An Instagram shadowban is when Instagram hides or restricts a users content without informing them that its happening. This means that the content wont appear on anyones feed, Explore, or hashtag pages unless they already follow the user. Instagram has not officially acknowledged the term "shadowban," but they have acknowledged that they have the power to deprioritize posts or accounts on the app, which can make content undiscoverable, hidden, or restricted. The reasons for shadowbanning are not entirely clear, but it is believed to occur when a user has violated Instagrams community guidelines or when the content is deemed inappropriate. Some actions that are rumored to increase the likelihood of being shadowbanned include using banned hashtags, using the same hashtags repeatedly, using irrelevant hashtags, and using bots to inflate follower counts. To avoid being shadowbanned, users should post helpful, authentic content and abide by best practices when growing their audience.