This guide covers TikTok's own rules as written in its About AI-generated content help page and its Community Guidelines. Rules change, so check that page if something here doesn't match what you see in the app.
What TikTok counts as AI-generated
TikTok uses the term AIGC (AI-generated content) for images, video or audio made or changed by AI. Its examples include a real person whose face, voice or words were changed by AI, a real scene altered by AI, and fully AI-made videos of real or fictional people.
It also names a category called significantly edited by AI: real photos or video used as the source, then changed beyond small fixes. Three examples match AI trend videos exactly:
- the people in it are shown doing something they didn't do, such as dancing;
- they are shown saying something they didn't say, such as AI-generated speech or rap;
- their appearance is changed so much they are no longer recognisable, as with a face swap.
An AI video that makes you and a friend rap in the Hotel Lobby booth, or puts you in a viral dance, falls under the first two.
When the label is required
TikTok encourages a label on anything fully generated or significantly edited by AI, and requires it for AI content with realistic images, audio or video. In practice:
| Your video | Label |
|---|---|
| Photo-real you rapping or dancing, made from your photos | Required |
| AI voice that sounds like a real person | Required |
| Cartoon, anime or obviously stylised AI video | Encouraged, not required |
| Made only with TikTok's own AI effects | TikTok labels it for you |
If you skip a required label, TikTok says it may remove the video, restrict it or add the label itself.
How to turn on the AI-generated label
On the TikTok app, before you post a video:
- Tap + and upload your video.
- Tap Next.
- Tap More options, then turn on AI-generated content.
The post then shows "Creator labeled as AI-generated". You can also say it in the caption or add a hashtag, but the setting is the clearest signal.
TikTok can also add an auto label when a file carries Content Credentials (C2PA metadata) from the tool that made it. Once TikTok applies an auto label, you can't remove it.
Does the label hurt your reach?
TikTok's help page says turning on the AI-generated content setting won't affect the distribution of your video as long as it doesn't break the Community Guidelines. A labeled trend video is treated like any other video. An unlabeled realistic one is the one at risk.
What's banned even with a label
According to TikTok, some AI content isn't allowed however you label it:
- Public figures in fake contexts: a celebrity shown endorsing something, being endorsed, or being bullied.
- Anyone under 18: AI likenesses of minors are not allowed.
- Private adults without permission: an AI video of your coworker or ex who didn't agree.
- Fake authoritative sources or crisis events: AI news anchors, fake disasters and similar.
Impersonation, misinformation and hate rules apply to AI videos the same way they apply to filmed ones.
Posting an AI trend video safely
- Only use photos of people who agreed, and of adults. That rule is TikTok's and ours: RapVideo AI asks you to upload only photos of people who agreed to be in the video.
- Turn on the AI-generated label if the video looks real. Every RapVideo AI video does, so label it.
- Don't present it as real. Captions like "we actually did this" on an AI video invite reports.
- Watch the music. A video built on the original song of a trend can be muted or limited by TikTok's music rules, a separate issue from the AI label. RapVideo AI's New song videos use original AI music, so the audio doesn't match a copyrighted recording.
Questions
Can TikTok tell a video is AI if I don't label it? Sometimes. TikTok reads Content Credentials when a file has them, and it reviews reported videos. Not every AI file carries that metadata, so don't rely on it either way: label realistic AI videos yourself.
Do I need to label a video made from my own photo? Yes, if it's realistic. A video of you doing a dance you never did is "significantly edited by AI" in TikTok's terms, even when it's your own face.
Can I make money from AI videos on TikTok? TikTok's monetisation programmes have their own originality rules on top of the AI label. A labeled AI video isn't banned from them, but reposted or unoriginal content can be excluded. Check the programme's own terms.
What about Instagram? Meta has a similar rule with an "AI info" label. See does Instagram allow AI videos.