- You’re constantly posting on TikTok
- But you don’t get any engagement
- No views, likes, saves, or any other form of engagement
The sad truth is that you’re most likely shadowbanned — and this guide teaches you how to get rid of that shadow ban and how to get back on your feet.
What is a TikTok shadow ban?
Answer: A TikTok shadow ban is a restriction applied to an account that limits its visibility and reach without notifying the user.
Yes, shadowbanning on TikTok is 100% real.
This isn’t some made-up information, it’s something on which the whole internet agrees upon:
Shadow banning is real.
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1. What is TikTok Jail (TTJ)?
TikTok Jail (or “TTJ”) is a shadowban — a situation where a user’s account faces temporary restrictions or limitations due to violations of TikTok’s community guidelines or terms of service.
- Temporary Ban: Being unable to post, comment, or interact with other users for a certain period.
- Reduced Visibility: Content not appearing on the FYP (For You Page) or being less visible in searches.
- Account Suspension: Temporary suspension of the account, preventing any activity.
Generally, these are considered “Spam Filters” by TikTok.
2. How Long is a TikTok Shadow Ban?
Around 14 days. Generally, TikTok shadowbans last from 3 to 14 days, with two weeks being the maximum time people usually get shadowbanned.
If the issue causing the shadow ban is resolved, such as removing problematic content or adhering to community guidelines, the ban may be lifted sooner
To quickly find out, check out your Traffic Sources:
Low percentages in “For You” indicates a Shadow Ban.
In this case, “Following” is so high because TikTok has been recommending that video to the account’s followers all over — not to new accounts!
3. Reasons for TikTok Shadowban
“Why did TikTok shadowban me?”
The answer is: TikTok most likely shadowbanned you because you’ve broken their community guidelines some way. They never shadowban people for nothing.
Here are some possible reasons:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Violation of Guidelines | Posting nudity, hate speech, violence, etc. |
| Spammy Behavior | Excessive posting, repetitive comments, bots |
| Banned Hashtags | Using flagged or banned hashtags |
| Copyright Infringement | Using copyrighted music or videos |
| Controversial Topics | Posting politically sensitive content |
| Reported Content | Frequently reported by other users |
This table summarizes the common reasons for getting shadow banned on TikTok.
Most of you are probably here to learn how to get rid of the shadow ban, so we’ll begin with this section.
We’ll explain more in the next sections.
How to Get Unshadowbanned
Answer: To get unshadowbanned on TikTok, avoid violating community guidelines, reduce the frequency of posts, and engage authentically with your audience.
You can also appeal to TikTok support for a review of your account.
1. Act Naturally
To avoid detection by TikTok’s algorithms, it’s essential to behave like a genuine user.
- Don’t flood your account with multiple posts at once.
- Instead, focus on creating a more organic posting rhythm.
For instance, vary your posting times daily rather than sticking to a set schedule. This mimics natural user behavior and can help reduce the risk of being flagged.
2. Talk to Your Audience
A shadowban might occur if your content doesn’t align with your audience’s interests.
To prevent this: Use TikTok’s Pro Account features to gather insights about your viewers’ behavior and preferences. By analyzing this data, you can tailor your content to better match what your audience enjoys.
This alignment can help reduce the likelihood of future bans.
3. Review and Adjust
If you suspect a shadowban, start by reviewing your recent videos.
- Identify any content that might have triggered the issue, such as videos that could have violated TikTok’s guidelines or received negative feedback.
- Once you find potentially problematic videos…
- Delete them.
Give your account a few days before posting new content to help reset your status.
4. Take a Break
Sometimes, taking a brief hiatus from posting can be beneficial.
- If the shadowban persists despite your efforts, consider pausing your activity for at least a week.
- Use this time to refine your content strategy and improve video quality.
This break not only helps with the shadowban but also provides an opportunity to come back with better content.
5. Contact Support
If other methods do not work, contacting TikTok’s support team is a practical step.
Although responses might be limited, especially for smaller creators, it’s worth reaching out to seek clarity or assistance regarding your shadowban.
By following these steps, you can address a shadowban on TikTok and work towards improving your account’s visibility and engagement.
How to Know if You’re Shadowbanned
Answer: You’ll know that you’re shadowbanned on TikTok if your videos don’t get any form of engagement anymore. Another sign is if they don’t show up in search.
For instance, here’s a Traffic-Sources graph of somebody who isn’t shadowbanned:
Below is what you have to do if your “FYP” rates are low.
Step 1: Monitor Engagement
Track the performance of your recent posts.
+60% lower views/shares/saves indicate a shadow ban.
Notice any sudden drops in views, likes, and comments compared to your usual engagement.
Step 2: Test Hashtag Performance
- Create a video using a unique or less common hashtag.
- After posting, search for that hashtag.
If your video doesn’t appear in the search results, it could indicate a shadow ban.
Step 3: Check Content Reach
Use another TikTok account or ask friends to search for your content.
Verify if your videos appear on the FYP or in search results for hashtags you’ve used.
Step 4: Review Community Guidelines
- Go through TikTok’s community guidelines.
- Remove or edit any content that might be questionable.
Ensure none of your recent content violates these rules.
FAQs
1. Can you Get Unshadowbanned on TikTok?
Yes, you can potentially get unshadowbanned on TikTok by following the platform’s guidelines, improving content quality, and engaging authentically with users.
2. Does Deleting TikToks Shadowban You?
No, deleting TikTok content generally does not cause a shadowban. And no, deleting old TikToks won’t help you get rid of a shadow ban.
One thing though: Frequently deleting content might affect your account’s performance if it appears suspicious to the platform.
3. Will TikTok Shadowban Me if I Post Too Much?
Posting too much in a short period can trigger a shadowban on TikTok if it seems spammy or violates community guidelines.
Balance your posting frequency to avoid potential issues.
Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort
