Shadowban

Shadowbanning is a practice that is sometimes used by social media platforms to limit the visibility of a user's content without the user being aware of it.

What does shadowban mean?

Shadowban is what happens when a user's content is visible to their followers, but invisible (or significantly reduced visibility) to other users on a social media platform. Shadowbans are used by platforms to limit the spread of harmful or unwanted content without completely banning the user from the platform. This is done in an effort to limit the reach of the user's content, which may be in violation of the platform's policies or deemed as spam.

How does shadowbanning work?

In a shadowban, the affected user's content is still visible to them, but it doesn't show up in other users' search results or hashtags. Think of it as a restriction imposed by social media platforms, particularly on TikTok and Instagram.

Shadowbans can be frustrating for users, as they may not realize their content is not being seen by others. The exact criteria used by social media platforms to determine whether a user will be shadowbanned is not publicly disclosed. In general, it's best to follow the terms of service and community guidelines for social media platforms to avoid being shadowbanned or facing other penalties.

How do you know if you’ve been shadowbanned?

So you think you’ve been shadowbanned? Here are some ways to determine if you have been shadowbanned on social media platforms:

Check your engagement

If you notice a significant drop in engagement on your posts, such as a decrease in likes, comments, or views, it may be a sign that you have been shadowbanned.

Ask friends

If you suspect you have been shadowbanned, you can ask friends or followers to search for your account or posts to confirm if they can see your content.

Search for your posts

If you log out of your account and search for your posts or hashtags, check if your content is appearing in the results.

Check analytics

Use analytics tools to track your reach and engagement over time. If you notice a sudden drop in engagement, it may be a sign of a shadowban.

How do you prevent your content from being shadowbanned?

Posting spammy or inappropriate content, using forbidden hashtags, or violating the terms of service are all actions that can lead to your content being shadowbanned. Here are some steps you can take to prevent that:

Follow the rules consistently

Make sure you are familiar with the platform's guidelines and rules, and that you are following them.

Be original

Try to post original, high-quality content that is relevant to your followers. This will make it less likely that your content will be seen as spammy or inappropriate.

Use hashtags appropriately

Only use hashtags that are relevant to your content. Don't use too many hashtags in one post. Also, avoid using popular hashtags that are known to be abused by spammers.

Engage with your followers actively

Respond to comments and messages from your followers. This will show the platform that your account is active, engaged, and valuable to your community.

Monitor your account's performance regularly

Regularly check your account's performance, such as the reach and visibility of your posts. Take action if you notice a significant decrease in your engagement metrics.

By following these steps, you can reduce the risk of your content being shadowbanned. However, it's worth noting that the exact methods used by social media platforms to determine what content to shadowban can change frequently, so it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest guidelines and best practices.