shadowbans

A shadowban, also known as ghosting or stealth banning, is the practice of a social media platform or online service silently blocking or restricting a user's content or profile from being seen by others. Unlike a traditional ban where a user is notified of their suspension, a shadowban is intentionally covert. The user's posts may appear to be published normally to them, but they are made invisible or severely limited in their reach to other users. This can manifest in several ways, such as posts not appearing in search results or hashtags, comments being hidden, or accounts being deprioritized in feeds.

The rationale behind shadowbanning by platforms is often to combat spam, harassment, or the spread of misinformation without alerting the offending user, who might then create new accounts or adapt their tactics. However, the lack of transparency and direct communication has led to significant controversy. Users who believe they have been shadowbanned often experience frustration and confusion, as there is no clear indication of why their content is not being seen. Platforms rarely officially acknowledge the existence of shadowbans, and when they do, they often describe them as a necessary tool for maintaining community standards. Identifying a shadowban can be difficult, as the symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for algorithm changes or simple low engagement.