How to Check if Your Instagram Account is Shadowbanned

If you’ve noticed that your Instagram posts are getting fewer likes or your follower count is dropping, you might be wondering if your account has been shadowbanned. A shadowban on Instagram means that your posts are less visible to people who don’t follow you, making it harder for new users to discover your content. Here's a simple guide on how to check if your Instagram account is shadowbanned and what you can do about it.

1. Check Your Hashtag Reach

One of the easiest ways to tell if you’re shadowbanned is by looking at how your posts perform under hashtags. Normally, when you use hashtags, your post appears in the hashtag feed, where users who don’t follow you can find it. If you're shadowbanned, your post may not show up under the hashtags you’ve used.

• How to check: Post a picture using a few popular hashtags. Ask a friend who doesn’t follow you to search for that hashtag and see if your post appears in the feed. If it doesn’t, your account might be shadowbanned.

2. Review Your Instagram Insights

Instagram offers insights for business or creator accounts. This tool helps you see how many people have seen your posts and how they found them. If you notice a sudden drop in your reach, especially from users who aren’t following you, it could be a sign of shadowbanning.

• How to check: Go to your Instagram profile, tap on the “Insights” button, and review the data for your latest posts. Check if the number of people discovering your posts from hashtags or explore pages has decreased significantly.

3. Analyze Your Engagement

If your likes, comments, and shares have dropped without any reason, it might mean your content is not reaching a larger audience. A sudden decline in engagement can be another sign of shadowbanning.

• How to check: Compare your recent posts with older ones. If your engagement rate has suddenly dropped, and you haven’t changed your posting style, it’s worth considering a shadowban.

4. Use a Shadowban Tester

Some third-party websites offer tools to check if your account is shadowbanned. While these tools aren’t 100% accurate, they can give you an idea of whether or not your account is restricted.

• How to check: Search online for “Instagram shadowban tester” and follow the instructions on the website. Be cautious when using third-party tools to ensure they are safe.

What to Do If You’re Shadowbanned?

If you believe your account is shadowbanned, here are a few steps you can take to fix the issue:

• Take a break: Stop using Instagram for a few days to give your account a break.
• Avoid using banned hashtags: Some hashtags are flagged by Instagram and can lead to a shadowban. Make sure the hashtags you use are not on the banned list.
• Follow Instagram’s guidelines: Make sure you’re following Instagram’s community guidelines and terms of service.
• Contact Instagram support: If the issue continues, you can reach out to Instagram’s support team for help.

By following these steps, you can determine if your account is shadowbanned and work to resolve it. Staying in line with Instagram’s rules and engaging genuinely with your audience can help prevent future issues.