shadow ban

Meaning

A 'shadow ban' occurs when a social media platform blocks or restricts a user's content without their knowledge, making their posts invisible to others. The user can still post and interact normally, but their reach is drastically reduced. It is used in online contexts and has a slightly frustrated or suspicious connotation.

Examples

• I think I got a shadow ban because my posts are suddenly getting zero likes.

  I think I got a shadow ban because my posts are suddenly getting zero likes.

• The platform denied that they shadow ban users who talk about controversial topics.

  The platform denied that they shadow ban users who talk about controversial topics.

• If you use banned hashtags, you might end up getting a shadow ban.

  If you use banned hashtags, you might end up getting a shadow ban.

• She had to create a backup account after her main one got a shadow ban.

  She had to create a backup account after her main one got a shadow ban.

• It's frustrating to deal with a shadow ban when you don't even know what rule you broke.

  It's frustrating to deal with a shadow ban when you don't even know what rule you broke.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The moderator shadow banned me from the chat so I couldn't type.

  ✓ The moderator banned me from the chat.

  'Shadow banning' means you can still post but others cannot see it. If you are physically blocked from typing, it is a regular ban.

• ✗ I got a shadow banish on Instagram.

  ✓ I got shadow banned on Instagram.

  Use 'shadow ban' as a noun/verb, or 'shadow banned' as an adjective, not 'shadow banish.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• My engagement dropped to zero overnight; I'm convinced I got a ___.

  💡 A stealthy restriction of your account's visibility.

  Show answer

  shadow ban

• The algorithm will ___ accounts that post misleading information.

  💡 Verb form of secretly restricting a user's reach.

  Show answer

  shadow ban