A shadow ban (sometimes called a “ghost ban“) is a technique used on social media platforms or websites to restrict a user’s visibility without them being explicitly informed. The user may still be able to post or interact normally, but their content will be hidden from other users, either partially or entirely. The term “shadowban” is most commonly associated with social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Shadow Ban Categories and Types

1. Content Visibility Reduction:
   • This is the most common form of shadow banning. It involves hiding a user’s posts or comments from other users, while the user can still see their own content.
   • On platforms like Instagram or Twitter, this could mean that a post is not shown to anyone except the user who posted it, even if it appears in the user’s feed.
2. Hashtag Shadow Bans:
   • When a user’s post is not shown when using certain hashtags, despite appearing fine to the user who posted it.
   • This often happens when a hashtag is deemed controversial, spammy, or associated with inappropriate content.
3. Search Engine Shadow Banning:
   • In this case, a website or social media account might not appear in search results, even though the content is still accessible if you have a direct link to it.
4. Interaction Shadow Bans:
   • Some users may be “shadow banned” from engaging with others. For example, they may still be able to comment, like, or follow people, but their interactions are not visible to others.
   • This can be a way to limit a user’s ability to participate in community discussions or influence trends.
5. Keyword Shadow Ban:
   • If a user consistently uses specific words or phrases that are flagged by the platform as inappropriate or abusive, their content may be hidden from certain audiences. These “banned” keywords could be related to spam, offensive language, or disallowed topics.
6. Account-Specific Shadow Banning:
   • A user may find that their entire account is hidden or restricted. They can still post and interact normally, but their posts or interactions will not appear in others’ feeds, notifications, or search results.

Why Shadow Bans Are Used:

• Preventing Spam: Social media platforms use shadow banning as a way to reduce spammy or manipulative behavior without directly banning a user.
• Promoting Community Standards: To discourage toxic or abusive behavior (e.g., harassment, hate speech) without outright removing an individual.
• Algorithmic Enforcement: Algorithms detect low-quality or harmful content, automatically restricting visibility without the need for manual review.

Signs of a Shadow Ban:

• Sudden Drop in Engagement: A significant drop in likes, comments, and shares might indicate that you’ve been shadow banned.
• Hashtag Search Results: If your posts don’t show up when using popular hashtags, even if they did previously, it could be a sign.
• No Visibility in Search: If your account or posts are no longer showing up in searches but you’re still active on the platform.

How to Avoid a Shadow Ban:

1. Follow Community Guidelines: Avoid using inappropriate language, spamming, or violating platform policies.
2. Avoid Automation: Don’t use bots or automation tools that perform actions like liking, commenting, or following/unfollowing in bulk.
3. Be Authentic: Engage in a meaningful way with followers and avoid using clickbait or manipulative tactics.

A shadow ban can be hard to detect because users don’t receive direct feedback, but it generally happens when a platform wants to limit disruptive behavior without taking extreme measures like a full account ban.