Why Can't I Like Videos or Follow TikTok Accounts?

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A complete list of reasons you can’t like videos or follow an account

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Last Updated: November 26, 2024

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Liking Posts Too Quickly

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Deleted Videos

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Private Videos

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Alternatives to Liking & Following

If you scroll through TikTok and like content, you may eventually encounter that your likes are not being sent. Likewise, accounts you are following may randomly disappear. There are many reasons this can happen, and this wikiHow aims to list them all.

Reasons You Can’t Like or Follow on TikTok

If you like videos or follow accounts, TikTok limits your activity. If the video is private, “friends only,” or has been deleted by the user who posted it, you may be able to see it for a short time, but you won’t be able to like it.

1

You're liking posts or following accounts too quickly.

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As a measure against spam, TikTok will automatically rate-limit your account if you like posts too quickly or follow accounts too quickly. You may find that any accounts you followed unfollowed, and any videos you liked unliked.
If the liked video disappeared or the following count has gone down, then you have been rate limited. Alternatively, check to see that the heart will remain selected. If not, then you are temporarily unable to like videos.

2

You're attempting to like a deleted video.

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A deleted video will not appear in anyone's for you feed or on their profile; however a video deleted by TikTok remains visible to the poster so they can appeal the decision. However, some deleted videos will not be visible to them.
If the account was deleted or marked for deletion or banned by TikTok, you will not be able to like the video or follow the creator. Depending on the deletion reason, the account may remain visible for up to 30 days with a notice that the user account is no longer available before it is deleted for good.

3

You're attempting to like a private video.

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Private videos are only visible to the poster and remain invisible to everyone else.
Users can set content controls on their videos; some videos require you to be friends with the poster, while others require you to request permission to follow their account.
Private accounts require permission to follow; a user can also remove followers from their account.
Users blocked are unable to view the videos while logged in, follow the creator, leave comments, or join live streams.

4

What alternatives are there to liking and following?

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If you are simply rate-limited, you can still bookmark videos for later viewing by tapping on the "Favorites" button.
The URL for the account will remain in place, and unless the account or video is permanently deleted or changes usernames, you will continue to be able to access the video or account.
Even if you cannot like a video, you can still express positivity and gratitude through a video comment. The creator might be understanding if you get rate limited by TikTok.
You can still send gifts and hearts through livestreams with minimal concern. If the creator is live, you can interact and send gifts, although you won't be able to subscribe.
After 24 hours, the rate limits will be removed. If you are still unable to like or follow accounts, you should contact TikTok.