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Build Inclusive Effects for the TikTok Community

At TikTok, we’re focused on building experiences that are inclusive and representative of TikTok’s diverse global community. Building inclusive effects is an important part of that goal. As effect creators, you can help keep TikTok a safe, welcoming place by prioritizing inclusion and safety as you build Community Effects in Effect House.

Here are a few ways to do that:

  1. Test your effects: Test your effects on different skin tones and groups of people. If you can, source feedback from friends to see if your effect works for others. Make sure everyone can enjoy your effect!

    • People of all ages, skin tones, body shapes, and body types should be able to enjoy your Community Effects. Be mindful of instances where your effect might inadvertently endorse hurtful notions about self-image by drawing attention to certain body features (for example, this might include ranking them, or altering them to be thinner).
    • Do not create effects that alter users’ natural features. While overlays like eyeshadow or blush can be fun and allow for creative expression, altering the shape or appearance of natural features can promote unhealthy beauty standards. This excludes effects related to character transformations, such as changing the user's appearance to resemble an animal or mythical being.

  2. Consider cultural context: TikTok is a global community made up of different cultures. Be aware that users from different backgrounds may perceive your effect in ways you didn't intend.

  3. Don’t promote stereotypes: Stereotypes can be harmful. Focus on creating inclusive Community Effects that do not perpetuate gender, race, or any other stereotypes based on innate attributes.

  4. Consider accessibility: When designing effects, consider the diverse users who will interact with them. Some may struggle with small text, flashing lights, low contrast, or loud audio. To make your effects more accessible and inclusive, focus on clear readability, avoid harsh visuals or sounds, and make key elements easy to see and hear. For example, use larger text or improve color contrast.

  5. Create original effects: We know that there are endless sources of inspiration when making effects, but always remember to create effects that are your original creations. Inspiration is an important part of any creative process, but make sure that you are coming up with original ideas that aren’t directly copying someone else’s work.

Remember that an inclusive experience makes creating content more fun for everyone. Thank you for helping us keep TikTok safe and welcoming for our global community!