TikTok Shadow Ban Explained: What It Is, and How to Fix It

Last Updated on April 21, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

TikTok is one of the most popular apps in the world. Over 1.7 billion people use it every month. It’s a fun place to share videos, follow trends, and grow your audience. Some people even use TikTok to grow their business.

But sometimes, something strange happens—your views drop all of a sudden. Your videos stop showing up on the For You Page. Even your followers don’t seem to see your content anymore.

If this has happened to you, you might be shadow banned.

A TikTok shadow ban means TikTok is quietly hiding your videos from others. You don’t get a warning. Your videos are still there, but fewer people can see them.

This can be really frustrating, especially if you’re working hard on your content.

In this blog, you’ll learn what a shadow ban is, what causes it, how to tell if you’ve been shadow banned, and how to fix it. We’ll also share tips to help you avoid it in the future

What is a TikTok Shadow Ban?

A TikTok shadow ban is when TikTok stops showing your videos to people, but doesn’t tell you.

Your videos are still there, and you can still post. But fewer people see them, especially on the For You Page (FYP). This means you get less likes, comments, and views.

The problem is, TikTok doesn’t tell you when this happens. It’s like your videos are hidden, but you don’t know why.

TikTok hasn’t said shadow bans are real, but many people notice their views drop suddenly. It feels like a shadow ban is happening.

What Triggers a TikTok Shadow Ban

Here are some reasons why you might get a TikTok shadow ban:

Posting Restricted Content
If you post videos that go against TikTok’s rules, like violent or harmful content, your videos might get hidden. Always follow the rules.
Bullying or Harassment
If you bully, harass, or spread hate, TikTok can hide your videos. Be kind and respectful to others to keep your content visible.
Copyright Infringement
If you use music or videos you don’t own, TikTok might hide your videos. Use content that is yours or from TikTok’s library.
Using Banned Hashtags
Some hashtags are not allowed. If you use them, your videos might not show up. Use safe hashtags instead.
Posting Too Much Too Fast
If you post a lot of videos in a short time, TikTok might think you’re spamming. Try posting at a normal speed.
Engaging in Spammy Behavior
If you follow and unfollow people too quickly or leave random comments, TikTok might think you’re using bots. Be real when interacting with others.
Getting Lots of Reports
If a lot of people report your videos, TikTok might hide them. Follow the rules to avoid getting reported.
By Accident
Sometimes, TikTok might hide your videos by mistake. It can happen even if you didn’t do anything wrong.

How to Know if You’re Shadow Banned?

Wondering if your account has been shadow banned? Here are some signs to look out for:

Big Drop in Views
If you suddenly notice a sharp drop in views, especially on the For You Page (FYP), it might be a sign. Your videos might not be reaching as many people as before.
Low Engagement
When your likes, comments, and shares start dropping, even though your content is still good, it could mean you’re not being shown to as many people.
No New Followers
If you’re posting regularly but aren’t getting new followers, TikTok may not be showing your videos to many new people.
Hashtags Don’t Work
If you’ve used popular hashtags and your videos still aren’t getting noticed, it could be a sign that TikTok is limiting your reach.
Videos Don’t Appear on the For You Page
If your videos aren’t showing up on the For You Page, even though they did before, you might be shadow banned.

How long does a TikTok shadow ban last?

TikTok doesn’t officially say anything about shadow banning in its rules, so it’s hard to know for sure if you’ve been shadow-banned or how long it will last.

But, many people who think they’ve been shadow-banned say it usually lasts about two weeks. A few users have said their shadow bans lasted even longer, like a month or more.

How long it lasts might depend on why it happened, but if you fix whatever caused the ban, things could go back to normal sooner.

How to Fix a TikTok Shadow Ban?

If you think you’ve been shadow-banned on TikTok, here’s what you can do:

Check Your Videos
Look at your videos and see if any might break TikTok’s rules. If you find any, delete them or change them.
Stop Using Banned Hashtags
Make sure you’re not using hashtags that TikTok doesn’t allow. Use safe, relevant hashtags for your posts.
Take a Short Break
Try not posting for 2-3 days. This can help your account reset and might lift the ban.
Follow the Rules
Read TikTok’s rules again and make sure you haven’t broken any by mistake. Follow the rules in the future.
Ask TikTok for Help
If nothing works, you can contact TikTok support and ask for help with your account.

How to Avoid a TikTok Shadow Ban?

If you don’t want to get shadow-banned, here are some simple tips:

Follow TikTok’s Rules
Always follow TikTok’s rules. Don’t post anything bad, mean, or inappropriate.
Use Good Hashtags
Check your hashtags to make sure they’re not banned. Use hashtags that match your video.
Don’t Post Too Much
Don’t post a lot of videos all at once. Post at a steady pace to keep things natural.
Be Nice
Be kind to others. Don’t bully or hurt people with your words.
Don’t Use Copyrighted Stuff
Don’t use music or videos that you don’t own. Use TikTok’s music or your own content.
Be Real
Talk to people in a real way. Don’t use fake comments or bots.

Final Thoughts

Getting shadow-banned on TikTok can be annoying, but don’t worry—it’s usually not forever. If you follow TikTok’s rules, use the right hashtags, and post naturally, you can avoid a ban. If you think you’ve been shadow-banned, take a short break, check your videos, and make sure everything follows the rules. And remember, if you do get banned, it’s okay—just fix the issue and keep making great content that supports your growth and TikTok marketing goals!

FAQ: TikTok Shadow Ban

1. What is a shadowban on TikTok?

A shadowban on TikTok means your videos don’t get seen by many people, even though you’re still posting them. It’s like your videos are hidden, and fewer people can watch or like them.

2. How do I know if I’m shadow-banned?

If you notice that your views and likes drop suddenly, it might mean you’re shadow-banned. You might also see that your videos don’t appear in the feed or aren’t showing up for your followers.

3. How long do TikTok shadow bans last?

Shadowbans usually last around two weeks, but some people say theirs lasted a bit longer—like a month. It can vary depending on the reason for the ban.

4. How to fix a TikTok shadow ban?

To fix a shadowban, check your videos to make sure you haven’t posted anything against TikTok’s rules. Take a short break from posting (2-3 days), and make sure your hashtags are safe and allowed.

5. How to get unshadowbanned on TikTok?

To get unshadowbanned, you need to stop doing anything that might have caused the ban. Once you fix the issue, like changing hashtags or deleting certain videos, take a break and wait for things to return to normal.