Are your TikTok videos not getting the views they used to? You might be facing a shadowban! If you’re a content creator on TikTok, understanding the meaning of the TikTok shadow ban is crucial for keeping your reach and engagement high.
If you are not familiar with this restriction, don’t worry! In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this restriction, why it happens, and how to fix it. So if you want to keep your account safe and boost the number of your views, make sure to read the blog.
Table of Contents
What Is TikTok Shadow Ban?
Almost all social media platforms have the concept of shadowban to keep their platform safe. In the case of TikTok, a TikTok shadow ban refers to when the platform restricts the visibility of your videos without warning you. This means your content will no longer appear on the ‘For You’ and hashtags pages.
This restriction is temporary and during this time, you will not receive any engagement from nonfollowers. While your videos will not appear on the FYP, your visitors can view your videos on your page and interact with them.
How To Check If You Are Facing A TikTok Shadow Ban?
If you’re concerned about your account safety and suspect it may be facing shadowban restrictions, there are some simple methods you can use to verify this.
1. Engagement Drops
As we mentioned, once you get shadowbanned on TikTok, your videos will no longer appear on the ‘For You Page.’ This will cause a drop in the number of views, likes, and interactions. So monitor your TikTok analytics from your dashboard and check if there is any drop over the past few days.
2. Hashtag Search
Another easy way to find out if you are under a TikTok shadow ban restriction is checking the hashtags you have used
- Open one of your recent videos with a hashtag on the caption and tap on the hashtag to open its page.
- Scroll through the page to find your post.
- If you couldn’t find your post, it can be a sign of receiving a temporary ban.
3. TikTok Shadowban Checker
If you are looking for an accurate way to find out whether you are shadowbanned or not, you can get help from the TikTok shadowban checker. Follow these simple steps to check your account status:
- Open your TikTok profile tap on the three-line icon at the top of your screen and select ‘Settings and privacy’.
- Scroll down to the ‘Support and About’ box and select ‘Report a problem’.
- Tap on ‘Account Growth’ and select ‘I want to grow my account’.
- Scroll down to the question box and tap ‘Suspended account’.
- After a few seconds, TikTok will show your account status.
- If you are shadowbanned, it will suggest you submit an appeal. If you are not under a TikTok shadow ban restriction, your status is marked as ‘Active’.
Possible Reasons To Get A Shadowban On TikTok
Now that you’ve found out whether you are shadowbanned or not, it’s time to identify the reasons that led to this issue.
1. Violating The TikTok Community Guidelines
According to TikTok community guidelines, you need to be at least 13 to create an account on this platform. If you are located in the U.S. and are aged 13 to 18, there is a separate TikTok experience with additional safeguards.
If the platform detects you are under this age, you will receive a TikTok shadow ban or permanent ban. That’s why all the accounts dedicated to kids and teenagers are moderated by parents.
2. Sharing Inappropriate Content
Even when you are over 18, you are not allowed to share whatever you want on this platform. Here are the topics that can lead to receiving a TikTok shadowban or permanent ban:
- Disordered Eating and Body Image
- Dangerous Activity and Challenges
- Nudity and Body Exposure
- Sexually Suggestive Content
- Shocking and Graphic Content
- Gambling
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs
Keep in mind that creating a second TikTok account for sharing restricted content can lead to getting banned from both of your accounts.
3. Promoting Dangerous Challenges
TikTok gained the majority of its fame for fun and trendy challenges. While most activities or challenges are suitable for everyone, any challenges related to physical or mental harm are restricted on the platform and can lead to a TikTok shadow ban.
Videos that show professionals performing extreme sports will be labeled with a warning sticker on them to alert viewers that these acts can be dangerous for non-professionals.
4. Hateful Behavior
TikTok uses a combination of technology and human moderators to detect any type of hateful speech or content. If your account shares such content, you will get a TikTok shadowban, and your content will be removed. This includes direct negative attacks and indirect attacks such as creating memes.
5. Copyright Infringement
As with other social media platforms, it’s important to remember that sharing other authors’ videos or soundtracks on TikTok without their permission is not allowed and can lead to a TikTok shadowban. It’s one of the most common reasons users face a TikTok shadowban by sharing a small portion of someone else’s work.
TikTok gives 3 3-strike system for each IP type and after that, you will receive a permanent or temporary ban on your account.
6. Spam Behavior
TikTok’s algorithm is designed to identify excessive consecutive post sharing as a sign of using AI and will restrict your content. Newer accounts face a higher risk of receiving a TikTok shadow ban for engaging in spam-like behavior. Here are some examples of spam behavior on TikTok:
- Sharing too many posts
- Liking too many videos without watching till the end.
- Writing too many comments in a row under a post
How to Get Unshadowbanned on TikTok?
Now that you know the reasons of getting the shadowban TikTok restriction, it’s time to fix it. By following these simple steps, you can fix this issue.
1. Delete The Video
If you have received a copyright strike for using a soundtrack, delete the content and edit the TikTok video to reshare it with a new audio. Also, scroll down your recent videos to ensure they comply with TikTok’s community guidelines.
The best way to make sure your account is safe from a TikTok shadow ban is by choosing a soundtrack from the TikTok general and commercial music library.
2. Appeal The Ban
If one of your videos gets removed for sharing inappropriate content, you will receive a notification in your inbox. If you believe that it does not violate TikTok’s community guidelines, you have the option to appeal the ban and request the removal of your TikTok shadow ban.
However, it’s important to note that you should not expect an immediate response, as it may take up to a month for the TikTok team to review your post.
3. Act As A Human
If you recently shared too many posts and stories in a row, it’s time to reduce it. Also, if you have connected your TikTok page to any third-party or automation tools, make sure to unlink them.
4. Clear TikTok Cache
Sometimes the shadowban might be caused by technical glitches in the app and clearing the app cache can fix it. To clean your cache and fix the shadowban TikTok restriction, follow these steps:
- Open your TikTok app and navigate to your profile.
- Tap on the three-line icon at the top-right corner of your screen and select ‘Settings and privacy’.
- Scroll down to the ‘Cache & Cellular’ section and select ‘Free up space’.
- In the opened tab, clear both ‘Cache’ and ‘Downloads’.
5. Reinstall The App
Some users have reported that reinstalling the TikTok app fixed their TikTok shadow ban, although there’s no clear reason why. So try uninstalling the app and downloading the latest version from Google Play or the App Store.
6. Contact TikTok Support
If you’ve tried all the steps above and the TikTok shadow ban issue didn’t fix, you can reach out to the TikTok support team and ask for help. Contact one of the following email addresses and describe the problem you are facing.
- info@tiktok.com: for reporting a problem
- legal@tiktok.com—for any legal issues
- business-servicesupport@tiktok.com—for global creator support
7. Take A Break
If you’re still dealing with low engagement on your posts and the TikTok shadowban restrictions remain on your account, consider taking a break from the app for a few days. This break can help reset your algorithm, allowing you to return with a fresh start and focus on sharing high-quality content.
Conclusion
TikTok’s shadow ban can impact your content visibility, leading to a drop in views and interactions. This article provides a full guide to identifying whether you’re shadow-banned on TikTok, understanding the possible reasons for the restriction, and helpful steps to resolve the issue.
FAQs
1. How Long Does A Shadow Ban Last On TikTok
TikTok doesn’t provide clear information about how long a TikTok shadowban can last on your account. However, according to creators’ reports, it can last up to two weeks. But it doesn’t work for all accounts; For some users, it lasted up to a few months.
2. How Do I Know If I Am Shadowbanned On TikTok?
When you receive a TikTok shadow ban, the first thing you’ll notice is a drop in the number of likes and views on your videos, as they won’t show up on the “For You” page. To confirm if you’re shadow-banned, you can check the hashtags page and your account status on TikTok.
3. How Do I Fix the Shadow Ban On TikTok?
To remove restrictions from your TikTok account, follow these simple steps:
- Delete videos that contain inappropriate content
- Appeal the ban
- Reduce your posting times and unlink third-party tools from your account
- Clear your TikTok cache
- Reinstall the app
- Contact TikTok support
- Take a break from the app
4. Why Is My TikTok Stuck At 0 Views?
There are two possible reasons your video is not getting any views. The video might be under review or you are shadow-banned. Ask for a friend to check if they can view your video in your page. If it’s visible, you are shadow-banned; Otherwise, your video is under review for violating TikTok community guidelines.
