[FAQ]

Hey everyone,

My last few TikTok videos have gotten way fewer views than usual, and it seems like they’re getting almost zero reach on the “For You Page.” It’s been a really sudden and dramatic drop.

I’ve heard people talk about the term “shadowban,” and I’m starting to worry that’s what’s happening to my account in June 2025. How can you actually tell if your account has been shadowbanned, or if this is just a normal, temporary dip in the algorithm? Are there specific signs to look for in my analytics, or any other way to test it?

Feeling pretty frustrated, so any advice would be great!

[Jeff Bullas]

“Shadowbanning” is a term creators use to describe a situation where they believe a platform is limiting their content’s reach without an official notification. While TikTok does not officially use or acknowledge the term “shadowban,” its systems can and do reduce the visibility of content or accounts that violate or push the boundaries of its Community Guidelines.

There are a few key signs that might indicate your account’s reach is being restricted. First, the most common symptom is a sudden and significant drop in video views. This is particularly telling if your new videos consistently get far fewer views than what is typical for your account, especially within the first few hours after posting.

Second, you can check your video analytics for a specific clue. For a recent video that is underperforming, go into its analytics and look at the “Traffic source types.” If you see that you are receiving zero or an extremely low percentage of views from the “For You” page, this is a strong indicator that your content is not being distributed for discovery to new audiences. Your views in this case would primarily be coming from your own followers (“Following” feed) and from people visiting your profile directly.

Third, another method you can try is to search for one of your video’s unique hashtags. Post a new video with a hashtag that is completely unique and has never been used before. Then, ask a friend who does not follow you to search for that hashtag on TikTok. If your video does not appear in the search results for that unique tag, its visibility may be suppressed.

These restrictions can sometimes be triggered by posting content that is borderline or violates TikTok’s guidelines, even if the video is not removed entirely. This can include sensitive topics, using banned hashtags, or receiving multiple reports from other users. Sometimes, activity that appears spammy, like following accounts too quickly, can also be a trigger.

If you suspect your reach is being limited, a good first step is to review your recent content and delete any videos that might be questionable. Some users also report that taking a short break from posting for a few days can sometimes help. When you resume posting, focus on creating high-quality, original content that clearly complies with all community standards.

In summary, while “shadowbanning” is not an official term from TikTok, a dramatic drop in traffic from the “For You” page is the key indicator of a content restriction. The best course of action is always to review your content for any potential policy violations and focus on creating safe, high-value videos going forward.

Cheers,

Jeff

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