Cracking the Code to TikTok Shadowbans: How to Avoid and Recover

With its state-of-the-art algorithm, TikTok has transcended its status as a mere hub for quirky content and viral challenges. Today, the platform boasts unparalleled potential for content creators to establish and grow their brands.  And the numbers show it too, as its users average 95 minutes daily on the platform.

In fact, at over a billion monthly active users — it is well on its way to rivaling Facebook and Instagram. As such, TikTok accounts and presence are invaluable, and a shadowban on TikTok would seem like one of the worst things that could happen to you as a content creator.

But don’t worry, help has come! This article will delve into TikTok shadowbans, why users get shadowbanned, the duration of a shadowban, and how the TikTok algorithm works. You’ll also get tips and tricks for recovering from a shadowban. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge of alternative methods to prevent or recover from a shadowban on TikTok.

Buckle up and get ready for the ride!

What is a TikTok Shadowban?

TikTok shadowban restricts a user’s content visibility on the platform without notifying the user that their content has been affected. This means the user’s content is shown to fewer people than usual.

In other words, your content will have limited reach, leading to fewer engagements, views, and likes. It’s almost like an outright ban on the platform, only that there’s no actual notification to go with it.

A TikTok shadowban is a punishment that TikTok imposes on users for various reasons, usually involving the user violating its community guidelines or terms of service.

For content creators, this can be a huge problem as it becomes much harder to gain new followers and grow your audience – with the algorithm against you. This is particularly challenging for those relying on TikTok as a source of income or building their brand.

Overall, the TikTok Shadowban is a severe concern for content creators and users alike. However, by staying vigilant and adhering to the app’s guidelines, you can mitigate the risk of being shadowbanned and continue to grow your presence on the platform.

How do you get Shadowbanned in TikTok?
You can get shadowbanned on TikTok through any of the following ways:

1. Violating community guidelines
   The most common reason for getting shadowbanned on TikTok is violating the platform’s community guidelines. These guidelines cover topics from nudity and sexual content to hate speech and harassment.If you post content that goes against these guidelines, TikTok may remove your content or shadowban you.
2. Using banned hashtags
   TikTok periodically updates its list of banned hashtags, typically related to controversial or sensitive topics. If you use one of these banned hashtags in your video, your content may be removed, and you could be shadowbanned.
3. Spamming or engaging in suspicious activity
   TikTok has strict rules against spamming and other suspicious activity, such as buying followers or using bots to interact with other users. If you engage in these types of activities, you could be shadowbanned or even banned from the platform altogether.
4. Excessive use of restricted content
   TikTok limits certain content categories, such as those that promote nudity, drug use, and violence.If you overuse such elements in creating your content, it could lead to a shadowban.
5. Engagement Manipulation
   TikTok has strict penalties for users that attempt to manipulate engagements. Users who buy likes, comments, fake followers, and otherwise try to tamper with the metrics in shady ways risk being shadowbanned.
6. Getting reported by other users
   If other TikTok users report your content as inappropriate or offensive, TikTok may review your account and shadowban you if you’ve violated their community guidelines.In such cases, once the TikTok algorithm discovers the anomaly, the affected accounts can be shadowbanned.As you’ll see later in this article, there’s one top solution to help you to manage multiple accounts on TikTok without the risk of a shadowban. 

How Does the TikTok Algorithm Work?

By understanding how the TikTok algorithm works, you can stay on the right side of the regulations and avoid a shadow ban.

The algorithm is made up of multiple metrics that analyze user engagement, behavior, and content quality. Here are some of the most important indicators:

• User interactions: The algorithm factors in various elements of your interactions including followed accounts, and content liked, shared, and commented on. It then cumulates this data to recommend content on the For You page.
• Video completion rates: The more videos that users watch till the end, the more “relevant” these videos are, and thus, they perform better.
• Trending sounds and challenges: Participating in trending TikTok challenges or using popular sounds can boost your visibility.

How do you know if you’ve been Shadowbanned on TikTok?

It can be challenging to determine if you’ve been shadowbanned on TikTok. If you suspect you’ve been shadowbanned on TikTok, there are a few signs to look out for. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Your views and engagement have significantly decreased
   If you’ve noticed a sudden drop in the number of views, likes, and comments your videos get, it could be a sign that your account has been shadowbanned. TikTok’s algorithm may be showing your content to fewer users than before.
2. Your account isn’t showing up in search results
   If you search for your account using relevant keywords or hashtags but can’t find it, it could be a sign that your account has been shadowbanned. TikTok may be hiding your account from search results to prevent it from being discovered by new users.
3. You’re not getting any new followers.
   You’ll likely only get new followers if your account has been shadowbanned. Your account isn’t being promoted to other users, so they won’t know you exist.
4. Your videos aren’t uploading
   Another sign that your TikTok account has been shadowbanned is if your videos aren’t uploading. In this instance, every time you try to post a video on the platform, you get the “processing” or “under review” message each time.
5. Your videos aren’t appearing on the “For You” page
   The “For You” page is a key feature on TikTok that helps users discover new content. If your videos aren’t appearing on this page, it could be a sign that your account has been shadowbanned.This makes it much harder for the user’s content to reach a wider audience and can significantly impact their ability to grow their following and engagement on the platform.If you’re experiencing a combination of these signs, your account may have been shadowbanned on TikTok. To confirm this, try contacting TikTok’s support team for help. They can provide more information about why your account has been shadowbanned and what you can do to fix it.However, you can look for a significant drop in views and engagement. You can also check if your content appears in the “For You” section of the app by searching for relevant hashtags or asking a friend to search for your content.

How long does a Shadowban last?

Typically, a shadowban can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the platform and the severity of the violation. However, many factors can impact its duration.

The reason behind the Shadowban

One of the most significant factors is the reason for the shadowban. The shadowban may only last a few days if the violation is minor. However, if the violation is severe, such as engaging in hate speech or promoting violence, the shadowban may last much longer or even result in a permanent ban.

TikTok algorithm

Another factor that can impact the duration of a shadowban is the platform’s policies and algorithm.

Social media platforms use complex algorithms to determine which accounts violate their terms of service and how to restrict them. These algorithms are only sometimes perfect and can make mistakes, resulting in innocent accounts being shadowbanned. For instance, many Black Lives Matter activists have accused TikTok of shadowbanning since 2020.

In such cases, the platform may take longer to rectify the situation and lift the shadowban.

Finally, the account holder’s actions can also affect how long a shadowban lasts. If the user continues to violate the platform’s terms of service, the shadowban could stay longer or become permanent. But if the user follows the platform’s rules and makes things right, the shadowban could be lifted sooner.

So, it’s important always to follow the rules and be mindful of what you post online.

Alternatives to undoing a TikTok Shadowban

If you’ve been shadowbanned on TikTok, some strategies can help you recover your visibility and reach. Below are some alternatives to undo it:

1. Contact TikTok Support
   If you’ve been shadowbanned on TikTok, the first thing you should do is contact TikTok support. You can do this by going to the app’s settings and selecting “Report a problem.” You can then explain the issue you’re experiencing and request that your account be reviewed.
2. Change Your Content
   Another alternative to undoing a TikTok shadowban is to change your content. TikTok’s algorithm may have flagged your account for violating its community guidelines.To avoid this, you can switch up your content and focus on creating videos that align with TikTok’s policies. You can also experiment with different hashtags and captions to see if that makes a difference.
3. Take a Break
   Taking a break from TikTok may also be a solution to a shadowban. Sometimes TikTok may flag an account if it’s been posting too frequently or using the same hashtags repeatedly.Taking a break allows your account to reset and avoid any algorithmic flags. You can also use this time to plan and strategize your next set of videos.
4. Collaborate with Other Creators
   Collaborating with other creators exposes your account to a new audience and increases your chances of being discovered. You can collaborate with other creators in your niche or industry and create videos together.
5. Follow Community Guidelines
   Like any other social media network, TikTok has clearly defined community guidelines outlining how users should interact with one another and engage with the app.A quick review of the guidelines can help you identify what you’ve been doing wrong. You can then subsequently align your activities to comply with the existing rules.
6. Reinstall the app
   Another alternative to undoing a shadowban is to uninstall and reinstall the app. Sometimes, this simple operation is all it takes to restore things to normal.In summary, to avoid getting shadowbanned on TikTok, it’s important toread and follow the platform’s community guidelines closely and be mindful of the content you share.Make sure to steer clear of banned hashtags and avoid any suspicious activity that could raise red flags with TikTok’s algorithms.Finally, always be respectful and considerate of other users on the platform, and avoid posting anything that could be seen as offensive or inappropriate. By doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy all that TikTok offers without running the risk of being shadowbanned.

Crack the Code — Use TikTok with Incogniton

As a social media marketer or content creator whose objective involves managing multiple accounts or brands, you need a way to manage your TikTok accounts without a trace – so you don’t get tracked.

Tools such as a VPN can only get you halfway there. Every time you access TikTok, you leave a digital footprint that the platform can track. It is this digital fingerprint that you leave behind with each browsing session, that enables TikTok’s algorithms to identify your account and effect a shadowban. Incogniton fills this void.

Incogniton is an anti-detect browser equipped with fingerprinting technology. It masks a user’s digital fingerprint, making it appear like someone else is connecting from a different device. This enables users to create distinct settings for their browser profiles that cannot be linked to one another.

Incogniton also allows you to manage multiple browser profiles. This makes you virtually untraceable every time you access TikTok through the Incogniton browser.

Additionally, the cookies management feature means that you’re not at risk from remote tracking, as you can export, import, and clear cookies at will.

Incogniton also stores your browsing data securely, so you needn’t worry about compromising sensitive browsing details. Finally, with the paste as a human typing feature, you can avoid triggering certain online tracking algorithms and stay anonymous online.

Note: While using a browser equipped with fingerprinting technology like Incogniton can help mask your digital identity and prevent tracking, it does not provide absolute protection from a shadowban on TikTok that can be triggered by other violations of TikTok’s Terms of Service. Ensure you find time to read it.

Conclusion

TikTok remains an exciting platform with boundless opportunities for users to display creativity and boost visibility. And that’s why getting shadowbanned on TikTok is quite a frustrating and saddening experience, especially for content creators managing multiple accounts.

To avoid being shadowbanned, ensure that you constantly adhere to TikTok’s community guidelines, avoid banned hashtags, and stop spammy behavior. You can also implement some of the strategies discussed in this article, such as contacting TikTok support and taking a temporary break to undo a shadowban.

Nonetheless, waiting for sickness to strike before seeking remedy is not wise; the same goes for shadowbans. Install Incogniton — browse without a trace — and eliminate the threat of shadowbans altogether.