As TikTok's popularity soars, content moderation becomes increasingly important to ensure a safe and engaging user experience.

With over one billion monthly active users, TikTok faces the challenge of moderating a vast amount of user-generated content.

Content moderation helps ensure that when you open TikTok, you're engaging with content that is not only fun but also safe and relevant.

How Does TikTok Moderate Content?

TikTok's approach to content moderation is comprehensive, involving a combination of advanced technology, trained human moderators, and community involvement. 

Here’s a breakdown of how TikTok moderates content:

Automated Systems: The First Line of Defense

TikTok leverages AI and machine learning technologies to detect and flag harmful content automatically. These automated systems serve as the initial filter, scanning content for clear violations like nudity, violence, and explicit behavior.

While these systems effectively handle obvious breaches, they may miss more subtle issues, such as misinformation or hate speech.

The Role of Human Moderators

While automated systems play an important role, they aren’t perfect, especially when it comes to more nuanced content. This is where human moderators come in. TikTok has a dedicated team of trained professionals who review flagged content, assess its context, and make informed decisions about whether it violates the platform's rules.

Moderators can consider the intent behind a post, ensuring a more accurate and fair moderation process.

Community Engagement: Empowering Users to Help

In addition to the automated and human moderation systems, TikTok actively encourages its users to help keep the platform safe. Users can report videos, comments, or accounts that they believe violate TikTok's Community Guidelines. These reports are then reviewed by the moderation team to determine if action is needed.

Combatting Highly Harmful Content

TikTok prioritizes the swift removal of egregious content, especially illegal or dangerous material. Content such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or violent extremism is removed as quickly as possible, and TikTok collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies and organizations to ensure such content doesn’t spread.

Ongoing Improvement and Adaptation

Content moderation on TikTok is an ongoing process. The platform continually refines its moderation strategies as new challenges arise—whether from emerging trends, technological advances, or evolving societal norms.

TikTok invests heavily in advanced moderation technologies, expands its moderation team, and works closely with experts and stakeholders to stay ahead of potential risks. This dedication to continuous improvement helps TikTok adapt to the changing landscape of online content while ensuring the safety and enjoyment of its users.

What Types of Content Does TikTok Moderate?

TikTok moderates a wide range of content to maintain a safe and positive user environment. The platform's Community Guidelines outline what is and isn't allowed on TikTok, providing a clear framework for content moderation.

1. Graphic, Violent, and Pornographic Content

TikTok has a zero-tolerance policy for explicit and harmful content. This includes graphic violence, gore, and sexually explicit material. The platform automatically detects and removes content that contains nudity or sexual activity, as well as videos depicting extreme violence or graphic injuries. TikTok's stance on this type of content is unequivocal. It has no place on the platform.

2. Misinformation and Disinformation

In an era of fake news and conspiracy theories, TikTok takes a proactive approach to combat the spread of false information. The platform works with fact-checking organizations to identify and label content that contains misleading or inaccurate claims. TikTok also removes content that deliberately spreads disinformation, such as videos promoting false cures for illnesses or spreading baseless conspiracy theories. 

By taking a stand against misinformation, TikTok aims to foster a more trustworthy and reliable information ecosystem.

3. Hate Speech and Harassment

TikTok does not tolerate any form of hate speech or harassment on its platform. This includes content that attacks or disparages individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. TikTok's policies against discriminatory and abusive content extend to comments, videos, and direct messages.

Users who engage in hate speech or harassment may have their content removed and their accounts suspended or banned. TikTok strives to create an inclusive and respectful community where everyone feels welcome and safe.

4. Dangerous Challenges and Harmful Trends

TikTok is known for its viral challenges and trends, but not all of them are harmless fun. Some challenges can encourage risky or dangerous behaviors, putting users' health and safety at risk. TikTok takes measures to prevent the proliferation of these harmful trends by removing content that promotes or glorifies dangerous acts. 

This includes videos of users engaging in risky stunts, promoting self-harm, or encouraging others to participate in dangerous challenges. TikTok also provides resources and support for users who may be struggling with mental health issues or experiencing distress. By taking a proactive stance against harmful trends, TikTok aims to create a safer and more responsible online community.

How Does TikTok's Content Moderation System Work?

TikTok's content moderation system combines automated technologies, human moderators, and community engagement to identify and address potentially violative content. Let's dive deeper into how each component works together to keep the platform safe.

Automated Content Moderation

TikTok employs AI and machine learning technologies as the first line of defense against prohibited content. These automated systems inspect photos, identify potentially harmful words, and remove content with high confidence of violation. If the system is unsure, the content is flagged for human review.

Human Content Moderators

TikTok has a large team of over 40,000 human moderators who review content that the automated systems cannot definitively classify. Human moderators make context-based judgments, especially for nuanced topics like misinformation, hate speech, and harassment. They also handle user-flagged content and appeals from users whose content was removed.

Community Guidelines and Reporting Process

TikTok's content moderation is guided by its Community Guidelines, which outline what is allowed and prohibited on the platform. These guidelines are publicly available and regularly updated to reflect new trends and issues. Content that violates these guidelines is either removed, restricted, or regulated in terms of its popularity, particularly for users under 18 years old.

Users can report videos they believe are inappropriate using a "report" button beside each video. Human moderators review these reports and decide whether to remove the content. If content is removed, the user can file an appeal, which is also handled by human moderators.

TikTok prioritizes the swift removal of highly egregious content, such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and violent extremism. The platform also focuses on minimizing the overall views of violative content and ensuring accuracy and consistency in moderation decisions.

TikTok uses age-restricted features and a new Content Levels system to protect younger users. This system helps limit who can create or see certain content, reducing harm by restricting access to inappropriate material.

For TikTok LIVE, creators and designated moderators can manage viewers in real-time. They can block, mute, or limit viewers who violate the Community Guidelines, and report unwanted messages or comments.

TikTok emphasizes transparency by publishing quarterly updates on its content moderation efforts and making its Community Guidelines and enforcement methods publicly available. This helps maintain trust with users and addresses concerns about bias and fairness.

Given the global nature of the platform, TikTok must navigate varying regional standards of what is considered appropriate. Content moderation is conducted in multiple languages, and users can appeal if they believe their content was unfairly removed due to regional differences.

TikTok continuously refines its moderation processes, including upgrading its automated systems to better incorporate the severity of harm and expected reach of content. The platform also engages with regional safety advisory councils to stay updated on emerging content trends and industry issues.

What Are the Challenges of Content Moderation on TikTok?

Content moderation on TikTok is no simple task. With over a billion users sharing millions of videos daily, the platform faces several challenges in balancing creativity, user safety, and community guidelines.

Here's a breakdown of the key challenges TikTok faces in content moderation:

Balancing Free Expression with User Safety

TikTok is a platform that thrives on creativity and self-expression, which makes balancing freedom of speech with user protection particularly challenging. While TikTok encourages users to share their unique talents and ideas, it must also protect the community from harmful content. 

This means distinguishing between allowing users to be creative and ensuring inappropriate or harmful material doesn’t slip through the cracks. In this sense, content moderation becomes an ongoing process of navigating what is acceptable while allowing room for open expression.

Navigating Cultural Differences and Regional Standards

Given TikTok's global reach, one of the biggest hurdles in content moderation is navigating the diverse cultural landscapes of its users. What may be deemed acceptable in one country could be offensive or inappropriate in another. 

TikTok must tailor its moderation efforts to account for these cultural differences, understanding that each region has its own norms, values, and sensitivities. This means moderators must be well-versed in local customs and languages to make context-based decisions that resonate with the specific community while staying true to TikTok’s global guidelines.

Adapting to Rapid Growth and Emerging Trends

As TikTok continues to grow, new trends and challenges emerge constantly. The platform’s rapid expansion requires TikTok to keep its content moderation strategies flexible and responsive. 

New forms of harmful content and emerging threats can appear quickly, so TikTok must be vigilant and proactive in adapting its moderation systems. This includes identifying potential risks before they escalate, adjusting to new types of content, and ensuring that its moderation tools evolve to meet the platform’s changing needs.

Managing the Sheer Volume of Content

With millions of videos being shared on TikTok every minute, it’s almost impossible to moderate everything in real time without assistance. The sheer volume of content poses a major challenge, as TikTok has to rely on a combination of automated systems and human moderators to handle the influx.

Automated systems help filter out obvious violations, but human moderators are crucial in assessing more complex cases. TikTok's challenge is ensuring content is reviewed quickly and efficiently, even as new content floods the platform every second.

Despite these challenges, TikTok remains committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for its users. The platform continues to invest in advanced moderation technologies, expand its moderation team, and collaborate with experts and stakeholders to develop best practices and address emerging issues.

As a user, you can play an active role in helping to keep TikTok safe by reporting content that violates the Community Guidelines, using the platform's safety features, and being mindful of the content you create and share. Together, we can work towards building a positive and inclusive community on TikTok.

How Can Businesses Ensure Effective Content Moderation on TikTok Through Outsourcing?

As a business using TikTok to market your brand and engage with customers, ensuring that your content is appropriate, aligned with platform guidelines, and consistent with your brand values is essential. 

Outsourcing content moderation to specialized companies can help businesses meet these challenges while allowing them to focus on growth and content creation.

Here’s how you can ensure effective moderation by partnering with the right outsourcing solution:

Partnering with Content Moderation Experts

A key strategy for ensuring effective content moderation is working with experienced content moderation companies. These companies are equipped with the expertise and resources to handle the complexities of TikTok content. 

By outsourcing this task, businesses can rely on professionals to ensure that their content complies with TikTok’s Community Guidelines while maintaining brand consistency.

Leveraging Advanced Technology and Human Moderators

While technology like AI and machine learning plays a crucial role in content moderation, it’s not enough on its own. To maintain quality and context, human moderators are just as important. When choosing an outsourcing partner, look for companies that combine the power of automated systems with the expertise of trained moderators. 

AI tools can quickly identify and flag obvious violations, such as explicit content or hate speech, while human moderators ensure that the context and cultural nuances are considered when making moderation decisions.

Aligning Moderation with Brand Safety Guidelines

Your content moderation strategy should align closely with your brand’s safety guidelines and TikTok’s platform policies. This ensures that all your content remains respectful, appropriate, and complies with TikTok's rules. 

It’s also important to regularly review and update these guidelines to stay in sync with evolving trends, user behavior, and platform updates. By doing so, businesses can ensure that their content stays relevant, safe, and in line with what their audience expects.

Outsourcing content moderation is a cost-effective and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes. It allows you to tap into a pool of experienced moderators without the need to hire and train an in-house team. Outsourcing also provides flexibility to scale your moderation efforts up or down based on your content volume and business needs.

When outsourcing content moderation, choose a partner that understands your brand voice, target audience, and content strategy. They should have a proven track record of working with businesses in your industry and a deep understanding of TikTok's platform dynamics.

Effective content moderation on TikTok requires a proactive and adaptable approach. Regularly monitor your content performance, user engagement, and feedback to identify potential issues and opportunities for improvement. Stay updated on TikTok's policy changes and best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and success on the platform.

Why Rely on NeoWork for Your Content Moderation Needs

At NeoWork, we offer a specialized and personalized approach to content moderation that sets us apart from traditional outsourcing services. 

Unlike standardized solutions, we take the time to understand each platform’s unique challenges, content guidelines, and brand values. This tailored approach ensures that your content moderation strategy is aligned with both your platform's needs and its community standards.

1. Advanced Content Moderation Technologies

We integrate cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning alongside human expertise, creating a balanced and efficient moderation ecosystem. Our team uses advanced tools such as image moderation to verify visual content, ensuring that it aligns with brand standards for context, appropriateness, and authenticity. 

This dual approach ensures that content is not only flagged correctly but also reviewed thoughtfully, taking into account nuances and cultural contexts.

2. Outstanding Team Retention Rate

Our focus on maintaining a highly skilled and engaged team is one of our standout features. With an impressive 91% retention rate, our moderators are highly trained and supported, with a strong focus on career growth and mental health. This commitment leads to consistent, high-quality moderation across platforms, helping businesses maintain a reliable and effective content strategy.

3. Adaptability and Scalability

One of the key advantages of partnering with us is the scalability of our services. Whether you need extra moderation support during peak times or consistent, long-term moderation, we can adjust our efforts based on your content volume. This flexible approach eliminates the need for large internal teams, giving businesses the opportunity to scale their content moderation as their needs evolve.

4. Holistic Content Moderation Approach

Our holistic content moderation strategy ensures platforms maintain a safe and positive user environment. We offer tailored solutions for high-growth companies, navigating challenges with a startup mindset and a fully remote workforce. 

This dynamic, flexible approach is ideal for businesses looking to scale and maintain a strong, safe online presence while adhering to TikTok’s guidelines.

NeoWork understands the complexities of content moderation on platforms like TikTok and offers tailored solutions to ensure your brand's content aligns with platform guidelines and values. 

Contact us today to learn how our customized solutions can support your business and help you stay ahead in the fast-paced world of social media. Let us handle the complexities of content moderation so you can focus on what you do best.