What is an Instagram Shadowban? (Everything You Need to Know)️‍🔥

Q: What is an Instagram Shadowban? (Everything You Need to Know)

Instagram Shadowban: Experiencing a sudden drop in engagement or losing followers overnight is every Instagram marketer’s worst nightmare. Imagine if your photos were not showing up in hashtag search results. Sounds scary, right?

Instagram Shadowban: Experiencing a sudden drop in engagement or losing followers overnight is every Instagram marketer’s worst nightmare. Imagine if your photos were not showing up in hashtag search results. Sounds scary, right?

Instagram Shadowban

In the past few months, many users were confused by these changes. They struggled to understand what happened to their Instagram accounts. One explanation for these strange changes is that the users are affected by an Instagram shadowban.

Not sure what an Instagram shadowban is? In this post, we’ll explore its meaning, purpose, and the best ways to avoid getting hit by it.

Table of Content

What is an Instagram Shadowban?
Why does Instagram shadowban?
Instagram Shadowbans: A Brief History
Why are Instagram Shadowbans needed?
How to Know If You Have Been Hit By Instagram Shadowban
How to Check Status of Shadowban
Step-by-Step Process on How to Remove Shadowban
Best Ways to Avoid an Instagram Shadowban

An Instagram shadowban is an unofficial and subtle restriction placed on an account, making its content less visible to non-followers without notifying the user. This typically happens when Instagram’s algorithms detect behavior that goes against their community guidelines or terms of service.

“Shadowban” isn’t an official Instagram term, but Instagram can make posts or accounts less visible on the app.

This means your content or account can become undiscoverable, hidden, or restricted. Sometimes, the content might be removed entirely.

Shadowbanning lets Instagram filter out accounts that don’t follow their rules. Some people try to grow their followers using fake methods, like buying followers or using lots of unrelated hashtags.

If this happens, Instagram hides content from these accounts to ensure only genuine and useful content is shown to users.

While Instagram doesn’t openly say they shadowban, they did release a statement on their Facebook business page in February 2019. This statement talked about problems users had with their content not showing up for certain hashtags.

This statement confirms that the hashtag issue is real, and many people think it’s Instagram’s way of admitting to shadowbanning without actually saying it.

It’s also important to know that Instagram often changes its algorithm. These changes might be why you see a drop in your engagement rate.

Still, shadowbanning might be a real tactic to hide some users’ content from the wider Instagram audience. If you think you’re being shadowbanned, you should take steps to make sure your content gets seen.

The term shadowban came from social media users to describe the mysterious situation where their content became less visible without any notice. Although Instagram has never officially confirmed it, many users have noticed and talked about shadowbanning since the mid-2010s.

Early Instances and User Reports:

Around 2017, many Instagram users reported sudden drops in engagement and visibility.
Content stopped appearing in hashtag searches, especially for those who used certain hashtags frequently.

Instagram’s Response:

In February 2019, Instagram addressed concerns about content not showing up for certain hashtags. They acknowledged this problem but did not confirm shadowbanning.
Instagram stressed the importance of following community guidelines and advised against using banned or overly repetitive hashtags.

Algorithm Changes:

Instagram’s algorithm has changed many times over the years, affecting how content is shown.
These updates often match with reports of shadowbanning, making users think they are connected.

Current Understanding:

Shadowbanning seems to target accounts that break Instagram’s rules, like using bots, buying followers, or using irrelevant hashtags.
The exact reasons and methods are unclear, leading to ongoing speculation and confusion among users.

Preventive Measures:

To avoid shadowbanning, users should follow Instagram’s community guidelines strictly.
Avoid banned hashtags, don’t use automation tools, and engage authentically to reduce the risk.

The goal of an Instagram Shadowban is to make Instagram a nice and safe place for everyone. A shadowban means your posts are hidden from people who don’t follow you, and you won’t even know it’s happening. This stops spam, fake accounts, and bad content from getting around. Instagram does this to keep the app fun and safe for all users, making sure everyone has a good time there.

Some people use bots on Instagram to make it look like they have more followers and to get more likes and comments. This breaks Instagram’s rules, but some people do it anyway to make their accounts seem more popular.

Detecting if Instagram has shadowbanned your account is important. Here’s how you can figure it out:

1. Check Your Engagement:

If your likes, comments, and follows suddenly drop, it might be a sign of a shadowban.

2. Test Your Hashtags:

Post a picture with a unique hashtag, then ask a friend who doesn’t follow you to search for it. If they can’t find your post under that hashtag, you might be shadowbanned.

3. Use Shadowban Test Tools:

There are online tools available where you can input your Instagram handle and see if you’re shadowbanned.

4. Analyze Your Insights:

Check your Instagram analytics for any sudden drops in reach or impressions. This could indicate a shadowban.

Note: By keeping an eye on these signs, you can determine if Instagram has shadowbanned your account.

Since Instagram does not officially impose shadowbans, you can’t go directly to customer support to check the status of such a ban. You won’t find any self-help instructions on the platform’s database either. Here’s what you can do to check if your account is shadowbanned:

Check Your Account Status:

Go to Settings → Account → Account Status.
If you have posted anything that has been taken down, you’ll find it listed here.
If everything is good, you’ll see a note thanking you for following the community guidelines.

Use a Friend’s Help:

Ask a friend who doesn’t follow your Instagram account if they can see a recently published hashtag post on their hashtag feed.
If the post doesn’t appear, check again later. If your posts still don’t show up, you’re likely shadowbanned.

Monitor Instagram Insights:

Check your Instagram Insights daily.
Look for sustained drops in followers and interactions.
If your numbers keep declining even after improving your posts, your account might be shadowbanned.

Check Support Requests:

If you have reported the issue to Instagram, check the status of your support request.
Go to Settings → Help → Support Requests → Reports.
By following these steps, you can get a better idea if your account is shadowbanned

Often, restrictions from a shadowban are temporary. Even without doing anything, these restrictions usually go away after a few weeks. However, if you don’t address them, your engagement might keep dropping. So, it’s important to understand how the ban has affected your account and take steps to fix it.

Depending on why your account was shadowbanned, here are some steps you can take to remove it.

Report the Problem on Instagram:

If your posts are not appearing on feeds and you’re sure you’re not violating community guidelines, report the issue.
Log into your Instagram account, go to Settings → Account → Account Status. If your post has been taken down, request a review directly from the account page.
Alternatively, go to Settings → Help → Report a Problem. Describe the issue without mentioning shadowbans. Explain that your posts are not showing up on feeds and it’s affecting your brand or business.

Remove Automation Apps That Do Not Meet Instagram Guidelines:

Using some automation tools might increase the risk of being shadowbanned, especially if they are not reputable.
Check and remove apps that are not official Instagram partners. Go to Settings → Security → Apps and Websites. Look at the active apps and remove any questionable ones.

Take a Few Days Off from Instagram:

Too much activity might be mistaken for bot behavior, causing a shadowban.
Log out of your account and take a break for several days. Don’t post, comment, like, or send DMs.
After your break, keep your engagement natural and avoid automated apps to help prove you’re not a bot.

There are many reasons your account could get shadowbanned. If you want to prevent an Instagram shadowban, here are a few things to take care of:

1. Check your follower list and remove access to all bot accounts. Disassociate from all suspicious accounts to maintain your credibility.

2. Do not use hashtags that are banned on Instagram. If you see a message like “Recent posts from #xyz are currently hidden…”, it means the hashtag is not in use anymore.

3. Even though Instagram allows 30 hashtags per post, it’s best to use only 5-6 relevant hashtags.

4. Avoid generic comments, as they may get flagged and mistaken for bot behavior.

5. Don’t comment, like, or send DMs excessively. For example, making 60 comments and liking 100 posts in an hour can make you look like a bot.

6. Avoid sending too many DMs or comments to your followers, as this can annoy them and lead to reports against your account.

7. Some users find that taking a break from Instagram for 48 hours can help reset the system and undo any damage.

8. Read and adhere to Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Guidelines to avoid violations.

Also Check –

How to Know If Someone Blocked You on Instagram?

Instagram shadowban can be a frustrating experience for users, especially for those who rely on the platform for their business or personal brand. Although Instagram has not officially confirmed the existence of shadowbanning, many users have reported experiencing sudden drops in engagement and visibility. By understanding the potential reasons for a shadowban, such as using banned hashtags, engaging in spammy behavior, or violating community guidelines, you can take proactive steps to avoid it.

To fix a shadowban, remove suspicious automation tools, avoid using too many hashtags, and follow Instagram’s guidelines strictly. Monitoring your Instagram Insights and taking short breaks from the platform can also help restore your account’s visibility. Remember, maintaining authentic engagement and adhering to Instagram’s rules are key to a successful and visible account.