Most content problems are visible before you publish, if you know where to look. This checklist takes a couple of minutes and covers what platforms most often act on.

1. Rights

  • Do you own, or have a licence for, every image, video clip and piece of music?
  • Are any brand logos, artwork or characters visible in a way that suggests endorsement?
  • If you show other people, do you have their consent, especially for children or private settings?

2. Sensitive content

  • Is there nudity, sexual suggestion, violence or injury, even briefly or in the background?
  • Does it show weapons, drugs, alcohol or dangerous stunts?
  • Does the caption or audio contain slurs, insults or attacks on a group or a person?

If yes, check the platform’s rule for that topic. Context matters: news, education and art are treated differently, but only if the context is clear in the post.

3. Claims

  • Are there health, financial or legal claims, such as “cures”, “guaranteed returns” or “earn X per day”? These are heavily restricted, especially in ads.
  • Are before-and-after images or testimonials accurate and typical?

4. Disclosures

  • If you were paid, gifted or have an affiliate link, is that clearly disclosed with the platform’s paid partnership tool or a clear label? Many countries require it by law.
  • Do links go where you say, and to safe sites?
  • Avoid engagement bait such as “comment YES to win”, which platforms reduce in distribution.
  • Giveaways should follow the platform’s promotion rules.

6. Accessibility and quality

  • Add captions to videos and alt text to images. It helps people, and search.
  • Use the right size and format for each platform. See our video specs guide.
Keep a record. Save the licence or permission for anything you didn’t create. If a post is challenged later, that is what lets you appeal successfully.

Let the scanner do the first pass

The Content Risk Scanner checks your caption and images against platform rules and gives a plain-language note on anything risky and why, so you can fix it before the platform notices. If a post has already been removed, read why posts get removed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to disclose gifted products?

In many countries, yes. Platforms also ask you to use their paid partnership label for sponsored content.

Does adding alt text help reach?

It makes posts accessible and helps platforms understand images. It is good practice on every post.