diff --git a/changelogs/client_server/newsfragments/2055.clarification b/changelogs/client_server/newsfragments/2055.clarification
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f8d79ec9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/client_server/newsfragments/2055.clarification
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Applying redactions is a SHOULD for clients.
diff --git a/content/client-server-api/_index.md b/content/client-server-api/_index.md
index 167e8ec77..94dfe35fc 100644
--- a/content/client-server-api/_index.md
+++ b/content/client-server-api/_index.md
@@ -2280,7 +2280,7 @@ version specification](/rooms), as are the criteria homeservers should
 use when deciding whether to accept a redaction event from a remote
 homeserver.
 
-When a client receives an `m.room.redaction` event, it should change
+When a client receives an `m.room.redaction` event, it SHOULD change
 the affected event in the same way a server does.
 
 {{% boxes/note %}}