shadowban

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/ˈʃædoʊˌbæn/
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A hidden online restriction that reduces who can see a person or their content.
Practice using shadowban in conversation until it feels natural

Similar words

ghostban
stealth-ban
suppress
downrank
hide
ghost ban
stealth ban
hidden restriction
visibility filter

Meanings

Secretly limit online visibility

verb
social media
informal
To make a user or their content less visible to other people without clearly telling the user, often while still letting the account appear to work normally.

Examples

  • The platform denied that it shadowbans political posts.
  • Why was my account shadowbanned without a warning?
  • Her videos were still online, but the app had shadowbanned them.
  • Moderators may shadowban spam so its sender does not notice immediately.
  • Do not assume you have been shadowbanned just because one post performed badly.
  • Creators accused the site of shadowbanning discussion of the protest.

Similar words

ghostban
stealth-ban
suppress
downrank
hide

Hidden online restriction

noun
social media
informal
A restriction that quietly hides or reduces the reach of a user or their content, usually without clearly notifying the user.

Examples

  • A sudden drop in views is not proof of a shadowban.
  • The creator believed a shadowban had kept her videos out of search results.
  • How long does a shadowban usually last?
  • The forum used a shadowban against accounts posting repeated spam.
  • After the shadowban was lifted, his posts appeared in other users' feeds again.
  • The company said the reduced reach was an algorithm change, not a shadowban.

Similar words

ghost ban
stealth ban
hidden restriction
visibility filter

Etymology

Formed from shadow, suggesting something hidden from view, and ban. Merriam-Webster records its first known use in 2007.

FAQ

What does shadowban mean?

To shadowban is to quietly reduce the visibility of a user or their content without clearly notifying them.

Is shadowban a noun or a verb?

It is both. A platform can shadowban an account, and the resulting restriction is a shadowban.

How is shadowban spelled?

The closed form shadowban and the open form shadow ban are both used.

What are the past and -ing forms of shadowban?

They are shadowbanned and shadowbanning, with the final n doubled.

Is low engagement proof of a shadowban?

No. A drop in views can also come from audience interest, timing, or changes to an algorithm.

How is a shadowban different from a regular ban?

A regular ban openly blocks access, while a shadowban may leave the account usable but quietly hide or limit its content.

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