When a Reddit account's posts or comments can't seem to get views or upvotes, it's likely that it has been Reddit shadowbanned. This is when no one except you and the subreddit moderators can see your posts and comments, and there is no notification.
It can be very annoying to use Reddit, so understanding why Reddit shadowban happen and how to avoid them is essential for any Reddit user.
In this guide, we'll explain the types of Reddit bans, how to check if you've been Reddit shadowbanned, how to avoid it, and how to appeal a shadowban if it happens to you.
Note: Redplus AI can generate natural comments and avoid Reddit Shadowban.
1. What is Reddit Shadowban?
Reddit Shadowban is an account restriction measure on the Reddit platform that will cause your account to be hidden from the Reddit community without receiving official notification.
When an account is Shadowbanned by Reddit, you can still post and comment as usual, but other users will not be able to see it. This will seriously affect your experience of using Reddit to communicate and interact with others.
The main purpose of Shadowban on Reddit is to reduce low-quality or negative Post and Comment content, and prevent people who violate the rules from destroying the atmosphere of the Subreddit.
2. Types of Reddit shadowban
Reddit will punish accounts that violate the rules in order to maintain the quality of community content, mainly including: bans on subreddits and site-wide bans. Understanding the reasons for these bans can help you avoid triggering Reddit shadow bans due to improper operations.
Subreddit bans
Subreddit bans occur when users violate the rules of a subreddit. Possible reasons include: posting low-quality or negative content, or violating other subreddit guidelines. This ban may be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the account's violation. Subreddit bans affect your ability to post or comment within this subreddit, but will not affect other subreddits.
Subreddit AutoModerator Bans
Many subreddits use the AutoModerator to maintain Subreddit Rules. If your posts or comments trigger certain violations, AutoModerator will automatically delete them. Although AutoModerator usually only targets your posts or comments, multiple violations may also escalate to Reddit shadow bans.
Reddit-wide Shadowban
A Reddit-wide shadowban is Reddit's harshest form of punishment. It applies to all subreddits, meaning no one else can see your content no matter where you post it. This ban is usually due to multiple violations. Once a Reddit-wide shadowban occurs, your account is virtually useless across the entire platform.
3. How to determine if you are Reddit shadowbanned
If you suspect you are shadowbanned, there are 2 ways to check.
Method 1: Check posts in your browser's incognito mode
One of the easiest ways to check if your Reddit account is shadowbanned is to use your browser's incognito mode.
How to do it:
1. Copy the link to the Reddit post.
2. Open an incognito or private browsing window (Ctrl+Shift+N for Chrome).
3. Paste the post URL into the address bar and see if the post appears.
If you are unable to view your posts while using your browser's incognito mode, then there is a good chance that your account has been shadowbanned.
Method 2: Post in the r/ShadowBan Subreddit
Another reliable way to check your shadowban status is to post in the r/ShadowBan Subreddit.
How to do it:
1. Create a new post in r/ShadowBan with any title or message.
2. Wait for MarkdownShadowBot to respond to your post.
MarkdownShadowBot will scan your account and tell you if you have been shadowbanned.
4. Common reasons for Reddit shadow ban
There are several main reasons why Reddit shadow bans occur.
Posting low-quality or promotional content:
Reddit is very averse to low-quality content and overly promotional content. If you frequently post links to your own website, or make obvious product promotions in multiple subreddits. Reddit's bots will shadow ban your account.
Repeated violations of subreddit rules:
Each subreddit has its own rules, which are strictly enforced by moderators. Accounts that repeatedly violate these rules will be shadow banned by Reddit, such as posting off-topic content or ignoring posting guidelines.
Using multiple accounts to manipulate votes:
Attempting to upvote your own posts or downvote others' posts by using multiple accounts is a violation of Reddit's terms of service. This behavior can easily get an account shadow banned.
Illegal, offensive, or inappropriate content:
Accounts that post illegal content, hate speech, or inappropriate material will not only be banned from posting and commenting in individual subreddits, but may also result in a shadow ban on the entire Reddit platform.
5. How to Avoid Reddit Shadowban
As long as you follow the basic rules of Reddit, you can avoid Reddit Shadowban with a high probability.
Note: Using Redplus AI to generate more natural comments can avoid Reddit Shadowban.
Follow subreddit rules
Each subreddit has its own rules, which are usually listed in the sidebar or in a pinned post. Before posting content, be sure to read and follow these rules to avoid being banned from the subreddit or Reddit Shadowban.
Avoid violations
Don't post promotional content or irrelevant links to the subreddit. What you should do is actively participate in discussions and contribute valuable content.
Posting the same content on multiple subreddits is easy to be Shadowbanned by Reddit.
Participate sincerely
Don't use other accounts to manipulate the upvotes of your posts. Only natural participation in discussions will not be Shadowbanned by the system.
Avoid using VPN and proxy when creating an account
Using VPN or proxy services when creating a Reddit account may trigger Reddit's IP check, resulting in account restrictions or even Reddit shadowban.
6. How to appeal Reddit shadow ban
If your Reddit account has been shadowbanned, you can try to request a ban removal
Subreddit bans
You need to contact the moderators of the subreddit using modmail to request a shadowban removal.
Be polite and admit any mistakes when contacting. If the moderators think you have recognized your mistakes and will not violate them again, they may unban your account.
Reddit shadow bans
You need to submit a request to remove the shadowban using Reddit's appeal system ( https://www.reddit.com/appeal ). In your appeal, you need to explain the situation of your account in detail, explain why the ban is unreasonable, and be respectful to the moderators. If the shadowban is truly caused by a misunderstanding, it may be revoked after an appeal.
7. Reddit shadowban Long-term solution
Respect Reddit rules
The best way to avoid shadowbans is to follow Reddit rules. Don't violate subreddit guidelines, don't post low-quality or promotional content.
Contribute valuable content
Actively participate in discussions and share useful content, don't just focus on promotion.
Avoid violations
You want to avoid repeated violations, spamming, and vote manipulation.
Note: Redplus AI uses advanced AI technology to generate comments that are similar to human conversations, minimizing the risk of Reddit Shadowban.
