Are You a Victim of the Instagram Shadowban?

We want your business to have maximum engagement with social media, so here’s an explanation of the shadowban and some tips on how to get around it.

What is the Instagram Shadowban?

Instagram hides your posts from people who don’t follow you. Even when you apply hashtags, they go unseen and unsearchable by those who aren’t yet following you.

Why does it exist?

The shadowban is in place to deter spammy or inappropriate behavior. The issue is that repeatedly used hashtags (that aren’t spam) are being lumped into the ban.

How can I tell if my business is affected?

-Check your hashtags using a friend’s Instagram. If you see them, you aren’t affected.

-Use an Instagram shadowban analyzer.

How can I lift the shadowban?

-Don’t use banned or broken hashtags in your posts. Use unique hashtags instead!

-Don’t use software that violates Instagram’s terms of service. This means that auto-posting software (this doesn’t apply to the “later” option) can result in the post being shadowbanned. In some cases, your entire account can be shut down as well.

-Avoid big surges in Instagram activity. Be aware of how many photos you like, comments you leave, and accounts you follow because too much may get you mistaken for a bot.

-Avoid being reported by other users.

-Take a short break from Instagram. Just take a few days off and your shadowban can be lifted. When you come back, be sure to post manually. 

-Report your shadowban to Instagram. Say This: “My post isn’t showing up with the hashtags I’ve put on them.” Don’t Say: “I am losing engagement due to the shadowban on my hashtags.” Also, don’t tell them your account was hacked because that team doesn’t work with the shadowban.

-Consider switching from a business account to a personal account. The reason for this is because business accounts are more likely to be negatively impacted by a shadowban, which leads them to buy ads. Switching to a personal account may help you fall off Instagram’s radar.

I hope this guide helps you better maneuver your Instagram account and improve your engagement. If you need further explanation or have any questions, please feel free to send me a follow-up email at [email protected]!

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