TikTok is taking its quest to be “an entertainment platform first and foremost” seriously. Political accounts are banned from monetization on the platform from today (September 21).
Politicians and political parties no longer have access to monetization features on TikTok, such as gifting, tipping, e-commerce, the Creator Marketplace, and the TikTok Creator Fund. Additionally, political accounts will no longer be able to advertise on TikTok. Political accounts include politicians, political parties, as well as government-run organizations. For a complete list of which accounts qualify as political accounts Go to the TikTok website.
TikTok is launching a ‘voting center’ to combat misinformation
In the press release, TikTok acknowledged that there are limited circumstances in which official accounts will be granted access to TikTok ads. For example, ads for COVID-19 boosters will be allowed on the platform, but all government agencies will have to work with a TikTok representative to advertise on the app.
TikTok previously banned all political ads ahead of the 2020 election, and today’s ban on access to ad features for political accounts will further enforce that ban.
Today’s announcement is one of a series of updates TikTok is making ahead of the US midterm elections in November. In August, it began launching an “electoral center” to combat disinformation. “In the coming weeks,” TikTok will change its policy on campaign fundraising solicitations, essentially banning it, meaning politicians can no longer solicit donations on the platform.
