TikTok Updates in January 2025

TikTok has seen significant changes recently due to governmental legislation. Staying on top of platform updates is crucial for us to ensure our campaigns remain effective and deliver the best results for our clients. These changes include revised policies, adjusted community guidelines, and a modified user interface. Keep reading to explore these updates in more detail and what they mean for current users.

TikTok Policy Updates and User Reactions

The Chinese Foreign Ministry recently announced that companies like ByteDance can independently make decisions regarding foreign acquisitions, marking a reversal from its previous stance. This decision may have implications for TikTok’s future in the U.S., as the Ministry has also expressed openness to collaborating with the Trump administration to keep the platform operational domestically. Meanwhile, President Trump is expected to sign a 90-day extension to the TikTok ban bill today (January 20).

Amid these developments, many users claim they have stopped using TikTok due to its political affiliations stemming from the ban. Notifications directly referencing President Trump have sparked backlash, with users encouraging others to delete the app. Some have likened TikTok’s trajectory to platforms like Meta and X, accusing it of becoming a “propaganda machine” under the influence of wealthy ownership.

User Interface Changes and Algorithm Adjustments

Users have observed several significant changes to TikTok’s user experience:

  • Livestream Accessibility: The livestream tab is no longer accessible, and live streams no longer populate on the For You page.
  • Algorithm Shifts: The For You page (FYP) algorithm appears to have undergone a refresh, as users report being shown unfamiliar or irrelevant content. This shift has disrupted the hyper-personalized experience that once defined TikTok.
  • Censorship and Search Restrictions:
    • Search results appear increasingly censored. For example, searching for “the smallest man who ever lived” only produces results for “the smallest woman who ever lived.”
    • Political searches yield limited or skewed results. A Reddit user shared their experience, stating:
      “I’m an American living in Japan, and I looked up ‘Trump rigged election’ and got videos about the speech he made before the inauguration. Then I turned on a VPN to the US and got this message: ‘No results found. This phrase may be associated with behavior or content that violates our guidelines. Promoting a safe and positive experience is TikTok’s top priority.’”
  • Hashtag Limitations: Certain hashtags, particularly those with negative connotations about Trump, appear blocked, preventing users from creating or finding related content.
  • Event Coverage: Content showcasing major events, both domestic and foreign, is noticeably sparse. Searches for LA wildfires or drone footage, for example, return fewer civilian-captured videos and more AI-generated content.
  • Community Guidelines Enforcement: Comments that would not have previously violated community guidelines are now being removed.

In conclusion, the recent updates to TikTok’s platform reflect the company’s efforts to adapt to evolving government legislation and address concerns about data privacy, security, and content regulation. However, these changes, coupled with political controversies, have fueled user dissatisfaction and intensified debates about the platform’s transparency and independence. The full effects of these changes will likely unfold in the coming months, as users and policymakers continue to evaluate their consequences.

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