Are You Shadowbanned? How to Check & Fix it
Managing a social media account is a key part of many businesses and – increasingly – individuals looking to grow their personal brand. And of course the fact that your accounts are functioning optimally is paramount for your success.
Each post you make, each interaction with your audience furthers your brand’s growth— connecting you with the world at your fingertips. Unfortunately, a single misstep can undermine all these efforts, pushing you into the shadows of “shadowbanning.”
You might have heard this word used before, or you might even be aware that getting shadowbanned can be hugely damaging for some. But what is shadowbanning, and how can you avoid it?
What is Shadowbanning?
Shadowbanning, also known as “stealth banning,” “ghost banning,” or “comment ghosting,” is a practise that most social media platforms employ to limit a user’s visibility. Without any explicit notification, the platform restricts the user’s content in such a way that it diminishes their engagement on the platform.
To the user, everything seems perfectly functional: posts are published, and comments are made. But to the outside world, this content fades into obscurity. The user’s posts will not be visible to their audience, and attempts at communication are nothing but whispers in the wind.
Shadowbanning is a subtle yet damaging form of censorship, wherein without straying into the overt domain of account suspension, platforms can effectively stifle voices and subtly manipulate online discourse.
Most social media platforms, from Facebook and Instagram, to X (aka Twitter) and TikTok, will use some form of algorithmic blocking.
How Do You Get Shadowbanned?
Shadowbanning is not a random occurrence, and there’s usually a reason behind it. Each platform has its community guidelines, and if these rules are repeatedly broken, consequences are likely to follow. However, these rules are not always convincingly clear, and actions like spamming, posting inappropriate content, or even excessive following, can inadvertently trigger the platform’s algorithm leading to a shadowban.
There’s another element at play here: the user reports.
Multiple reports against a profile for violation of guidelines dramatically improve the chances of getting shadowbanned.
This can be especially tricky if you post content that might be seen as potentially divisive, or for adult content too. Many adult performers complain about their social media accounts being either blocked or shadowbanned, which is also often why they run two or more accounts in case of such an occurance.
Interestingly, algorithms also examine the broader behaviour patterns – if one is seen to associate frequently with accounts that violate community standards, they might face similar effects.
Can Anyone Get Shadowbanned?
While shadowbanning was initially started to curb trolls and bots, over time, it has extended to general users as well, with all platforms treating everyone equally.
If you violate guidelines, irrespective of whether you’re a social media newbie, an influential player, or even a celebrity, you run the risk of being shadowbanned.
Typically, accounts that engage in what can be seen as ‘risky’ content is most likely to find a …read more
Source:: Social Media Explorer
