You put lots of time and effort into creating what you think is a terrific TikTok post. You upload your video, and a little while later, you check to see how many people have watched and liked it. But instead of seeing big numbers, you see a notice instead: “video under review.”
What happened? Did you do something wrong?
That’s possible; someone may have reported it, or you may have violated TikTok’s terms and conditions or Community Standards. It’s also possible that the review is just a normal, brief formality before the video goes live.
Let’s explore.
What Is a TikTok Review?
The rules governing acceptable TikTok content are designed to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for TikTok users, which means that videos are reviewed to make sure they don’t contain (among other things) obscene, illegal, spammy, or otherwise questionable material.
Unconfirmed reporting says that all posts are now reviewed as soon as they’re uploaded. The initial reviews are done by the TikTok algorithms, which are programmed to be on the lookout for specific words, phrases, images, and hashtags. That process generally happens in seconds between the time you hit the “Post” button and the video goes live.
Some posts are flagged for violating the app’s rules and are deleted immediately. Many others are flagged as being potentially problematic, and they’re usually sent to a manual review team for a closer look. The same thing happens if another user submits a report complaining about a video; people will be unable to watch it or engage with it until the review is complete.
What Can You Do If Your Video Is Under Review?
You probably don’t want to hear this, but the best thing you can do is wait. Your post may be cleared in minutes, but it can take days for a resolution if a manual review is underway.
While you’re waiting, take another look at your content to see if it violated (or came close to violating) the platform’s rules. Here are some of the most common issues that trigger a review:
- Spam
- Fake or misleading content
- Gratuitous violence
- Unauthorized use of copyrighted material (including sounds) or another user’s content
- Bullying, promotion of criminal activities
- Sexually-oriented or overtly sexual content
Other violations of Community Standards can also cause review or removal of content as well; if you come “close to the line,” a review is likely. Understanding what might have led to your video being flagged or reported can help you avoid the problem in the future.
If the review lasts longer than a few days, you can file an appeal with TikTok support by going to your TikTok profile, opening the menu (the three horizontal lines at the top right), tapping on “Settings and privacy,” and scrolling down to “Support” at the bottom of the page. Be sure to clearly explain why you don’t believe your video violates any of the app’s rules.
Hopefully, your review won’t take too long and you’ll see those views and likes start to roll in!
About the Author
Peter Hasselworth is a contributor at iDigic, sharing valuable insights about Instagram growth and social media marketing strategies.