TikTok Guideline Revision 2025: The Real Impact of "Minor Adjustments" in LIVE, AI, and Search - AI is "Out if Misleading"

TikTok Guideline Revision 2025: The Real Impact of "Minor Adjustments" in LIVE, AI, and Search - AI is "Out if Misleading"

2025年08月17日 10:31

Introduction

On August 15, US time, TechCrunch reported that TikTok has rewritten its community guidelines with a focus on "readability," while making several significant changes. Notably, updates have been made to descriptions regarding LIVE streaming, commercial content, personalization of search and comments, and AI content. The effective date is September 13, 2025.TechCrunchNewsroom | TikTok


What's Changed (Key Points)

  • Expanded Responsibility for LIVE Streaming
    Creators are responsible for everything that happens during their streams.Even if external tools like subtitles/text-to-speech/automatic translation read inappropriate statements, the streamer is held accountable. Continued violations may lead to feature restrictions or suspensions.TikTok

  • Disclosure of Commercial Content and Handling of "External Traffic"
    Disclosure is mandatory for commercial content, including LIVE. Furthermore,in markets with TikTok Shop, the visibility of content encouraging purchases on external sites will be reduced.TikTok

  • Clarification of "Personalization" in Search and Comments
    Search results, recommendations, and comment displays will varybased on viewing history and past interactions. Essentially, individual optimization similar to FYF (For You) is advancing in search aspects as well.TikTok

  • Streamlining of AI Content Representation
    While reaffirming the labeling obligation for generative AI/extensively edited media,the prohibition is simplified to content that "misleads on important public matters or harms individuals." Examples like false endorsements by public figures have been organized.TikTok

  • Reorganization of FYF Standards
    Instead of listing the details of FYF (recommendation) ineligibility in one place, they are distributed across sections. While readability improves, it becomes harder to cross-reference, some point out.TechCrunchTikTok

  • From "Safe, Trustworthy, Vibrant" to "Safe, Fun, Creative"
    The removal of "trustworthy" from the expression of moderation goals is symbolic, suggesting a subtle shift in positioning.TechCrunch

  • Effective Date and Surrounding Context
    The revision will be enforced onSeptember 13. The background includes compliance with regional regulations such as the UK's Online Safety Act, EU DSA, and US minor protection legislation.Newsroom | TikTokTechCrunch


Practical Impact on Creators/Brands

1) LIVE Streaming

  • "Supervision Obligation" for External Tools: Setting filters for text-to-speech and translation, and reviewing NG word dictionaries are essential. Continued violations may lead to restrictions on LIVE features.TikTok

  • Age Requirements & Gifting: LIVE streaming and gifting are for ages 18 and over. The risk of underage operation increases.TikTok Support

  • Decreased Visibility for Off-Platform Traffic: Relying solely on direct links to your own e-commerce can be disadvantageous in terms of visibility. Use Shop while diversifying with profile leads and email acquisition intomulti-layered leads.TikTok


2) AI Content

  • Thorough Labeling Practices: Clearly label AIGC/extensively edited content that appears realistic.Publicly important matters(elections, disasters, public health, etc.) related performances are more likely to be FYF ineligible or deleted.TikTok

  • Flow of Automatic Labeling: TikTok is also promoting the automatic identification and display of externally generated content, making the strategy of "silently slipping it in" less effective.AP NewsFinancial Times


3) Personalization of Search/Comments

  • "Search SEO" Differs by Person: Strongly reflects past viewing/searches.Standardize terms, captions within videos, and subtitles, and move towards operations that build reproducible click signs.TikTok


4) Commerce (TikTok Shop)

  • There is analysis that reliance on Shop visibility will intensify competition and lead to an advertising bias, makingthe design of an advertising × natural inflow portfoliokey.Business InsiderThe Times


SNS Reactions (Excerpts)

  • Videos spreading "People who haven't read everything will miss out": Creator videos raising awareness of the enforcement date9/13are trending on TikTok.TikTok

  • Posts on Reddit speculating "Warning → Strike → Immediate BAN Warning → BAN" has been tightened.Complaints that even if an appeal is successful, the strike remains for 90 days.Reddit

  • Sharing of Long-Term Suspension and Account Recovery Know-How: Threads sharing "tricks" for long-term BANs and their removal since June are regularly posted. Voices sensing operational rigidity.Reddit

  • Frustration and Resignation of Shop Operators: Voices ofunexplained suspensions, profit retention, and distrust in support. Amid intensified competition, the realistic approach of "sole reliance is dangerous" is spreading.Reddit

  • Media's Summary Reports: Some articles convey this revision as a "minor adjustment" in AI label tightening, LIVE regulations, and misinformation countermeasures.WebProNews


Why "Minor Adjustments" Are Significant

This revision is not a "major shift." However,responsibility for external tools in LIVEanddisfavoring external trafficdirectly impact short-term reach/revenue. Additionally,individual optimization of search and commentsbreaks the old common sense that "anyone can get the same results by aligning hashtags and descriptions."The granularity of operations(vocabulary standardization, viewing leads, community management) needs to be elevated.TikTok


Checklist for Creators/Brands (For Implementation)

  1. Pre-LIVE Inspection: NG word dictionary / text-to-speech & translation settings / guest control (operational rules for immediate disconnection).TikTok

  2. Commercial Content: Thorough use

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