What Is a TikTok Shadow Ban?

A TikTok Shadow ban is a subtle form of account restriction that can have a significant impact on a creator’s reach and engagement. Unlike a full account ban, which would result in the deletion of your account and a notification from the TikTok team, a shadow ban limits the visibility of your content to a much smaller audience. As a result, your views, likes, and comments will decrease significantly, making it harder for you to grow your following and reach.

One of the key differences between a full account ban and a shadow ban is the lack of notification from the TikTok team. With a full ban, the team will notify you of the decision and the reason behind it, usually due to a violation of the platform’s terms of service or community guidelines. However, with a shadow ban, the algorithm will limit your reach without any notice from the admin team, leaving you to figure out that your banned, along with the reason, on your own.

How Do I Know if TikTok Shadowbanned Me?

If your TikTok account has been shadow banned, you will likely notice a significant decline in video views and engagement on your posts. This can be seen in a drastic drop in the number of likes, shares, and comments on your videos. For example, if you were receiving an average of 100 likes per video and suddenly see a decline to just 10 to 20 likes, it’s a strong indication that your account has been shadow banned. It’s important to note that this decline will be sudden, unlike a gradual loss of audience due to a lack of interest in your content.

It’s important to note that shadow banning is not a permanent solution, and your account will not be at risk of being deleted. Moreover, this is not a unique concept to TikTok, as other social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have also been accused of shadow banning users.

A shadow ban also diminishes the chance of your content appearing on the “For You Page,” which is a crucial factor in going viral on TikTok. This is why it’s important to understand the reasons behind it and take steps to address the issue.

Why Did TikTok Shadow Ban My Account?

TikTok and other social media platforms that employ shadow banning practices usually do not publicly acknowledge this policy. However, many users have reported experiencing a shadow ban on their accounts at some point.

One of the main reasons that TikTok may shadowban an account is for posting content that is considered controversial and may be in violation of the platform’s community guidelines and terms of service. The content may not necessarily violate any specific policies, but it may be considered to be on the verge of doing so. In such cases, rather than outright banning the account, TikTok may choose to limit the reach of the account through shadow banning.

For example, if an account posts about sensitive social issues or political protests, TikTok may shadowban the account for “spreading misinformation.” This is because the platform wants to limit the spread of potentially harmful or false information. It’s worth noting that the specific reasons for shadowbanning an account can vary and depend on the discretion of the TikTok’s algorithm and team.

How Long Do TikTok Shadowbans Last?

According to reports from users, shadow bans on TikTok typically last for two to three weeks, however, the exact duration of a shadow ban can vary and there is no official statement from TikTok on the length of time for a shadow ban as the company does not officially admit to implementing the policy. However, some accounts have reported that their shadow ban was permanent, which can be concerning for those who rely on TikTok as a source of income or to grow their online presence. It’s also worth noting that the specific reason for the shadowban and the account’s history on the platform can also play a role in determining the duration of the shadowban.

Can You Remove a TikTok Shadowban?

If you suspect that your TikTok account has been shadow banned, there are a few strategies you can try to restore your account to its normal status.

Delete and Reinstall TikTok

It’s possible that the TikTok algorithm or admin team has taken issue with one of your recent posts. A good first step would be to remove your last two posts and see if that improves the situation. If you believe your posts are in compliance with community guidelines, try uninstalling the app from your device and reinstalling it again.

Switch Your TikTok Account

It’s also worth considering switching your personal account to a business profile, as this will give you access to an analytics dashboard that can help you understand why your content strategy may be underperforming. To do this, 

• Open TikTok.
• Open your TikTok profile.
• Tap the three-line icon in the top right corner of the screen.
• Select Settings and Privacy > Manage account > Switch to Business Account
• Complete the follow-up steps; your personal account will switch to a business profile.

Check Your Content and the TikTok Community Guidelines

The number one reason people receive a shadow ban is for publishing content on their account that violates the terms of service and community guidelines. Take a look at your recent posts to see if any of them may be in violation of TikTok’s terms of service or community guidelines. Deleting any potentially problematic content and waiting for a few weeks may help restore your account’s reach and engagement. Additionally, switching your account to a business profile and utilizing the analytics dashboard can provide insight into your account’s performance and help you identify any issues.

Avoid Spam Behavior on TikTok

Growing your TikTok account often involves following as many people as possible each day. However, the algorithm of the platform may interpret this as an act of ‘spamming’ and may suspect the use of bot software for account management. This can lead to a shadow ban on your account.

How Do I Know if My TikTok Is Banned Permanently?

A shadow ban on TikTok can negatively impact your account’s growth and performance, however, it is typically not a permanent measure. By identifying the reason for the shadow ban, you can adjust your content strategy to avoid it in the future. On the other hand, a permanent ban results in the termination of your account and the loss of all your content and followers. This is a severe punishment, usually issued by the TikTok team, for violating the terms of service and community guidelines. In this scenario, an email will be sent to you explaining the ban, but it will not specify the exact actions that led to the ban.

Why Does TikTok Permanently Ban Accounts?

TikTok faced legal repercussions and had to pay a $5 million settlement for alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. As a result, the platform banned a significant number of accounts to prevent further legal action. If your account was banned and you suspect it may be due to not verifying your age at sign-up, contact the TikTok team and provide a government-issued ID to verify your age. This may lead to the restoration of your account.

Wrapping Up – Why Is My TikTok Shadowbanned?

If your TikTok account has been shadow banned, it’s important to understand the possible causes and take steps to address them. This can be difficult, especially if you depend on the platform for income. However, it’s important to remember that most shadow bans are not permanent. By identifying the root of the issue, you can give your account time to recover and evaluate whether a different approach to your content and usage of the platform is necessary.

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