TikTok Community Guidelines: What creators and commenters need to know

TikTok has introduced important updates to its Community Guidelines. Since September 15, the platform has started applying new rules that affect creators, commenters, and LIVE hosts.

TikTok is simplifying its rules to make the platform safer and more user-friendly. The goal is to give users a clearer understanding of what is allowed and what isn’t.

In this blog, we will walk through the updates, explain who they apply to, and share how you can keep your content and interactions aligned with TikTok’s standards.

Key updates to TikTok rules

TikTok has simplified its guidelines by providing clear summaries for each section, allowing users to quickly understand them.

Here are the main updates:

• Stricter misinformation policies: During civic events (such as elections) and crises, TikTok now applies tougher checks and may flag or remove misleading or unverified claims.
• Unified regulated goods rules: Policies for alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, firearms, and similar items have been consolidated to make them easier to reference.
• Stronger bullying and harassment guidelines: Expanded protections help users avoid harmful or abusive interactions more effectively.
• Redesigned content categories: Streamlined sections make it simpler for users to find relevant rules on safety, integrity, authenticity, and sensitive themes.
• Commercial content visibility minimized: High-risk products and commercial promotions are now less visible unless promoted through authorized methods and sellers in TikTok Shop regions.

By consolidating rules and clarifying language, TikTok reduces confusion, allowing creators to focus on producing content that aligns with community standards.

LIVE streams: New rules for hosts

LIVE streams are a major focus of the new guidelines. TikTok has placed more responsibility on hosts to actively manage their sessions.

• Hosts are accountable for all content: It includes tools such as voice-to-text. If offensive comments are read aloud during a stream, the host remains responsible.
• Quality standards apply to streams: Blank screens, looping visuals, or disturbing effects may cause a LIVE session to be excluded from the “For You” feed.

These updates encourage hosts to take a proactive approach. By monitoring sessions closely and maintaining quality, hosts can keep their streams safe, engaging, and compliant with TikTok’s standards.

Content moderation: What’s different now

TikTok is also changing how comments appear in order to encourage more positive interactions.

• Offensive language may lose visibility: Profanity or disrespectful remarks are ranked lower in comment sections.
• Harassment is flagged more often: Abusive interactions are more likely to be restricted by moderators.
• Spam-like comments are pushed down: Repetitive text, excessive emojis, or filler responses like “first” may appear less prominently.

According to TikTok, the platform uses human reviews and advanced AI moderation to enforce these new standards, aiming to respond quickly and maintain consistency across global communities.

How to stay compliant as a TikTok user

With clearer rules and higher expectations, both creators and commenters need to adjust their approach. TikTok recommends the following steps:

• Review your recent posts: Make sure they comply with the clarified rules, especially regarding misinformation, regulated goods, and bullying.
• Prepare and monitor LIVE sessions: Stay engaged and avoid low-quality or rule-breaking content. Use moderation tools to keep discussions safe and respectful.
• Post respectful, relevant comments: Add value to conversations; spam, misuse, and offensive remarks may reduce your visibility.

Following these steps helps creators maintain credibility, avoid penalties, and build a positive presence on TikTok.

Birdeye: How Social AI Agents help brands stay aligned across platforms

When platforms like TikTok update their rules for safety, authenticity, and content quality, brands need tools that help them adapt without losing consistency. Birdeye’s Social AI Agents make this easier by simplifying publishing, engagement, analytics, and oversight. 

Here’s how:

• Publishing and scheduling with intelligence: The Social Publishing Agent suggests channel-specific ideas from trending topics and competitor insights. Bulk publishing, visual calendars, and smart timing keep content consistent and relevant.
• Engagement and interaction management: The Engagement Agent unifies comments, messages, and posts, detects sentiment, filters spam, and supports brand-approved replies for respectful conversations.
• Analytics and performance insights: Birdeye tracks engagement, audience growth, and response trends across channels. Brands can compare performance, spot risks, and refine strategies while staying compliant.
• Flexible controls and brand guardrails: Teams set approval steps, content rules, and workflows to balance automation with oversight, ensuring compliance and professional, on-brand messaging.

In short, Birdeye’s Social AI Agents give businesses a practical way to manage social media, adapt to new platform policies, and build stronger connections with their audiences.

Conclusion

TikTok’s latest Community Guidelines place stronger emphasis on safety, quality, and responsibility for creators, commenters, and LIVE hosts alike. These changes are designed to reduce confusion, improve interactions, and ensure that content remains enjoyable and trustworthy.

By staying aware of these rules, reviewing your activity, and using the right tools, you can protect your account while continuing to grow your presence. For brands, solutions like Birdeye’s Social AI Agents make it easier to stay compliant, consistent, and connected across platforms.

Adapting to these updates not only keeps your content safe but also helps contribute to a healthier and more authentic TikTok community for everyone.