Shadowban on social media and how to overcome it

Recently, there has been more and more talk about so-called shadowbans on social networks such as Instagram and TikTok. Maybe you've noticed that your posts aren't getting the views and interactions you'd expect, and a ban could be behind it. But what exactly is a shadowban, how do you find out if you also have the honor, and how to solve it? 

What is Shadowban and does it even exist?

Shadowban is a term that is often mentioned in the context of social networks, but its existence is often debatable. Basically, it means that your posts are "hidden" from the wider audience, which means that your followers and other users cannot see them in their feeds, although they are still available on your profile. span>

Instagram and TikTok officially deny the existence of shadowbans, but many users have noticed a rapid decrease in reach and interactions for no apparent reason. If you feel like your traffic and engagement have dropped enormously, a shadowban could be to blame. Fortunately, there are tools and techniques to find out if you really have it and what to do about it.

How do you know if you've been shadowbanned?

On Instagram you can use a tool that allows you to check if you have been banned. The procedure is simple:

1. Open the Instagram application.
   
   
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Settings".
   
   
3. Choose "Account" and then "Account Status" .
   
   
4. See recommendations for your content. If a warning appears that your content is not recommended, it may mean that you have been shadowbanned.

You can watch how your content performs on TikTok. If your videos suddenly get much lower views than usual (eg from 10k views to 500), this can also be a sign of a shadowban.

Why Shadowban happen?

There are several reasons why social networks can reduce the reach of your posts:

1. Copyright violation: If you copy content that does not belong to you without permission, it may lead to to reduce the visibility of your posts.
   
   
2. Post removal: If your post has been flagged as inappropriate and has been removed, it may negatively influence the reach of your future posts.
   
   
3. Controversial topics: Social networks do not like content that touches on sensitive or controversial topics, such as politics or violence.
   
   
4. Hastag Abuse: Using popular hashtags unrelated to your content can also lead to shadowban.
   
   
5. Excessive activity: If you change followers quickly and often, or constantly like and comment, you can be considered a bot, leading to your account being limited.
   
   
6. Impersonate other accounts: Attempting to impersonate or hack other accounts may result in a shadowban.
   
   

TikTok Jail and How to Get Out

TikTok works on a points system where you get points based on interactions with your videos. It is best if someone watches the whole video or even watches it twice. That's why shorter videos are better to start with, because they can bring you more points.

• Watch full video: 4 points
  
  
• Video sharing: 3 points
  
  
• Commenting: 2 points
  
  
• Likes: 1 point
  
  
  

A common mistake is to focus on the number of likes, when what really matters is tracking time. If a viewer can't stay with your video, it might mean it's not interesting enough.

Test group: Your video is first shown to a small group of people. If that group doesn't respond well to the video, it won't spread. That's why it's important to create content that is interesting and relevant to your target audience from the start.

Identify your target audience: Help TikTok's algorithm recognize who your video is intended for. Use appropriate descriptions and relevant hashtags that relate to the content of the video. This algorithm will make your work easier and your video will reach the right people.

Avoid words like "click the link": TikTok (but also Instagram) tries to keep users on on its platform as long as possible, so words that could redirect people away from the app are not welcome. 

A good hook is the key: Start your video in a way that immediately catches your eye. Avoid phrases like "in this video I'm going to talk about..." and get straight to the point. Curiosity and surprise are key to retaining viewers. 

A new account as a fresh start: If you haven't been successful for a long time, it might be a good idea to start with a new account. Old accounts with inactive followers may be less attractive to the algorithm. A new account can bring you better views.

Content consistency and quality: Keep posting regularly and focus on quality. Test different types of videos and find what works best for your audience. If you have ideas for improvement, don't be afraid to apply them and watch how your results change.

How to improve visibility and avoid shadowban on Instagram

Follow the community rules: Instagram has strict community rules that you must follow to avoid being shadowbanned. This means avoiding posting content that could be considered offensive, spam, or could infringe copyright.

Optimize the use of hashtags:  Use relevant hashtags that are related to your content. Do not use too many hashtags, it is best to use a few key hashtags that accurately describe the content of your post.

Create quality content: It is important to focus on the quality of your content. Try to create posts that are visually appealing and provide value to your audience. Quality content will attract more followers and ensure that your account is considered relevant and valuable.

Check your posting time: If your posts aren't getting enough interaction, there may be a problem with their posting time. Try to post when your followers are most active. You can use Instagram's analytics tools to help you determine the best times to post.

Stop using automated tools: Instagram strictly prohibits the use of automated tools to increase followers, likes and comments (i.e. buying them). Using such tools may result in a shadowban. Try to organically grow your account and build an authentic audience.

Be consistent and interactive: Posting regularly and interacting with your followers is key to keeping your account active. Try to answer comments and questions, like and comment on other users' posts. This will help increase your visibility and ensure that your account remains active.

Follow trends and changes: Instagram is constantly updating its algorithms and rules. Follow trends and news to be informed about best practices and changes that can affect the visibility of your posts. Keep your content fresh and relevant.

Shadowban can be frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. With a little effort and the right practices, you can get your account up and running again and achieve great results. Remember that the most important thing is to create quality and valuable content that will be interesting and beneficial for your audience. If you follow the rules and focus on what your followers enjoy, your engagement will only grow. Fingers crossed!