Shadow Ban

Shadow ban is a condition when your account or content is secretly limited in reach by the system without official notification. This means that it is difficult for your video to get views. Usually accounts that are shadow banned will have their views plummet, even below 10.

On other platforms, this condition is more commonly referred to as NR (Not Recommended) — a term that refers to a situation where content is not recommended by the algorithm to appear to a wider audience. The difference is that on Affiliate the effect can be more pronounced, because a decrease in reach not only has an impact on the popularity of the content, but also directly affects product sales opportunities. Finally, even though the content continues to appear on the profile, almost no potential buyers see it.

This condition is certainly annoying and we must immediately fix it so that there are no long-term bad effects.

Before continuing to discuss how to treat an account affected shadow ban, it would be better if we first understand what factors can cause an account to be affected by this NR/Shadow ban, so that in the future we can be more careful.

Causes of shadow tires

Here are some points that cause shadow bans:

  • Violates community guidelines
  • Use of blocked or prohibited hashtags
  • Spam activity (excessive following, liking, commenting)
  • Uploading duplicate content or repeated reposts
  • Engagement that is not organic (buy likes, views, or comments)
  • Uploading content too often in a short period of time
  • Contains sensitive elements or is prone to copyright infringement
  • Negative interactions from viewers (report or block)
  • Using music or audio without an official license
  • Aggressively direct viewers to other platforms
  • Content is not quality
  • Brutal low quality content
  • FLKS
  Take a look, which points caused your account to be shadow banned?

How to deal with shadow ban

Re-upload videos affected by shadow ban

If only one or two videos get shadow banned, it's actually still safe and there's no need to panic too much. In cases like this, you don't have to make major strategy changes for the entire account. Just focus on the problematic video, then re-upload it with a fresh approach.

Remember, don't just copy and repost without a new twist. Provide modifications so that the algorithm sees it as different content. You can change thumbnails, replace music with safe audio, cut or add certain parts, or even change the order of scenes. The trick is to make it feel “new” in the eyes of the system, even though the core message remains the same.

Also, give yourself a few days before re-uploading. The goal is that the algorithm does not directly associate new videos with old versions that are already subject to restrictions. This way, the chances of getting back into FYP and getting normal reach will be much greater, without having to sacrifice the entire content strategy on your account.

Continue content without caring about views

One of the mistakes that novice affiliates often make when they are shadow banned is being too focused on monitoring the number of views, to the point of being lazy about creating new content. In fact, in moments like this we need to keep moving. The algorithm tends to "measure" the consistency of creators, not just judging by the performance of one or two videos.

By continuing to create content without thinking too much about the number of viewers, you send a positive signal that your account is active and healthy. After all, low views on one video don't necessarily mean your account is completely damaged — it could just be a factor of timing, topic, or the appeal of the content not being popular at the time.

Use this opportunity to experiment with new ideas. Try a different format, change your delivery style, or explore a rising trend. Think of this phase as a creative exercise without the pressure of numbers. The more content you produce, the greater the chance that one of them will “pop” in FYP and slowly restore the account's reach.

Evaluate the quality and relevance of the content

If the shadow ban is starting to feel annoying, this is the right time to take another look at the quality and direction of the content you create. Try checking, is your video still relevant to the target audience? Is the topic still relevant to market interest in Affiliate? Sometimes we are too comfortable with the old format, even though trends have changed and our delivery methods are starting to become outdated. Look back at the insights in your account, pay attention to which videos are performing well, then look for patterns that can be applied to future content.

Apart from relevance, technical quality should not be overlooked. Make sure the lighting, sound and editing are neat so that the audience will enjoy watching until the end. Keep in mind, the algorithm likes videos that have a high retention rate — meaning people watch until the end or even repeat. So, if there is a video that you think is worth selling but the views are slow, maybe the problem is not with the idea, but with the execution being less than optimal.

Use advertising if you have the funds to drive reach

If you have the budget, utilizing advertising can be a quick way to restore reach after being shadow banned. Ads provide an initial boost so that your content continues to be seen by many people, even though the organic algorithm is "cool" on your account. There is no need to immediately spend large amounts of money; Just start with a small amount to test its effectiveness. Focus promotion on content that has visual appeal and a clear message, so that every rupiah spent produces tangible results.

In addition to increasing viewership, ads also help re-establish natural engagement from new viewers. If they are interested and start following your account, the effect can spread to subsequent content that is not advertised. This means that advertising is not just about buying views, but also attracting organic and sustainable engagement.

However, it is important to view advertising as a tool, not as the only strategy. If the quality of the content is not improved, the effect of the advertising will quickly disappear once the promotion is over. So, make sure you have carried out evaluations and improvements at the previous stage, so that advertising funds really provide maximum results.

Stop excessive FLKS (Follow, Like, Comment, Share) activities

Even though it seems like a quick way to increase engagement, excessive FLKS activity can actually backfire. The algorithm is able to detect unnatural interaction patterns, especially if done over a short period of time and repeatedly. As a result, accounts can be suspected of spamming or engaging engagement manipulation, which ultimately triggers a shadow ban or reduces content performance.

Rather than relying aggressively on FLKS, it's better to focus on natural interactions. Reply to audience comments with relevant responses, create reply videos to their questions, and be active in the same niche to build organic connections. This method is slower, but much safer and has a positive long-term impact.

If previously you often joined FLKS groups or communities, try reducing them or even stopping them altogether. Allow time for the account to return to normal interaction patterns. After that, let growth happen naturally, because the algorithm values ​​genuine engagement much more than forced numbers.

Closing

Shadow bans can be frustrating, especially if we rely on Affiliate as a source of income. But this condition is not the end of everything. With the right steps, starting from re-uploading problematic videos, continuing to consistently create content, conducting evaluations, utilizing advertising if there are funds, to stopping excessive FLKS, the opportunity to restore reach remains wide open.

The key is patience and consistency. The algorithm needs time to regain "trust" in our account, and that can only be achieved if we show healthy activity and relevant content. Think of this phase as a learning and adaptation process, because every creator will definitely encounter similar challenges on their journey. Most importantly, don't stop creating — because just one good piece of content can change everything.