TikTok keeps growing, with millions of users posting videos every day. As the platform gets more competitive, some creators try to stand out by buying followers.

It might seem like a fast way to grow, but it comes with hidden risks. One of the biggest is the TikTok shadowban.

A shadowban can hurt your visibility, keep your videos off the For You page and slow down your account’s growth without any clear warning.

In this article, we’ll look at what causes a shadowban and what you can do to avoid it.

What Is a TikTok Shadowban?

A TikTok shadowban happens when the platform limits how many people see your content without giving you a warning. It’s a hidden restriction that can hurt your visibility and slow your account’s growth.

 

 

Your videos may stop showing up on the For You page, even when posting at the best times, using the right hashtags and sounds. Your most active followers might not see your posts and your views will drop suddenly.

You keep uploading, but engagement stays low. A shadowban doesn’t mean your account is deleted or blocked, but it can make your content nearly invisible to others.

How a Shadowban Works

TikTok uses systems to promote content that feels original, follows community guidelines and gets strong engagement. The TikTok algorithm plays a major role in deciding what gets pushed to the For You page.

 

 

When your account shows signs of fake activity or violations, the algorithm may quietly limit your reach.

This can happen after using third-party apps, posting flagged content or engaging in spam-like behavior.

TikTok doesn’t send a notification. Instead, your videos might stop appearing in search results, on the For You page or under hashtags.

Signs You’ve Been Shadowbanned on TikTok

Shadowbans don’t come with alerts, but there are clear signs to watch for. If your account is affected, you may notice:

• A sudden drop in views on new videos
• No visibility on the For You page or through hashtags
• Slower follower growth or none at all
• Fewer likes, comments and shares from your regular audience

If these issues show up across several posts, not just one, there’s a good chance your account is shadowbanned.

But what actually causes it?

What Causes TikTok to Shadowban You?

TikTok’s algorithm watches for behavior that looks suspicious, spammy or harmful to the platform. If your activity raises red flags, your content may get limited without warning.

Here are seven common reasons why you might get shadowbanned:

⚠️ Posting Content That Violates Guidelines

 

 

TikTok has strict community guidelines to keep the platform safe.

If your videos include violence, nudity, hate speech, illegal activity or anything that could be seen as unsafe, the system may automatically restrict your account.

Even if a video seems harmless to you, TikTok’s moderation tools might read it differently.

Repeated violations increase your chances of getting shadowbanned.

🚫 Using Banned or Misleading Hashtags

Some hashtags are restricted because they’re linked to dangerous trends or policy violations.

Using them can instantly limit your video’s visibility. Misleading hashtags that don’t match your content can also confuse the algorithm.

Stick to relevant, trending hashtags to stay on the safe side.

🔁 Spammy Behavior

Spam-like actions can trigger a shadowban even if you’re not breaking any rules directly.

Rapidly following and unfollowing users, posting the same comments everywhere or uploading too many videos in a short time can raise red flags.

The platform sees this as unnatural behavior and may respond by lowering your reach.

📉 Repeatedly Posting Low-Quality or Stolen Content

 

 

TikTok rewards originality.

If you’re constantly reposting content that looks the same, using videos downloaded from other creators without proper credit or uploading low-effort clips, the algorithm might stop pushing your posts.

Original, high-quality videos have a better chance of staying in good standing.

🚨 Getting Reported by Other Users

When users report your content, TikTok reviews the video for possible violations.

Even if you haven’t broken a clear rule, multiple reports in a short period can still lead to a shadowban.

Avoid posting anything that could be seen as offensive or misleading and follow good practices for staying safe on TikTok to keep your account in good standing.

🤖 Using Third-Party Apps or Bots

Apps that promise fast growth, follower boosts or auto engagement often break TikTok’s terms of service.

If the platform detects that you’re using bots or unauthorized tools, it may shadowban your account to protect the platform’s integrity.

These shortcuts rarely lead to long-term success and can actually hurt your visibility.

💰 Buying Followers or Likes

 

 

Buying followers can boost your profile, but using low-quality or fake accounts from unreliable providers puts your account at risk.

TikTok may flag the sudden, unnatural growth and lower your visibility.

If you choose to buy followers, make sure they come from trusted sources that focus on real, active users.

If you’re trying to grow fast, buying followers is a smart shortcut. But as we’ve seen, TikTok’s algorithm looks closely at how real your engagement is, and that includes where your followers come from.

Can I Get Banned Buying Followers on TikTok?

Yes, buying followers can get your account shadowbanned or even permanently restricted, especially if you use low-quality services.

TikTok monitors unusual patterns like fast follower spikes with no real engagement.

If your new followers don’t watch, like or comment on your videos, the platform may see your activity as spam.

This is why choosing high-quality followers is so important.

❌Low-Quality Followers	✅High-Quality Followers
Bots or inactive accounts	Real, active users
Don’t interact with your content	Engage with videos naturally
Hurt your engagement rate	Support healthy account growth
Increase the risk of shadowbans	Lower the chances of being flagged

Buying followers the right way can help your account grow, while using low-quality services puts your visibility at risk.

If you’ve recently made changes to your strategy and noticed a drop in reach or engagement, you might be dealing with a shadowban.

So how can you tell for sure?

How Do I Know if I’m Shadowbanned on TikTok?

TikTok doesn’t notify you when your account is shadowbanned, which makes it hard to know for sure. Still, there are a few signs that can help you figure it out.

If your views, likes or comments suddenly drop across multiple videos and nothing about your content, posting time or hashtags has changed, you might be shadowbanned.

 

 

Look out for:

• Videos no longer appearing on the For You page
• Hashtags that stop bringing in views
• Follower growth slowing down or stopping
• Lower engagement from your usual audience

To keep engagement healthy long term, it also helps to understand how to get more likes on TikTok organically.

One underperforming post doesn’t always mean trouble, but if several videos in a row show the same drop, it’s worth checking.

🕵️‍♂️ Use Our TikTok Shadowban Checker

If you want a clear answer fast, try our TikTok Shadowban Checker.

It’s a simple tool designed to help you figure out if your account is being restricted without having to guess.

Just enter your TikTok username and let the checker do the rest.

It scans your recent posts and analyzes:

• Engagement patterns – looks for sudden drops in views, likes and comments
• For You page visibility – checks whether your videos are still appearing where they normally would
• Hashtag reach – examines how well your content is performing under the hashtags you’ve used
• Follower interaction – reviews how your existing followers are engaging with your posts

Spotting a shadowban is the first step. Once you know you’re dealing with one, the next question is how long it’s going to last.

How Long Does the TikTok Shadowban Last?

 

 

TikTok shadowbans are usually temporary, but the length can vary based on what triggered it.

Most shadowbans last anywhere from 3 to 14 days. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Cause	Estimated Duration
Minor issues (spammy behavior, hashtags)	3 – 7 days
Multiple reports from other users	7 – 14 days
Community guideline violations	7 – 14 days or longer
Use of fake followers or engagement	5 – 14 days
Reposting unoriginal or low-effort content	5 – 10 days
Using third-party apps or automation tools	5 – 10 days

You can still post content, but your visibility will be limited.

A shadowban usually lifts on its own, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait and hope for the best.

There are a few things you can do to speed up the process and help your account recover faster.

How to Get Rid of a TikTok Shadowban

If you’ve confirmed your account is shadowbanned using our TikTok Shadowban Checker, the next step is to help your account recover as quickly as possible.

While shadowbans usually lift on their own, you can take specific actions to speed up the process.

Here’s what to do:

1. Stop posting for a few days

 

 

Give your account a break for at least 2 to 5 days.

Posting during a shadowban can make things worse by reinforcing the behavior that triggered it.

Let the algorithm reset and stop flagging your activity.

2. Delete or make private any flagged content

Look through your recent posts and remove anything that might have caused the ban.

This includes videos that violate guidelines, use banned hashtags or seem spammy.

Cleaning up your feed shows TikTok you’ve addressed the issue.

3. Avoid editing your profile or mass activity

Don’t change your username, bio or account settings during the shadowban.

Also avoid spammy actions like mass following, excessive commenting or liking too many posts at once.

4. Disconnect any third-party tools

 

 

If you’ve used bots, automation tools or low-quality follower services, disconnect them immediately.

Change your TikTok password to cut off access and let the platform see that you’re no longer using these tools.

5. Don’t delete your account or start over

Shadowbans are temporary.

Deleting your account or starting from scratch won’t guarantee better results and you’ll lose any progress you’ve made.

It’s better to pause and recover than to restart.

6. Resume posting slowly with safe content

Once your views begin to return to normal, post original content that avoids controversial topics, spammy hashtags or anything risky.

Focus on building real engagement and let your account recover naturally.

Use trending TikTok sounds and popular hashtags strategically instead of relying on random trends.

7. Boost your account with high-quality engagement

 

 

Sometimes, you can trick the algorithm by buying high-quality TikTok services so it removes your ban.

A boost in real engagement can help balance your account’s performance and signal to TikTok that your content is active and valuable again.

Over time, that engagement can turn into income. If you’re exploring options, here’s how to make money on TikTok effectively.

How to Prevent Future Shadowbans?

Staying in good standing with TikTok’s algorithm helps protect your reach and keeps your content visible.

Here’s how to avoid future shadowbans based on the most common triggers:

📌 Minor issues (spammy behavior or hashtags)

• Avoid overposting or commenting the same thing on multiple videos
• Stay updated on what’s trending using TikTok hashtags and sounds

🚩 Multiple reports from other users

• Avoid posting controversial or misleading content
• Stay away from sensitive topics unless handled carefully

📛 Community guideline violations

• Read and follow TikTok’s official community guidelines
• Stay away from content that includes violence, hate, nudity or illegal activity

👥 Use of fake followers or engagement

• Choose only high-quality, real engagement
• After purchasing, continue to create quality content and engage with your audience

📉 Reposting unoriginal or low-effort content

• Create original content that brings something new to your audience
• Learn how to remove a TikTok watermark or handle copyright claims the right way

🤖 Using third-party apps or automation tools

• Use only TikTok’s official app or trusted third-party platforms with a good reputation
• Keep your account login info secure and limit access to outside tools

 

 

Staying consistent, following TikTok’s guidelines and using trusted growth strategies is key. Especially if you’re planning to sell on TikTok as part of your business.

But if you still have questions about shadowbans, we’ve got you covered.

Frequently Asked Question About the TikTok Shadowban

1. Why am I getting zero views on TikTok?

If your videos are stuck at 0 views after several hours, your account may be shadowbanned or flagged for review.

It can also happen if the video is under review for violating guidelines, includes banned hashtags or was uploaded while your account was restricted.

2. Can you avoid getting shadowbanned on TikTok?

Yes, you can avoid shadowbans by following TikTok’s community guidelines, using relevant hashtags, avoiding spammy behavior and working only with trusted follower providers.

Having a consistent growth strategy helps. Our ultimate guide to growing on TikTok breaks down sustainable ways to build your presence.

3. Why did I get shadowbanned on TikTok?

Shadowbans usually happen when your account triggers a red flag.

Common causes include guideline violations, mass reporting, spammy posting patterns, use of banned hashtags or buying fake engagement from untrusted sources.

Our shadowban checker can help you identify what caused it.

4. How long does a TikTok shadowban last?

Most shadowbans last between 3 and 14 days.

If the behavior continues or the issue is serious, it can last longer.

Taking a break and removing flagged content can help shorten the duration.

5. Will deleting my account remove the shadowban?

No, deleting your account doesn’t solve the issue and you’ll lose all your content.

It’s better to pause, clean up your activity and let the ban clear naturally.

6. Should I stop posting if I’m shadowbanned?

Yes, it’s best to stop posting for a few days while your account resets.

Keep your profile quiet, remove any flagged content and resume posting slowly once your views return.

7. Does buying followers cause a shadowban?

Not if you’re using high-quality followers from a trusted provider.

Shadowbans are usually triggered by fake engagement, bots or sudden unnatural activity.

Choosing a reliable service helps avoid these risks.

Conclusion

 

 

If you’re dealing with a shadowban or trying to avoid one in the future, the most important thing is staying informed and making smart choices about how you grow on TikTok.

Ready to recover from a shadowban or grow safely?

Try our free Shadowban Checker and explore trusted follower packages to get back on track.

If you’re looking to grow safely, our high-quality followers and engagement services are designed to support your account without putting it at risk.

Everything you need to stay on track and grow safely.