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How to Know If Your YouTube Channel is Shadow Banned (And Fix)

#Social Media Marketing
2026-01-05 19:238 min read

Content Introduction
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The video discusses the concept of shadowbanning on YouTube, confirming its existence as a secretive punishment applied to creators who violate community guidelines. It explains that affected channels may experience significantly reduced views and engagement without any notification from YouTube. The host outlines steps for creators to determine if they are shadowbanned, including checking analytics and observing engagement trends. The video encourages creators to avoid self-promotion and spamming behaviors that could lead to a shadowban. Solutions involve correcting violations and waiting for 28 days while continuing to upload content. The host reassures viewers that if they stop the violations, YouTube may lift the shadowban and begins to recommend their content again. Several examples from different channels are analyzed to illustrate these points, ultimately helping creators understand the importance of compliance with community guidelines to grow their presence on the platform.

Key Information

  • The concept of 'shadowban' is real, and it exists on platforms like YouTube.
  • A shadowban is a punishment by YouTube for violating community guidelines, and users are not notified of this ban.
  • Signs of a shadowban include a lack of views, engagement, and overall stagnation in channel growth despite uploading quality content.
  • The process to check for a shadowban involves analyzing channel analytics, particularly video views and engagement metrics.
  • If a channel's engagement drops significantly or if video impressions are disproportionately low compared to subscriber count, it may indicate a shadowban.
  • The creator emphasizes the importance of not engaging in spammy behavior, such as self-promotion or excessive commenting, as this can lead to a shadowban.
  • Once the reasons for a shadowban are identified, the channel owner should cease those behaviors and wait for YouTube to lift the ban after a period of compliance.

Timeline Analysis

Content Keywords

Shadowban

The concept of shadowban exists on YouTube, indicating a hidden punishment imposed on creators for violating community guidelines. Viewers may experience a lack of visibility or engagement without notification from YouTube, leading to unacknowledged restrictions on their channel's growth and performance.

YouTube Community Guidelines

Creators may unknowingly engage in activities that violate YouTube's Community Guidelines, leading to potential shadowbans. Common violations include self-promotion in comments and spamming, which can significantly affect channel visibility and engagement.

Content Performance

Effective channels have a balanced approach to content, optimizing videos and engagements. Differences in performance can be noted between shorts and long-form content, affecting overall viewer engagement and numbers.

Analytics Check

Creators must regularly check their YouTube analytics to understand video performance metrics like impressions, views, and engagement rates, which can indicate if a channel is experiencing a shadowban.

Subscriber Growth

Channels that experience significant drops in views or lack subscriber growth despite having content and subscribers may be under shadowbans. Engaging content should organically lead to growth, but discrepancies suggest possible algorithmic issues.

YouTube Algorithm

YouTube's algorithm plays a critical role in content distribution. The effectiveness of video promotion can be hampered by prior violations and spamming behaviors, limiting a channel's reach to its subscribers.

Testing for Shadowban

To determine if a channel is shadowbanned, creators can analyze their content's reach and performance over time. A lack of viewership on recent videos, despite past popularity, can indicate potential restrictions.

Related questions&answers

Does shadowban really exist?

Yes, shadowban exists on YouTube and is applied when creators violate community guidelines.

What happens when a channel is shadowbanned?

The channel will not get views and engagement, and YouTube does not notify the creator about the shadowban.

How can I check if my channel is under shadowban?

You can check your channel's analytics and look for a sudden drop in views despite regular content uploads.

What should I do if I think my channel is shadowbanned?

Wait for 28 days without violating guidelines and continue uploading content normally.

What activities can lead to a shadowban on YouTube?

Activities like spamming, self-promotion in comments, and excessive sub for sub requests can lead to a shadowban.

How can I prevent getting shadowbanned?

Avoid spamming, self-promotion, and instead focus on creating quality content while adhering to community guidelines.

Will YouTube remove shadowban after a specific period?

Yes, if you stop violating guidelines for 28 days, YouTube may remove the shadowban.

What to do if I am not getting views despite my channel not being shadowbanned?

Check your channel settings, optimize your content, and ensure effective promotion strategies.

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