How to Get Rid of the TikTok Shadowban?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about combating shadowbans on TikTok while driving сonditionally free traffic (traffic that is generated to your website or online platform without you having to pay for it). You will learn how to identify a shadowban, why it occurs, how to get rid of it, and how to protect accounts.

What is a Shadowban and How to Identify It

A shadowban on TikTok is a restriction that prevents videos of new account from appearing in the “For You” feed. Only subscribers will see the videos if they exist, thus shadowban closes off the opportunity to attract new users with сonditionally free traffic.

Unlike ordinary blocking, TikTok does not notify accounts of shadowbans. That’s why it’s important to track statistics in the early stages. To do this, you need to switch to a Pro account.

In the settings, go to “Manage my account” → “Switch to Pro Account,”, select the content category and gender. Immediately after that, the “Analytics” tab will appear in the settings.

You can identify a shadowban by the following signs:

• The number of your video views is 0;
• The account is new and has just started publishing videos;
• Comments made by the account on other videos are being deleted.

There are no other shadowbans or filters on TikTok. If the reach of your videos significantly drops after they have already been published, it’s not a penalty; you should continue posting. Shadowbans are a problem only for newly created profiles.

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Causes of Shadowban on TikTok

Understanding the reasons behind a shadowban on TikTok is crucial for all users of the platform. Below, we explore the primary factors that can lead to your content being restricted in visibility:

• Anonymity issues. Errors in anonymity settings and device configurations, improper account creation, or low-quality proxies often lead to shadowbans. Algorithms are particularly sensitive to IP-related issues.
• Suspicious activities. Avoid engaging in fake engagement, mass liking, or spamming comments from accounts used for сonditionally free traffic. If you did it before uploading the first video, your profile may receive a shadowban.
• Gallery uploads. Shadowbans are more likely to appear with videos uploaded from the gallery. The chance of a shadowban decreases significantly when videos are filmed directly within the app.
• Incorrect hashtag usage. Algorithms dislike excessive or blindly copied hashtags that don’t match the content’s theme. The optimal number of hashtags per video is up to 10.
• Re-uploads and plagiarism. Ensure uniqueness for any videos previously published on the platform. Be cautious with music, as shadowbans can also be imposed for copyright infringement. You can read more about copyright policy on the official TikTok page.

How to Combat a TikTok Shadowban?

Shadowbans are issued by the platform’s algorithms, and disputing the decision with support is pointless. The chances of a successful unban directly depend on the severity of anonymity-related issues.

In any case, it’s not possible to get rid of the shadowban on your own or expedite the unblocking process. All the webmaster can do is continue publishing content and wait for the restrictions to be lifted.

Speed is crucial when working with conditionally free traffic, so you can create a new account. You can reinstall TikTok with a new IP address and ensure video uniqueness before publication.

Don’t try to boost statistics during a shadowban using methods like mass following. In practice, this is more likely to convert the shadowban into a regular ban and is unlikely to help lift the restriction.

Should You Combat a Shadowban or Create a New Account?

Actually, the best course of action depends on your situation:

• For new accounts: If your account is new and you suspect a shadowban, focus on creating high-quality content and following best practices. Be patient and see if the restrictions ease over time. If it doesn’t work, you can try to create a new account.
• For established accounts: If your established account experiences a sudden drop in views, it might not be a shadowban but a shift in the algorithm. Keep creating content and see if your reach returns. If you suspect a wrongful shadowban, you can try contacting TikTok support (though success is unlikely).
• Consider the effort: Creating a new account can be a good option if your old account is stuck in a shadowban and you’re impatient. However, weigh the time investment required to grow a new account from scratch.

Conclusion

Shadowbans on TikTok are a hidden restriction that limits the ability to reach a new audience. Today, you’ve learned how they work and how to combat them — hopefully, this information will help you achieve more stable results when driving сonditionally free traffic. The good news is that there are steps you can take to minimize the risk. By focusing on creating high-quality, engaging content, strategically using relevant hashtags, and adhering to TikTok’s community guidelines.

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