Why the TikTok Community Guidelines Algorithm Is Broken

Notification: Content can’t be restored. It was determined that your content violates our Community Guidelines and cannot be restored.

If you’ve ever had a video removed from TikTok for no reason, or been banned from posting for seven days for something as innocuous as a crying emoji, then you know that the TikTok Community Guidelines algorithm is broken. Not only is the algorithm itself broken, but the appeals process is unfair and there is a lack of transparency with the Community Guidelines.

The TikTok Community Guidelines are vague and open to interpretation, which means that videos can get removed for no reason and posts can be reported for no reason. This lack of clarity leads to a bias against certain types of content.

Content can’t be restored even if it doesn’t violate Community Guidelines

While a few users claim to have had their content restored after appealing, the vast majority of users report that their content is not restored, even if it doesn’t violate any Community Guidelines.

This lack of transparency and fairness in the appeals process is one of the main complaints about TikTok’s Community Guidelines. There is no way to know why your content was removed or why your appeal was denied, which leaves users feeling frustrated and powerless.

Videos can get removed for no reason

Many users have had their videos removed from TikTok for no reason. Videos of trees, for example, have been removed for “violating community guidelines.” Other users have had their videos removed for “nudity involving minors,” even though they are fully clothed and over the age of 18.

Some users have even had their TikTok accounts banned for seven days for posting a crying emoji, which is not against the Community Guidelines.

Appeals process is unfair

The appeals process for TikTok is unfair and lacks transparency. There is no way to know why your content was removed or why your appeal was denied, which leaves users feeling frustrated and powerless.

Some users have had a bit of luck using the Feedback form to appeal: https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback?lang=en but the same can not be said for the majority.

Success breeds haters and snitches

Another problem with TikTok is that success breeds haters and snitches. If you have a lot of followers, you’re more likely to get reported for no reason. This is because people are jealous of your success and they want to see you get banned.

To avoid this, be careful with the comments you make on other people’s videos. If you’re too critical, you could get reported and banned.

Posts can be reported for no reason

Again, because the TikTok Community Guidelines are vague and open to interpretation, posts can be reported for no reason. This lack of clarity leads to a bias against certain types of content.

For example, posts about mental health or body positivity are often reported because people don’t like seeing them in their feeds. Even though these types of posts don’t violate any Community Guidelines, they can still get removed.

So if you’re posting on TikTok, be aware that your content could be removed at any time, for any reason. And if you do get banned, don’t expect the appeals process to be fair or transparent.

The community needs to be more involved in the development of the guidelines

TikTok’s Community Guidelines are broken and need to be fixed. The community needs to be more involved in the development of the guidelines so that they are clear and fair. And the appeals process needs to be more transparent and user-friendly.

Until these changes are made, TikTok will continue to be a toxic place for content creators.