Instagram Shadowban: Everything You Need to Know in 2024

Tired of not getting enough likes on your Instagram posts? It could be because of an Instagram shadowban. In 2024, knowing about shadow bans is a must for any social media user who wants to be seen.

A shadow ban can restrict how far your posts reach so that it's difficult for new people to discover you on their hashtag feeds or Explore page. But don't fret – we've got everything you need to beat it.

Our article explains what shadow bans are and why they happen. We'll also show you ways to put yourself back in the limelight: expert tips and tricks that work so you can enjoy being popular on Instagram again.

What Is an Instagram Shadowban?

An Instagram app shadowban is like being invisible without knowing why. It's when your posts or stories don't show up in hashtag pages or on Explore, making it much harder for new people to discover them.

Instagram itself doesn't use the term "shadowban." There's no official acknowledgment of this happening. But lots ofcreators and businesses say reach, engagement, and visibility take a nosedive when this supposed phenomenon occurs.

With the inner workings of shadowbans shrouded in mystery, it can seem like trying to find your way through a labyrinth blindfolded. However, knowing what could potentially cause a shadowban is the initial step towards sidestepping and ensuring your posts remain visible!

Why Can You Be Shadowbanned on Instagram?

This pesky limitation can be quite annoying, particularly if you want to expand your influence. But what causes it? Here are some typical factors:

Violating Instagram's Community Guidelines

To maintain a safe and positive platform for all users, Instagram enforces strict community guidelines. If you post content that is offensive, inappropriate, or deceptive, you may receive a shadowban.

Examples include sharing misleading information, hate speech or graphic images. Doing any of these could mean Instagram makes your content less visible. Always check the guidelines to ensure that what you're posting follows the rules and you don't violate Instagram's guidelines.

Using Overused or Restricted Hashtags

Did you know some banned hashtags or the ones blocked by Instagram? If you use these tags without realizing it, it can hurt how many people see your posts.

Instagram keeps an eye on broken hashtags that are used too often or misused, such as "#follow4follow." To stay safe, do your homework on tags and make sure to mix popular ones up with others that are more niche and specific to what you're posting.

Engaging in Spam-Like Activity on Instagram

If you want to steer clear of being blocked by Instagram, steer clear ofbots and spam-like activity. This includes following and then unfollowing lots of accounts in one go or excessively liking and commenting.

Instagram keeps a beady eye on what people do on the platform. Try to trick its algorithms, and you could end up with a shadowban.

Fake Engagement and Purchased Followers

It might look tempting to buy followers, comments, or likes to boost your activity on Instagram. But this is classified as a serious breach by social networks. Another thing to steer clear of is joining pods that exist purely for engagement (so, liking and commenting on each other's posts to artificially boost them).

These can have a negative impact on your credibility and bring about shadowbans. If growing your following matters to you, spend your energy on making genuine connections.

How Long Does a Shadowban on Instagram Last?

How long an Instagram shadowban lasts isn't set in stone. Some people say their shadowban lasted two to three weeks, while others dealt with it for a month or more. It really depends on how serious the problem is and how well you correct course to follow Instagram's rules.

Instead of finding yourself in that situation, do your best to stay out of it from the start. Concentrate on making real posts, truly connecting with people online when you use social media sites like IG, and definitely avoid iffy moves such as paying for followers or using banned tags.

If you do wind up getting shadowbanned anyway (hey, mistakes happen), don't give up hope just yet. There are ways to get around these things, too. Staying in Instagram's good graces is the key to keeping your reach intact.

Solutions to Remove an Instagram Shadowban

Think you've been shadowbanned on Instagram? Even if you've followed the rules, sometimes your posts stop reaching people, and your engagement drops. Here's what you can do to fix it:

1. Report Your Issue to Instagram

If you think that your account has been shadowbanned, the first thing to do is report it directly to Instagram. There are two ways you can do this:

• Account Status Feature: This feature enables you to check whether any of your posts have been removed. If you find one has, from that same page, you can request a review.
• Report a Problem: Go to your Instagram Settings, choose "Help," and then "Report a Problem." Explain what's going on to Instagram Support and say that you think you've been shadowbanned. Sometimes, being proactive like this can prompt Instagram to look at your case.

2. Remove Unauthorized Apps and Bots

Using apps or bots without permission to automatically do things like, post, follow, or comment can get you in trouble. Instagram only wants you to use apps that are its official partners.

To see if there are any unauthorized apps linked to your account, go to your settings, tap "Website Permissions," and then pick "Apps and Websites." Look through the list and get rid of any apps that seem weird or old. Doing thismight help make your account cool with Insta again!

3. Review and Audit Your Hashtags

Hashtags have their advantages and disadvantages. They can make your content more discoverable by categorizing it under a specific theme or topic, which helps people find it when browsing feeds about that subject.

However, if you use too many hashtags in one post—or worse still, ones that are broken—nobody might see anything you've uploaded except for the folks who already follow directly. It's worth checking the tags you use regularly. Log into Instagram and search for them to see if anything untoward pops up alongside your stuff.

Delete any broken or over-used hashtags from your list before posting anything new. Then add others that are niche-specific so as to maximize reach among people likely interested in what you've got to say or show off. For a more quantitative check, monitor your Instagram Insights.

4. Take a Break from Instagram

Taking a break from the platform can sometimes be beneficial in removing a shadow ban. Consider refraining from Instagram accounts' usage for several days– this means no posting, liking posts, or even logging into your profiles.

Once you've finished your hiatus, go back to using the app as you normally would, but don't employ any automated activities. By manually interacting with content, you demonstrate to Instagram that you are an authentic user rather than a computer program. As a result, the reach and engagement metrics applicable to your account might be reinstated.

5. Post Content That Follows Instagram's Guidelines

Make sure your posts follow the community guidelines and terms of service on Instagram. Postingthings that are offensive, inappropriate, or deceptive can result in penalties, such as having fewer people see your posts.

Think twice about whether something is really suitable for the platform before sharing it. Also avoid clickbait—content whose main purpose is to get lots of clicks—plus any kind of false advertising. Instead, aim for authentic posts of high quality that will generate realinterest among your followers.

6. Use Caution with Sensitive Content

If your content deals with sensitive subjects, consider providing a warning to your viewers.Although Instagram does not have a built-in feature for this, you can work around it by creating a slideshow post that includes a content warning as the first slide. This way, people can decide whether or not they want to continue watching.

To do this, use Instagram's Story editing feature. From your profile, create a new post and make the first slide your warning message. By doing this (and similar practices), you demonstrate to Instagram that you understand who your audience is and what they like.

Conclusion

Coping with an Instagram account shadowban is annoying, but don't give up hope. By taking the following steps, you can get your posts to appear as they should and increase engagement once again.

Authenticity is crucial for social media success anyway. Concentrate on forging real connections and generating worthwhile content. And don't forget to follow Instagram guidelines.

Think of a shadowban as a hurdle rather than an insurmountable obstacle. Stay calm and flexible enough to try out new approaches if necessary. Before long, you'll be reaching out to your followers once more while also gaining new ones – all without having to buy ads or shout-outs.