Instagram Shadowban Test – Check If Your Account Is Limited

When your Instagram reach suddenly drops, your posts stop appearing in hashtag feeds, or non-followers barely see your content anymore, it’s natural to wonder:

“Did my account just get shadowbanned?”

Instagram doesn’t officially use the term shadowban, but it does reduce visibility when certain behaviors, content categories, or safety triggers are detected. These changes usually happen quietly, without warning—and creators often notice only after performance declines sharply.

That’s why Erasa built its Instagram Shadowban Test: a read-only visibility checker that analyzes public signals to reveal how your account appears to people who don’t follow you.

No login, no password, no interactions with your account—just a clear picture of your public visibility.

👉 Enter your Instagram username to begin a public visibility assessment.

(No login required · Read-only · Private data not accessed)

TL;DR — Quick Summary

Creators typically suspect a shadowban when they notice:

• Posts disappearing from hashtag feeds
• A sudden collapse in non-follower reach
• Explore impressions dropping from hundreds to zero
• Inconsistent search visibility
• Bio link warnings
• Several posts underperforming at the same time

Erasa checks these public visibility indicators and provides a structured overview of what may be happening.

It cannot access Instagram’s internal systems, but it can reveal whether your visibility appears restricted publicly.

Sample Visibility Snapshot From Erasa’s Test

Search Visibility: Limited
Profile Suggestions: Not appearing for non-followers
Hashtag Visibility: Missing from 3 of 5 hashtag feeds
Explore Eligibility Indicators: Weak
Sensitive Content Signals: None detected
Bio Link Status: External link triggers a safety warning
Cross-Post Pattern: Several posts show similar suppressed distribution

Overall Visibility Rating: Restricted (Medium Confidence)

What Erasa’s Shadowban Test Checks

Erasa evaluates several public visibility signals that commonly shift when an account is restricted:

• Search Appearance
• Hashtag Visibility
• Explore Eligibility Indicators
• Sensitive Content Clues
• Bio Link Safety
• Engagement Distribution Patterns
• Profile Suggestion Presence

These signals help reveal whether your account is experiencing reduced distribution.

How Erasa’s Shadowban Test Works

Erasa uses a structured visibility-sampling model based entirely on public data:

Search & Suggestion Sampling

Simulates how your account appears in search results from a non-follower’s perspective.

Hashtag Feed Checks

Verifies whether your posts appear in several controlled, low-noise hashtags.

Explore Eligibility Clues

Looks for external signals correlated with Explore distribution.

Sensitive Content Indicators

Identifies publicly visible clues related to content filtering.

Bio Link Safety Checks

Tests whether your link triggers warnings that may affect distribution.

Cross-Post Visibility Patterns

Detects consistent visibility drops across multiple posts.

Erasa never requests passwords and never interacts with your Instagram account.

Common Signs Your Account Is Experiencing a Shadowban

• Posts disappear from hashtag feeds
• Explore reach drops dramatically
• Non-follower impressions fall sharply
• Search results vary significantly between users
• Bio link warnings appear
• Several posts underperform in a similar pattern
• Engagement becomes unstable even for normally consistent content

Multiple simultaneous signals make visibility restrictions more likely.

Why Instagram Reduces Visibility

Instagram’s systems don’t punish creators randomly—they down-rank content based on risk, sensitivity, or behavior patterns.

Spam-Like Activity

Rapid follows/unfollows, mass liking, repetitive comments.

Restricted or Abandoned Hashtags

Certain hashtags suppress posts automatically.

Sensitive or “Borderline” Content

Content doesn’t need to violate rules to receive reduced distribution.

Community Guideline Violations

Any restriction or removal may temporarily decrease reach.

Risky External Links

Suspicious links can quietly reduce visibility.

Sudden Behavior Changes

Irregular posting or dramatic content shifts can confuse the system.

Automated Tools or Purchased Engagement

Scripted interaction often triggers visibility limits.

How to Manually Check for a Shadowban

Ask a Non-Follower to Search Your Username

If your handle appears inconsistently, that’s a meaningful signal.

Test With a Few Low-Noise Hashtags

Check whether your post appears in “Recent.”

Review Non-Follower Reach in Insights

One of the earliest indicators of visibility issues.

Check for Sensitive Content Labels

Even subtle flags can reduce reach.

Test Your Bio Link

Warnings often correlate with reduced distribution.

Compare Performance Across Posts

Consistent underperformance rarely happens by chance.

Manual Checks vs Automated Analysis

Using both gives the clearest picture.

How to Recover From a Shadowban

Slow Down High-Frequency Activity

Normalize your interaction patterns.

Replace Risky Bio Links

Flagged links are a common visibility killer—Erasa helps detect this early.

Avoid Restricted Hashtags

Even one can suppress a post.

Give the System Time

Most limitations fade within days to two weeks.

Review Guideline Violations

Restricted posts can temporarily affect reach.

Stabilize Your Posting Rhythm

Avoid abrupt shifts in frequency or content style.

Avoid Bots and Purchased Engagement

Automated behavior lowers trust signals.

How to Prevent Future Shadowbans

• Maintain a stable posting rhythm
• Use clean, active hashtags
• Keep bio links safe
• Avoid borderline content
• Avoid automated engagement tools
• Monitor Insights for irregular changes
• Check visibility periodically

Privacy & Safety

Erasa’s system is:

• Read-only
• No login required
• No password requests
• Does not interact with your account
• Uses only public signals
• Never stores or modifies Instagram data

This makes it safe and compliant for creators who want clarity without risk.

When You Should Re-Test Using Erasa

Re-test when:

• Reach changes abruptly
• Posts are removed
• Your posting pattern shifts
• You update your bio link
• Instagram experiences large-scale volatility
• You suspect moderation errors
• Every 2–4 weeks for routine monitoring

FAQ

Does Instagram officially confirm shadowbans?

Not directly, but visibility limitations do occur.

How accurate is Erasa’s test?

It analyzes multiple public signals to provide a reliable external visibility snapshot.

Do I need to log in to use Erasa?

No. It’s completely read-only and privacy-safe.

Does missing from hashtags always mean a shadowban?

Not always—some hashtags are restricted or broken.

Can Erasa detect internal penalties?

No third party can, but Erasa can identify patterns correlated with reduced visibility.

How long does a shadowban last?

Usually 1–14 days depending on the trigger.

Can shadowbans be reversed?

Yes—most are temporary and recover with normal behavior.

Is Erasa safe to use?

Yes. It uses only public data and never interacts with your account.

Summary — Understanding Your Visibility Clearly

Instagram’s distribution system evolves constantly.

Erasa’s Shadowban Test helps creators see whether performance drops are normal fluctuations—or signs of reduced visibility—by analyzing what’s publicly visible to non-followers.

It’s not about guessing; it’s about clarity.

A Note From Erasa

This tool was built to give creators a straightforward, privacy-safe way to understand their public visibility without putting their accounts at risk.

If your performance suddenly changes, running a visibility check can help diagnose issues early and guide your content strategy with confidence.