TikTok is making it harder for users to search for peptides. Searching for certain peptides, like semaglutide, BPC-157, and retatrutide, among others, is now returning error pages. The change comes as peptides gain attention online for their alleged benefits, from weight loss to wound healing. However, some of these substances are unapproved or unregulated across different countries, and claims about their benefits lack sufficient clinical evidence. The move echoes TikTok’s response to #SkinnyTok last year. After lawmakers raised concerns about the content’s potential impact on young people’s body image, the platform blocked the hashtag from search and redirected users to resources like the National Alliance for Eating Disorders. TikTok’s latest ban hasn’t completely erased peptides from the platform, though. The general term “peptides” still surfaces plenty of TikTok videos, and there’s no clear indication that existing videos have been removed. Plus, slight variations of restricted search terms can bring up content, while TikTok’s search suggestions continue to offer related terms, including variations of popular peptides. (The Verge)
👀 Read more from YPulse: The Rise and Fall of #SkinnyTok on The Viral List
