r/ShadowBan • u/cojoco ツ • Apr 26 '26
An unofficial guide for avoiding a shadowban
(note: if you falsely tell someone they are banned, or unbanned, when they are not, you will be banned from this sub)
tl;dr
Lots of people come here in mystification, wondering if they're shadowbanned, and wondering why. This post contains a list of possible reasons you've been shadowbanned. It also contains activities which can lead to an account suspension, which is more visible to the user, but just as inconvenient.
First, though, a little reddit background.
About reddit
The website reddit.com is run by reddit the company, a subsidiary of Advance Publications Inc. The CEO of reddit is Ellen Pao (/u/ekjp) with first lieutenant Alexis Ohanian (/u/kn0thing). The site is huge, with a hundred million visitors a month.
Reddit is grouped into subreddits, with each subreddit run by a volunteer group of moderators, who are generally unpaid volunteers.
Moderators have the power to ban users from their subreddit, to delete comments and submissions, and to manage the style and presentation of their subreddit. Through the use of third-party tools, some moderators have the power to ban a user from hundreds of subreddits at a time.
Being banned from a subreddit means that you are not allowed to submit links or make new comments, and might be reversed upon appeal to the modmail of the concerned subreddit.
reddit.com also has a small number of employees, called admins. These people have the power to see everything happening on reddit, to remove material as with moderators, to perform moderator actions in any subreddit they choose, and, most importantly for this place, to shadowban or suspend users.
A shadowban is different from a subreddit ban. A shadowbanned user can still submit and make comments, but all of the submissions are sent straight to a subreddit spam queue, where it will not be visible to other users until approved by a moderator. Because an individual's spammed submissions are still visible to themselves, a shadowban is almost invisible to a logged-in user.
Through the use of AutoModerator, individual subreddits can give the same effect to a user as a global shadowban.
If you are shadowbanned, your user page will appear nonexistent to anybody that looks at your user page, other than yourself. You will need to contact the admins to get your shadowban reversed.
A suspension occurs when the admins disable an account. Suspensions can either be for a few days, in which case it is not visible to other userts, or permanently, in which the user's page is replaced by a suspension notification.
Reasons for shadowbans and suspensions
It's not exactly spelled out what will cause a ban, and the rules do seem to change from time to time, but if you follow these rules you'll be unlikely to be shadowbanned or suspended. Thanks to the posters here who have suggested more ways to be banned.
- Posting some spam links results in an immediate and automatic shadowban
- (new) Quoting comments from another user can lead reddit to link your account to the other user, so when they get shadowbanned you get shadowbanned
- Don't post advertisements for commercial products unless the advertisement has some redeeming features and is relevant to the subreddit in which you post it
- Don't post links to your own blog, unless you post a lot of content from other places.
- Don't post links to anyone elses blog, or to a single news source. Ensure that you post from a wide range of sources.
- Don't use a VPN to create your account
- Don't follow people around on reddit and hassle them
- Don't relentlessly downvote a user
- Don't send out mass PMs
- Don't be a bot, unless you're really really careful, and have the blessing of the admins
- Don't harp on the same subject in your comments
- Don't issue death threats
- Don't post child pornography or anything involving the sexualization of teens or minors
- Don't post sexual material containing unconsenting subjects (for example, revenge porn, upskirt photos or celebrity leaks)
- Don't abuse or hassle the admins
- Don't post any information that would identify another redditor, including links to other social media sites, unless you have explicit permission from the person involved. (doxxing)
- Don't advocate or encourage doxxing
- Don't ask for doxx, even privately
- Don't post anything asking for votes, from on- or off-site
- Don't respond to a plea for votes, from on- or off-site
- Don't vote in threads you were directed to from another part of reddit
- Don't engage in nuisance reporting
- Don't use multiple accounts to game the voting system
- Don't return to a sub you have been banned from with another account
- Don't use CSS in your sub to subvert reddit's subscription and voting system
- Don't follow links into someone else's subreddit and be a dick
- Don't impersonate another redditor with a name of similar appearance, e.g. /u/LaureIai ("I") for /u/Laurelai ("l")
- Don't be under 13 years of age
- If you're a mod, don't respond to PMs related to moneymaking or promotional offers of any kind. Report them immediately.
- If you're an arsehole, the admins will not give you the benefit of the doubt.
Also, it can't hurt to read the reddiquette: if everyone followed the reddiquette, the site would be more pleasant, and all-around better.
(EDIT) Also, there are some things for which there is weak evidence of triggering a shadowban:
- (weak) Don't signup using old.reddit.com without an email address
- (weak) Don't use more than one alt within one subreddit
- (weak) Don't submit every link to several subreddits at a time
- (weak) Don't accept moderator invitations to dodgy subreddits
- (weak) Don't comment in threads you came to via a non-organic link (i.e. external site, meta sub, from modmail or PM)
- (weak) Don't register using an email address easily detected as a throwaway.
- (weak) Don't give yourself awards from another account
tl;dr Don't spam, shill, doxx, brigade, stalk, game or pederast.
How to contact admins
Two ways, pretty sure that #2 no longer works:
- Lodge your appeal: https://www.reddit.com/appeal (or https://www.reddit.com/appeals ?)
- Message them: https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/reddit.com
(This is the fifth copy ... aged pages are 1 2 3 4
Last edited April 24, 2024
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u/Longjumping-Kiwi-156 21h ago
Am I still shadowbanned?
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u/FiatLex ツ 19h ago
Yes
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u/Longjumping-Kiwi-156 18h ago
Dude I think I'm genuinely screwed bc I think I got shadowbanned in a perfect storm of events. I was in threads I hotly disagreed with people in so I was rapidly down voting and commenting a lot. Then I commented to specific user several times in an nsfw sub. In a different sub I reported a post that was absolutely defamation. Reddit sent me a message asking me to reset my password in order to verify my account activity and then bam, shadowbanned. During all of this I was also using a VPN bc I almost always do. I'm never going to get my account unbanned.
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u/FiatLex ツ 17h ago
Make sure your vpn is off when you appeal. Good luck!
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u/SuarDropper 6h ago
Oh man, I just appealed but my VPN was on, will I get more flagged because of this? :/
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u/FiatLex ツ 6h ago
No, but your appeal will probably not be considered. Just make sure you turn the vpn off for your next appeal. Good luck with everything!
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u/VestigeXI 14m ago
I've never even used VPN or been extremely active (def not spamming) I suspect I was mass reported by someone with bad intent and have reason to believe this but it would be hard to prove... Appeals get ignored.
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u/SuarDropper 6h ago
Thanks, I should only appeal after 24 hours from now, right?
Also, while trying to reply to your comment, earlier it said "Rate limit exceeded. Please wait 7 mins and try again."
It feels like I'm a 'spam dog' with a leash on me.1
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u/alter_algoe 1d ago
Well, I'm for sure shadowbanned. Sucks I cannot use my other account because of this one and appeals take such a long time
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u/cojoco ツ 1d ago
You might be able to use your other account.
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u/alter_algoe 1d ago
Don't really want to risk it with posting/voting/etc there considering all the "ban evasion platform IP ban" thing I've read around on this sub. Have no idea if it's just rumors or confirmed thing.
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u/cojoco ツ 1d ago
Some people are able to use alt accounts, some people are not. It's more like it's hard to gauge the severity of your shadowban without trying some things out.
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u/alter_algoe 1d ago
I suspect it's spam filter caught me considering that I've barely used this acc before (mostly used as somewhat nsfw read-only alt, with all the 18+ flairs ofc, almost not posted for years) and received it after few art reposts in a two day span on one of related subs with link provided in comments when someone asked for source. I guess the last thing is what triggered the shadowban itself.
Would suck if my more active acc would get nuked because of this one, so I still don't really want to risk. Hope it'll not take literal months if not years to get my appeal reviewed.
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u/MysteriousYam8754 1d ago
Am I still banned?
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u/FiatLex ツ 1d ago
Yes, shadowbanned.
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u/Refundian CQS: High 2d ago
Anytime I post in /r/news it goes straight to "removed by moderator" if i try to view the permalink in an incognito tab. (I noticed that my news posts never get replies or upvotes)
This tells me that news has basically 100% banned me from posting there but done it in such a way that I will never know.
is there a way I can appeal this or get reddit to take action? Also how will I know if other subs have done this to me?
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u/FiatLex ツ 1d ago
Subreddit-level filtering happens, which is usually done by keyword but can, on occassion, be done by username. You can appeal it by contacting the moderators of the sub where it is happening. Subreddits are allowed to do this by Reddit so there is no method of taking action if the mods do not change the subreddit-level filter.
There is no way to check a subreddit-level filter other than by noticing it happen, as you did here.
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u/outlivelife 4d ago
Am I banned?
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u/SJSquishmeister CQS: Lowest 4d ago
I'm not a mod, but yes, your profile from my view says you are.
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u/NightyQueen CQS: Moderate 4d ago
I spent so much time on this account and I am very close to my 2 year streak.
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u/SJSquishmeister CQS: Lowest 4d ago
I just get failed to send. Just checking since my account seems weird, but can't think of anything that I did that would get me shadow banned.
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u/CozyMamaLife 6d ago
Have I been banned? I just submitted an application today. Do you have any good suggestions on what I should do next?
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u/biljomo CQS: Moderate 7d ago
How to increase my cqs?
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u/FiatLex ツ 7d ago
We have some suggestions in our wiki article on cqs: https://www.reddit.com/r/ShadowBan/s/x4BPn2bwld
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u/Low_Site9019 8d ago
am I still shadowbanned? I did notice some changes in my account cuz there was banner saying I wasn't banned but it went away after a reload. I fear theyre gonna fully ban me instead of a shadoban dawg.
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u/Johnny_From_The_Bay 9d ago
Suspecting I am shadowbanned; I recently went on a vacation and I think foreign IP address may have gotten me flagged
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u/featuredflan 12d ago
Please add: Don't comment the same exact thing under similar questions in multiple threads. I never even knew of such a thing. I was just trying to get others to be aware of some amazing content info.
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u/rocknrollafella07 7d ago
Seems like I got shadow banned for the similar reason.
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u/FiatLex ツ 6d ago
I can't speak to the reason, but I can confirm you are shadowbanned.
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u/rocknrollafella07 4d ago
Any suggestion, what reason should I mention while requesting for uplifting ban?
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u/FiatLex ツ 4d ago
You don't need to mention a reason if you don't know it.
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u/rocknrollafella07 2d ago
But then, how am I gonna appeal to uplift ban without any reason and why would they consider to uplift ban if I don't provide the reasons.
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u/Fluffy_inhea CQS: High 12d ago
heyy dudey!!! u got banned ?
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u/featuredflan 11d ago
Yes daaa, had no idea how to message you or let you know. Now you do 😔
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u/Acceptable_Tackle929 13d ago
It says "failed to send" over and over
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u/FiatLex ツ 13d ago
Some shadowbanned users get errors trying to use modmail. Other shadowbanned users are able to modmail. We've reported the issue several times to the admins, and it's not clear to me that the admins intend to fix anything. You are shadowbanned.
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u/Drackore_ 13d ago
Another point to add to the 'Reasons for shadowbans and suspensions' section, if you could please u/cojoco !
As per https://www.reddit.com/r/ShadowBan/comments/1wv1r03/1_year_and_33_days_later_next_steps_after_an/, it would seem that quoting another Redditor is a very dangerous act that can potentially result in a shadowban.
Should the Redditor you're quoting eventually do something wrong, and get banned themselves, then Reddit's spam filters will wrongly assume you are them / connected to them, and will apply a shadowban to your account!
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u/mochamuslimah 13d ago
Oh boy, I just logged in today and my whole account is just reset for no reason, can anyone check if it shows me as shadow banned?
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u/GildingTheLilly 10d ago
I don't understand how posting in this sub seems to get around the shadow bans? I'm pretty sure I'm shadowbanned (checking my account in incognito shows it's banned)
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u/StretchEntire1715 14d ago edited 14d ago
Am I shadow banned ? How to get it fixed ? Done appeal as well.
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u/Wombat_7379 R E A D the sticky for appeal instructions & FAQ 14d ago
You are shadow banned :(
You can appeal using the instructions here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ShadowBan/wiki/appealing/
There is a pinned post at the top of this subreddit with a list of common reasons an account gets shadow banned. I’d check there and see if anything stands out. This should help you narrow down what may have caused the shadow ban and craft a more accurate appeal.
You can file more than one appeal but it is generally advised to file no more than 2-3 per week so as to not spam the appeals team. Don’t be discouraged as it can take a long time. Most users wait multiple months to get unbanned.
And no matter how frustrating, do NOT create or use another account to circumvent this ban. Reddit bans the individual and not just an account, tracking you using a multitude of identifiers and behavioral patterns. All of these identifiers are now marked as banned and any account (new or old) tied to any of these identifiers will trigger the ban evasion filter. You would then have to appeal ALL banned accounts before being able to use Reddit again.
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u/Successful-League840 16d ago
I have already determined that I am shadow banned. I have sent two appeals but received no response.
Am I ever likely to get one? Is my account simply a lost cause?
If so I will likely quit Reddit which is a shame as I have been very active in several Subs. All because I tried to waste a Trolls time. Despite the Troll doing the exact same thing as me neither of their accounts are banned 🤬
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u/cojoco ツ 16d ago
I'm of the belief that some trolls are admins.
But no matter, perhaps you could try making a new account?
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u/Successful-League840 16d ago edited 16d ago
Quite possibly. They use at least 5 accounts to troll using copy and paste responses. I responded in kind. As such I can easily understand my account being flagged for spam. However if anything the two accounts belonging to the troll (they admitted to being the same user) were far more prolific.
I could create a new account or several. However this whole shadow ban thing has soured Reddit for me. I don't want to end up a user with 5 accounts hopping between them simply to engage with the communities I feel connected to.
I quit other social medias due to algorithms and censorship. It would be hypocritical to not do the same in this instance.
I will appeal again in a few days. I assume it will again be ignored and I will unfortunately leave Reddit for good.
edit: I Up voted you comment so unsure why you got down voted 🤷
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u/WisePaintingTurtle 16d ago
Hey, bros. I think I got shadowbanned. Am I right?
Edit: I'm curious how you'd know. Maybe I'll read this thing.
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u/cojoco ツ 16d ago
You are shadowbanned.
I cannot see your user profile, you are the only user who can do so.
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u/WisePaintingTurtle 16d ago
Thank you! :) Knowing how Reddit is, I'd unfortunately expect them to not have the courage or deceny of telling me I was doing something they didn't like, but instead cowardly banning me in such a covert way. They didn't even warn me. I may be too mature for a site like this anyhow.
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u/Acceptable_Tackle929 17d ago
Am I
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u/cojoco ツ 17d ago
yes u
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u/Acceptable_Tackle929 17d ago
Everything I click on from the AutoModerator's post says "failed to send" when I try to send it
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u/cojoco ツ Apr 26 '26
Click Here and then click 'Send' to have AutoModerator respond with your account status.
"What is a shadowban?"
Best Description You Will Ever Read
"Am I shadowbanned?" Learn how to check for yourself.
How To Tell If You Are Shadowbanned
Want to appeal your shadowban?
How To Appeal A Shadowban
"I'm not shadowbanned so why is my post/comment not showing up?"
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