As TikTok continues to evolve, the platform is set to introduce a fresh update to its Community Guidelines, which outline the rules for user engagement and the standards for content visibility on the platform. This update aims to enhance clarity while also addressing key areas such as the marketplace dynamics, user personalization, and the regulations surrounding AI-generated content.
In today’s digital landscape, social media platforms are increasingly required to adhere to various global regulations, including the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, the EU’s Digital Services Act, and the U.S.’s TAKE IT DOWN Act. These regulations have prompted many platforms to revise their policies, similar to recent updates seen on other social media networks.
Set to take effect on September 13, 2025, TikTok’s revisions are primarily focused on simplifying the language of the guidelines rather than implementing drastic changes.
One of the most significant updates pertains to the rules governing TikTok LIVE creators. The platform emphasizes that creators bear full responsibility for their live sessions, including any interactions facilitated by third-party tools such as real-time translation or voice-to-text services. Creators are encouraged to actively monitor these tools to ensure compliance with the platform’s guidelines.
Additionally, the updated guidelines introduce new stipulations regarding commercial content. TikTok mandates that any commercial content must be clearly disclosed, and it warns that content directing users to purchase products outside the platform will see reduced visibility in regions where TikTok Shop operates.
Moreover, TikTok is enhancing the customization of user search results. The previous guidelines mentioned that the platform provided relevant search suggestions, but the new version clarifies that both search results and recommendations will vary significantly from user to user. This personalization is based on individual user behavior, including past searches and viewed content.
The updated guidelines also indicate that comments will be personalized, sorted based on user interactions such as previous replies, likes, and reports. This means that the comment section will present a unique experience for each user.
While the section addressing AI content has not undergone major changes, the language has been streamlined. Previously, TikTok prohibited content that misrepresented authoritative sources or depicted public figures in misleading contexts. The revised guidelines now state that the platform does not allow content that misleads on public matters or harms individuals.
Interestingly, references to AI endorsements have been removed, which may suggest a potential shift towards allowing celebrity-approved AI-generated endorsements in the future.
In some instances, the guidelines have been simplified, particularly in the For You feed eligibility standards. The previous lengthy list of ineligible content has been dispersed throughout various sections, making it less straightforward for users to reference.
Lastly, TikTok has altered the language regarding its content moderation practices. Previously described as a means to maintain a “safe, trustworthy, and vibrant” platform, the new guidelines frame content moderation as a way to ensure TikTok remains a “safe, fun, and creative space for everyone,” omitting the term “trustworthy.” This change raises questions about the platform’s commitment to transparency.