With more than a billion users around the world having multiple TikTok accounts, the platform is one of the most widely used social media platforms for short-form video sharing. However, like all social media platforms, TikTok also has its own rules and guidelines that users must follow.
One of the major worries of TikTok creators is that they might be shadowbanned. What is shadowbanning? Shadowbanning is the practice of limiting a user’s visibility without them knowing.
In this guide, we’ll look at what shadowbanning is, how you can be shadowbanned on TikTok, and what you can do to avoid it. If you’re a TikTok creator and want to maintain your visibility and engagement on TikTok, understanding shadowbanning is essential.
How to Confirm if You’re Shadowbanned on TikTok?
If you’re unsure of your shadowbanned status on TikTok, it’s important to confirm it. This will help you understand your account’s status and take the necessary steps to resolve any restrictions. While TikTok doesn’t explicitly notify you of shadowbanning, there are a few things you can check to see if you’ve been shadowbanned.
Following these steps will help you determine your status on TikTok and make the best decisions to increase your visibility. To confirm if you’re shadowbanned on TikTok, follow these steps:
1. Engage with Other Accounts
Begin by engaging with other TikTok accounts. Like, comment, and share content from various users within your niche. If your interactions aren’t receiving responses or engagement from other users, it could indicate a shadowban.
2. Post Quality Content
Create and post high-quality content regularly. If your videos aren’t appearing in search results or on the For You Page, it might be a sign of a shadowban. Monitor the visibility and reach of your posts to assess any discrepancies.
3. Use Hashtags Judiciously
Hashtags play a crucial role in increasing the discoverability of your content. However, if your posts aren’t showing up under relevant hashtags or if the engagement on your hashtagged posts is significantly lower than usual, it could signal a shadowban.
4. Monitor Engagement Metrics
Keep a close eye on your engagement metrics, including likes, comments, shares, and views. If there’s a sudden and unexplained drop in engagement across your videos, it could be indicative of a shadowban.
5. Check with Other Users
Reach out to friends or followers on TikTok and ask them to search for your account or specific videos. If they can’t find your content or if it doesn’t appear in their feed, it’s a strong indication of a shadowban.
By following these steps, you can confirm whether you’re shadowbanned on TikTok and take appropriate measures to address the issue. Remember to stay proactive in engaging with your audience and adhering to TikTok’s community guidelines to avoid future shadowbans.
Signs That You’re Shadowbanned on TikTok
We’ll look at some of the most common indicators that you can use to determine if you’ve been shadowbanned on TikTok, whether it’s a decrease in engagement metrics, a sudden decrease in visibility, or more. These indicators can provide you with valuable insight into your account’s current status, so it’s important to know what to look out for and how to address them if you’re facing a shadowban.
1. Decreased Engagement
One of the most common signs of being shadowbanned on TikTok is a sudden drop in engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and shares. If you notice a significant decline in interaction with your posts despite consistent content creation, it could indicate a shadowban.
2. Limited Visibility
Shadowbanning often results in your content being less visible to other users on the platform. You may find that your videos are not appearing in hashtag searches or on the For You page, reducing the likelihood of reaching a wider audience.
3. Hashtag Suppression
TikTok relies heavily on hashtags to categorize and distribute content. If your videos are not showing up in hashtag feeds or if you notice a sudden decrease in the number of views coming from hashtag sources, it could be a sign that you’re shadowbanned.
4. Account Restrictions
Shadowbanning may also come with account-level restrictions, such as being unable to post new videos, comment on other user’s content, or follow new accounts. If you experience limitations on your account’s functionality without any apparent reason, it could be due to a shadowban.
5. Lack of Notifications
Normally, TikTok sends notifications to users when their videos receive likes, comments, or shares. If you stop receiving notifications for interactions on your videos, it could be an indication that your account’s visibility has been restricted.
6. Unexplained Drops in Followers
Shadowbanning can lead to a decline in your follower count, even if you haven’t engaged in any behavior that violates TikTok’s community guidelines. If you notice a sudden decrease in your follower numbers without any apparent reason, it could be a result of being shadowbanned.
7. Reposting Content Doesn’t Help
Typically, reposting or deleting and reposting content can help boost visibility and engagement. However, if you find that reposting previously successful content doesn’t improve your reach or engagement, it may be a sign that your account is shadowbanned.
Reasons Why You Might Get Shadowbanned on TikTok
By understanding the causes of shadowban on TikTok, you will be able to navigate the platform more efficiently and prevent yourself from taking actions that could lead to your account being shadowbaned. There are several things that can lead to a shadowban, such as breaking community guidelines, spamming, or acting suspiciously on TikTok. By understanding the causes of a shadowban, you can take the necessary steps to maintain a good reputation on TikTok and reduce your chances of being shadowbanned.
1. Violating Community Guidelines
One of the most common reasons for a shadowban on TikTok is violating the platform’s community guidelines. This includes posting inappropriate or offensive content, engaging in hate speech, promoting violence, or participating in activities that go against TikTok’s policies.
2. Using Banned Hashtags
TikTok regularly updates its list of banned hashtags to prevent the spread of harmful or inappropriate content. If you use hashtags that are on TikTok’s blacklist, your account could be shadowbanned. These hashtags often include terms related to adult content, violence, or illegal activities.
3. Excessive Spamming or Bot Activity
TikTok has strict rules against spamming and using bots to artificially inflate engagement metrics. If you engage in spammy behavior, such as liking, commenting, or following/unfollowing users excessively in a short period, TikTok may shadowban your account to curb the spam.
4. Copyright Infringement
Posting content that infringes on copyright laws can also lead to a shadowban on TikTok. This includes using copyrighted music, videos, or other intellectual property without proper authorization. TikTok employs sophisticated algorithms to detect copyright violations and may shadowban accounts found guilty of infringement.
5. Engagement Manipulation
Attempting to manipulate engagement metrics, such as buying likes, views, or followers, can result in a shadowban. TikTok values authentic engagement and penalizes accounts that try to artificially inflate their popularity.
6. Multiple Reports or Complaints
If your account receives multiple reports or complaints from other users for violating community guidelines or engaging in inappropriate behavior, TikTok may shadowban your account while investigating the claims.
Understanding these potential reasons can help you avoid getting shadowbanned on TikTok and maintain a healthy and compliant presence on the platform. It’s essential to adhere to TikTok’s guidelines and policies to ensure the long-term success of your account.
What to Do if You’re Shadowbanned on TikTok?
In the event that you find yourself shadowbanned on TikTok, it’s essential to take prompt action to address the situation and restore your account’s visibility. Here’s what you can do if you suspect you’re shadowbanned:
1. Review Your Content
Start by reviewing your recent content to identify any potential violations of TikTok’s community guidelines. Remove or edit any content that may have led to the shadowban, such as videos with inappropriate content or violations of copyright.
2. Appeal to TikTok
If you believe your shadowban is unwarranted or a result of a mistake, you can submit an appeal to TikTok. Provide detailed information about your account and the circumstances surrounding the shadowban, and politely request a review of your account’s status.
3. Engage with TikTok Support
Reach out to TikTok’s support team through the app or website for assistance. Explain your situation and ask for guidance on how to resolve the shadowban. Be patient and persistent in your communications, and provide any additional information requested by TikTok.
4. Adjust Your Behavior
Take steps to avoid future shadowbans by adjusting your behavior on the platform. Ensure that your content complies with TikTok’s community guidelines, engage authentically with your audience, and avoid any activities that could be perceived as spammy or abusive.
5. Seek Community Support
Reach out to other TikTok creators and communities for support and advice. Share your experiences and learn from others who may have faced similar challenges. Building a supportive network can help you navigate the process of addressing a shadowban effectively.
6. Monitor Your Account
Keep a close eye on your account’s performance and engagement metrics after addressing the shadowban. Monitor any changes in visibility or reach, and continue to engage with your audience in a positive and authentic manner.
Bottom line
TikTok shadowbans can be a frustrating obstacle to navigate. However, by understanding the signs, confirming your status, and taking proactive steps to avoid shadowbans, you can maintain a positive presence on the platform. Remember to stay informed, engage authentically with your audience, and adhere to TikTok’s community guidelines to minimize the risk of shadowbans. By staying proactive and informed, you can continue to grow your presence on TikTok while avoiding the pitfalls of shadowbans.
