If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve probably heard of the term “shadowban.” But what is a shadowban, really? In short, a shadowban is when a social media platform hides or deprioritizes a user from its site without that user’s knowledge. It could be an Instagram shadowban or on X Twitter.
Usually, the user only finds out about the shadowban after trying to post content and realizing that no one can see it. The most popular include a shadowban on Twitter and a shadowban on the Instagram network.
A shadowban is different than a complete ban from a social network. A complete ban would not allow you to post or in some cases not even log into your social media network.
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Why Have You Been Shadowbanned?
There are a few different reasons why a social media platform might shadowban a user. The most common reason is that the platform believes that the user is spamming other users or posting inappropriate content. In some cases, a shadowban can also be the result of a technical error on the part of the social media platform.
Regardless of the reason, being shadowbanned can be frustrating—and it can even hurt your business if you rely on social media to market your products or services.
Twitter Shadowban Test
First, check to see if your posts are not seen from view. On Twitter, for example, this can be done by looking at your “recent activity.” If none of your recent tweets are shown, it’s likely that you’ve been shadowbanned.
Notice how interesting it is to see your public Twitter lists show up in the search engine?
Another way to tell is by looking at your follower count. If it suddenly drops dramatically, that’s another sign that you may have a shadowban.
Finally, try logging out of your account and searching for your username. If you can’t find yourself anywhere in the search results, it’s likely that you have a Twitter shadowban.
If you think you have an X Twitter ban, the best course of action is to reach out to the platform directly and ask why. In some cases, they’ll lift the ban and give you back access to your account.
Recently Elon Musk tweeted that some accounts may be shadowbanned on Twitter by the social network. Who is decide if a tweet is negative or hate speech though?
New Twitter policy is freedom of speech, but not freedom of reach.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 18, 2022
Negative/hate tweets will be max deboosted & demonetized, so no ads or other revenue to Twitter.
You won’t find the tweet unless you specifically seek it out, which is no different from rest of Internet.
An Update On Twitter Shadowbans
This is exciting to see as Elon tweeted about a software update so you will know if you have been shadowbanned on Twitter. I hope Facebook, Instagram, and other social media networks will follow suit with this new software capability. Knowing WHY is key to helping your social media user base know what they did.
However, does shadowbanning interfere with our FREEDOM of SPEECH?
Twitter is working on a software update that will show your true account status, so you know clearly if you’ve been shadowbanned, the reason why and how to appeal
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2022
Shadowban On Instagram
Instagram is another place infamously known for shadowbans. However, Instagram itself does not admit to the shadowban of accounts on its own network.
But if you listen to many of its users, it is REAL for sure. Even those with business accounts have been known to have an Instagram shadowban.
Their posts on Instagram cannot be found unless you go to their profile. You will not be able to find them via their hashtags on the Instagram network.
Now, you can check your account status to see if there are any violations there according to Instagram. (You can also do this on Facebook with pages. Even though you may have an okay status on Facebook, you may have an unpublished Facebook page.)
You can watch the video below and see what types of shadowbans there are on Instagram. Notice that the reach of your posts goes way down when this happens to you.
What Are Some Reasons For An Instagram Shadowban?
- Hashtags
- Link in bio
- Photos
- Repetitive comments
- Fake reviews or ratings
- Degrading of others
- and the obvious sexual or violent images.
You can read more in their community guidelines.
However, seeing that hashtags could get you shadowbanned, what if you didn’t use any? Just thinking aloud here. There is no 100% way to check if your hashtags are in the ban.
You can research this and see there is no 100% way of knowing or proof. It appears to be more speculative.
How To Tell If You Have A Ban On Your Account
As we mentioned before, one of the most frustrating things about a shadowban is not knowing when it happens to you. After all, if you can’t see your own content, how are you to know that no one else can see it either?
There are a few telltale signs that you may have a shadowban. First, check to see if your content is in your feed. If it’s not, there’s a good chance you have a shadowban. Another way to tell is by looking at your post-engagement statistics.
If you’re seeing a sudden drop-off in likes, comments, and shares, that could also be an indication that you have a ban.
Finally, try logging out of your account and searching for your username. If you can’t find your profile when you’re logged out, chances are you have a shadowban.
How To Avoid A Shadowban
The best way to avoid a shadowban is to play by the rules. Every social media platform has a different set of guidelines that users need to know to follow. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines and make sure you’re not violating any of them with your content.
In particular, pay attention to any rules against spamming or posting inappropriate content—these are the most common reasons for receiving a shadowban.
Another thing you can do to avoid a ban is to spread your content across multiple platforms. That way, even if one platform does ban you, you’ll still have a presence on other sites. I’ve always said, never have all your social media eggs in one basket!
And lastly, make sure you’re using high-quality images and videos in your posts—low-quality content is more likely to get a red flag by algorithms and could lead to a ban.
Conclusion
No one wants a shadowban—but unfortunately, it’s something that happens to even the most well-meaning social media users and marketers. The best way to avoid a ban is to familiarize yourself with the rules of each platform and make sure your content doesn’t violate any of them.
(And even with that, you may still find yourself with one, so prepare by having other networks and an email list.)
You should also try to spread your content across multiple platforms so that you’re not relying on just one site for all of your traffic.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your content continues to reach its intended audience—and avoid any unwanted surprises down the road.
Your Turn
Have you ever had ban on social media? If so, how long did it last? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below.
Understanding Shadowbans: FAQs
What is a shadowban?
A shadowban is a restriction placed by social media platforms on a user’s content, making it less visible without notifying the user.
How can I tell if I’ve been shadowbanned?
If your posts suddenly have less engagement or don’t appear in hashtag searches, you might be shadowbanned. Check with friends or use online tools to confirm.
Why do social media platforms use these types of bans?
They use shadowbans to control spam, limit harassment, and enforce community guidelines without direct bans.
What activities might lead to a shadowban?
Using irrelevant hashtags, repetitive content, bot-like activity, or violating community guidelines can trigger a shadowban.
How long do they typically last?
Duration varies, but shadowbans can last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the platform and severity of the violation.
How can I avoid being shadowbanned?
Follow community guidelines, use relevant hashtags, and avoid automated activities. Engage authentically with your audience.
Can I remove it once it’s in place?
Yes, by stopping suspicious activities, reviewing guidelines, and sometimes contacting support, you can often lift the ban.
Is there a difference between a shadowban and a regular ban?
Yes, a shadowban limits visibility discreetly, while a regular ban removes or restricts access to your account overtly.
Does every social media platform use shadowbans?
Not all platforms use them, but many major ones like Instagram and X Twitter do to manage content visibility.
Can appealing one be successful?
It can be. Contact the platform’s support team with evidence and any steps you’ve taken to correct your behavior.
The Shadowban—What Is It and How To Avoid It On Social Media Share on X