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Is your Instagram Account Shadowbanned? Find out if it exists and if it's the case for your IG account Think you might be “shadowbanned”? You've come to the right place ? So the first thing to check on your account is if you have the plus sign as depicted in the following image: Have the little plus sign? Then you don't have a shadowban. Don't have it, then your are shadowbanned.. Over the years, a number of users have pointed to a mysterious Instagram shadowban and its impact on their engagement and reach. Now, with recent updates from CEO Adam Mosseri, we're diving into the infamous Instagram shadowban, what allegedly causes it, and how you can avoid it from happening. Table of Contents
This can make your content (or account) undiscoverable, hidden, or restricted. And in some cases — the content may be taken down completely. The result? Decreased reach, lower engagement, and a whole lot of frustration. And with so many uncertainties surrounding Instagram shadowbans, it can be unnerving for creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs trying to grow and connect on the app. So what does Instagram say? Keep reading, below. Instagram Shadowbans: A Brief HistoryWhile Instagram most recently addressed shadowbanning in August 2023, here’s everything the app has said about it since 2018: 2018: Instagram Denies ShadowbanningIn 2018, Instagram’s team claimed: “Shadowbanning is not a real thing,” and stated that they do not hide people’s content for posting too many hashtags or taking other actions. 2019: Instagram Clarifies Explore Page RankingIn 2019, Instagram acknowledged that posts categorized as “inappropriate for our international community” would not be featured on the Instagram Explore Page — even if they were within Instagram’s Community Guidelines: Image Source: Instagram Help Page“We strive to ensure that the content we recommend is both safe and appropriate for our community. We are therefore stricter on the content offered in the Explore section and on hashtag pages.” 2020: Adam Mosseri Addresses “Shadowbanned” Black Creators In 2020, Instagram’s Adam Mosseri addressed shadowbanning in response to concerns that Black voices were being silenced on the platform. In an effort to ensure Instagram is a place where everyone feels free to express themselves, Mosseri shared steps they were taking to improve users’ experiences:
The campaign, which was created after a semi-nude image of model Nyome Nicholas-Williams was repeatedly taken down, aimed to draw attention to the double standard regarding Instagram’s nudity policy. However, as Nyome and others continue to fight for body autonomy on social media in 2023, policies like these could be due for a refresh. 2021: Instagram Introduces Account Status FeatureIn 2021, Mosseri Mosseri wrote: “We haven’t always done enough to explain why we take down content when we do, what is recommendable and what isn’t, and how Instagram works more broadly.” And keeping to their word, Instagram released the Account Status feature: With it, users can see if their posts have been taken down, flag if they disagree with Instagram's decision, and learn what to do next. Plus, creator and business profiles can see if their account is eligible to appear in Search or as a suggested account. TIP: To check your status, go to Settings and scroll down to Account Status under the “More info and support” section. 2023: Adam Mosseri Shares Update on ShadowbanningIn 2023, Mosseri said, “It’s in our interest as a business to ensure that creators are able to reach their audiences and get discovered so they can continue to grow and thrive on Instagram.” In addition to the Account Status feature, he says Instagram is experimenting with new notifications to tell creators when their reach may be limited due watermarks. What Causes an Instagram Shadowban? (+ How to Avoid One) It’s not totally clear how Instagram determines what content gets restricted (or “shadowbanned”) on the platform. However, these five actions are rumored to significantly increase your likelihood of being penalized:
Here are four tips to keep in mind:
4 Ways to Remove an Instagram Shadowban So, you think you’ve been shadowbanned on Instagram — you’ve followed all of the rules, but your posts still aren’t reaching users, and your engagement is decreasing. What can you do? Alex Tooby suggests the following:
There are two ways to report your shadowban:
We get it: using an Instagram scheduler that automatically posts your photos to Instagram is a great way to save time. But if you use one that isn’t an official Instagram partner, you could end up on the Instagram shadowban list. To see if you have any bot services or unapproved apps linked to your account, head to your Instagram settings, tap Website permissions, and then “Apps and Websites.” Here, you’ll be able to see all of the active apps your account is using, any that have expired, and those you’ve removed. Save Time with Auto PostingSchedule content to automatically post at a set date & time! Now go enjoy your weekend. Try Later Now #3: Audit Your Hashtags Every month, set time aside to search for your hashtags on Instagram. If the “Top Posts” section appears but nothing else, it’s likely been banned. Instagram will also sometimes leave a short message on the page explaining that content has been hidden for not meeting community guidelines. TIP: If a hashtag you frequently use is suddenly banned, remove it from your posts and keep an eye on whether the ban is lifted in the future. #4: Take a Break From Instagram Some users have said that taking a few days off of Instagram has helped lift their Instagram shadowban. This means, no posting, commenting, or even logging onto the app. After your break, go back to liking and posting as you normally would. But remember to engage with everyone manually. It might take more time and effort, but it proves to Instagram that you’re abiding by their Terms of Service (and that you aren’t a bot!). How Long Does an Instagram Shadowban Last?At the moment, there isn’t a concrete answer, but it’s rumored to get lifted within two to three weeks. However, there are outliers who’ve said it has been a month or longer. Your best bet? To try and steer clear of an Instagram shadowban altogether. Comments are closed.
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