TikTok has rewritten its Community Guidelines to be easier to read and firmer where it counts.
The new version uses plainer language, adds a “rules at a glance” summary, strengthens policies on misinformation and bullying, and groups risky categories like gambling, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and weapons into one regulated-goods policy.
TikTok also expanded an Accounts and Features section that explains safety rules for comments, direct messages, LIVE, Search, and TikTok Shop. Notifications started going out on August 14, and the rules take effect on September 13.
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TikTok says most removals start with automation and happen before anyone reports them. The company cites more than 85% of violating content found by automation and 99% of those takedowns occurring before a user files a report.
Appeals continue to be available. The goal is to reduce confusion for creators and increase trust for viewers.
What actually changed in the rules
- Clarity. You do not need to decipher legalese. The guidelines have been reorganized, with each topic now featuring a plain summary, and TikTok also explains how some rules can vary by region.
- Authenticity. There is more detail on misinformation, election and civic integrity, and realistic edited or AI media. If your video could be mistaken for real life yet relies on synthetic edits or AI, TikTok expects clear labeling. TikTok also explains that some videos can remain on the platform but will not be eligible for the For You feed.
- Enforcement. TikTok emphasizes proactive removals and consistent moderation. The company says it is investing in moderation tech and training to make enforcement more predictable.
- For You feed eligibility. TikTok keeps a public set of eligibility standards for the recommendation system. Some content may be suitable for hosting but not recommended for broad audiences, particularly younger viewers. This is the foundation for the new pre-flight checks you will see below.
The tools that sit beside the rules
TikTok paired the policy refresh with product features that make day-to-day publishing safer and more predictable.
- Creator Care Mode
This is A one-click filter that screens offensive or unwanted comments, tailored to your own moderation patterns.
Healthy comments lift watch time and make replying enjoyable. Calm threads also help brand partners feel comfortable.
To access it, open Settings and privacy, manage comments, then turn on comment filters and add your own keyword list. Keep refining it after each major post or live event.
- LIVE bulk mute
This is a fast control for LIVE chats that mutes many words, phrases, or emojis at once.
When a stream heats up, a single topic can hijack the chat. Bulk mute lets you keep the room focused so viewers stay and participate.
Prepare a short list before you go live. If a meme floods your chat, add it to the list mid-stream and keep going.
- Content Check Lite
This is A pre-flight scan that tells you whether your upload is likely to be ineligible for the For You feed before you publish. It rolls out through TikTok Studio on the web first.
Recommendation eligibility drives reach. If something is flagged, you can fix a caption, a thumbnail, or context and try again, rather than discovering a problem after posting.
Run the check, read the reason, make the smallest change that keeps your story intact, then recheck. If your video uses realistic AI or heavy edits, add a clear label and try again.
- Creator Inbox
This is A professional inbox with tabs like Unread and Starred, plus quick replies, built for creators who receive a lot of messages.
A clean inbox means faster responses to fans and brands, fewer missed opportunities, and less stress on busy days.
Create three simple labels for brand, collab, and community. Check the brand tab daily and route good leads through your standard brief and media-kit flow.
- Family Pairing upgrades
There are More visibility tools for parents and new controls that families can agree on together. Parents can receive a notification when a teen publishes something visible to others and can view important privacy settings the teen selects. There are new block controls as well.
If you work with teens or run a school or family program, you need clear expectations and tools that reduce surprises.
Set up Family Pairing together, agree on notifications and privacy defaults, and revisit settings at the start of each term.
- Footnotes
This is A community context layer under videos. Eligible contributors write short notes that add helpful background, and other contributors rate them. Notes that win broad agreement become visible to viewers in the United States.
TikTok is a discovery engine for everyday culture and for news. Footnotes bring quick, crowd-rated context right where people watch, reducing confusion without sending viewers off-app.
When you share claims or data, include a source in your caption. If a Footnote appears that helps, welcome it. If one misses the mark, use the reporting option and add your own clarifying reply.
The five-hashtag reality
Many users are now seeing an in-app cap that limits posts to five hashtags. TikTok has not posted a standalone newsroom announcement, yet credible trade outlets report the change and show screenshots of the prompt.
The aim is to reduce clutter and spam, and to facilitate more relevant discovery. Social Media TodaySearch Engine Land
How to choose five that matter
- One category tag that puts you in the right aisle.
- One niche tag that names your subculture.
- One community tag your audience already follows.
- One intent tag that signals a use case or outcome.
- One series or brand tag can be reused for continuity.
This shift rewards clear topics and strong captions over laundry-list tagging. Early reporting suggests the platform is nudging everyone toward relevance. Test and watch your analytics.
Why TikTok is doing this now
Two forces are shaping the update. First, TikTok is a major place where people discover information, not just entertainment.
Pew Research finds that about seventeen percent of U.S. adults regularly get news on TikTok, and roughly half of TikTok users say they get news there. That reach raises the stakes for accuracy and context.
Second, every large platform sits under a brighter regulatory spotlight. Clearer rules, labels for synthetic media, predictable eligibility standards, and community context tools help TikTok demonstrate that culture can still evolve rapidly while guardrails become increasingly robust.
How does this compare to other platforms
Community context
X has Community Notes, where a note becomes visible when contributors from different viewpoints rate it as helpful.
Meta is testing its own Community Notes across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in the United States. TikTok’s Footnotes fits the same family of crowd-rated context tools.
Labels for AI and edited media
YouTube now requires creators to disclose when realistic content is altered or synthetic. Labels appear for viewers and can be elevated on sensitive topics.
Meta is labeling AI-generated content across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. TikTok’s guidelines set the expectation that realistic synthetic media be labeled.
Political and civic content controls
Meta is shifting political recommendations toward user control and context notes. TikTok leans on integrity rules, labeling expectations, and For You eligibility. The direction is similar. The implementations differ.
What to do this week if you publish on TikTok
Plan for eligibility and clarity
Run Content Check Lite before posting. If it flags your upload, adjust the edit or caption and run the check again. Do not guess. Let the tool reduce surprises.
Label what looks real but is synthetic
If you used AI or heavy edits that could fool a viewer, label it clearly. This aligns with the authenticity expectations and mirrors industry norms at YouTube and Meta.
Treat hashtags like premium slots
Pick five with intent. Keep one reusable series tag so viewers can follow the thread across uploads. Monitor reach and retention rather than just raw views.
Keep comments healthy
Turn on Creator Care Mode, keep a tight keyword list, and, if chat gets rowdy on LIVE, use bulk mute to re-focus the room. Calm spaces convert better.
If you work with teens or families
Set up Family Pairing together and agree on notifications and privacy choices. Revisit settings each term as needs change.
Add sources in captions for claims or data. If Footnotes appear on your video, welcome helpful notes and correct inaccurate ones through the in-app process.
Quick FAQ
Do the new Community Guidelines ban anything brand new
The biggest changes are clarity, stronger authenticity expectations, and transparency about recommendation eligibility. The emphasis is on simpler rules and more predictable enforcement.
What exactly is Content Check Lite
A pre-flight scan available in TikTok Studio on the web that tells you if a video looks ineligible for the For You feed. It gives you a chance to fix issues before posting.
Is the five-hashtag cap official or a test
TikTok has not issued a separate press release. Multiple reputable outlets have documented in-app prompts that limit posts to five tags. Expect a staged rollout and verify on your account.
What are Footnotes in one sentence?
A community context layer where eligible contributors add helpful notes under videos, and other contributors rate them, with notes that reach consensus shown to viewers in the United States.
The takeaway
TikTok has just made the rules easier to understand and provided you with tools to avoid surprises. You can check eligibility before you post.
You can keep comments and LIVE chats on track. You can label realistic AI so viewers trust what they see. You also have five precious hashtag slots that reward focus over spam.
Create with clarity. Choose tags with intent. Welcome context. If you follow that rhythm, these changes won’t slow you down. They will make your best work easier to recommend and safer to enjoy.
