Ever found yourself endlessly scrolling on TikTok only to be bombarded with content you wish you could avoid? Whether it’s cringe-worthy trends, controversial topics, or just subjects that aren’t your cup of tea, TikTok’s algorithm can sometimes show you more of what you don’t want. Luckily, there’s a way to fine-tune your feed and block specific keywords.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why blocking keywords on TikTok is important
- How to use TikTok’s built-in features to hide unwanted content
- Alternative methods for filtering out keywords and content
- Additional tips to improve your TikTok experience
Why Block Keywords on TikTok?
TikTok is a powerful platform with millions of users and an ever-evolving algorithm that learns your preferences. However, this algorithm can sometimes show you content that you don’t want to see. Whether it’s certain political discussions, inappropriate jokes, or trends that just don’t align with your interests, constantly seeing unwanted content can be frustrating. Blocking keywords can help ensure you see more of what you love and less of what you’d prefer to avoid.
Here are some of the most common reasons people block keywords on TikTok:
- Avoiding specific trends: Not every trend on TikTok is for everyone. Some can be annoying or irrelevant.
- Filtering out negativity: Some topics might trigger negative emotions or unpleasant memories, and it’s completely understandable to want to steer clear of them.
- Staying away from controversial topics: TikTok, like other social platforms, can sometimes get flooded with heated debates or polarizing content that you’d rather not engage with.
- Tailoring content to personal interests: Fine-tuning the content you see by blocking irrelevant or annoying keywords helps curate a feed that’s more aligned with your preferences.
How TikTok’s Algorithm Works
Before diving into the methods to block keywords, it’s important to understand how TikTok’s algorithm works. The algorithm tracks your behavior—what you watch, like, share, and comment on—and uses this data to show you similar content. This is why you might notice TikTok showing you more videos on a topic after you’ve interacted with a few videos about it. It’s smart but not perfect, which is where blocking keywords can come in handy.
Unfortunately, unlike some platforms like Twitter, TikTok does not currently offer a direct “block keywords” feature, but there are still several ways to achieve similar results. Let’s explore them below.
Method 1: Using the “Not Interested” Button
TikTok’s “Not Interested” button is the closest thing to blocking specific content. Although it doesn’t work exactly like keyword blocking, it helps train the algorithm to show you less of what you don’t like.
Steps to Use the ‘Not Interested’ Button:
- Open TikTok and start scrolling through your feed.
- When you come across a video related to a topic or keyword you don’t want to see, press and hold on the video until a pop-up menu appears.
- Select the option labeled “Not Interested.”
- You can also choose to hide content from specific users or mute certain sounds associated with videos on this topic.
By marking videos as “Not Interested,” the TikTok algorithm will start filtering out similar content over time, and you’ll see fewer videos with the keywords you dislike.
Method 2: Filtering Comments for Keywords
If you’re a content creator or someone who often engages with TikTok videos, you may want to block keywords from showing up in the comments section of your videos. TikTok has a built-in feature to filter specific keywords so you don’t see them in your comments.
Steps to Filter Comments:
- Go to your profile and tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to access the settings menu.
- Select “Privacy” and then “Comments.”
- In the “Filter Keywords” section, you can add the keywords you want to block from appearing in comments under your videos.
- Once you add the keywords, TikTok will automatically hide any comments containing those words.
While this won’t block the keywords from your feed, it does prevent them from appearing in your comment section, making your TikTok experience more enjoyable.
Method 3: Mute and Block Specific Sounds or Hashtags
If certain sounds or hashtags related to the keywords you want to block keep popping up in your feed, TikTok allows you to mute sounds or block hashtags to help filter your content.
Steps to Mute Sounds:
- When you come across a video with a sound that is linked to content you don’t want to see, tap on the sound icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Once the sound page opens, you can choose to “Mute” the sound or block it from your feed.
Steps to Block Hashtags:
- When you encounter videos with hashtags you want to block, tap on the hashtag, which will lead you to a page with all related videos.
- From here, select the “Not Interested” option to reduce the appearance of videos with that hashtag in your feed.
Method 4: Use TikTok’s Digital Wellbeing Feature
Another method to block or limit certain content on TikTok is by using its “Digital Wellbeing” feature. This feature allows you to control how much time you spend on the platform and what type of content you encounter.
Steps to Enable Digital Wellbeing:
- Go to your profile and access the settings menu.
- Select “Digital Wellbeing.”
- From here, you can enable features like Screen Time Management and Restricted Mode to reduce exposure to unwanted content.
While this feature won’t block specific keywords, Restricted Mode filters out content that TikTok deems inappropriate or potentially triggering, which may include videos containing keywords you want to avoid.
Method 5: Third-Party Apps and Tools
While TikTok doesn’t have a dedicated keyword-blocking feature, you can use third-party tools and apps to help manage your social media experience more effectively. Tools like “Social Fixer” for browsers, for example, let you filter certain keywords or phrases on various social media platforms.
Here’s a quick guide on how to use third-party apps to block TikTok content:
- Download a social media filtering app like Social Fixer or other browser extensions that let you filter content by keywords.
- Set up filters for the keywords you want to block on TikTok (if applicable).
- Customize the settings to ensure it aligns with your preferences.
Keep in mind that not all third-party tools will work perfectly with TikTok, but they can help to an extent in managing unwanted content.
Additional Tips for Improving Your TikTok Experience
While blocking keywords can help you enjoy TikTok more, there are other actions you can take to improve your experience:
- Follow accounts that align with your interests: By engaging with creators you like, you’re training the algorithm to show you more of what you enjoy.
- Engage less with content you dislike: Even if you’re tempted to comment on or share videos you don’t like, interacting with them only tells the algorithm to show you more of the same.
- Take breaks: Overexposure to social media can lead to burnout. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the content on your feed, take a short break from the app.
Conclusion
Blocking keywords on TikTok might not be as straightforward as on other platforms, but with a combination of TikTok’s built-in features and external tools, you can filter your feed to show more of what you love and less of what you don’t. From using the “Not Interested” button to muting sounds and hashtags, you can take control of your TikTok experience and make it a more enjoyable space tailored to your preferences.
FAQs
Can I block specific keywords on TikTok?
While TikTok doesn’t have a direct keyword-blocking feature, you can use other methods such as the “Not Interested” button, muting sounds, and blocking hashtags to filter out content you don’t want to see.
How do I block certain trends on TikTok?
You can block certain trends by selecting the “Not Interested” option when you encounter videos related to that trend. Over time, TikTok’s algorithm will learn to
show you less content related to that trend.
Can I filter comments by keywords on TikTok?
Yes, TikTok allows you to filter comments by keywords. You can access this feature in the “Comments” section under Privacy settings and add the keywords you want to block.
Are there third-party apps that help block keywords on TikTok?
Yes, there are some third-party apps and browser extensions like Social Fixer that allow you to block keywords on social media platforms, but they may not work perfectly with TikTok.
How does the ‘Not Interested’ button work on TikTok?
The “Not Interested” button helps TikTok’s algorithm understand what kind of content you don’t want to see. By selecting this option on videos you dislike, the algorithm will start showing you less of that type of content over time.