TikTok, Instagram and Facebook aren’t banning astrology

For the spiritually-inclined who depend on cosmic steering from digital horoscopes or tarot card readings, a viral declare that social media platforms are banning such metaphysical content material was universally interpreted as a foul omen.  

TikTok person and self-described “true crime astrologer” @cosmic_drugz mentioned in a Feb. 13 video {that a} change to digital promoting instruments would “ban” astrology, horoscope and tarot content material from TikTok, Instagram and Fb efficient March 17.

“These social media platforms are starting to take the mandatory steps with a purpose to ban [astrology or tarot] content material altogether,” she mentioned. 

Comparable claims adopted on Twitter and YouTube, the place the posts have been shared and seen by tens of 1000’s of individuals. 

Are Fb, Instagram and TikTok banning astrology and tarot content material? 

No, Fb, Instagram and TikTok aren’t banning astrology and tarot content material.

Representatives for Fb, Instagram and TikTok confirmed the platforms aren’t banning astrology and tarot content material, a declare that seems to stem from a change in some internet advertising options. 

Fb and Instagram now not permit most advertisers to focus on clients based mostly on sure matters, together with some associated to spirituality, however that replace doesn’t stop tarot or astrology content material from being posted on the platforms, in line with firm statements.  

Tarosophy Tarot Affiliation, an expert group for Tarot card readers, additionally addressed the alleged ban in a submit on Feb. 15, calling it “misinformation” spun from an incorrect understanding of the advert concentrating on adjustments. 

“So far as we all know to this point this isn’t particular to tarot neither is it particular censorship or a lead-up to ‘banning’ tarot – or the rest,” the submit mentioned. 

On Nov. 9, 2021, Meta introduced the adjustments in query, which have an effect on a device referred to as “advert concentrating on.” Advert concentrating on permits manufacturers and people who promote on Fb and Instagram to tailor campaigns to particular teams of individuals based mostly on person information.

For instance, a enterprise may select to focus on potential clients based mostly on classes like location, age, or their hobbies and pursuits. 

However in November 2021, Meta mentioned a number of the extra particular classes accessible within the advert concentrating on function may very well be “utilized in ways in which result in unfavorable experiences for individuals in underrepresented teams.” 

For that purpose, the corporate introduced it could take away some figuring out advert concentrating on classes that “individuals might understand as delicate,” together with different much less standard or redundant phrases. 

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This alteration doesn’t have an effect on the content material or matter of the advert itself, however reasonably the varieties of individuals the advertisers can goal with their campaigns. 

The memo consists of the next examples of person classes that will now not be accessible for brand spanking new advertisements starting Jan. 19, 2022: 

• Well being causes (e.g., “Lung most cancers consciousness”, “World Diabetes Day”, “Chemotherapy”)
• Sexual orientation (e.g., “same-sex marriage” and “LGBT tradition”)
• Spiritual practices and teams (e.g., “Catholic Church” and “Jewish holidays”)
• Political opinions, social points, causes, organizations, and figures

One other replace from Meta mentioned current advertisements that concentrate on the retired classes could be allowed to run till March 17. After that, affected customers would see really useful various classes when potential.

“The choice to take away these Detailed Focusing on choices was not straightforward and we all know this variation might negatively affect some companies and organizations,” Meta mentioned within the November announcement. 

@cosmic_drugz, who didn’t reply to a request for remark, particularly highlighted the advert concentrating on classes “astrology,” “horoscope,” and “tarot,” as phrases allegedly affected by the change. 

Meta didn’t reply to a query about whether or not these particular classes have been eliminated, however a spokesperson confirmed to VERIFY that the adjustments to advert concentrating on affected some non secular and spiritual matters. 

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Nonetheless, many advert concentrating on matters associated to astrology are nonetheless accessible and folks can proceed to create ads and different posts associated to these topics, the corporate mentioned. 

A spokesperson for TikTok instructed VERIFY the corporate additionally has not banned astrology or tarot content material. As for the promoting adjustments, TikTok will not be affected as a result of it’s a separate platform that is owned by a special firm.  
“TikTok doesn’t prohibit any such content material (so long as it doesn’t violate one among our Group Pointers). #astrology on TikTok has +32B views and #tarot has +18B views and counting,” the spokesperson mentioned. 

So we will VERIFY that no, astrology and tarot content material will not be being banned from Fb, Instagram or TikTok.