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Is your reach suddenly dropping? Learn the signs of a shadowban, what causes it, and how to fix it.
Quick Answer
A shadowban reduces your content's visibility to non-followers. Common causes: using banned hashtags, bot-like behavior, or third-party apps. Fix it by stopping automation and posting organically—most lift within 14-30 days.
Posts don't appear in hashtags
Your posts aren't discoverable via hashtag search for non-followers
Sudden drop in reach
Your Insights show significantly lower reach than usual
Only followers see your posts
Non-followers can't find your content in Explore or hashtags
Lower engagement than normal
Likes and comments dropped significantly
Stories get fewer views
Your story views are much lower than your follower count
Using banned hashtags
Some hashtags are flagged for spam or inappropriate content
Bot-like behavior
Too many likes, follows, or comments in a short time
Third-party apps
Using unauthorized automation or growth tools
Reported content
Multiple users reported your posts or account
Violating guidelines
Posting content that violates Instagram's community guidelines
IP issues
Multiple accounts on same IP flagged for spam
Disconnect any third-party apps or bots immediately
Remove any potentially banned or spammy hashtags
Stop posting for 24-48 hours to reset algorithm flags
Only use manual, authentic engagement when you return
Go to Settings → Help → Report a Problem if it persists
Most shadowbans lift within 14-30 days of good behavior
Recovering from a shadowban?
Monitor who follows and unfollows as your reach recovers. Know when your account is back to normal.
Check your followersA 'shadowban' is when Instagram reduces your content's visibility without notifying you. Your posts won't appear in hashtag searches or Explore for non-followers, but you can still post normally. Instagram has denied shadowbans exist, but many users report these symptoms.
Signs include: posts not appearing in hashtag searches (ask a non-follower to check), sudden drop in reach (check Insights), and significantly lower engagement. Test by posting with a unique hashtag and having a non-follower search for it.
Most shadowbans last 14-30 days if you stop the behavior that caused it. Some users report it lifting in a few days, while severe cases can last longer. Continuing problematic behavior will extend it indefinitely.
Instagram denies using the term 'shadowban,' but they do confirm they reduce distribution of content that violates guidelines or appears spam-like. They call it 'reduced distribution' rather than shadowbanning.
Yes. Using unauthorized automation tools, follow/unfollow bots, or apps that require your login credentials can trigger restrictions. Instagram detects bot-like behavior and reduces reach accordingly.
Using banned or flagged hashtags can reduce your post's visibility. Some hashtags are permanently banned, while others are temporarily restricted. Search hashtags before using them—if no 'Top Posts' appear, it may be banned.
No, account type doesn't affect shadowbans. However, business/creator accounts give you access to Insights, which helps you monitor if your reach is being restricted. This data is valuable for diagnosing issues.
This is usually not necessary. Most shadowbans lift with time and good behavior. Starting over means losing all your followers and content. Only consider this as a last resort if restrictions persist for months.