Are your Instagram posts not getting enough traffic? Have your likes suddenly dropped, and your content does not appear for specific hashtags? You might be shadowbanned.
Instagram, for many reasons, is restricting some people’s posts, so they do not show up in hashtag search on explore page, and it becomes invisible to users who do not follow you.
To check if your account is shadowbanned, post two or three content with not-so-popular hashtags. Then ask a few of your non-followers to search for your used hashtags. If they find you, you are safe, but if they do not see it, then your account is shadowbanned.
What makes an Instagram account shadowbanned?
- Use of automated ‘Instagram growth’ tools
When you are not putting effort and rely on bots to grow followers, your Instagram account is in question. Instagram supports the users with a strategy and focuses on connecting with audiences organically. However, using spammy tactics can result in shadowban.
- Use of banned hashtags
Instagram has many banned hashtags, and it does not want people to use them. So if any user applies banned hashtags in their post, Instagram restricts their post and won’t be shown for any hashtags or shown in their follower’s feed.
- An account of often reported
If users frequently report an account, Instagram assumes that it is posting inappropriate content and violates its terms and conditions. This might result in shadowban of account, or it might be completely disabled.
- Posting illegal content
Content related to crime and terrorism must not be posted on Instagram. Moreover, Instagram prohibits advertisements of drugs, sexual content, and firearms.
- Inappropriate use of graphics
Usually, graphic content does not comply with the terms and conditions of Instagram and is most likely to get shadowbanned. Moreover, such profiles can easily be accessed.
- Self-injury, hate speech, and bullying videos
Posts that threaten and abuse users, targets hate speech regarding gender, religion, race, disease, or disability are monitored and banned relatively faster.
How to fix a shadowbanned Instagram account?
- Take a short break
Don’t post any content for several days. Instagram’s users that had been shadowbanned reported that the shadowban was lifted when they stepped off the platform for a few days. Moreover, taking a break also helps to get fresh content inspiration.
- Cancel inappropriate 3rd party permissions
Often, third-party applications are used to gather information and metrics for analysis. However, when applications you use to search trendy hashtags, new and lost followers are not approved by Instagram and have the potential to shadowban your account.
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- Sign in to Instagram on desktop
- Go to settings
- Go to ‘apps and websites’
- Remove questionable apps and websites that have access to your account
- Discontinue the use of pods and bots
Instagram pods are a group of influencers who help each other to boost engagement and awareness. But unfortunately, they can induce an almost immediate jump in action that can be suspicious and get your account shadowbanned.
Similarly, bot-like accounts automate engagement acts like following, frequent posting, commenting, liking, unfollowing in a short time that can raise red flags.
- Remove and cease using banned hashtags
We discussed earlier how using a banned hashtag can result in shadowban, but one needs to be cautious of overused hashtags as they might get blacklisted after mass numbers use them.
For example, on Christmas, 4th of July, and other festivals, the day’s hashtags are used in such a colossal number that Instagram might suddenly blacklist them, and every profile that uses those hashtags after them being blacklisted stands a strong chance of getting shadowban.
- Do not use auto-posting apps
Automation of the content sharing process might be helpful as it saves time and keeps you ahead of schedule. However, automatic content sharing is reported as a reason for account shadowban.
- Make your content comply with Instagram’s guidelines
Reading a guideline or terms and conditions can be tiresome, but it is necessary to avoid shadowban or fix it if it has already happened.
- Report your shadowban to Instagram support to get help
Once you make every amends on your side, contact the Instagram support group. Although it takes time to get in touch with them, it is worth the effort. Write an email to support@instagram.com explaining the issues you face and how it affects your business (avoid directly asking them to lift the shadowban).
Social media is a great platform to promote brands. However, there is no easy way to grow an organic audience. If you do not want to look up the answers on how to remove an Instagram shadowban, post authentic content that complies with the Instagram rulebook.
