If you’ve noticed your TikTok engagement is suddenly dropping, you might be dealing with a shadowban. This happens when social media platforms hide or limit your posts without notifying you. Don’t worry — it’s not permanent, and there are ways to get your account back on track.
In this article, we’ll walk you through why shadowbanning happens, how to recognize if your account has been affected, and how to get unshadowbanned on TikTok so you can continue growing your presence.
What’s a Shadowbanned TikTok Account?
A shadowbanned TikTok account refers to a restricted account that viewers can’t access, and the ban occurs without any notification of the creator. If this happens to you, your videos are still there, but TikTok’s algorithm holds them back from your audience. This can be frustrating if you don’t know what’s going on — you’re posting great content, but no one is seeing or interacting with it.

How To Know If You’re Shadowbanned on TikTok
If you’re unsure if your TikTok account has been shadowbanned, here are some key signs to look for:
- A sudden drop in engagement — If you post videos consistently but aren’t seeing likes, comments, or shares, that’s likely due to a shadowban. Your follower count might also stop growing or stay stagnant.
- Disappearance from the For You page — Your content will no longer appear on the For You page (FYP), where new audiences typically discover it.
- Reduced visibility in search results — Your content is harder to find when users search for related content.
- Drop in video views — Even with active followers, your views suddenly decrease.
Why Am I Shadowbanned on TikTok?
The first step to fixing shadowbanning is figuring out why your account is restricted in the first place. The exact reasons can be a bit unclear, but here are some common user mistakes that may have caused your ban.
Violating TikTok’s Community Guidelines
TikTok has strict community guidelines to keep the platform safe and enjoyable for everyone, and you risk being shadowbanned if you post videos that violate these rules. This includes infractions like harmful or inappropriate content, hate speech, and bullying.
TikTok’s algorithm actively works to stop this type of content from spreading, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules to avoid this issue.
Using Banned or Restricted Hashtags
TikTok hashtags help the platform categorize content and promote it accordingly. However, the algorithm may flag your account if you use prohibited tags, making it harder for new audiences to discover your videos.
To find restricted hashtags on TikTok, search for them in the app — if a tag is banned, you'll see a message "No results found" message. You can also check TikTok's Community Guidelines to stay updated on blocked tags.
Engaging in Bot-Like Activity
TikTok values real connections that foster trust and connection with audience members, so any interactions that seem artificial may raise some concerns. If the platform detects you using bots or automated tools to boost likes, comments, or followers, your account might get shadowbanned.
Just keep things genuine and engage naturally to avoid putting your account in a risky spot.
Spamming Posts or Comments
TikTok doesn't like spammy behavior, like posting the same video repeatedly or flooding the comments section with random messages. If you upload too much or leave too many comments, the platform might think you're over-posting, which could limit your visibility.
Sharing Content That Violates Copyright Laws
TikTok is strict when it comes to copyrighted content. Using music or videos without permission could violate content rights and be subject to bans. To avoid any issues, use royalty-free music or licensed videos for the platform.
If you’re having trouble finding audio that fits your vibe, try generating original music and customizing tracks for your videos with Captions’ music feature.

How To Get Unshadowbanned on TikTok: 6 Steps
If you think a shadowban has affected your TikTok account, don’t stress — there are a few easy things you can do to get back in the game and regain visibility. Here are six steps to correct a ban.
1. Review and Remove Any Violating Content
Go back and check your recent TikToks for anything that might violate the rules, like inappropriate content or copyright issues. If you find something that raises the alarm, just remove it. After that, TikTok will review your account again.
2. Take a Break from Posting
Posting too much or sharing the same content repeatedly can get you into trouble on TikTok. Taking a short break from uploading can help you out because it gives the algorithm a chance to reset and review your account without being overwhelmed.
3. Clear Cache and Update the App
Sometimes, the answer to getting unshadowbanned is as simple as updating your TikTok app and clearing caches. Glitches or old app versions can mess with how your content shows up on the platform. Keeping everything up to date might just give your account the refresh it needs to start showing your videos again.
4. Avoid Spammy or Banned Hashtags
Look over the hashtags you’ve been using and make sure none are banned or restricted. If you find any you shouldn’t be using, swap them out for new tags that are relevant to your video. To find popular hashtags, Check TikTok's "Discover" tab or look at creators who post similar content and see which tags they use.
5. Engage Authentically with the Community
TikTok values when people engage genuinely, so be sure to leave meaningful comments and always reply to your followers. When you interact with authenticity, the platform sees you as a valuable part of the community.
6. Be Patient and Monitor Your Progress
Getting unshadowbanned doesn’t happen overnight, so be patient and give TikTok time to review your account. Monitor your engagement by tracking metrics, including likes, comments, and view counts.
If you see an increase in these interactions, it's a sign that your content is getting noticed again and could be showing up on the FYP.
How Long Does a Shadowban Last on TikTok?
A shadowban’s duration can vary depending on the severity of the violation and how quickly you take corrective actions. Typically, a ban can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. However, if you immediately try to fix any issues with your account, you may see your engagement pick up again more quickly.
Create Original TikTok Videos With Captions
To prevent a shadowban in the future, you need to consistently share original content that follows TikTok’s community guidelines. By focusing on quality posts that engage your followers, you’re far less likely to encounter issues with the algorithm. This is where Captions comes in.
Captions’ TikTok video editor helps you improve your content with automatic captions, professional video quality, and enhanced audio. Plus, Captions' Video cropper makes it easy to resize and center your clips for TikTok, offering AI-formated aspect ratio options.
Try Captions today and create quality content that gets noticed.