TikTok Shop Do's and Don'ts: How Creators Can Avoid Content Violations in 2025

Published on February 11, 2025

Amazon What to Do When You Get a TikTok Shop Content Violation had the first mover advantage in the affiliate space, but another platform has creators flocking to it in droves — TikTok Shop!

TikTok Shop is growing fast and creators can make thousands of dollars in commissions by promoting links to a brand's store on TikTok Shop. As this fairly new social media ecommerce competitor skyrockets in growth, guardrails around creators have increased as it strives to cultivate a safe space for users (and most importantly, customers).

What does this mean for TikTok Shop affiliates and creators that have their sights set on affiliate marketing on TikTok Shop?

One of the most important points for creators to know is that they must stay compliant with TikTok Shop policies to avoid content violations, which can hurt their reputation and earning potential.

There are several violation types to brush up on, but don’t worry! As your strategic TikTok Shop agency, URLgenius is here to ensure you can easily follow the rules while growing your reach and expanding your earning potential.

Key TikTok Shop Content Policy Guidelines for Creators

We’ve gathered a list of the most common TikTok violations so you know how to avoid them and what to do if your account gets flagged.

These include:

1. Steer clear of auctions and bidding activities: This one may seem obvious, but creators are prohibited from hosting or encouraging any type of auction, including timed bidding or rapid bidding. Stick to standard market practices so TikTok knows you’re playing by the rules!

2. Don’t let excitement turn to exaggeration: You love to promote products you’re excited about! Your followers can’t wait to hear what you like about it! One caveat — TikTok isn’t a fan of exaggerated claims. Phrases like '100% natural' or 'guaranteed results in days” can be misleading, and promises about product effectiveness like instant weight loss or acne removal are likewise off the table.

3. Stick to the facts! No false or misleading info: TikTok Shop wants you to represent products truthfully, and keep away from sprinkling false certifications, misleading prices or fake product demonstrations into the mix. When it comes to details about delivery, returns and warranties, double check that you’re communicating those tidbits accurately as well.

4. Respect intellectual property rights: It may be tempting to use brand logos, celebrity images or other copyrighted material but if you don’t have permission, that won’t fly with our friends over at TikTok.

5. Steer clear of sensational or harmful content: This one’s easy! Gore, animal cruelty, nudity or graphic violence will be removed. TikTok is not the place for shocking or distressing material!

6. Don’t engage in fraudulent or spammy practices: Some creators (not you) manipulate platform mechanisms to inflate views, likes or orders artificially. These tricks are against the rules!

7. Avoid targeting kids in your marketing: There are a lot of demographics on TikTok, including minors. Creators are to avoid marketing products directly to children, persuading them to make purchases, or involving them in promotions.

8. No medical claims: You may be promoting products that are great for your health, but content suggesting a medical cure or replacement to expert-supervised treatments is a no-go.

By following these rules, you can maintain trust with your audience and ensure your TikTok Shop content stays compliant with platform policies.

Check out TikTok Shop’s Content Policy and this helpful guide to learn more about violations and how to avoid them.

What to do if you get a TikTok Shop content violation: If you receive a violation notice from TikTok and are binded with URLgenius, submit the details in the URLgenius Discord Channel under #violations. We'll then speak directly to the TikTok Shop team to find out how to resolve it. If you're not binded with us as your agency, let us know and we'll share details on our program for TikTok Shop affiliates!

Content Best Practices for Creators on TikTok Shop

Now that you know what not to do when marketing on TikTok Shop, we'd be remiss if we didn't dive into some best practices that will set you up for success as you create video content!

So without further ado, here are our tips:

The Hook! Grab Your Audience’s Attention Immediately

On TikTok and other social media platforms, it’s crucial to grab your viewer’s attention within the first few seconds. We suggest kicking it off with a visually engaging hook and asking a question right off the bat to spark curiosity. If you’re looking to create a sense of urgency, you might consider promoting a product with a flash sale or price anchor.

Showcase the Product

Your video is all about a specific product, right? It may sound simple, but use that product early in that video! Demonstrate how this product solves common problems that your viewers might have. You can even use a personal anecdote! If you genuinely love the product, everyone watching will be able to tell, so make sure you believe in it yourself.

Be Engaging!

Engagement is key to driving conversions! As long as you’re playing by the rules above, you can create some buzz with controversial or thought-provoking content (within reason)! Talking about and showing the product in an enthusiastic way is another important engagement strategy. Don’t forget to make it about the viewer instead of yourself — you’re just the one they’re hearing about it from!

Create High-Quality Videos

Creating quality videos can seem like a big undertaking, but there are some simple tips that will make a world of difference. You’ll want to make sure the product looks appealing on camera, use great lighting (natural daylight works best), keep your audio crisp and clear, and ensure there are no gaps in the audio.

Make Your Videos Visually Stimulating

Don’t just create videos that are high-quality — make sure they’re visually stimulating!
When you’re recording, take the opportunity to change scenes often to maintain interest. Don’t go too crazy on the text so that your content can really shine. If your space is dirty or unkept, choose a setting that is clean and visually appealing.

For more ideas on how to take your videos to the next level, keep any eye on what other creators are doing so you can partake in viral trends. Don’t forget to HAVE FUN!

Keep Up with TikTok Shop Community Guidelines & Violations

If you’re interested in promoting products on TikTok Shop (or you’re already on it!), these tips on how to avoid violations and embrace best practices will help protect your account so you can survive and thrive.

URLgenius has been selected by TikTok as a Strategic Agency Partner that works with creators to not only share helpful insights, but also help them earn more commissions. If that sounds intriguing to you, be sure to reach out to us at info@urlgeni.us to setup a call to learn more.

We’d love to connect with you and share more about how binding with URLgenius can take your TikTok creator business to the next level. Cheers!

Read on for more ecommerce creator best practices:

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