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Facebook Shadowban
You may or may not have heard about this dreaded term, “shadowban.” But what exactly does this refer to, can it affect anyone’s account and ways to avoid being shadowbanned by the social network. And not just Facebook users can experience it, but it also exists on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Facebook shadowban refers to when your posts and comments are made either invisible to followers, by intensely suppressing your content. If you have noticed that your Facebook content has recently experienced a decline in activity, this may be the reason.
How do I know if I’ve been shadowbanned on Facebook?
Since the network does not notify you when your account has been shadowbanned, it’s up to you to find the issue. The main indicator that you have been shadowbanned, is if you’ve seen a noticeable dip in engagement.
To check if you’ve been shadowbanned, simply search for your posts or your account on another user’s account to see if it appears in the feed. If it doesn’t, this may be because of shadowbanning.
Commons ways leading to Facebook shadowbanning
Facebook shadowbans stem from violations of the Community Standards established by the network. Shadowbanning is used to detect bots, keep the feed clean and eliminate any harmful material. However, sometimes it may also be just a misunderstanding by the network.
No matter the reason, here are some of the main reasons accounts are shadowbanned on Facebook:
Inappropriate Content
If the network believes content includes violent, harmful or inappropriate content, it can be flagged for shadowban. Ensure that your comments, posts or tags don’t include anything content in this nature. Avoid this content and make sure to treat users with respect.
Spamming
Facebook will resort to shadowbanning if they see spamming occur, because this is a sign of a fake account. Make sure not to post the same links, share the same exact content or continuously contacting people for promotional reasons.
Any suspicious behavior will go noticed by the network, so stick to original content and avoid having all-promotional content.
Banned Hashtags
Even though there isn’t an official list of banned hashtags, every so often popular hashtags can become banned. You may be thinking, “Well how can I avoid it getting banned?”
The answer is, you can’t. But you can stick to tasteful and appropriate hashtags, so you don’t even have to worry about this happening. Check this list of hashtags that you should avoid, so you can stay clear of getting shadowbanned.
Paying for likes, comments or followers
Facebook likes consistency, and if you decide to pay for likes, comments or followers, this can be seen as a red flag for the network. Therefore, avoid paying for growth and stick to strategies that are proven to work and are completely safe.
Who can get shadowbanned?
Unfortunately, anyone can get shadowbanned. Facebook isn’t lenient when it comes to cracking down on violations, and has no mercy on the person. Small or large, ensure your account’s content follows good practices.
If you follow these steps and avoid the common reasons of Facebook shadowbanning, you should have nothing to worry about.
How can I resolve the Facebook shadowban?
If you believe your account has been shadowbanned, the best thing to do first is to review your content and see if there is anything that could have triggered the shadowban. If so, delete it or reframe it to make it appropriate.
On the other hand, if you believe Facebook made a mistake, you can reach out to Facebook’s Help Center or file a report. A Facebook shadowban may last up to 2 weeks. If someone is posting harmful content, you can report them to ensure the shadowban is going to the right person.
Now you know everything about a Facebook shadowban and how to avoid it and save your content from going unnoticed. Not sure where to get started on Facebook? Follow this guide to marketing on Facebook and excel with your account.