TikTok’s Revised Guidelines Bring Subtle Changes for LIVE Creators, AI Content, and More

TikTok is preparing to update its Community Guidelines, which define the rules for engagement on the platform and the criteria for videos appearing in the For You Feed. The main goal of this update is to simplify the language, but some important aspects stand out — especially how TikTok emphasizes its marketplace, personalizes user experiences, and a minor tweak regarding AI-generated content.

At present, social media platforms must comply with various regulations globally, such as the U.K.’s Online Safety Act (OSA), the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), and the U.S.’s TAKE IT DOWN Act. These laws have led to policy updates across multiple platforms, including the recent changes on Bluesky.

The new TikTok guidelines, set to take effect on September 13, 2025, are not radically different; the company seems to have concentrated mainly on clarifying the text.

Nevertheless, one area with notable updates concerns the rules for TikTok LIVE creators.

The company warns creators that they are responsible for all activities happening during their live sessions, even when utilizing third-party tools like real-time translation or voice-to-text applications to read viewer comments. TikTok advises creators to monitor these tools to ensure compliance with the guidelines.

In addition, new regulations regarding commercial content have been introduced.

TikTok stresses that commercial content must be transparently disclosed and cautions that it will restrict the visibility of posts directing users to “buy products off-platform in areas where TikTok Shop is operational.”

The platform is also customizing users’ search results.

While the earlier guidelines stated that TikTok offered “search suggestions” tailored to users, the updated guidelines clarify that both “search results and recommendations may differ from person to person.” TikTok indicates that the relevance of search results is determined by past searches and viewed content.

Further, the updated rules reveal that comments are now being personalized as well.

TikTok explains that comments are arranged based on signals such as previous interactions, likes, and reports, meaning that user experiences in the comment section will vary.

The section on AI-generated content hasn’t significantly altered, but some language has been streamlined to clarify the types of deepfake content that are prohibited. Previously, TikTok prohibited content that “shares or shows fake authoritative sources or crisis events, or falsely depicts public figures in certain contexts.” This has been simplified to state that TikTok doesn’t allow content that “misleads about public importance or harms individuals.”

Notably, the reference to AI endorsements has been removed. (Is TikTok preparing for AI-generated, celebrity-approved endorsements?)

In some instances, the guidelines have seen their language simplified, such as in the For You Feed (FYF) Eligibility Standards section, which no longer contains an exhaustive list of FYF-ineligible content. Instead, information is now dispersed across various sections of the Community Guidelines, making it less user-friendly for reference.

Additionally, TikTok refined its explanation regarding content moderation.

Previously, the platform suggested that moderation helped keep it “safe, trustworthy, and vibrant.” Now, it frames moderation as enabling TikTok to be a “safe, fun, and creative space for everyone.”

It appears the term “trustworthy” has been omitted. Uh-oh.