With its vast and engaged user base of 1 Billion+, TikTok offers immense potential for content creators and influencers. However, there’s a downside to this platform, and it’s called the TikTok shadowban.
You’ve likely heard of it if you’re an avid TikTok user or aspiring influencer. This comprehensive guide delves deep into understanding TikTok shadowbans, why they happen, how to avoid them, and what to do if you find yourself in the shadowban abyss.
What is TikTok Shadowbanning?
Is your TikTok not getting views suddenly? In this case, it could be said that it was shadowbanned. Ghost banning, or shadowbanning, is described as soft-censorship online.
This is when someone’s post is visible to him/her only and unavailable to other users despite showing as published by the system. Shadowbanning on Tiktok means that even if you create an amazing video, it may never see the light of day.
How Shadowbanning Affects TikTok Users
For the people who create content, promote with TikTok, and earn through it, the results of a TikTok shadowban are disastrous. Some of the notable impacts include:
1. Decreased Visibility
This brings an issue where your video will not feature on the “for you” page or on related searches; hence, it becomes hard to attract new fans.
2. Stagnant Growth
However, if you cannot expand your outreach, your number of followers and interaction rates might remain stagnant or decrease.
3. Frustration
Typically, users complain about the decrease in content’s performance, and this makes them frustrated and demotivated.
Common Reasons for Getting Shadowbanned on TikTok
Here are the most common reasons for getting a TikTok shadowban:
1. Violating TikTok’s Community Guidelines
The use of TikTok is made safer by setting strict community guidelines. For instance, posting explicit or damaging content may violate them and hence receive a shadowban.
2. Spammy or Suspicious Behavior
3. Copyright Infringement
Using copyrighted music or content without proper authorization can lead to shadowbanning. TikTok takes copyright issues seriously and uses automated systems to detect violations.
TikTok influencers need to be extra careful in this regard. It mostly happens with public TikTok profiles like content creators and TikTok influencers, especially when they do brand deals, etc.
4. Inauthentic Engagement
For instance, artificially elevating your engagement by using fake likes, comments, and followers stands out on TikTok. It makes you not real and may result in a shadowban.
5. Using Prohibited Hashtags
TikTok’s list of banned hashtags that users ought not to use. Even accidental use of this tagging can lead to a shadow ban. Some banned hashtags pertain to bad information or harm.
How to Check If You’re Shadowbanned?
Confirming whether you’re shadowbanned is essential before diving into strategies to avoid and recover from a TikTok shadowban. Here’s how to check:
1. Use a Second Account
Ask a friend or use a secondary TikTok account to search for your videos or profile. If your content is not showing up, you might be shadowbanned.
2. Monitor Engagement
Pay attention to your recent videos’ engagement metrics. If you notice a significant drop in likes, comments, and views, it could be a sign of a shadowban.
3. Search Results
Search for your profile or content using relevant keywords. If your videos don’t appear in search results, it’s another indication of a shadowban.
4. TikTok Shadowban Checkers
While not consistently accurate, some third-party tools claim to check for TikTok shadowbans. Keep in mind that these tools may not provide foolproof results.
Now that you’ve identified a shadowban let’s explore what steps you can take to address the issue.
Tips for Avoiding Shadowbanning
The following tips can help you avoid TikTok shadowban:
1. Know TikTok’s Community Guidelines
Knowledge is power. Take the time to read and understand TikTok’s community guidelines thoroughly. Ensure that your content aligns with these rules to reduce the risk of shadowbanning.
2. Use Hashtags Wisely
Hashtags are essential for discoverability on TikTok. However, avoid using prohibited or spammy hashtags. Stick to relevant and trending ones that are appropriate for your content.
3. Avoid Spammy Behavior
Engage authentically with the TikTok community. Don’t engage in spammy activities like excessive following, liking, or commenting. Moreover, TikTok’s algorithms are quick to spot and penalize such behavior.
4. Respect Copyright Rules
Always obtain proper permissions for the music and content you use in your videos. Also, respect copyright rules to avoid copyright-related shadowbans.
5. Engage Authentically
Build a genuine following by interacting with your audience and creating content that resonates with them. Authenticity is appreciated by viewers and favored by TikTok’s algorithms.
Boost Your TikTok Performance with SocialBu
In the ever-competitive world of TikTok, managing your account efficiently is essential for growth and avoiding TikTok shadowbans. This is where SocialBu comes into play.
1. Engaging with Your Audience
Connecting with your audience is crucial on TikTok, and SocialBu simplifies the process. You can engage with comments, respond to messages, and foster a sense of community around your content—all from a unified social inbox.
2. Performance Monitoring
Understanding how your content performs is critical to refining your TikTok strategy. SocialBu provides in-depth analytics and insights that help you track your videos’ reach, engagement, and overall impact.
3. Staying Within TikTok’s Guidelines
SocialBu ensures your TikTok account operates under legal and permissible conditions, which does not attract shadow bans or any other forms of bans on growth.
Conclusion
In short, a TikTok shadowban can be a daunting experience, but it’s not the end of the road. You can overcome this setback by understanding the reasons, learning how to avoid them, and engaging genuinely on TikTok. Remember, TikTok values creativity, authenticity, and a positive community, so make these principles the cornerstone of your TikTok journey.
FAQs
How do I know if I’ve been shadowbanned on TikTok?
Check for decreased visibility, Engagement, and search results. Use a secondary account to search for your content, or try TikTok shadowban checkers cautiously.
Why did I get shadowbanned on TikTok?
Common reasons for TikTok shadowbans include violating community guidelines, engaging in spammy behavior, copyright infringement, inauthentic Engagement, and using prohibited hashtags.
What should I do immediately if I discover I’m shadowbanned on TikTok?
Act swiftly by discontinuing prohibited activities, deleting infringing content, and reviewing TikTok’s community guidelines. This is the first step to rectify the situation.
How can I contact TikTok support for help with a shadowban?
TikTok provides support channels for users to report issues and seek assistance. You can contact TikTok support through the app or website for guidance on resolving shadowban issues.
How long does a TikTok shadowban last?
The duration of a TikTok shadowban can vary. It may last for a few days to several weeks. The key is to address the root causes and patiently wait for your account’s restrictions to lift.
