Alert, creators! A new warning term is making rounds on TikTok – ‘Shadow Ban.’ If you’re noticing a sudden drop in engagement on your videos, shadow banning might be the culprit. It arrives like a storm, without any official warning, so you may realize its effects only after some time. But what exactly is a shadow ban? How does it affect your views and engagement? How long does it last? We’ll answer all these questions in this article. Let’s dive into the hows and whats of shadow banning and uncover how you can fix this unpredictable issue.
What is Shadow Banning on TikTok?
A TikTok shadow ban occurs when your content experiences a significant drop in views, engagement and reach. Unlike the situation where your account is suspended or deleted, you won’t receive any official notice. Shadow ban make your account less visible to your target audience and your videos will less likely appear on “for you page” or in search results. There are several ways to fix the ban however you can download tiktok video without watermark and analyze if there is something wrong.
Why does Shadow Ban Happens?
There are several reasons why TikTok’s algorithm might shadow ban your account. It’s a way to protect users from copyright, spams and inappropriate contents. This timeout can heavily impact on your engagement and reach, hampering your growth.
Violating community guidelines: TikTok has a strict content moderation policy that work against hate speech, violence, nudity, and misinformation. If your video content any of these your content might get flagged by the algorithm.
Spams: If you are following others and unfollowing them quickly, commenting on every other video with same contents or simply liking excessively, TikTok will flag the account for bot-like behavior.
Copyright Violation: Using copyrighted videos, music, clips or images without permission can land you on copyright strikes. This can lead to either shadow ban or content takedown. It is better to address the situation as soon as possible.
Reports: If multiple users report your content or account for guideline violation, TikTok might restrict any activity till they complete verification of flagged content.
By Accident: Sometimes, the algorithm might make a mistake that lands you in hot water. If such a situation arises, it’s wise to consult customer care.
How to Check if I’m Shadow Banned?
Well, TikTok has yet to officially use the term in any statement but there are simple ways to check if your account or content is shadow banned. TikTok doesn’t send any warning or notice when you are banned. So, you must notice certain indication to understand that you are under the curse.
• There will be a sudden drop in video views, likes, and comments. There will be a significant drop that can be easily noticed. Suppose your views were in 100k it will become 10k.
• Your content won’t appear in For You pages and search results.
• You can use TikTok Pro analytics to notice any drastic changes in your reach, you are shadow banned.
• You can also search for your video using hashtags. If you have used any hashtag that is less popular your content should be at the top, if not you are banned.
• Finally, you will struggle to upload your videos. It will show “under review” or “processing”, the app is blocking your activity.
How Long will the Shadow Ban Last?
TikTok has yet to address this term or acknowledge it in any of its official statements. So, there is no way to determine how long you will be banned by the algorithm. Many claim it can last from a few weeks to months. However, there are several ways you can try to remove and prevent your content from being shadow banned.
How to Fix TikTok Shadow Ban?
If you notice changes in your engagement and reach, you might suspect that you are shadow banned. You can try these steps to regain visibility. However, keep in mind that this is not an instant process, it will take time. So, be patient and follow these procedures carefully.
Follow Community Guidelines
TikTok maintains strict community guidelines and reviews each piece of content according to its rules. Go through every video on your account and delete anything that may threaten compliance or harm your integrity. Make sure you understand the community guidelines and ensure your content aligns with them. Remove hateful comments, derogatory messages, copyright infringements, and offensive graphics.
Stop Posting Excessive Content
It is true that the algorithm rewards accounts that post regularly, but there is a big difference between maintaining a consistent posting schedule and uploading 10 videos every day. Even if you post daily, limit the number of videos you upload. Posting too frequently can make the algorithm categorize your content as ‘spammy behavior,’ which may slow down your account and even block you from posting further content.
Use Trends Consciously
This is a proactive measure, but before jumping on any trend, consider whether it might violate community guidelines. While rebellious content may seem like a quick way to go viral, it can actually put your account at risk.
Contact TikTok Support
Finally, if your content follows all the guidelines and doesn’t contain any violations, yet you still feel like you’ve been shadow banned, contact TikTok support. Their support team can provide clarification, review your account, and identify any potential issues.
What to do After a Shadow Ban on TikTok?
If you are shadow banned, take a break from posting. Avoid uploading any content for at least a week to give the algorithm time to reset. After a week, start posting again but limit it to one video per day. Once you notice a significant improvement in views, you can gradually increase your posting frequency. Keep in mind that TikTok’s algorithm doesn’t favor oversaturated niches or unoriginal content. If your videos mainly consist of quizzes, Reddit stories, or clips from other sources, there’s a higher chance of encountering these issues.
Conclusion
A TikTok shadow ban can be frustrating but understanding why it happens and how to fix it can help restore your account’s visibility. By following best practices, engaging authentically, and adhering to TikTok’s guidelines, you can maintain a strong presence on the platform without worrying about hidden penalties.
