Being shadowbanned on Instagram means your posts are not being shown to as many people, especially those who don’t already follow you. While Instagram doesn’t officially confirm when someone is shadowbanned, there are some clear signs and steps you can take to check if it’s happening to you. If you find that you are shadowbanned, there are also ways to fix it and get your content visible again. Here are three easy ways to check if you’re shadowbanned on Instagram and how to fix it:
1. Check Your Hashtag Performance
One of the clearest signs of a shadowban is when the reach of your posts drops dramatically. To check if you’re affected, take note of how your posts perform when you use hashtags. Hashtags are an important way for people to discover your content, but if your posts aren’t appearing under the hashtags you use, it’s a sign you may be shadowbanned.
How to Check:
- Post a photo with a specific, niche hashtag that’s not overly saturated.
- Ask a friend or use a second account (if available) to search that hashtag and see if your post appears.
- If your post doesn’t appear under the hashtag, but other posts do, your account may be shadowbanned.
This is a simple test you can do, and it provides immediate feedback on whether your posts are being hidden under hashtags.
2. Monitor Your Engagement Levels
If you’ve noticed a sudden drop in engagement (likes, comments, shares, or saves), it could indicate that you’re shadowbanned. A shadowban doesn’t just affect hashtags, but also limits your posts’ visibility on the Explore page or in your followers’ feeds.
How to Check:
- Compare your current engagement rate to your usual levels.
- Look at the percentage of engagement from your followers versus the wider audience.
- If your posts are receiving a much lower amount of engagement than usual and it’s not related to other factors (like time of posting, content quality, or audience behavior), it could be a shadowban.
While Instagram’s algorithm changes can affect engagement, a sudden drop that aligns with other signs of being shadowbanned can confirm it.
3. Try Searching for Your Account from a Non-Followers’ Perspective
If you suspect your account is shadowbanned, a more detailed way to check is by searching for your username or recent posts from a non-follower’s account. Since your posts may not appear on the Explore page or under hashtags, this can help determine if you’re being hidden from new audiences.
How to Check:
- Log out of your account or ask someone who doesn’t follow you to search for your username or posts.
- Check if your posts appear under your profile or any hashtags you’ve used.
- If they don’t appear or your profile is hard to find, it’s another sign that your account may be shadowbanned.
If your posts aren’t visible even when searching from an account that doesn’t follow you, it’s likely your reach has been restricted.
How to Fix a Shadowban on Instagram
If you find that you are shadowbanned, here are some ways to fix the issue:
- Stop Using Banned Hashtags Instagram bans certain hashtags because they’re associated with spam or inappropriate content. If you’ve been using any banned or spammy hashtags, stop immediately. You can find lists of banned hashtags online or use Instagram’s search function to check if a hashtag is working properly. Ensure you’re using relevant, non-spammy hashtags in your posts.
- Take a Break from Posting Sometimes, Instagram may temporarily restrict your account’s reach as a result of overuse or violating community guidelines. If you’ve been posting frequently or engaging in actions that might be considered spammy (e.g., mass liking or commenting), take a short break (about 48 hours) from posting. This can give your account a chance to reset and lift any temporary restrictions.
- Follow Instagram’s Community Guidelines Review Instagram’s community guidelines to ensure you’re not violating any rules, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Avoid using banned content, engaging in spammy practices, or sharing inappropriate material. Maintaining a clean, authentic account will help prevent shadowbanning.
- Switch to a Business Account Some users have reported that switching to a business or creator account can help remove shadowbanning. By doing this, Instagram may treat your account as a legitimate business, which could reduce the chances of getting shadowbanned.
- Contact Instagram Support If you suspect that your account has been shadowbanned and the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you can reach out to Instagram support. While it can be difficult to get a clear answer, reporting the issue directly may help get your account’s reach restored.
By checking these three easy methods and following the steps to fix it, you can determine whether you’re shadowbanned and take steps to regain visibility on Instagram. It’s important to stay consistent with creating quality content and engaging with your audience while following Instagram’s guidelines to avoid further restrictions.
FAQs
1. What is a shadowban on Instagram?
A shadowban on Instagram is when your posts are hidden from users who don’t follow you, and your reach is limited, often without your knowledge. It typically happens when Instagram believes your account is violating its community guidelines or using spammy practices.
2. How can I tell if I’ve been shadowbanned on Instagram?
To check if you’re shadowbanned, test your posts with hashtags. If your posts don’t appear under the hashtags, your account may be shadowbanned. You can also monitor your engagement levels, as a sudden drop in likes and comments could indicate a shadowban.
3. Why does Instagram shadowban accounts?
Instagram shadowbans accounts that are believed to be engaging in spammy or inappropriate behavior, such as excessive use of banned hashtags, bot-like activity (e.g., mass liking, commenting, or following), or sharing content that violates Instagram’s community guidelines.
4. How long does a shadowban last?
A shadowban can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the violation and the actions taken to resolve it. In some cases, it may be temporary, but if you don’t follow Instagram’s guidelines, it can happen again.
5. Can a shadowban be removed?
Yes, a shadowban can be removed. To fix it, stop using banned or irrelevant hashtags, take a break from posting, follow Instagram’s community guidelines, and consider switching to a business account. If these steps don’t work, you can contact Instagram support.
6. Are there any warning signs before a shadowban?
A drop in engagement, such as fewer likes, comments, and shares, is often a sign that your account may be shadowbanned. If your posts are not appearing under hashtags or are not being seen by non-followers, that’s another red flag.
7. How do I avoid being shadowbanned?
To avoid a shadowban, follow Instagram’s community guidelines, avoid using banned hashtags, don’t engage in spammy behaviors like mass following or commenting, and maintain high-quality, authentic content. Avoid aggressive promotional tactics.
8. Can using too many hashtags cause a shadowban?
Yes, using too many hashtags can be considered spammy behavior, especially if you’re using irrelevant or banned hashtags. Stick to around 2-3 relevant hashtags per post to ensure your content stays visible and doesn’t trigger a shadowban.
9. What are banned hashtags on Instagram?
Banned hashtags are those that Instagram has flagged for being associated with inappropriate or spammy content. Using these hashtags in your posts can lead to a shadowban. You can check whether a hashtag is banned by searching for it on Instagram. If it shows a warning, it’s likely banned.
10. Can I still see my own posts if I’m shadowbanned?
Yes, you can still see your posts on your own profile, but others may not be able to find them, especially if they’re not following you. This is why checking hashtag performance or asking non-followers to search for your posts is important.
11. Will my followers notice if I’m shadowbanned?
Your followers won’t notice unless they specifically look for your posts under hashtags or in their feeds. However, if you consistently see a decline in engagement, it may be an indication that fewer people are seeing your content.
12. Can I fix a shadowban by deleting posts or hashtags?
Yes, deleting posts or removing banned hashtags can help. If you’ve been shadowbanned, removing any hashtags or content that could have violated Instagram’s guidelines can improve your visibility over time.
13. What should I do if I don’t know why I was shadowbanned?
If you’re unsure why you were shadowbanned, review Instagram’s community guidelines, stop using banned hashtags, and check if you’ve been engaging in any spammy practices like excessive liking or commenting. If needed, contact Instagram support for clarification.
14. Can a business account help with shadowbanning?
Some users have reported that switching to a business or creator account helps lift restrictions or prevent shadowbanning. However, this is not guaranteed and depends on the cause of the shadowban.
15. How do I contact Instagram if I’m shadowbanned?
To contact Instagram, go to your settings, tap “Help,” and choose “Report a Problem.” You can explain your situation and request support. While Instagram may not provide an exact reason for the shadowban, reporting the issue can sometimes help resolve it.
These FAQs will help you understand shadowbanning, how to identify it, and what steps you can take to recover your account’s visibility.
