Have you ever noticed a sudden dip in your channel’s engagement? Then you might be a victim of the mysterious phenomenon called shadowban on YouTube. YouTube Shadowbanning is when viewers or users can’t find your channel on the platform. And the scary part? Unlike Channel Strikes, YouTube won’t slide into your DMs to break the news! So, here are a few signs you may be under the radar:
– Keep an eye on your engagement levels that include your views, likes, comments and shares. If they drop out of nowhere, it might be a red flag
– None of your uploads can be viewed by others, limiting your reach
– Your videos are endlessly “under review” or “processing”. This could be a sign that your content is caught in the shadow-ban whirlwind.
- Surefire ways to detect Shadowban:
Detecting Shadowban can be tricky. Despite noticing all the aforementioned signs, it might just be your channel feeling a bit under the weather. However, there are two surefire ways you can confirm your suspicions:
1. Incognito Channel Search
Log into an account that isn’t subscribed to yours or use Incognito mode. Try looking up your channel’s name along with your most well-performed video titles. If you can’t find it, you might be shadowbanned.
2. Incognito Comment Search
You can also try commenting on a video using your suspected account. Switch to an account not subscribed to yours or use incognito mode. Look for the video and sort comments by newest. If your comment has disappeared, it’s a sign of shadowban.
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Why does this happen?
While YouTube hasn’t explicitly disclosed the exact reasons for this, there are some common patterns to watch out for:
- Going Overboard with Spam: Excessive commenting, irrelevant or unwanted content, or fake engagement.
- Too Much Sales Talk: Sharing way too much sales or promotional content instead of regular, genuine content.
- Using Unfair Means to Boost Channel: Gaining fake views, comments, or likes, using sneaky bots that mess with the normal flow on the platform.
- Copyright Slip-Ups: Sharing someone else’s copyrighted content without getting the thumbs-up from the original creator.
- Breaking the Rules: Posting content that doesn’t play by the community guidelines, like hate speech, bullying, or illegal topics. It can lead to content removal or a shadowban.
- Keywords Stuffing: Cramming too many keywords into titles or descriptions or using ones that signal spammy content.
However, occasionally, shadowbans might happen accidentally. It could be due to system errors, glitches, or misunderstandings by the YouTube Algorithm.
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How to Avoid it?
To steer clear of a Shadow Ban, avoid the mistakes mentioned above. As a rule of thumb, religiously stick to YouTube’s Community Guidelines and always do your homework before posting Keywords or content you’re doubtful of.
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What to do if you’re Shadowbanned?
Don’t hit the panic button! In most cases, a shadowban is a short-time hiccup, lasting around 24 to 48 hours. Take a breather to assess the situation, check out what might have caused it and note it down for future reference.
If it was indeed an accident, reach out and give YouTube a heads-up! Report the issue using YouTube Help or Support Centre to let them know what’s going on. Drop in a quick message explaining your situation to get things back on track. So, don’t lose heart, keep your creative spark alive, and go on creating awesome content!
However, if you’re still experiencing low engagement without being shadowbanned, it might just mean your channel needs a little boost. But don’t worry! Flintzy’s got your back! Flintzy offers tailored insights and smart strategies to reignite your channel, boosting engagement and visibility. Let Flintzy help you thrive, shine, and reach your full potential!
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