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The guidelines prohibit accounts that mislead or manipulate the platform and prohibit the trade of services designed to artificially inflate engagement metrics or manipulate TikTok's recommendation algorithm.
This analysis describes what TikTok's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision covers both the operation of deceptive accounts and the commercial trade of engagement manipulation services, creating two distinct prohibited conduct categories. It directly affects businesses and individuals who purchase or sell engagement boosting services that interact with TikTok's algorithmic recommendation system.
The updated Community Guidelines footer no longer includes a direct link to TikTok's Children's Privacy Policy. Previously, users navigating the Community Guidelines could access child-specific privacy disclosures through the footer link. The Children's Privacy Policy itself may remain available on TikTok's platform, but this change reduces the visibility and discoverability of that document from the Community Guidelines page. Users seeking child privacy information from the Community Guidelines will need to navigate elsewhere or search for it independently.
View change record →Under these terms, accounts engaging in or purchasing engagement manipulation services may be subject to enforcement. The provision extends to the commercial trade of such services, not only their use.
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"We don't allow accounts that mislead or try to manipulate our platform, or the trade of services that artificially boost engagement or trick the recommendation system.Excerpt from TikTok's Community Guidelines
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages FTC Act Section 5 authority over unfair or deceptive practices, including FTC guidance on fake reviews and endorsements. The FTC's 2023 rule on fake reviews and social media indicators is directly relevant to the trade of artificial engagement services. State consumer protection laws may provide concurrent authority for deceptive platform manipulation conduct. 2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. Brands and agencies that have used third-party engagement or follower services on TikTok face potential account enforcement under this provision. The prohibition on trading such services creates exposure for vendors offering TikTok engagement products. 3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: FTC enforcement jurisdiction applies to U.S. persons and entities engaged in the trade of fake engagement services. EU Digital Services Act obligations on very large online platforms include requirements to address manipulation of their recommendation systems, which this provision addresses at the guideline level. 4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Marketing agencies with TikTok campaign management responsibilities should review vendor agreements and service scopes to confirm that no engaged vendors provide TikTok engagement manipulation services, as use of such services may trigger account enforcement affecting client accounts. 5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should audit TikTok marketing programs for any historical or ongoing use of engagement boosting tools or services. Agency agreements should include representations that no artificial engagement services will be used in connection with TikTok campaigns.
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This provision covers both the operation of deceptive accounts and the commercial trade of engagement manipulation services, creating two distinct prohibited conduct categories. It directly affects businesses and individuals who purchase or sell engagement boosting services that interact with TikTok's algorithmic recommendation system.
Under these terms, accounts engaging in or purchasing engagement manipulation services may be subject to enforcement. The provision extends to the commercial trade of such services, not only their use.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by TikTok.