TikTok Shadowban: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Aruna Talent Team
Creator economy experts · 200+ creators managed
If your TikTok views suddenly dropped from thousands to double digits and you are wondering what happened, you are probably dealing with a TikTok shadowban. And if you are a creator who also has an OnlyFans - or any adult content platform - the chances of experiencing a shadowban are significantly higher.
The frustrating part is that TikTok will never tell you that you are shadowbanned. Your account will not be suspended. You will not receive a notification. Your videos will still post normally. But your reach will be completely destroyed, your content will stop showing up on the For You Page, and your growth will come to a screeching halt.
The good news is that shadowbans are usually temporary, and there are specific steps you can take to recover your reach and protect your account from future restrictions. But first, you need to understand what a shadowban actually is and why it happens.
What Is a TikTok Shadowban?
A shadowban is an unofficial, unacknowledged reduction in your content’s visibility on the platform. TikTok does not use the term “shadowban” and has never publicly confirmed the practice. But the phenomenon is real, well-documented, and experienced by millions of creators.
When you are shadowbanned, your videos stop appearing on the For You Page. Your content will only be visible to your existing followers, and even then, your reach among your followers will be limited. Your videos might go from getting 10,000 views to getting 200 views overnight, despite nothing changing in your content or posting schedule.
Shadowbans are different from full account bans. If your account is banned, you will receive a notification, and you will not be able to post content at all. Shadowbans are more subtle - your account appears to function normally, but the algorithm has effectively buried your content.
For OnlyFans creators, shadowbans are especially common because TikTok’s algorithm is hyper-sensitive to adult content, sexual language, and anything that suggests you are using the platform to promote paid adult services. Even if you are careful to follow the rules, the algorithm can still flag your account as “adult content” and restrict your reach.
How to Tell If You Are Shadowbanned
TikTok will never confirm that you are shadowbanned, so you need to look for the warning signs yourself. Here are the most common indicators:
Your views dropped drastically. If your videos were consistently getting thousands of views and suddenly dropped to a few hundred, you are likely shadowbanned. Pay attention to the ratio of views to followers - if your videos are only reaching 10-20% of your follower count, something is wrong.
Your videos are not appearing on the For You Page. Ask a friend who does not follow you to search for your username and see if your recent videos appear in the search results. If they do not show up, or if they only show up when searching for your exact username, you are likely shadowbanned.
Your engagement rate is tanking. Shadowbanned accounts often see a significant drop in likes, comments, and shares. If your engagement is suddenly 10x lower than normal, it is a red flag.
Your videos get zero views from non-followers. Check your TikTok analytics. If 100% of your views are coming from followers and 0% are coming from the For You Page, you are definitely shadowbanned.
You received a community guidelines violation. If TikTok removed one of your videos for violating community guidelines, there is a good chance your account was temporarily shadowbanned as a result.
Why Do TikTok Shadowbans Happen?
TikTok’s algorithm uses a combination of automated systems and human moderators to enforce its community guidelines. When your content is flagged - either by the algorithm or by other users - your account can be temporarily restricted while TikTok reviews your activity.
Here are the most common reasons why OnlyFans creators get shadowbanned:
Using banned or restricted hashtags. TikTok has a long list of shadowbanned hashtags, including #onlyfans, #onlyfansgirl, #linkinbio, and many others. Using these hashtags will tank your reach and increase the likelihood of a shadowban.
Posting sexually suggestive content too frequently. Even if your content does not violate TikTok’s guidelines, posting too many thirst traps or suggestive videos can signal to the algorithm that your account is adult-focused. TikTok will then limit your reach to avoid showing your content to younger users.
Mentioning OnlyFans or other adult platforms. TikTok’s algorithm scans captions, voiceovers, and comments for keywords related to adult content. Mentioning OnlyFans in a video or caption is almost guaranteed to get you flagged.
Receiving multiple reports from users. If other users report your content as inappropriate, TikTok will review your account and may impose a shadowban while the review is pending. This is especially common for creators in the adult space, as some users actively report OnlyFans creators to get their accounts banned.
Using copyrighted music or content. Using copyrighted audio without permission can also result in a shadowban. Always use TikTok’s official music library or royalty-free sounds.
Posting content that violates community guidelines. This includes nudity, explicit language, violence, or anything else that TikTok deems inappropriate. Even if your content seems harmless, TikTok’s algorithm can be overly aggressive in flagging content.
Getting too many follows/unfollows or likes too quickly. TikTok’s spam detection algorithms can flag your account if you are engaging in behavior that looks like automation or bot activity. This includes mass-following and unfollowing accounts or using third-party apps to boost engagement.
How to Fix a TikTok Shadowban
If you believe you are shadowbanned, here are the steps you should take to recover your account:
1. Stop Posting for 48-72 Hours
The first step is to give your account a break. Stop posting new content for at least 48 hours, and ideally 72 hours. This gives TikTok’s algorithm time to reset and allows any pending reviews to clear.
During this time, do not delete old content, do not edit your bio, and do not engage aggressively with other accounts. Let your account sit idle.
2. Remove Any Violating Content
Go through your recent videos and delete anything that could have triggered the shadowban. This includes videos with banned hashtags, sexually suggestive content, or anything that mentions OnlyFans or other adult platforms.
If you received a community guidelines violation notice, delete that video immediately. Leaving it up will keep your account in the algorithm’s penalty box.
3. Audit Your Profile
Check your bio, username, and profile picture for anything that could be flagged as adult content. Remove any links to OnlyFans in your bio (use a link-in-bio tool like Beacons or Linktree instead). Avoid using suggestive language or explicit emojis.
4. Start Posting Safe, High-Quality Content
After your 48-72 hour break, start posting again - but focus on content that is 100% safe and compliant with TikTok’s guidelines. Post lifestyle content, comedy, tutorials, or anything that is completely PG-13.
The goal is to show TikTok’s algorithm that you are not an adult content creator. Once your reach starts recovering, you can slowly reintroduce more suggestive content - but keep it balanced with safe content.
5. Engage Authentically
Spend time engaging with other creators in your niche. Comment on their videos, respond to comments on your own videos, and participate in the TikTok community. This signals to the algorithm that you are a real, active user - not a bot or spam account.
6. Avoid Banned Hashtags
Do your research and make sure you are not using any shadowbanned hashtags. Tools like TikTok Hashtag Checker can help you identify which hashtags are safe to use. Stick to broad, popular hashtags that are not associated with adult content.
7. Switch to a Pro Account
If you have not already, switch to a TikTok Pro account (Business or Creator). This gives you access to analytics, which will help you track your recovery. You can also see whether your views are coming from the For You Page or just from your followers.
8. File an Appeal (If You Received a Violation Notice)
If TikTok removed one of your videos and you believe it was a mistake, you can file an appeal through the app. Go to your inbox, find the violation notice, and tap “Appeal.” TikTok will review the decision, and if they overturn it, your shadowban may be lifted.
9. Be Patient
Shadowbans typically last between 24 hours and 2 weeks, depending on the severity of the violation. If you follow the steps above, your reach should start recovering within a few days. But if your shadowban lasts longer than 2 weeks, you may need to consider starting a new account.
How to Prevent Future Shadowbans
The best way to deal with shadowbans is to avoid getting them in the first place. Here are the strategies successful OnlyFans creators use to stay in TikTok’s good graces:
Never mention OnlyFans in your videos or captions. Use indirect language instead. “Check my bio for more” or “All my links below” is much safer than “Subscribe to my OnlyFans.”
Use a link-in-bio tool. Instead of putting your OnlyFans link directly in your TikTok bio, use a service like Beacons or Linktree that aggregates all your links. This creates a buffer between TikTok and your adult content.
Mix in safe content. Do not make every video a thirst trap. Post lifestyle content, comedy, tutorials, and personality-driven videos to balance out the suggestive content. This keeps your account from being categorized as adult-only.
Avoid banned hashtags. Do your research and stay away from hashtags that TikTok has flagged. This includes #onlyfans, #linkinbio, and many others.
Turn on comment filters. Set up keyword filters to automatically block comments that include banned terms like “OnlyFans,” “link,” or explicit language. This protects you from trolls who might try to get you banned.
Do not use automation tools. Avoid third-party apps that promise to boost your engagement or followers. TikTok’s algorithm can detect automation and will shadowban your account as a result.
Post at peak times. Posting when your audience is most active increases your chances of getting early engagement, which signals to the algorithm that your content is worth promoting. Check your analytics to see when your followers are online.
For more strategies on growing your TikTok without getting banned, check out our guide on using TikTok for OnlyFans promotion.
What to Do If Your Shadowban Does Not Lift
If you have followed all the steps above and your shadowban is still active after 2 weeks, you have a few options:
Start a new account. Many creators find that starting fresh is faster than waiting for a shadowban to lift. If you do start a new account, make sure you avoid the mistakes that got your first account shadowbanned.
Focus on other platforms. TikTok is just one traffic source. If your account is shadowbanned, double down on Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit. Build a multi-platform strategy so that no single platform can destroy your income. Check out our guide on social media for adult creators for cross-platform strategies.
Reach out to TikTok support. While TikTok rarely responds to shadowban inquiries, it is worth trying. Contact TikTok support through the app and explain your situation. Be polite, professional, and provide evidence that your content complies with community guidelines.
Protect Your Growth With Expert Strategy
Shadowbans can derail months of hard work overnight. Aruna Talent is the world’s number one creator consulting agency, and we help creators build resilient, multi-platform growth strategies that protect against the volatility of any single platform. From TikTok recovery tactics to Instagram growth and OnlyFans funnel optimization, we have the expertise to keep your creator career on track. Visit arunatalent.com to safeguard your creator career.