--- title: "Shadow banning explained » How it impacts your online presence" description: "Uncover the effects of shadow banning on your social media. What it is, why platforms use it, and how it could be influencing your content." url: "https://www.mickyweis.com/en/shadow-banning/" source: "https://www.mickyweis.com/en/shadow-banning/" published: "2024-06-20T15:21:43+00:00" --- ![pinterest ads top](https://www.mickyweis.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pinterest-ads-top.png) Have you heard of the term **“shadow banning”** before? The term often circulates on social media when creators believe that the engagement level for their posts does not meet expectations, and that their account has thus been “shadow banned” by the platform in question. But in fact, the term covers a practice that should be taken a bit more seriously. Jump to section [Toggle](#) ## Shadow banning limits reach Shadow banning is a process used by platforms like [TikTok](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/selling-on-tiktok/), X, [Facebook](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/facebook-business-manager/), [Instagram](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/business-on-instagram/), etc., to reduce the visibility of specific accounts. This is done with the aim of reducing visibility for content that may have an offensive or harassing nature. It is a milder way to filter content without the platform being forced to delete the account and/or posts that may have an offensive nature. If you’re curious to read concrete examples of shadow banning, I recommend [this article from The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/13/business/what-is-shadow-banning.html). ## A controversial practice Shadow banning is often accused of being a controversial practice that can be compared to censorship without due process. The problem is that the user experiencing their content being shadow banned is not aware that this process has been initiated. In other words, there is a lack of transparency from the platform that chooses to shadow ban content. The user, whose content has been reduced in reach and visibility, will not be informed of this but will instead continue to see their own content without problems—while the rest of the world will not be presented with it. > **As with all controversies, there are two sides to the story.** One side advocates for limiting harmful and offensive content without getting into major conflicts and debates about what is right and wrong. The other side advocates for greater transparency around this process and fears it will lead to suppressing opinions and viewpoints without a real explanation behind it. Do you have an opinion on shadow banning? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below! ![Micky Weis](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%2072%2072'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ### Micky Weis Freelance fractional CMO · 17 years in digital marketing · Copenhagen Micky Weis er en af Danmarks mest erfarne digitale marketingeksperter med næsten 17 års erfaring. Han arbejder som fractional CMO og specialiserer sig i SEO, organisk vækst, AI i marketing, affiliate og kommerciel strategi. Han har arbejdet med brands som Hummel, Matas, Tattoodo og Firtal, og driver i dag sin egen praksis, Weisio, fra København. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickyweis/) [Get in touch](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/external-cmo/) ## Got a comment? Commenting requires a login right now. If you have a question about this, send it over and I will reply directly. 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