With thousands of content creators and influencers, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. However, many users of the program have faced strange problems known to their fans as Instagram Shadowban. Shadowban is a secret and sometimes covert restriction that falls like a shadow on your website and allows you to reach as many people as it needs. If you want to stay on the safe side and make sure the shadow dies quickly and unexpectedly, learn some of our secrets and hacks to make your Instagram experience even more mind-blowing.
What is an Instagram Shadowban?
An Instagram shadowban is where Instagram restricts the exposure of your content; in other words, it will stop or limit how much your Instagram posts are being shown to people who do not follow you. Indeed, this could be a significant problem, particularly when you create content on Instagram to reach a larger audience and enhance organic visibility. Moreover, shadowbanned posts will not be seen in the “Explore” grid, “Hashtag” search, or any of the users’ feeds who do not follow you. However, it has not been officially verified by Instagram, but considering the massive decrease in engagement, people think that the social networking site gives a shadowban.
Signs that You Are Shadowbanned
The only way to know for sure that you have been shadowbanned is when Instagram tells you so, but there are some warning signs to be on the lookout for:
- A massive decrease in engagement—likes, comments, shares.
- Your posts don’t appear under the hashtags you have used.
- Limited reach to your new followers or complete stagnation.
- Low views on your Instagram Stories or Reels.
- Fewer comments from the accounts that don’t follow you.
If you have noticed one or several of these signs, maybe it’s time to find out what you have done wrong.
Why Do Instagram Shadowban Accounts?
The first step to avoiding shadowbanning on Instagram is to know the reasons behind it. Instagram has its community guidelines and terms of service, and breaching them might bring some penalties to posts or the whole account on Instagram. Some of the most common causes of shadowbanning can be characterized as follows:
1. Overusing Hashtags
Due to the effect of increasing reach produced by hashtags, they are considered to be crucial for Instagram. However, using identical hashtags repeatedly in a chain of posts or utilizing banned or overly popular hashtags might trigger a shadowban. Such behavior is regarded as spamming, and the account is flagged to be manipulating the engagement.
2. Bot Activity and Automation Tools
Using third-party tools or bots to automate likes, comments, or follows is a sure way to get shadowbanned. Instagram’s algorithm is built to detect foul play, and these tools are in straight violation of their policies.
3. Engagement Pods
Engagement pods are groups of users that agree to like and comment on each other’s posts. It can be quite beneficial for visibility, and group members do this voluntarily. However, Instagram views this activity as manipulative and can shadowban all pod participants.
4. Violating Community Guidelines
Posting inappropriate content will get you close to a ban faster than anything else. Whether it’s nudity, violence, hate speech, or something else, the Instagram algorithm will take immediate action. Make sure to always adhere to Instagram’s content guidelines to be safe.
How to Outsmart the Instagram Shadowban?
Now, that we already have an idea of what brings about shadow banning, let’s review some effective steps to get back on the Instagram track.
1. Hashtags Clean Up
Check which hashtags you used on the recent posts and get rid of the irrelevant or banned hashtags. Also, consider not using the same hashtags over and over on every post. Instead, use several unique hashtags that differentiate from post to post.
2. Refrain from using third-party automation tools
The most important thing that should be done by you is to stop using bots or any third-party automation tools. These types of tools can be very detrimental for your account in the long run. The algorithms of Instagram are competent enough to uncover when your activity has crossed the limit of genuineness. Just try to build up your natural interaction with the customers.
3. Use the Grum Instagram Shadowban Checker.
Grum Instagram Shadowban Checker is an outstanding user-friendly tool created to identify Instagram accounts or posts that have been shadowbanned. The tool analyzes your account and searches for any signs of low-to-no reach, no engagement, or other hidden penalties or suppression. Most of the time, shadowbans occur because you have used a banned hashtag or you have violated Instagram’s policies. Therefore, by using Grum’s tool, you will see whether your content is suppressed and make the necessary changes in your strategies to get back to regular engagement. Furthermore, the biggest advantage is that you can diagnose immediately what the issue is and take care of it before it affects your long-term growth.
4. Appeal directly to Instagram
If you think that your shadowban was a mistake, you can appeal directly to the platform using their Help Center. It will not give you a quick fix, but it will allow you to understand if there are any problems.
5. Take a Break from Instagram
Staying off Instagram for a few days might help the shadowban. This way, Instagram will have time to reset your actions, and the algorithm will recalculate the way you interact.
6. Get Attention Through Genuine Engagement
If you want to avoid shadowbanning, then the best way to do so is by using real engagement. Use the platform to like interesting things, comment on posts, and share photos from accounts you follow, but do so naturally. When Instagram sees that your actions are made authentic, it is likely to remove any restrictions.
7. Post quality content consistently.
Consistent, high-quality content is the key to success on Instagram. Your posts should be visually appealing, relevant to your audience, and compliant with Instagram guidelines. When you produce content that users want to engage with, it increases your chances to get onto the Explore page and grows your reach organically.
8. Switch to an Instagram Business or Creator Account
Business and creator accounts have more features and analytics than personal accounts. It’s easier for you to monitor your performance, reach, and engagement when you switch to one of these accounts. It will also let Instagram know that you’re a serious user who wants to grow organically.
Prevent Future Shadowbans
If you’ve successfully outsmarted the shadowban, it is crucial not to fall into the same trap once more. Here’s how you can avoid it:
1. Follow Instagram’s Guidelines Religiously
Instagram has its community guidelines for a reason. If you don’t want to get yourself into unnecessary trouble, remember to conform to their rules.
2. Mix Up Your Hashtags
Create several sets of hashtags you will be using in your posts. Mix your general hashtags with niche ones, specific to your content. Avoid using the same hashtags on every post, as this is one of the reasons Instagram can flag your account as spammy.
3. Engage Genuinely
Spend time on the social media platform and engage with your audience most authentically. Instead of using automation tools, respond to comments, reply to stories, and still like other posts in your niche.
4. Avoid questionable tactics.
You should stay away from any type of buying followers, likes, or shares from third-party sellers. Increase credit score (account engagement) with Instagram in an organic manner. Also, to avoid being locked out of your account for good due to any kind of provision visit, among other scams.
Final Thoughts
Recovering Instagram accounts from under Shadowban is a challenging task. Yet, with a proper approach and attitude, it is still possible to improve the visibility and outreach of the account. The principal aspect is to remember to follow the guidelines, engage fairly, and produce high-quality content. Sicking to this principle will have positive results.
