With over 2 billion users on Instagram, it’s understandable that the company relies on algorithms and bots to automate content filtering and moderation. Yet, many users suddenly lose access to their account and later find out about Instagram’s shadowban. This is a sneaky way to act as a barrier to a user’s engagement and reach. Here’s everything you need to know about Instagram Shadowban and how to avoid it.
Before it gets confusing, let’s get one thing clear first – “Shadowban” is not the official term on Instagram. But the company has the power to hide your account from search results, remove comments, and even exclude your posts from the Explore page. Practice has a big impact on your account reach and overall engagement levels. Shadowban can affect you when you rely on Instagram to run your business or want to use Instagram Guides as an influencer.
How Instagram Shadowban Works
In 2019, Instagram began demoting vaguely inappropriate content on the platform. If a post suggests an adult theme or contains a tacky, violent, or hurtful meme, Instagram begins to downgrade the post. Instagram will not show the post in Explore or hashtag pages for the wider community.
Some users have taken advantage of Instagram’s not-so-strict community guidelines to share violent, graphically offensive, and sexually suggestive content. Since these users aren’t violating Instagram’s guidelines, the company can’t ban them, but with a recent change, Instagram can limit its reach by hiding posts and account in the app.
As we mentioned earlier, Instagram uses machine learning to determine if the actual media posted is eligible to be recommended to the community. In short, Instagram can shadowban your content that seems inappropriate.
Since shadowban is an automated process, many users have felt that Instagram is overwriting their voice on the platform. After all, there was no way to tell if your post was affected by shadowban or not. Instagram has announced a new “Account Status” tool to address a growing concern in 2020.
Use account status
Account Status will help you better understand how Instagram Community Guidelines affect your account. Using account status, users can see if their post has been deleted, report if they disagree with Instagram’s action, and take next steps. Here’s how you can use it.
Step 1: Open Instagram and tap the profile icon in the lower right corner.
2nd step: Tap the hamburger menu in the upper right corner and select “Settings”.
Step 3: Select “Account” and tap “Account Status” in the next menu.
Step 4: If your account is not affected by shadowban, Instagram will display the following message for your account (check the screenshot below).
Whenever you think your Instagram reach is being affected, visit the Account Status menu in Settings and stay informed about your account.
Reasons for Instagram Shadowban
Although Instagram does not clearly mention the possible reasons behind Shadowban, here are some things that can penalize your account:
- Violating Instagram Community Guidelines or posting inappropriate content can result in a shadowban on the platform.
- Fake engagements such as paying for likes and new followers can lead to a shadowban on Instagram.
- When you use banned hashtags on Instagram, the company may limit your account and posts on the Explore page.
- When you add too many hashtags to a post, Instagram’s algorithms can detect it as spam and limit reach.
- The company can act on your posts if you frequently engage with a trending hashtag.
How to Avoid a Shadowban on Instagram
Now that you know the reasons behind Instagram’s shadowban, here are some tips to avoid it:
- Avoid using a sketchy third-party tool to automate your Instagram account. If Instagram detects unauthorized access, it may impact your account reach on the Explore page.
- You shouldn’t spam Instagram by following too many accounts in a short time.
- Avoid using banned or broken hashtags on Instagram.
How to Delete an Instagram Shadowban
If your engagement on Instagram is decreasing, you can first check the “Account Status” menu in the app settings (refer to the steps above). You can report shadowban to Instagram, remove third-party apps connected to your Instagram account, and check hashtags in affected posts.
Once you find the real cause affecting your Instagram account, you can always post a new post and make sure to follow the company’s guidelines.
Find out why your Instagram reach is shrinking
Instagram shadowban is not always there. The company has apologized after removing a semi-nude image of a black model – Nyome Nicholas-Williams. In another instance, Instagram received widespread criticism when the company began removing posts about the MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls) campaign. Has your Instagram account faced a shadowban? How did you approach it? Share your experience with our readers in the comments below.