TikTok Blocks Links to App Stores in Creator Bios

Source: David Tesler

TikTok has begun blocking creators from adding links to app stores in their bios, including third-party link-in-bio tools. When someone clicks on an app store link, they will see a message saying "Action cannot be completed," according to David Tesler, who discovered this.

A TikTok spokesperson later confirmed that personal creator accounts can no longer add app store links, but they can still direct viewers to websites. Going forward, only business accounts can add app store links, through a new "Download App" feature currently in development.

This is similar to Twitter's previous policy of prohibiting users from linking to other social media platforms and third-party link aggregators. The TikTok policy seems to be more about distinguishing between personal and business accounts, rather than limiting users from driving viewers off-platform. It’s also likely that TikTok is making the move to be able to have a better track of the return on investment of the platform. By having a specific feature dedicated to tracking app links and the clicks going to them, TikTok will have a better understanding of the impact of content across its platform on these behaviors.

Creators and brands that use personal accounts and want to direct viewers to app stores, whether on their own or in collaboration for sponsored content, will be negatively impacted. They can migrate this by upgrading to a business account or spending money on paid media ads, which isn't ideal for creators and brands with budget restrictions.