I wrote this other resourceful guide on how to go viral on TikTok in 2023, and a user reached out to me asking if I know how to get unshadowbanned on TikTok quickly.
It’s such an important question for two reasons:
- You can’t go viral on TikTok if you have been shadowbanned because your videos won’t appear on the For You Page.
- You won’t even know you have been shadowbanned since TikTok doesn’t notify you when the algorithm shadowbans you.
In this article, I’ll share highly resourceful insights and tips on:
- How to know if you are shadowbanned on TikTok.
- How to get rid of that TikTok shadowban quickly.
- And, how to avoid TikTok shadowban in the future.
But for the benefit of those who already know what is TikTok shadowban and how to find out if they have been banned, let’s first answer the most important question.
How to Get Unshadowbanned on TikTok?
To get unshadowbanned on TikTok you should delete all your videos that violate the TikTok rules and community guidelines.
After removing the inappropriate content, TikTok will lift the shadowban after about two weeks. Sometimes the shadowban gets lifted sooner!
TikTok Shadowban: What is it and How Do You Know?
We might have answered the most important question in this article, but there are three more important questions worth answering and seven other follow-up questions that you might have at the back of your mind.
1. What is Tiktok Shadowban?
TikTok shadowban, or ghost banning, is when your account gets temporarily banned by TikTok without notifying you.
Simply put, a shadowban is when the TikTok algorithm temporarily prevents your account from receiving interactions from other accounts without notice.
As such, during the shadowban two critical things will happen:
- Your videos won’t show up on the “For You Page”.
- Your videos won’t appear when users search the related hashtags.
As a result, you will notice a significant drop in views and other engagements including likes and comments.
NOTE: TikTok shadowban is different from a permanent ban. With a permanent ban, you can’t access your account, but during the shadowban period, you can still use your TikTok account normally.
2. What Causes a Shadowban on TikTok?
TikTok shadowban is an automatic process that aims at protecting other TikTok users from inappropriate content.
TIP: Inappropriate content is usually any video that violates the rules and community guidelines as highlighted by TikTok. I have explained this further in question ten below.
The shadowban process is usually automatic and done by the TikTok algorithm. So, it’s not done by a “real human” TikTok moderator.
When the algorithm notices a video that goes against the rules and community guidelines, it triggers the shadowban, without notifying you.
3. How Can I Tell if I’m Shadowbanned on TikTok?
You won’t get a notification that tells if you are shadowbanned on TikTok.
So, the easiest way to know if you’ve been shadowbanned on TikTok is to look at your “For You Page” and pageviews analytics.
If you’re consistent with posting videos on TikTok, these analytics will also be consistent. But if you notice a big drop in views, likes, and comments then TikTok is shadowbanning you.
The other way to tell if you’re shadowbanned is by searching the hashtags that you have added to your TikTok videos.
Usually, when you search these hashtags, your videos should appear among the other TikTok videos with the same hashtags in the search results.
But when you’re shadowbanned, your videos won’t appear when you search the hashtag since TikTok has temporarily banned them.
TIP: I recommend you use another TikTok account and/or phone when checking the hashtags. It’s better since you can “tell if other people” are seeing your videos when they search for them.
NOTE: Usually, TikTok analytics will take up to 72 hours to be updated. So, don’t freak out when you see zero views in the analytics in the first few hours!
4. How Long Does a TikTok Shadowban Last?
TikTok shadowban usually lasts between two weeks and one month. But many users have reported getting unshadowbanned just after the end of the two weeks period.
5. Can You Get Shadowbanned on TikTok for Posting Too Much?
Yes, you can easily get shadowbanned on TikTok for posting a lot of videos. That’s especially if you do this in quick succession within a short time window.
Since the shadowbanning is done by the TikTok algorithm, it often considers posting a lot of videos as a spamming behavior, hence the shadowban.
TIP: Instead of posting tons of “low-quality videos”, I recommend you only post about 3 high-quality, well-thought TikTok videos per day. That’s how you win the TikTok game!
6. Why Do I Keep Getting Shadowbanned on TikTok?
If you keep getting shadowbanned on TikTok, it’s probably because you keep violating TikTok’s community guidelines by posting inappropriate content.
I highly recommend you review all your TikTok posts and remove all the videos that contain nudity, fake news, hate speech, drugs, and violence among anything else that TikTok considers inappropriate.
TIP: Once you have reviewed and removed the inappropriate content, you can use this guide with over 100 TikTok content ideas to help you create high-quality TikTok videos that go viral.
7. Is There a TikTok Shadowban Checker and Remover?
No, there isn’t any TikTok shadow ban checker and remover! I highly recommend you avoid getting scammed by anyone saying they can sell you a tool that checks or removes TikTok shadowban.
NOTE: At the moment, TikTok is the most popular short-videos social platform in the world. And that means it’s attracting both the talented creatives like you and some of the “worst” scammers out there.
Just like you would want to grow your TikTok account, get more followers, and probably make money, these scammers also want to make money, but unlike you, they are not willing and/or ready to put in the work!
8. Can a TikTok Shadowban Be Permanent?
No, TikTok shadowban is a temporary suspension where the algorithm prevents your videos from appearing on the #FYP. But you can get permanently banned if you keep violating community guidelines as highlighted by TikTok.
9. Why Am I Permanently Banned from TikTok?
If you have been permanently banned from TikTok, most probably you have been consistently violating the community guidelines.
But don’t quit the app just yet, since TikTok allows you to submit an appeal. For more details on how to get unbanned on TikTok please check this other article.
10. How to Avoid TikTok Shadowban in the Future
The easiest way to be clear of the TikTok shadowban and a possible permanent ban is by not posting any video that violates the community guidelines and rules.
That’s basically everything that I have highlighted above, including not getting nude while going live on TikTok.
I understand that the world is getting freer but TikTok has users from all walks of the world and of all ages, and therefore, the algorithm has been designed to kick out anything that harms the sentiments of the majority.
Instead of violating these guidelines, why not entertain or educate the over 1 billion users on TikTok with 1 to 7 high-quality videos per day.
Statistics show that some of the highest-paid TikTokers post about 3 times a day. And their content is either educative or entertaining!
What Things are Considered Inappropriate on TikTok?
TikTok is quite strict with the type of content that you can share on the platform. That’s unlike Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter where you can easily post suggestive content!
In fact, the TikTok algorithm will notice anything suggestive, and therefore, inappropriate content even before other users have reported it.
TIP: At times, you can get shadow banned when users report your videos to TikTok, through the “report video” feature.
As such, to stay on the safer side so you can go viral, get on the “For You Page”, and get millions of views and followers, I highly recommend avoiding the following two inappropriate content:
(i) Overy Controversial Political and Cultural Sentiments
I understand your freedom of speech, but TikTok is NOT “Pro the Highly Controversial Free Speech”. You can’t body shame. You shouldn’t insult. You shouldn’t call out the other “political” parties with swear words.
With Twitter and Facebook, you can even use curse words on the political guys you don’t like. For example, this Tweet by the former USA Today Columnist, Cheri Jacobus.
It’s absolutely bonkers to say that! Especially to a former president. To a member of your former political party, GOP. But it’s not against Twitter guidelines, because all of these are considered free speech.
Yet, if you even said a fraction of that on TikTok, you would not only risk getting shadowbanned, but this could easily get your account permanently banned.
Why? Because, unlike Twitter where the majority of users are grown-up adults, TikTok allows users of 13+ ages.
TikTok statistics also reveal there are millions of children, tweens, and teens, on the platform. You don’t want them seeing that. So, why not just lip-sync and dance to the trending TikTok viral song.
Simply put, don’t curse, don’t swear, don’t insult, don’t body shame. Ask yourself, would I say this to my 13-year-old sibling in front of our mom? If not, you probably shouldn’t!
(ii) Overly Suggestive Adult Content (Including Soft Porn)
Just like sharing overly political and cultural remarks, platforms like Twitter and Instagram still tolerate nudity and even porn which is quite unfortunate!
In fact, Instagram is known for its soft porn, for example, this post by Britney Spears shows the world what her momma gave her in up close and candid.
But TikTok is ruthless with adult content! While you can dance and lip-sync suggestively, you should completely avoid sharing any form of profanity and nudity on the platform.
Just so you know, even posting a video while you’re scantly dressed, like how you would have shared on Instagram is considered suggestive adult content on TikTok.
To be on the safer side, simply ask yourself, would I share or appear dressed like this to my family with my mom/dad and siblings present? If not, you probably shouldn’t!
In my opinion, to be on the safer side of TikTok, I highly suggest you avoid highly controversial political debates, body shaming, swearing, cursing, and suggestive adult content.
NOTE: Other reasons that might get you shadowbanned on TikTok include using a VPN, posting copyrighted content, mass private videos, and faking engagement. In fact, some of these can get you permanently banned!
Featured Image Source: Photo by Amanda Vick on Unsplash