TikTok's Community Guidelines are the rules for everyone and everything on TikTok, and the current version was released on 25 August 2026 and took effect on 24 September 2026. They're grouped into six topic areas, and content that breaks them isn't only removed: it can also be age-restricted so only adults see it, or left up but kept out of the For You feed.
The catch: three outcomes, not one
Most people think of the guidelines as a list of things that get your video taken down. That's only one of three outcomes. TikTok sorts content into "Not Allowed", "Age-Restricted" and "FYF Ineligible" standards, and each has a different effect on who sees your post.
| Outcome | What TikTok does | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Removed | Takes down content that falls under the Not Allowed rules | The post is gone and you're told why |
| Age-restricted | Makes content viewable only for adults | People under 18 won't see it |
| FYF ineligible | Keeps the content up but won't recommend it in the For You feed | Your followers can still find it, but For You reach stops |
The third outcome is the one that confuses creators, because nothing looks wrong. The video is still on your profile. It just isn't being recommended. TikTok says plainly that not all content is guaranteed to be recommended. I've unpacked that label in my guide to what ineligible for recommendation means.
Everything on this page comes from TikTok's own help pages (source: TikTok Help Center, read October 2026), and the menu and button names are written the way TikTok writes them.
The six rule areas at a glance
TikTok's own summary groups the rules like this. The wording below is my plain-English summary, not TikTok's text.
| Area | What TikTok doesn't allow |
|---|---|
| Safety and Civility | Violent and criminal behaviour, hate speech, violent and hateful organisations, youth and adult sexual abuse, human trafficking and smuggling, harassment and bullying |
| Mental and Behavioral Health | Suicide and self-harm content, disordered eating and risky weight loss or muscle gain methods, dangerous stunts and challenges |
| Sensitive and Mature Themes | Some body exposure and sexual behaviour, shocking and graphic content, animal abuse |
| Integrity and Authenticity | Harmful misinformation, content that misleads voters, misleading AI-generated content, reposting copyrighted or trademarked work without permission, fake engagement |
| Regulated Goods, Services, and Commercial Activities | Trading or marketing regulated or high-risk goods, undisclosed promotion, frauds and scams |
| Privacy and Security | Sharing personal information that could lead to harm, attempts to hack or compromise TikTok's systems |
One nuance in the harassment rule is worth knowing: TikTok allows commentary about political figures that may be critical, but removes content that crosses into severe harm. And in the regulated goods area, verified business accounts and verified TikTok Shop sellers may be allowed to sell or market some regulated items if they meet strict requirements.
Four rules creators trip over
- Promoting a product, brand or business. If you're doing it, TikTok says you must use its content disclosure setting. That applies to paid marketing as well as your own business.
- AI and edited media. TikTok requires clear labelling when AI or editing is used to realistically show people or scenes, and doesn't allow AI content that misleads about matters of public importance or harms individuals.
- Unoriginal content. Reposting copyrighted or trademarked material without permission breaks the intellectual property rules.
- Fake engagement. Buying or selling services that artificially boost engagement or trick the recommendation system isn't allowed, and neither are accounts that try to manipulate the platform.
The scams rule cuts both ways too. TikTok doesn't allow content that promotes or facilitates scams, fraud or deceptive schemes, and if you want to know what those look like from the viewer's side, my guide to spotting TikTok scams goes through them.
How to see why a post was held back
When a post isn't eligible for the For You feed, TikTok tells you the reason and lets you appeal, but you need analytics switched on to see it. To turn on analytics:
- In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
- Tap the Menu ☰ button at the top, then select TikTok Studio.
- Tap Get started within Analytics.
- Tap Turn on.
Then, to read the decision:
- In the TikTok app, go to the post you'd like to know more about.
- Tap More insights at the bottom, or tap the More options button on the side of the post, then tap Analytics.
- Tap the notification for the ineligible post.
- Review the feedback and choose Yes or No to whether you understand why the post isn't eligible.
If you choose No, you can share feedback, and you can still submit an appeal from the same notification by tapping Appeal at the top.
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Where the detail lives in the guidelines
Under each category, TikTok adds a "More information" section that defines key terms, answers common questions and gives examples. TikTok says those examples are there to guide you and don't cover every situation, so treat them as a direction rather than a complete list. The page also links to previous versions, which helps if you're comparing what changed.
TikTok also gives you a safety toolkit to customise your content preferences and account settings and manage interactions, and some posts show opt-in screens or banners that give you more context before you watch. If you come across something that breaks the rules, here's how to report someone on TikTok. TikTok's own one-line advice when you're unsure what to post is to be kind and treat others the way you'd want to be treated.
My verdict on the TikTok rules
Read the six-area summary once, then pay attention to the three outcomes, because that's where your reach is decided. If a video is still up but stalls, check its analytics for a For You decision before you assume anything else. Use the disclosure setting whenever you're promoting something, label realistic AI or edited content, and don't repost other people's work. Those four habits keep most creators out of trouble.
Frequently asked questions
When did the new TikTok Community Guidelines take effect?
The current version was released on 25 August 2026 and became effective on 24 September 2026.
What does FYF ineligible mean in TikTok's guidelines?
The content stays on TikTok but won't be recommended in the For You feed. You can see the reason in the post's analytics and appeal.
Do you need to label AI content on TikTok?
Yes, when AI or editing is used to realistically depict people or scenes, TikTok requires clear labelling.
Do TikTok's guidelines cover paid promotions?
Yes. If you're promoting a product, brand or business, you must use TikTok's content disclosure setting.
