginal content is often suppressed.

Commercial content must be clearly disclosed. Failure to use the 'Paid Partnership' toggle is a primary cause of account restriction.

Sensitive topics like body image and mental health are scrutinized by visual and audio AI filters.

Harmful claims, even if made in jest, can lead to immediate 'Account Warning' status.

Common Rejection Triggers

Misleading Metadata & Clickbait

High Risk

Content that encourages 'Wait for it' or 'Link in bio for secret' without immediate value can be flagged as low-quality engagement bait.

How to Fix: Ensure the visual content matches the caption's promise. Provide value in the first 3 seconds.

Improper Disclosure (Ads)

High Risk

Promoting a product without using TikTok's official 'Paid Partnership' label leads to content suppression or removal.

How to Fix: Always enable the commercial content disclosure toggle in the 'More options' menu before posting.

The TikTok Lexicon

Words that trigger bot flags vs. words that pass the sentiment check.

Banned / Risky Phrasing

SecretWait for itGiveawayClick bioFree moneyCureMiracleHack

Safe / Benefit-Driven

ExperienceStoryBehind the scenesTutorialHow toJourneyCommunityReal life

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes a shadowban on TikTok?
Consistent violations of community guidelines, unoriginal content (re-uploading), or using banned hashtags can trigger a period of reduced visibility.
Are healthcare ads allowed on TikTok?
Only with heavy restrictions. Claims must be supported by medical consensus, and targeting is strictly 18+ for most health-related products.