A TikTok shadowban is when TikTok limits your content's visibility without telling you. Your videos still appear on your profile, but they stop showing up on the For You page, in hashtag searches, or in search results.
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Quick Shadowban Signs
What is a TikTok Shadowban?
When you're shadowbanned:
- Your videos still post and show on your profile
- TikTok doesn't send you a notification
- Your content stops appearing on the For You page
- Your videos don't show up when people search hashtags you used
- Your reach drops significantly
TikTok doesn't officially acknowledge shadowbanning, but users report consistent patterns of reduced reach that match these behaviors.
How to Check if You're Shadowbanned
Method 1: Check Your Analytics
- Go to your profile and tap the menu (three lines)
- Select Creator tools > Analytics
- Look at a recent video's Traffic source types
- Check the percentage from "For You" page
What to look for:
- If "For You" traffic is at or near zero on multiple recent videos, you may be shadowbanned
- Compare to older videos—a sudden drop in FYP traffic is a warning sign
Method 2: The Hashtag Test
- Post a video using a unique hashtag that nobody else uses (make one up)
- Wait 1-2 hours for the video to process
- Search for that exact hashtag in TikTok search
- If your video doesn't appear in the results, your content may be suppressed
Method 3: Search for Your Account
- Log out of TikTok or use a different device
- Search for your username
- If your account doesn't appear or is hard to find, you may have visibility issues
Method 4: Compare Performance
Look at your last 5-10 videos:
- Are views significantly lower than your normal range?
- Did engagement (likes, comments, shares) drop suddenly?
- Did this happen after a specific video?
Why TikTok Shadowbans Accounts
TikTok may limit your reach for these reasons:
Community Guidelines Violations
- Content containing nudity, violence, or graphic content
- Hate speech or harassment
- Misinformation, especially about health or safety
- Copyright violations
Spam-Like Behavior
- Posting too frequently (many videos per day, every day)
- Reposting the same video multiple times
- Aggressive follow/unfollow tactics
- Using engagement pods or automation tools
Hashtag Issues
- Using banned or restricted hashtags
- Hashtag stuffing (using too many irrelevant hashtags)
- Using hashtags that have been flagged
Being Reported
- Multiple reports on your content
- Reports from other users (even if unfounded)
- Mass reporting from coordinated groups
How Long Does a Shadowban Last?
Based on user reports, shadowbans typically last:
- 2-4 weeks for minor violations
- Up to a month for more serious issues
- Longer if the behavior continues
Some shadowbans lift automatically when the triggering content ages out or when the account shows improved behavior.
How to Fix a TikTok Shadowban
Step 1: Stop Posting (3-7 days)
Take a break from posting new content. This shows TikTok you're not spamming and gives time for any issues to clear.
Step 2: Audit Your Content
Review your recent videos for anything that might violate community guidelines:
- Copyrighted music not from TikTok's library
- Content that could be seen as inappropriate or controversial
- Videos with banned or flagged hashtags
- Anything that received unusual negative comments or reports
Delete any problematic content.
Step 3: Clean Up Your Profile
- Remove any banned hashtags from your bio
- Ensure your profile information is complete and accurate
- Check that any links in your bio are appropriate
Step 4: Return Slowly
After 3-7 days, post one video:
- Use safe, original content
- Stick to mainstream hashtags
- Avoid anything controversial
- Monitor performance
If this video performs normally, gradually return to regular posting.
Step 5: Contact Support (Optional)
If you believe your shadowban is in error:
- Go to Settings > Report a Problem
- Select "Account Issue"
- Explain your situation clearly
- Wait for a response (can take 1-2 weeks)
How to Avoid Future Shadowbans
Content Guidelines
- Create original content (see our TikTok content ideas for business for safe, algorithm-friendly formats)
- Use TikTok's built-in music library
- Avoid controversial or sensitive topics
- Don't repost content from other accounts
Posting Behavior
- Post 1-3 videos per day maximum
- Space posts several hours apart
- Avoid rapid follow/unfollow patterns
- Don't use bots or automation tools
Hashtag Practices
- Research hashtags before using them
- Use 3-5 relevant hashtags per video
- Avoid hashtag stuffing
- Check if hashtags are banned before using
Shadowban vs. Other Issues
Not all view drops mean you're shadowbanned. Here's how to tell the difference:
Partial vs. Complete Shadowban
Partial Shadowban
- Some videos still get FYP traffic
- Certain types of content are suppressed
- Account can still grow, but slowly
- Usually resolves faster
Complete Shadowban
- No videos appear on FYP
- Hashtags completely non-functional
- Account growth stops
- Requires longer recovery period
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm shadowbanned or just getting low views?
The key difference is the pattern. A shadowban shows sudden, dramatic drops across all videos with zero For You page traffic in your analytics. Low views from other causes (algorithm changes, content quality, posting time) tend to be more gradual or inconsistent. Check your Traffic source types in analytics—if "For You" is at zero for multiple recent videos, you're likely shadowbanned.
How long does a TikTok shadowban last?
Most shadowbans last 2-4 weeks based on user reports. Some resolve faster (within a week) while others can last a month or longer, especially for repeated violations. The duration depends on the severity of the issue and whether you change your behavior.
Will deleting the video that caused my shadowban help?
Deleting problematic content can help, but it's not guaranteed to immediately lift the shadowban. It's still recommended to remove any content that violates guidelines, then wait several days before posting new content.
Can I appeal a TikTok shadowban?
TikTok doesn't officially acknowledge shadowbans, so there's no direct appeal process. You can report an issue through Settings > Report a Problem > Account Issue and explain that your reach has dropped unexpectedly. Responses typically take 1-2 weeks.
Should I create a new account if I'm shadowbanned?
Creating a new account should be a last resort. Most shadowbans resolve within a month if you follow the recovery steps. Starting fresh means losing your existing followers and content. Only consider a new account if the shadowban persists for months despite following guidelines.
Can I check if specific hashtags are banned?
TikTok doesn't publish a list of banned hashtags. You can test a hashtag by searching for it—if no videos appear or it shows very few results, the hashtag may be restricted. Avoid using hashtags with suspicious low activity or that seem connected to inappropriate content.
Related Resources
TikTok Tools
TikTok Guides
Shadowban Guides for Other Platforms
Summary
If you think you're shadowbanned on TikTok:
- Check your analytics for missing For You page traffic
- Do the hashtag test to confirm your content is suppressed
- Take a 3-7 day break from posting
- Delete any problematic content
- Return slowly with safe, original content
- Monitor your analytics to confirm recovery
Most shadowbans resolve within 2-4 weeks if you follow these steps and stick to TikTok's community guidelines going forward.