Misleading and false content

Last updated: September 2025

Principle

At TikTok, our aim is to provide a reliable and trustworthy space for our diverse community. By prohibiting content that is inaccurate, misleading, or false, we aim to create an environment where users can engage with authentic, credible, and reliable information, fostering a positive and informed community experience.


Misleading claims

Policy

Ad content and landing pages must not promise or exaggerate results concerning a product's effect. We restrict ads which may mislead our viewers due to false expressions or exaggerated information, and do not allow ad content to feature absolute terms about a product in relation to time, region, or brand.


Examples of what is not allowed:

  • Lotion: "Get slim legs right away."

  • Financial product: "Get money in 10 seconds."

  • Claims of cures for incurable diseases

  • Showing wrinkles disappearing by using a cream through before-and-after comparisons

  • "Number 1 song on TikTok"

  • "Number 1 essence on TikTok"


Inconsistent information

Ad content and landing pages that contain mismatched or inconsistent information on the promotion, price, discounts, or any such details, including the absence of information, missing disclaimers, or terms and conditions are not allowed.


Examples of what is not allowed:

  • Ad content that is irrelevant to the product's website

    • For example, an ad introduces product A in the image or video, but shows product B on the website.

    • For example, a promotion in the ad says "Prizes to be won!", but no relevant information is found on the landing page.

  • Ad content that is inconsistent with the product's website

    • For example, an ad states that there is a discount of "up to 50% off", but the website states there is only a discount of "up to 30% off".

  • The website is too vague to determine if the ad is relevant to the products featured on the promoted website.

    • For example, an ad features a clothing brand, but the website features generic images of a large city.


Clickbait

To maintain a transparent and trustworthy advertising experience, we do not allow ad content that uses visual elements or tactics designed to mislead, deceive, or manipulate viewers into engaging with an ad. All interactive elements within an ad must function as intended, not to create a false or misleading experience.


  • Non-functioning interactive elements

    • Do not feature any non-clickable or misleading elements that create false expectations Examples of what is not allowed:

    • Fake video play buttons that do not initiate video playback

    • Fake close buttons that do not close or dismiss the ad

    • Non-functional carousel indicators, such as dots, arrows, or other scrolling indicators suggesting multiple slides when none exist

    • Fake call-to-action buttons or pop-ups designed to mislead viewers into thinking they must interact to proceed

  • Withholding or deceptive content

    • Do not use blurred or blocked suggestive images, implied sexual content, or deceptive language to lure viewers into clicking


Before-and-after comparisons

We do not allow ad content and landing pages to include product effect comparisons, such as before-and-after results.


In some cases, the following may be allowed:

  • Comparisons may be allowed subject to evidence provided on such claims or clear disclaimer(s).


Edited media and AI-generated content (AIGC)

We welcome the creativity that new artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies may unlock. However, AI and other digital editing technologies can make it difficult to tell the difference between fact and fiction, which may mislead individuals or harm society.


Significantly edited media and AIGC content is allowed if the following requirements are met:

  • Apply the AIGC label, or by adding a clear disclaimer, caption, watermark, or sticker of your own.


When we say "significantly modified by AI," we mean content that has been changed by AI beyond minor tweaks or enhancements. This includes using real images or videos as source material but altering them substantially with AI, such as:

  • Content that contains images, video, or audio that are completely AI-generated

  • Showing the primary subject doing something they didn't actually do, like dancing.

  • Making the primary subject say something they didn't actually say, using AI voice-cloning.

Insignificant AI edits are minor tweaks or enhancements changed by AI, such as:

  • Adjustments to lighting, brightness, or color saturation

  • Removing or modifying backgrounds

  • Denoising images to reduce noise levels

If you are uncertain whether your content falls under these categories, it's best to use caution and label it accordingly.


If we identify AI-generated content that has not been disclosed, your ad will be rejected or restricted.

Identity misuse

We are committed to protecting people's privacy. We do not allow content that uses or promotes the misuse of the likeness (audio or visual) of a public figure without their permission, particularly in misleading contexts. When we become aware of likeness of private figures used without permission, we will remove such content as well.


Examples of what is not allowed:

  • Public figures being the victim of or engaging in bullying or harassing, making a false endorsement, or being endorsed.