On TikTok, the handle shown visually in a post is not always the same as the account that was actually tagged. This article explains why Archive's detection source may differ from what you see on the surface.
How TikTok Handles @Mentions
When someone tags a brand in a TikTok caption or comment, TikTok displays the account's display name publicly — not its username. The display name is the customizable label on the profile (e.g. "{brand name}"), while the username is the unique @handle used to identify the account (e.g. @{brand_handle_full}).
This means a post can visually show one name while the underlying tag actually points to a different handle.
How This Differs from Instagram
On Instagram, tagging someone always shows their username — not a display name. There is no gap between what you see and what was actually tagged.
On TikTok, those two values can be different.
How Archive Detects Mentions
Archive tracks mentions using the actual TikTok username (the real tagged handle), not the display name shown externally. The detection source in Archive will always reflect the username of the account that was tagged — regardless of what text TikTok renders in the post.
This is expected behavior. Archive is correctly identifying the source of the mention.
Impact on Campaign Filters
If your campaign is filtered by a specific handle, it will not capture posts that tagged a different username — even if those posts appear to mention your brand visually on TikTok.
To capture all relevant posts, make sure your campaign tracking includes every username variant associated with your TikTok brand accounts — not just the display name.
Common Questions
Why does the detection source show a handle I don't recognize?
The handle shown is the actual TikTok username that was tagged in the post. TikTok may display a different name visually (the account's display name), but Archive always records the real underlying username.
Is this a bug?
No. Archive is correctly tracking the actual tagged account. The discrepancy is caused by how TikTok renders display names in its interface, not by an error in detection.
Why are some TikTok posts missing from my campaign?
If posts are tagging a username variant that is not included in your campaign filter, they will not be captured. Check that all TikTok usernames associated with your brand are tracked — including handles that may differ from the display name shown on TikTok.