What to do
- Wait 7–14 days without drastic changes. Shadow bans usually lift with time.
- When you see new impressions resume, wait ~3 more days, then resume posting.
- Keep content policy‑safe and on‑topic; avoid spammy behavior.
- Verify search visibility from another account/incognito.
- Review analytics sources: drops isolated to certain surfaces may be algorithmic shifts, not bans.
Signs and considerations
- Sudden, unexplained drop in impressions/views.
- Disappearance from search or reduced distribution to non‑followers.
- Algorithm updates and seasonality can also reduce impressions.
- Policy violations can temporarily restrict visibility — review platform guidelines.
General best practices (all platforms)
- Stop suspicious activity & automation: Disconnect bots, automation tools, like‑for‑like services, and “free followers/likes” apps.
- Take a short break: Pause posting/engagement for 2–7 days to reset automated‑looking patterns.
- Review hashtags: Remove banned/broken tags, avoid copy‑pasting the same set each time, and keep tags relevant.
- Clean questionable content: Remove or edit posts that might violate guidelines or look spammy.
- Engage naturally: Avoid rapid like/comment/follow cycles or bulk DMs.
- Contact support thoughtfully: Describe visibility issues without using the term “shadowban.” Explain impact and request guidance.
Platform‑specific quick tips
Instagram
- Revoke third‑party app access (Settings → Apps & Websites).
- Prefer hashtags in the caption (easier to edit out later if flagged).
- Test with a unique/low‑traffic hashtag and check from another account.
TikTok
- Take a short break from liking/commenting.
- Remove controversial/flagged content; refresh your hashtag strategy.
- Use analytics to identify suppressed posts and refine what works.
YouTube — diagnose and recover
Check for issues
- Search incognito for your title/keywords. If you’re missing or much lower, that’s a signal.
- Review Analytics: sudden drops in Impressions, CTR, and early retention (first 30s).
- Restrictions: In Studio, check the Restrictions column (age‑restricted, limited ads, copyright).
Improve signals
- Thumbnails & titles: Clear, emotional, and honest. Aim for higher CTR.
- Hook the intro: Tighten the first 10 seconds to sustain retention.
- Align metadata: Avoid misleading titles/tags/descriptions; keep relevance tight.
- Audit sensitive topics: Reframe or tone down borderline claims.
- Drive real engagement: Ask for comments, reply, use Community posts.
Step‑by‑step plan
- Diagnose: Incognito search, check Restrictions, confirm analytics drops.
- Audit: Thumbnails, intro pacing, metadata, and topic sensitivity.
- Update: Refresh thumbnail/title, trim intro, fix misleading metadata.
- Promote: Encourage comments/shares, engage back, consider collaborations.
- Monitor: Track Impressions, CTR, retention for recovery (days to weeks).
Recovery is usually: stop spam‑like signals, improve viewer response, and give the system time.