Why have a comment section when the app can bully you for free?

TikTok has been testing suggested hashtags for European users of the app and it’s roasting creators alive on their appearances. 

TikTok creator @recklesslyl1ving made a video showing off the new feature. When you make a video, TikTok suggests certain hashtags that they think fit your video. But like the related term search bar feature, it's really mean and assuming.

@recklesslyl1ving

Painfully judgemental

♬ original sound - juju

The hashtags suggested to @recklesslyl1ving include #mascgirl, #tomboy, #androgyne, and #lgbtqtrend. She did not talk about being LGBTQ at all in her video.

“TikTok is fully openly judging you with every single thing that you film,” she says.

This prompted her comment section to look at the feature and get their feelings hurt by the algorithm.

@theonlyvaughan What is with these hashtag suggestions #tiktokupdate #hashtagsuggestions #brutal ♬ original sound - Vaughan

“Nah I got #midsize #pregnancybelly #myhairisbad…” commented one user.

“Mine said #wierdfacefilter I WASN’T WEARING A FILTER??” commented another.

@_thewellnessdiaries the ‘unflattering pics’ one sent me #tiktoksuggestedhashtags #suggestedhashtags #humbled #attackedbytiktok #bodycomments #dontcommentonmybody #recovry #edrec0very #thewellnessdiaries ♬ nintendo wii (mii channel) song - julie on the internet

The algorithm has no remorse and countless creators are getting body shamed. The hashtags suggestions are so specific, that you have to ask, is there an audience looking up #bigforehead? It just seems like the apps are just being cruel.

One creator stitched @recklesslyl1ving’s video and was utterly harassed by the suggestions.

@mariafv41 #stitch with @juju ♬ original sound - Whatdidshesayyyy

Orginally excited, @mariafv41was hit with #noseistoobig, #blkgirltragic, #lookingoofy, #Bigfacetrend, and #Loudblakgirls. They did not stand a chance.

“This gotta qualify as a hate crime” says one commenter.

The feature is not yet available to all app users and hopefully, for the self-esteem of the platform, it doesn’t leave beta testing. I don’t need to know what TikTok thinks of my nose.