Has TikTok banned your account? Is the site trying to take down one of your videos for no clear reason? To get your profile back on track, you might have to send an appeal. It’s even possible you’ll need to prove your age or identity. In this article, we’ll show you how to appeal TikTok ban types.
How To Appeal a TikTok Ban on PC and Mobile
If TikTok has banned your account, you’ll naturally want to get it back. Luckily, you can submit a formal appeal. This asks someone to double-check the decision. Here’s how to file an appeal on mobile devices:
- Tap the banner notification of your account’s closure.
- If this isn’t there, it should be visible in your inbox.
- When on the notification, press the Appeal button.
- Follow the instructions to begin the appeal process.
To appeal on TikTok’s browser site, it’s best to use your Inbox. Ad blockers and general browser permissions may stop the notification from appearing. Here’s how to submit an appeal on TikTok for PC:
- Tap the speech bubble in the top right.
- Click on System Notifications.
- Tap on the notification about your ban.
- Click Appeal and follow their process.
There’s no guarantee that this will work. If the site made a mistake, however, it’s the only way to get your TikTok account back.
Why TikTok Bans People
TikTok has a responsibility to keep its online community safe. To this end, the app mixes human and automated decision-making. If the app thinks you’re a problematic user, they can close your account with little warning. Here’s why TikTok might have banned your profile:
- Looking too young: If someone suspects that you’re underage, they might report you to the platform. You’ll have to prove that you’re old enough to use TikTok.
- Dark jokes: The line between comedy and cruelty is hard to spot online. Someone could report your comments or direct messages if they think you went too far.
- Account hacks: Someone might have hacked your TikTok profile without you noticing. If this is the case, they may have violated the platform’s Terms of Service.
- IP bans: Someone on the same IP address as you may have broken TikTok’s rules. The site can then ban your IP address through internet service providers.
- Spammy behavior: Do you absent-mindedly like any video you see? The platform might see this as a sign that your TikTok account is actually a spambot.
- Video removals: Posting vids that go against TikTok’s guidelines can give your profile a strike. Enough of these will lead to the site taking down your account.
- General violations: Anything that violates the site’s terms, guidelines, or Privacy Policy can shut your account down. Read these before making a TikTok video.
How To Submit an Appeal on TikTok for a Banned Account in Writing
There’s also the option to message the TikTok team directly. This will open a support ticket, and you’ll be able to appeal more directly. Here’s how to appeal a TikTok ban directly:
- Press Profile on the bottom right.
- Tap the three lines in the top right.
- Click on Settings and Privacy.
- Scroll down and tap Report a Problem.
- Scroll again, then click Chat With Us.
- Talk to the TikTok Helpdesk.
This is your best chance to explain the full situation. If you did break TikTok’s rules, tell them that you won’t do it again. Make it clear that you’re sorry and you’ll follow the platform’s contractual clauses.
You’ll get updates on your support ticket through the app. However, it’s possible they won’t bring your account back. If this is the case, you’ll have to make a new one. So long as you don’t have an IP ban, this should be easy.
Can You Appeal a TikTok Shadowban?
A shadowban is another common type of TikTok ban. This takes a user’s content out of the For You page. Their account also won’t show up in user’s recommendations. If this happens to you, it’ll really slow down your growth.
However, this usually goes away within a few days. By the time you hear back from an appeal, it shouldn’t be active anymore. This means it’s usually not worth appealing. If you’re still seeing no growth a week later, there might be a deeper issue.
For example, TikTok might be restricting one of your videos. If this is the case, you’ll have a DM about it. Deleting the video in question should bring your account back into good standing. You’ll also have to avoid any spam-like behavior.
How To Appeal a TikTok LIVE Ban
Going LIVE on TikTok is a great way to grow your community. But, one day, you might find your account no longer has LIVE privileges. First things first, check your follower count. Are you now below 1,000 followers? This means you’re no longer eligible to stream on TikTok.
Appealing this ban follows the same steps as a full account deletion. In the notification that tells you about the ban, tap Appeal. You can then plead your case. If this works, be careful with your future streams.
TikTok might ban you from going LIVE if your last stream violated their terms. If you look young, it’s also possible somebody reported you as underage. You’ll then have to go through the site’s underage appeals. This means it’s worth learning how to appeal TikTok age bans.
Videos That Violate TikTok’s Rules
TikTok has a lot of rules about which types of content they clamp down on. All it takes is a single user report for them to take notice of your video. In some cases, the site’s own systems will flag up problematic content.
Here are some examples of which video types violate TikTok’s guidelines or safety settings:
- Anything with copyrighted content
- Threats of violence
- Depictions of reckless/dangerous behavior
- Footage of real violence
- Impersonations of real people
Any of these will lead to a “strike” on your account. These go away after 90 days. Get enough of them in one 90-day period, however, and TikTok will just ban you entirely. Always be careful with what you share online.
The restrictions will even extend to your TikTok LIVE broadcasts. For example, sharing footage of violence while on a LIVE will also lead to a strike. You’ll then have to figure out how to appeal TikTok LIVE ban messages.
How To Appeal a TikTok Age Ban for Someone Else
According to the Pew Research Center, 67% of teenagers use TikTok. However, if the site has a reason to believe someone is under 13, they’ll ban the account. If your child uses TikTok and the site bans them, here’s how to help your teen appeal:
- Open their ban notification and click Appeal.
- They will request your child verify their age.
- Give the app your email address.
- Wait for an automated email from TikTok.
- Confirm you’re an adult with a valid credit card.
There’s also an option to take a picture with the child and submit that as evidence. Click Photo With Parent or Guardian to access this. You’ll have to hold up a piece of paper with a special code.
TikTok US, TikTok UK, and TikTok Ireland all deal with your data in similar ways. They’ll only use the image (and any other information you give) to verify your child’s age. Using a photo benefits both you and your child. This should leave little room for doubt about their age.
Fighting a TikTok Copyright Claim
If TikTok restricts/removes your video for copyright, you can appeal this. It might come under fair use as a video review, for example. You can appeal the claim exactly as you would a ban.
Beyond this, it’s also good to fill in a Counter Notification Form. This gives you the opportunity to write about the content and explain your side in more depth. You can assert that it actually is fair to use and that you’re allowed to share it.
Copyright strikes are one of many common internet safety concerns. But, if you explain yourself, you should be able to avoid them. You may only share copyrighted media if you have the law on your side. Not knowing it isn’t allowed, for example, isn’t enough of an excuse.
TikTok counts copyright and trademark violations separately. If you reach three of either, they’ll ban your account.
Rebuild Your TikTok Following With GoRead.io
Once you know how to appeal TikTok ban outcomes, you can hopefully get your page back. But you’ll then face an uphill battle to get your growth strategy back on track.
GoRead.io can help by connecting your account with plenty of real TikTok followers. Try out our services today, and we’ll make sure your profile gets the boost it needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you appeal a ban from TikTok?
You can fight any TikTok ban type. Clicking the ban notification should be enough to let you start an appeal. For underage bans, you’ll have to give evidence of your age.
Why does TikTok think my account is spam?
If you mass-like videos or mass-follow users, TikTok might suspect you’re a bot. Blank accounts also look suspicious to the app and other users. It’s possible that one of these users reported you.
What do I need to appeal an underage ban?
If you’re 18+, you can appeal this ban with a credit card or an ID photograph. You’ll have to take a photo with your ID that proves you’re its owner.
How long is a permanent ban on TikTok?
As the name suggests, permanent bans last forever. That is unless you manage to appeal it. In most cases, however, you’ll have to make a whole new account.