What is ‘shadowban’ on Instagram? We’ve got the answers and some easy advice to prevent it from happening to you!
Over the years, there’s been chatter about the way Instagram censors content and limits interactions – and if you’ve been in these conversations, you’ll have heard of ‘shadowbanning’. But, is this practice legit, or just a scare tactic to stop users from running wild on Instagram? buy instagram followers
A platform with as much social influence as Instagram has to employ different tactics to keep users safe on the platform (and indemnify themselves against liability), and we’re here to tell you that shadow bans are one of ‘em.
Whether you’ve gotten yourself into a sticky situation or just want to keep your profile safe, knowing how shadow bans work and how to avoid them is very valuable.
There’s no gatekeeping here, Insta-friends – we asked the Plann social media experts to unpack how an Instagram shadow ban from start to finish, and they delivered.
What is an Instagram Shadow ban?
An Instagram shadow ban is a tactic the platform uses to reduce a user’s visibility without notifying them directly. When shadowbanned, a user’s content becomes harder to find or completely hidden from the Explore page, hashtag feeds, or even followers’ feeds. This makes it challenging for users to reach new audiences or even their existing followers.
The existence of Instagram’s shadow ban has been a topic of debate for some time. Initially, Instagram denied its existence, but in recent years, Instagram head Adam Mosseri has admitted that the platform does take actions to limit or censor content deemed ‘inappropriate,’ which aligns with the concept of shadow banning.
What causes an Instagram Shadow ban?
While there’s no exact formula to determine why you’ve been shadow banned, there are a few missteps that could warrant a slap on the wrist. cheapest smm panel
Cause 1. You’re violating Instagram’s Community Guidelines
One of the easiest ways to get stung by a shadow ban is to go against Instagram’s Community Guidelines, which lay out no-nos for using the platform. They restrict posts that depict or endorse nudity, explicit content, crime, self-injury, or violence.
Cause 2: Excessive Engagement
Engaging too much on Instagram, like constantly liking posts or following accounts, can lead to a shadowban. Instagram imposes engagement limits to prevent spammy behavior. If you exceed these limits, you may be shadowbanned. Here are Instagram’s engagement thresholds:
- Likes: 120 per hour or 700 per day.
- Comments: 30 per hour or 200 per day.
- Follows: 20 per hour or 200 per day.
- Unfollows: 60 per hour or 150 per day.
- Direct Messages (DMs): 50 to 70 new DMs per day.
Going beyond these limits could trigger Instagram’s moderation systems.
Cause 3: Your Account is Frequently Reported
Instagram’s reporting feature is designed to protect the community from harmful or inappropriate content. If multiple users report your posts for violating Community Guidelines, Instagram may shadowban your account as a precautionary measure.
Cause 4: Use of Banned Hashtags
Instagram regularly updates its list of banned hashtags that are associated with inappropriate or spammy content. Using these hashtags can reduce your post’s visibility or even lead to a shadowban. Make sure to avoid any hashtags flagged for promoting explicit material, harmful behaviors, or spam.
How to Check if You’re Shadowbanned on Instagram
If you notice a significant drop in engagement, your account might be shadowbanned. Here’s how to check your account status:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) at the top right.
- Scroll to find “Account Status” under the “More info and support” section.
- Tap “Account Status” to see if any actions have been taken against your account.
If you’ve violated Instagram’s Community Guidelines, you can check for issues in your Account Status under different categories:
- For personal accounts, you might see:
- Removed content: Posts that Instagram has taken down for guideline violations.
- Features you can’t use: Parts of Instagram you’re restricted from, such as live streaming or other platform features.
- For business or creator accounts, there’s an additional category:
- Content lowered in feed: If you post something that potentially breaches Instagram’s guidelines, it may be pushed lower in users’ Explore or Following feeds. This will show up in your Account Status with an alert explaining the issue. Frequent occurrences of this can eventually lead to a shadowban, as the platform reduces the visibility of your content.
4 ways to avoid being shadowbanned on Instagram
Whether you’re running a business account or just can’t live without the ‘gram, shadowbans suck – so to ensure you don’t face one, stay on your best behavior!
1. Follow Instagram’s Community Guidelines to the letter: They’re there for good reason, so always keep Instagram’s Community Guidelines in mind when you’re posting content or interacting with other users.
2. Be measured in your interactions with other accounts: Ensure your total daily interactions stay within the platform’s limits, and always be kind to others, whether that’s in the comments section or via DM.
3. Stay away from bots and Instagram growth tools: The only way to truly grow on social media is through genuine, organic engagement and building a strong community. Bots that claim to accelerate your likes or following are not only ineffective, but they’re counterintuitive, as they’ll get you put in a time out by Instagram.
4. Create unique content for Instagram instead of repurposing from TikTok: Instagram may also limit the visibility of your content if you’re repurposing it straight from TikTok. This is an immediate red flag for Instagram, as it prioritizes authentic, fresh content. Instead, tweak your video to suit Instagram’s unique algorithm, or if you have to lift and shift, be sure to remove the TikTok watermark.
What to Do if You’ve Been Shadowbanned on Instagram
If you suspect you’ve been shadowbanned on Instagram, don’t worry—it’s not permanent, and there are steps you can take to recover:
- Request a Review in Account Status:
If you see a violation in your Account Status, you can request a manual review. This is only recommended if you’re certain you haven’t breached any guidelines, as appealing without justification may prolong the ban or even lead to permanent suspension. - Clean Up Your Connected Apps:
Instagram doesn’t favor third-party apps like unfollow trackers. If you’re shadowbanned, this could be the cause. To fix this:- Go to your profile.
- Click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) at the top right.
- Click ‘Website permissions’ and then ‘Apps and websites’.
- Review and remove any unsupported apps.
- Avoid Banned Hashtags:
Using banned hashtags can limit your post’s reach. Curate a fresh list of approved, high-performing hashtags to avoid this. - Wait It Out:
Sometimes, the best course of action is patience. If your shadowban persists for over a month, use Instagram’s ‘Report a problem’ tool to ask for assistance:- Go to your profile and click the hamburger menu.
- Click ‘Help’ and then ‘Report a problem’, following the instructions.
Instagram Shadowban: Common Questions
- Does Instagram Shadowban Accounts?
While Instagram hasn’t officially admitted to shadowbanning, Adam Mosseri has acknowledged measures in place to limit inappropriate content. - How Long Does a Shadowban Last?
Shadowbans can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, though experiences vary. - Can a Shadowban Be Permanent?
It’s unclear whether shadowbans can be permanent, but most users report having their bans lifted within a few weeks. - Why Isn’t Instagram Showing My Posts to My Followers?
Aside from a shadowban, other factors like inactive followers, poor post timing, or low engagement could be reducing your post’s visibility.
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