● Free cheat sheet
Real Rules vs. Creator Folklore
Why TikTok keeps shutting down your LIVE, in plain English. What TikTok actually says, what creators swear by, and a 60-second checklist before you hit Go LIVE.
From what I've seen across TikTok LIVE this past year. Not official TikTok advice.
The real rules.
These come from TikTok's own Community Guidelines. Break these and your LIVE can get muted, ended or suspended.
Telling viewers to go to another app, sharing outside links or phone numbers, showing QR codes or pushing people to buy somewhere else. This is the real reason behind most "don't say that" advice.
No blank screens, still pictures, empty rooms, stepping away or videos on repeat.
Alcohol, vapes and cigarettes can count against you, even if you never mention them.
Popular songs in the background can get you muted or ended.
Your guests, comments you read out loud, even auto-translate and read-aloud tools.
Big money promises can look like a scam. Talk about the work and the help.
Creator folklore.
TikTok never published a list of banned words. These are swaps creators use because they've seen LIVEs get flagged. Use your judgment.
"You'll want a TT and an IG account." Nicknames help the filters tell a lesson from a redirect.
"Go follow me on IG." A nickname doesn't change what you're doing. That's the real rule.
| Instead of saying… | Creators say… | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| "Link in bio" | "Check my profile," "b-i-o," "bye-oh," "my tree 🌳" | "Check my profile" is safest. It keeps people on TikTok. |
| TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube (when teaching) | TT, IG, FB, YT | For teaching only. Don't use nicknames to send viewers to another app. |
| "Money" | "Moolah," "bread" | Skip "coins." On TikTok, coins are for gifts. |
| CashApp, PayPal, Zelle | Don't mention them on a LIVE | Taking payments outside TikTok is sending people off the app. |
| "Sale," "discount," "buy now" | "Special offer," "price drop" | Not a rule, just softer. |
Before you go LIVE.
- Background cleared: no drinks, vapes or logos you don't own
- Music you're allowed to use, or none
- Comment keyword filter turned on in your LIVE settings
- A moderator you trust added
- Your offer planned without naming other apps
- No reading sketchy comments out loud
- Stay on camera the whole time
If your LIVE gets shut down.
- Read the notice. TikTok usually tells you which rule it says you broke. You can also check your account status in your settings.
- Appeal if it's a mistake. You can usually appeal right from the notice. Keep it short and polite.
- Know how long it lasts. LIVE suspensions can run from about a day up to about a month. Repeat violations last longer.
- Fix the cause before your next LIVE: your background, your music, a guest or something said about another app.
The TikTok LIVE Playbook
Go LIVE with confidence.- Real rules vs. creator folklore
- 50 ready-to-use lines
- A 5-part LIVE plan
● Want the full playbook?
The TikTok LIVE Playbook
The 5-part LIVE plan, 50 ready-to-use lines, soft pitches that keep people on TikTok, and what to do when you get shut down.
See what's inside →Know someone whose LIVEs keep getting shut down?
Heads up: I'm not a TikTok LIVE guru, and I don't work for TikTok. This is what I've seen across TikTok LIVE over the past year, plus what I've learned from my community and other LIVE creators. Rules change, so always check TikTok's Community Guidelines for the latest.
● Hi, I'm Tanya
"I was tired of watching people half my age, with a quarter of my life experience, make life-changing money online. Then I learned you could earn by sharing what you already know, love and do. Now I help fellow GenXers do the same, without the hype."
I'm rootin' for you, Tanya 💋