Tiktok Shop Academy

Misleading Product Information (Functionality or Effect)

06/09/2025

Manage ProductsListing Restrictions

What do we consider Misleading Product Information (Functionality or Effect)?

TikTok Shop aims to create a shopping environment that inspires confidence in our customers. When shopping online, customers rely on photographs, descriptions, and videos of products to confidently make purchases. Misleading product listings may negatively impact a customer's buying experience. All sellers must be truthful when listing their products on TikTok Shop and must also abide by our TikTok Shop Product Listing Guidelines.
If your product listings include exaggerated promises, comparisons or false claims, you may receive a violation message titled Misleading Product Information (Functionality or Effect).image

Exaggerated Promises

  • The following claims/promises are prohibited:
    • Exaggerated claims of medicinal treatment of non-medicinal products
    • Exaggerated claims of sex nourishment, health, body structure or body performance and medical procedure equivalent effect
    • Exaggerated claims of miracle effect or promises of unverifiable cosmetic results
    • Exaggerated claims of instant effects or results
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Medicinal Claims
  • Claims that a non-medicinal product can cure/treat/prevent/reduce/reduce risk of disease or alleviate symptoms of illness. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This product prevents cancer, heart disease, treats haemorrhoids, relieves arthritis symptoms, headaches, tinnitus, etc."
    • "This product will cure all your ailments."
What can I do instead?
  • Ensure your product listings contain complete and accurate representations of the product's performance and functionalities.
  • Claims that a product can treat acne or reduce inflammation of acne. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This facial cream treats acne"
    • "This body lotion reduces inflammation of acne"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe the product formulated for acne-prone skin or the product is an effective cleansing formula for those with oily skin problems. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This facial cream is for acne skin"
    • "This cleanser is for oily skin"
  • Claims that a clean and rinse off product can kill/get rid of/inhibit growth of bacteria, fungi or viruses. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This facial cleanser kill viruses and gets rid of fungi"
    • "This soap inhibits growth of bacteria"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe the main properties of the product is cleaning and a secondary purpose is reducing the accumulation of bacteria. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Use for cleaning dirt, germs and bacteria, which is one cause of body odor"
    • "Use for cleaning dirt and reduces accumulation of bacteria"
    • "Use to clean and help reduce the accumulation of germs and bacteria"
  • Claims that an anti-dandruff product can eliminating/inhibiting scalp itching caused by fungus, or treat scalp diseases, scalp inflammation, or eliminate dandruff permanently. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This shampoo eliminates dandruff permanently"
    • "This hair serum treats scalp diseases"
What can I do instead?
  • Ensure the content conveys meaning under the scope of cosmetics in the nature of cleaning hair, scalp and dandruff flakes. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This shampoo cleans your scalp and helps reduce dandruff"
    • "Reducing itchy scalp caused by dandruff during the period product used time"
  • Claims that an anti-hair loss product can treat or prevent hair loss. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This shampoo fixes your hair loss problem"
    • "This hair serum can prevent hair loss"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a product in the way of nourishment and care for the hair or scalp. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • “Makes hair smooth and easy to comb"
    • "Reducing hair loss caused by tangled hair"
  • Claims that a nail product can treat or prevent disease. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This nail remover treats nail fungus"
    • "Treating ingrowth toenail with this nail polisher"
What can I do instead?
  • Ensure the content conveys the meaning of cleaning, changing or decorating the appearance of nails to keep them in good condition. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Removing nail polish"
    • "Decorating your nails"
    • "Coating and nourishing your nails"
  • Claims that an oral care product can treat/prevent periodontal disease. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This toothpaste can prevent gingivitis"
    • "This mouth wash can treat oral ulcers"
What can I do instead?
  • Ensure the content conveys the meaning of the main properties is for regular care, oral and dental hygiene. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Reduce the accumulation of bacteria stains or plaque caused by brushing your teeth with toothpaste correctly"
    • "This toothpaste contains potassium nitrate which helps to reduce tooth sensitivity"
    • "This mouth spray reduces unwanted breath odor"
  • Claims that a cosmetic product can treat/prevent stretch marks, melasma or freckles. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This lotion prevents stretched bottom"
    • "Treat stretch marks with this body oil"
    • "This serum can prevent melasma formation"
    • "Remove all freckles with this cream"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a product in the way of nourishment and care for the skin. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Moisture your skin and helps reduce chance of stretch marks"
    • "Freckles looks faded"
Sex Nourishment Claims
  • Claims that a product can help for sex nourishment or sexual performance enhancement. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This perfume attracts sex or stimulates sexual hormones"
"This food nourishes sex and enhances sexual performance"
Health, Body Structure and Body Performance Claims
  • Claims that a product has anti-oxidant effects. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This serum helps with anti-oxidant"
"This food supplement contains anti-oxidant substances"
  • Claims that a product can make skin whiter or bleach the skin. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This cream whitens your skin"
    • "Bleaching your body skin with this lotion"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a cosmetic product in the way of brightening skin. This does not include food products. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • “This facial mask make your skin brighten and lighten"
    • "Aura skin"
  • Claims that a product can remove/eliminate/disappear wrinkles or anti/prevent wrinkles formation or claims that a food product can reduce wrinkles. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This ampoule can remove all wrinkles"
    • "This cream prevents new wrinkles"
    • "This food supplement helps reduce wrinkles"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a cosmetic product in the way of reducing/fading or slowing down wrinkles while using the product. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • “Reduce new wrinkle with this lotion"
    • "This cream can make your wrinkles fade while using"
  • Describe a cosmetic product in the way that the results depend on the condition of each individual
  • Claims that a product can change the body's system or structure, including changing the body's functioning. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This body lotion can increase your metabolism"
    • "This oil can increase your blood circulation"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a cosmetic product in the way that the purpose of using the product is to help adjust the skin condition to look good or better. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • “helps the facial or body skin look naturally firm according to the natural outline"
    • "This cream helps your skin look healthier and firm"
  • Claims that a cosmetic product has the effect of skin peeling. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Peel the skin with this lotion"
    • "This exfoliating cream peels skin off and results of youthness"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a product in the way that skin conditioning could be looked better by using products that contain ingredients helping with skin exfoliation. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • “Gently exfoliate your skin with this cream that contains fine scrub beads"
    • "This serum contains AHA which exfoliates your skin"
  • Claims that a cosmetic product can stop sweating or has an effect on changing the structure of sweat glands. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Reducing the number of sweat glands"
    • "Affects the sweating process"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a product in the way that the product can reduce body odor or deodorizing body odor due to reducing underarm wetness or reducing sweat. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • “Reduce underarm wetness which can cause body odor"
    • "Reduce sweat and deoderize body odor"
  • Describe a product in the way that the results depend on the condition of each individual
  • Claims that a product can treat or cure ingrown hairs. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This deoderant can cure ingrowth hair"
    • "Treat and remove all ingrowth hair"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a cosmetic product in the way that the product can help reduce ingrowth hair. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • “Exfoliate your skin can help reduce ingrowth hair"
    • "Reduce chance of ingrowth hair by using this product with warm water"
  • Claims that a product has the effect of detoxification, eliminating toxins or purifying. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Eliminate toxin under the skin"
    • "This lotion can detox skin"
  • Claims that a product can balance or create balance of the skin, including adjusting PH balance. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This soap can adjust PH balance"
    • "Balance the skin with this serum"
What can I do instead?
  • Describe a cosmetic product in the way that the product can help maintain the balance under the cosmetic objective. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • “This moisturizer remain the skin balance"
    • "Reduce oil and maintain skin balance"
  • Claims that a food product can increase/enhance body immunity, improve memory or make it smarter. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This food supplement increases body immunity"
    • "Smarter! Just eat this snack"
    • "Boosting memory"
    • "This gummy can boost your immunity"
  • Claims that a food product can nourish internal body organs. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This drink nourishes your brain"
    • "Improve and nourish heart"
  • Claims that a food product has the effect of sun protection or sunscreen. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This food supplement can protect the skin from UV rays"
    • "This drink has sunscreen effect"
  • Claims that a food product can reduce wrinkles, acne, melasma, freckles or dark spots. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This snack helps reduce acne"
    • "Reducing melasma and freckles"
  • Claims that maternity milk is milk for unborn baby or there is a benefit for unborn baby.
Medical Procedures Equivalent Claims
  • Claims that a product has effect equivalent or better when comparing to medical procedures. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Better than botox"
    • "Same result as surgery"
Miracle Claims
  • Claims that a product has an instant effect or result. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Instant lifting"
    • "See result instantly"
  • Claims that a product can end all problems or similar content with the same meaning. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "This cream can end all your acne problems"
    • "End all wrinkle problem"
  • Claims of food supplements that are unbelievable and unable to prove. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • "Secret formula"
    • "Breakthrough, magical, new discovery"
Click here for more examples of exaggerated promises:
Additional Examples Of Exaggerated Promises.pdf
Additional Examples Of Exaggerated Promises.pdf
(48.2 KB)

Comparisons

  • Product listings must not contain comparisons with other products or e-commerce sites.
  • The following claims/promises are prohibited:
    • Claims that a product is cheaper than it is on another website.
    • 'Before' and 'After' images that show supposed results from acne-clearing creams, whitening cream, anti-hair loss products, etc.
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  • Claims or exaggerations of a product's "before and after" comparison. Non-exhaustive examples are:
    • Comparison of skincare (acne, wrinkles, freckles, scars, dark spots)
    • Comparison of whitening effect

False Claims

  • Product listings must not make false claims about a product.
  • The following claims/promises are prohibited:
    • Making false claims about awards or certifications received by the product.
    • Making false claims about the product being affiliated with other products.
  • Making false claims about awards or certifications received by the product. For example:
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"This product has won the number 1 award for best beauty product in the country"

How to Avoid Misleading Product Listings

When listing products on TikTok Shop:
  • Ensure that your product listings contain accurate information and details about a product.
  • Provide product disclaimers where necessary, for example, "Actual results may vary" or "Discontinue if irritation occurs".
  • Please click here to learn more about food advertising guidelines by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  • Please click here to learn more about cosmetic advertising guidelines by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What Happens if I Have Misleading Information in My Product Listings?

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TikTok Shop may take enforcement actions against sellers for misleading product listings. Possible enforcement actions include, but are not limited to:
  • Formal warning messages
  • Removing the product from the platform
  • Removing or blocking content
  • Assigning Violation Points to a seller's shop. An accumulation of violation points can result in a seller's TikTok Shop selling privileges being revoked
  • Suspension of seller privileges
  • Temporary or permanent withdrawal of seller benefits
PreviousListing Guidance for "Compatible" ProductsNext What are the 'Significantly Not as Described' Item Guidelines (SNAD)

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