One issue I see pop up a lot with small businesses is not using Instagram correctly. Or more specifically getting their accounts shadow banned by their own actions. Even worse is when you are claiming to help other accounts and you drag them down with you.
First what is a shadow ban?
A shadow ban is when a user is muted or blocked on social media (instagram, pinterest) without receiving any official notification about it. Posts, comments may be hidden or obscured.
Avoiding shadow banning on Instagram requires adhering to the platform's community guidelines and avoiding behaviors that might trigger the algorithm to suppress your content.
Here are some best practices to help businesses avoid shadow banning:
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Authentic Engagement: Encourage genuine interactions with your audience. Avoid using bots or automation tools for likes, follows, or comments, as Instagram may detect these activities as spammy behavior.
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Consistent Posting Schedule: Maintain a consistent posting schedule without bombarding your followers with too many posts at once. Posting irregularly or in high frequency might raise flags.
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Use Relevant Hashtags: Use relevant and specific hashtags that relate to your content. Avoid using banned or irrelevant hashtags, as this could lead to shadow banning. Avoid using the same hashtags multiple times in the same post.
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Avoid Overuse of Hashtags: While hashtags are important for visibility, using too many hashtags in a single post can make it look spammy. Aim for a balanced number of hashtags per post.
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Diversify Content Types: Mix up your content with a variety of formats including photos, videos, Stories, Reels, and IGTV. Instagram rewards diverse content that keeps users engaged.
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Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, direct messages, and engage with your followers. Active engagement signals to Instagram that your account is genuine and valuable to users.
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Avoid Spammy Behavior: Do not engage in activities such as mass following/unfollowing, buying followers, or participating in engagement pods. These practices can trigger Instagram's spam filters.
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Quality Content: Focus on creating high-quality, original content that resonates with your target audience. Avoid posting low-quality or irrelevant content.
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Stay Informed: Regularly review Instagram's community guidelines and stay updated on any changes to their policies. This will help you avoid inadvertently violating any rules.
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Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on your engagement metrics and monitor any sudden drops in reach or engagement. If you suspect shadow banning, try adjusting your posting strategy and monitor the impact on your account.
By following these best practices and staying true to Instagram's guidelines, businesses can reduce the risk of being shadow banned and maintain a healthy presence on the platform.