The short versionOn October 8, 2026, Meta began blocking ads and paid marketing messages from ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, in the US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. Per Bloomberg and Reuters, the ban also extends to third-party advertisers running campaigns that link to TikTok and other ByteDance properties in those countries. Boosted posts count as ads, so check every live ad and boost and point it at your own website.
Meta has stopped taking TikTok's money, and it's not stopping there. On Thursday, October 8, Meta confirmed it's blocking ads from TikTok's parent company ByteDance, and the ban also covers other advertisers whose campaigns link to TikTok.
What happened
Bloomberg reported that Meta began implementing "a complete restriction on ads and paid marketing messages placed on its platforms by ByteDance." According to Meta, the ban covers the US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, and will "also extend to third-party advertisers running campaigns that link to TikTok and other ByteDance properties in those countries." Reuters reported that it takes effect immediately.
Meta spokesperson Christopher Sgro told The Verge: "We don't have to run ads from a competitor whose goal is to pull people off our apps." And: "Declining promotional services to a competitor is a normal business practice across industries."
The details
It cuts both ways. The Verge notes TikTok has also stopped allowing users to include links that "open or log you into other social media apps." TikTok's Help Center confirms it: "TikTok no longer supports links that open or log you into other social media apps. You can still add links to your profile that direct people to those platforms' websites." Adding a website link on TikTok needs at least 1,000 followers or a Verified Business Account.
The Verge also notes that TikTok in the US is now controlled by a joint venture majority-owned by US-based companies, with ByteDance remaining a major shareholder.
What isn't confirmed: Meta hasn't published a policy page for the ban yet; everything so far comes from its statements to the press. Reports don't say organic posts or profile links on Facebook or Instagram are affected.
Why brands should care
Plenty of small businesses run a "Follow us on TikTok" ad or boost a post whose button points to a TikTok profile. In these seven countries, that's now out. And boosts count: Meta's Business Help Center says "Boosted posts are still considered ads because they require a budget to be shared with a wider audience."
What to do
- Check every live ad in Ads Manager. Look at the destination link on each one.
- Check your boosted posts too. Meta says call-to-action buttons "link to a destination on or off Facebook, like your website or a conversation in Messenger." Make sure none go to TikTok.
- Send the clicks to your own site. Our take, not Meta guidance: your website or booking page is the link no app can take away.
Sources
- Bloomberg via Bloomberg Law: Meta bans TikTok from advertising on its apps (Oct 8, 2026)
- Reuters via Euronext: Meta's ban on ByteDance ads (Oct 8, 2026)
- The Verge: Meta is banning TikTok ads across its platforms (Oct 9, 2026)
- TikTok Help Center: Adding a website link to your profile
- Meta Business Help Center: The difference between boosted posts and Meta ads
- Meta Business Help Center: About Call-to-Action Buttons in Ads Manager
FAQ
Can I run a Facebook or Instagram ad that links to TikTok?
Not in the affected countries. Bloomberg and Reuters report that Meta's ban extends to third-party advertisers running campaigns that link to TikTok and other ByteDance properties in the US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Which countries does Meta's TikTok ad ban cover?
The US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, according to Meta's statements reported by Bloomberg and Reuters.
Do boosted posts count as ads?
Yes. Meta's Business Help Center says boosted posts are still considered ads because they require a budget to be shared with a wider audience.
