Just when you think your content is ruling the internet, you get shadowbanned. Being shadowbanned can hurt your business, but if you catch it early, you can nip it in the bud.
Don’t worry, we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about shadowbanning and how to avoid it.
What is Shadowbanning?
Have you ever been shadowbanned? It’s pretty frustrating, especially if you’re not a rule-breaker. Admins deny that they shadowban users, but it happens.
Being shadowbanned means you’re blocked or muted from specific social media channels without being notified. You’re suddenly invisible to your followers (or any users for that matter), you appear less in searches, or your posts, comments, or activities are restricted or hidden.
TikTok is said to restrict content from certain demographics, while Instagram confirmed they hide posts that aren’t cut for their Explore and hashtag pages. Meanwhile, Facebook stated that their remove, reduce, and inform content policies are exclusively for problematic content, and violations can land users in their virtual jail.
The question now here is — have you been shadowbanned?
3 Signs That You’ve Been Shadowbanned
Do you feel like you’re being shadowbanned on social media? Here are some signs that may indicate you are:
Engagement is at an all-time low
A sudden drop in engagement could be a sign you’ve been shadowbanned. You may notice fewer likes, comments, follows, or shares on your most recent posts.
You don’t appear on search results or suggestions
What’s going on? Users can’t access your content like they used to. You were always at the top of their feeds, and now you’re nowhere to be found.
You can’t access certain features anymore
If you’re having issues with the platform or suddenly can’t access certain features, it could be a bug or an upgrade to the algorithm. But it could also be posting low-quality content or a violation of community guidelines (which you can be to blame for).
3 Ways to Avoid Getting Shadowbanned
Don’t Pay For Likes, Comments, or Follows
The last thing you should add to your social media strategy is to pay for engagement. Not only are you potentially violating the terms of service, but you could also get shadowbanned.
Don’t Break Community Guidelines
You’ll want to stay up-to-date with the platforms’ community guidelines if you’re managing multiple social media accounts. These guidelines help ensure your content stays on track and avoid any restrictions or bans.
Don’t Use Banned Keywords or Hashtags
Beware of imposters when trying to ride the wave of popular hashtags as an influencer or content creator. If you misuse popular hashtags, platforms like Instagram could remove the hashtags from searches or ban your account. There isn’t an official list of blocked hashtags, but a quick Google search should give you an idea of which ones to avoid.
Key Takeaways
The best way to avoid getting shadowbanned is to be a responsible user on social media and follow the community guidelines. Getting shadowbanned on social media can run the following risks for your accounts:
- Decline in engagement
- Limited access to the platform’s features
- Low exposure due to restrictions in search results
- Potential loss of followers due to decreased social media activities
Have you ever been shadowbanned? How did you manage account restrictions? Let us know in the comments below!