Cloaking is a deceptive technique used by some advertisers to bypass TikTok’s ad review process and show different content to TikTok users than what they intended to display to the social media platform. In this article, we will discuss what cloaking is, how it is used for TikTok ads, why it is a violation of TikTok’s policies, and the consequences of using it.
What is cloaking?
Cloaking is a technique used by some advertisers to show different content to TikTok’s ad review process than what is displayed to TikTok users who click on the ad. This is done by detecting the IP address or user agent of the ad review process and serving it different content than what is displayed to the user. This content can be in the form of hidden text, invisible links, or a completely different webpage.
The main purpose of cloaking is to bypass TikTok’s ad review process and get ads approved for content that would otherwise violate TikTok’s advertising policies. By showing TikTok’s ad review process content that is compliant with its policies, advertisers hope to get their ads approved and shown to a wider audience.
How is cloaking used for TikTok ads?
Cloaking for TikTok ads involves showing different content to TikTok’s ad review process than what is displayed to TikTok users who click on the ad. Advertisers may use this technique to promote content that would otherwise be prohibited under TikTok’s advertising policies, such as products or services that are illegal or restricted.
For example, an advertiser may use cloaking to promote a website that sells illegal drugs or counterfeit goods. The advertiser may show TikTok’s ad review process a website that sells legal products, such as vitamins or supplements, while showing TikTok users who click on the ad a website that sells illegal products.
Why is cloaking a violation of TikTok’s policies?
TikTok has strict policies against deceptive practices such as cloaking. The company’s advertising policies state that “ads must not contain false or misleading content, including deceptive claims, offers, or business practices.” TikTok’s algorithms are designed to detect and penalize ads that violate its policies.
Cloaking violates TikTok’s policies because it provides a poor user experience. Users who click on an ad and are redirected to a webpage that is not relevant to their interests or is in violation of TikTok’s policies will likely leave the site immediately. This not only leads to a loss of potential customers but can also damage the advertiser’s reputation.
Additionally, cloaking is unfair to other advertisers who are following TikTok’s advertising policies. By using cloaking to show ads for prohibited content, advertisers can bypass TikTok’s ad review process and gain an unfair advantage over other advertisers who are complying with TikTok’s policies.
Consequences of using cloaking
If TikTok detects that an advertiser is using cloaking, it can take a number of actions to penalize the advertiser. These penalties can include:
- Removing the ad from TikTok: TikTok may remove the ad from its platform, making it impossible for the ad to appear in users’ feeds.
- Lowering the advertiser’s ad relevance score: TikTok may lower the advertiser’s ad relevance score, making it less likely that their ads will be shown to users in the future.
- Suspending the advertiser’s account: TikTok may suspend the advertiser’s account, preventing them from running any ads.
- Imposing fines: TikTok may impose fines on advertisers who violate its policies, which can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
- Legal action: In extreme cases, TikTok may take legal action against advertisers who violate its policies, such as filing a lawsuit for trademark infringement.
Conclusion
Cloaking is a deceptive practice that violates TikTok’s advertising policies and can result