In the wake of Tiktok’s ban on black creators, it’s crucial to understand what the implications are for the music industry and the artists who are being excluded. We’ll explore the various reactions to the bans, what it means for the industry, and how these bans could affect creators of color in the future.
Reactions to the bans
TikTok has been accused of bias towards Black creators. While the social media platform has made an effort to improve diversity, many Black creators have still been subject to shadow banning and other censorship. This has left some frustrated and angry.
Some creators say they were banned without warning, and have seen their follower count drop. Others have had videos removed without explanation. They also complain of being harassed by users. In some cases, Black creators have had racist messages directed at them. The social media app has been blamed for the censorship, but the company has not publicly acknowledged the issue.
TikTok has recently launched an official Black TikTok page. Some users have joined the page to speak out against the platform’s censorship. There are Black employees who run the page, and Black creators have stepped up to offer their support.
One of the biggest concerns of Black creators is the lack of credit. Many creators are refusing to create new dances until they are given proper credit. However, TikTok claims that they will do their part in addressing the issue. It has been reported that the company will donate money to nonprofits that support the Black community.
TikTok has been a huge hit for many Gen Z’ers, but the success isn’t without flaws. As many have already learned, it is not always easy to make it big in the world of influencers. And while TikTok has been a great platform for many, they are beginning to wonder if it’s still worth it.
TikTok has a strict set of rules that must be followed. Its latest progress report details the steps the company has taken to increase diversity. These include donating to nonprofits that support the Black community and creating a diversity collective of creators.
But the real story is how TikTok is failing to recognize the contribution of black creators. Some creators have been shadow banned, others have had their videos deleted without an explanation, and others have been left wondering what they did wrong.
Despite the controversy, Black creators are still using the platform. Even though TikTok has promised to support them, many are left wondering whether the company has done enough.
Repercussions for creators of color
One of the social media aficionados is a self-described content creator of color. In an age when everyone from the tuxedo to the tomboy is vying for the same job, the competition is fierce. Fortunately, they’ve got a few tricks up their sleeves. For instance, the aforementioned TikTok aficionado has been tasked with helping to navigate his company through the pitfalls of the digital age. As it turns out, he’s the sexiest man around. With that, he’s a veritable fountain of knowledge. After all, this guy has been on the prowl for more than a decade. He’s even served on the aforementioned Advisory Board.
He is also a shrewd business man who takes pride in his proverbial pedigree. Aside from his unwavering commitment to supporting his peers, the aforementioned swag has been a ringer and one-two combo for his adoring wife. The best part is, he’s a jack of all trades, and knows a thing or two about what’s what. Not to mention, he’s a gentleman. Indeed, he’s one of the many black men that can be found in the TikTok HQ.
The impact on the music industry
The impact of TikTok banning Black creators is still being felt. A group of black TikTok users launched a digital walkout last June to protest the platform’s lack of credit for their work. Now, some Black creators are moving on to other social media platforms like Fanbase. They are calling for users to join their platform.
The hashtag “BlackTikTokStrike” has accumulated more than two million views. Some TikTok users say it was the hashtag issue that finally broke the camel’s back. Other creators have claimed they have been receiving racist messages. Those messages have also been threatening.
While some of the threats have been random, others have been more deliberate. For instance, Siete White says her account was banned abruptly during her livestream of the Biden inauguration. Others have posted videos lamenting TikTok without Black creators.
TikTok has responded to these concerns with an apology and pledge to support creators of color. It has also released a progress report detailing its efforts to help the Black community. These steps include donating money to charities supporting Black people, building a diversity team, and more.
TikTok has also announced a new incubator program for Black creators. This will provide an opportunity to develop their talent and gain exposure.
Some Black TikTok users have already moved on to other platforms like Fanbase. These platforms let users charge for additional content. That means Black creators could lose their income. In addition, some creators believe TikTok is still shadow banning, which is a broader term for discrimination claims.
However, many black TikTok creators are still using the platform. In an interview with the New York Times, Olivia Rodrigo said she wrote her hit song Drivers License with TikTok in mind.
TikTok has restructured its US-focused teams to be led by US-based officials. It also committed to isolating US user data.
However, black creators say that TikTok’s promise to improve has been short-lived. Several of their dances were posted without proper credit. Those creators have also complained about a decline in engagement.
Some of the most popular dances on the app are created by white artists, and those creators have millions of followers. That’s because the algorithm has over-indexed creators’ races.
For years, Black TikTokers have complained about unfair treatment on the platform. Now, they have mounted a digital walkout. Some creators have left the platform altogether, while others have joined Fanbase.
One of the biggest complaints is the lack of credit for work. Many Black TikTokers say they have had their videos taken down without any explanation. Others have received racist messages.
Black users have even threatened to move to alternative apps. They claim Tiktok’s platform has a racist AI system.
A TikTok representative said that the company’s content moderation algorithm erred in detecting “hate speech” and that the error was not racial. However, Black creators say they have experienced declines in engagement, view counts and follower counts.
In an effort to address concerns about Black creators, TikTok launched a Creator Marketplace in mid-2020. While TikTok’s statement said they will work to improve the experience of Black creators, it didn’t provide any further details.
Black TikTokers have voiced their concerns to TikTok, but there is still much that remains unclear. There are reports that a handful of White creators have been banned from the marketplace and that Black creators have had their videos removed.
Another issue has been a lack of Black content on the For You page. During Black Lives Matter protests, Black creators posted content, many of which were watched millions of times.
The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter has garnered over 2 billion views. But the hashtag has not been removed from the TikTok app, and many black creators have claimed that their posts have been flagged as “inappropriate” or “harassing” because of their political messages.
Several black creators have been threatening to leave the app because they have not received credit for their work. One creator says she is being shadow banned. An umbrella term for discrimination claims, shadow banning is when a user is blocked from a forum or forum discussion.
Another complaint has been that TikTok’s “For You” page is dominated by white creators. According to TikTok, the page is a place for creators to display popular content to a larger audience.
