What Does Shadow Banned Mean?

A shadow ban is a stealth restriction placed on a user's content by a social media platform. Being shadow banned on social media means your content's visibility has been restricted by the platform without any formal notification. It’s also known as stealth banning, ghost banning, or comment ghosting depending on the platform and context.

Unlike an outright suspension, your account appears normal to you, but your posts won't show up in hashtag searches, explore pages, or followers' feeds at the usual rate.

It's like speaking into a microphone that's not fully connected to the speakers, you're creating content, but fewer people can hear it.

Why Do Shadow Bans Happen?

Platforms rarely confirm shadow banning officially, but it typically occurs when algorithms detect potential policy violations, spam-like behavior, or controversial content. Common triggers include:

• Using too many hashtags or the same hashtags repeatedly
• Posting content that borders on community guideline violations
• Sudden spikes in activity that look automated
• Receiving multiple reports from other users

Most shadow bans are temporary, lasting from a few days to two weeks.