Have you noticed a sudden, unexplained drop in your engagement on Bluesky? Are your posts not getting the visibility they used to, even though you're posting great content? You might be experiencing a "shadowban" – a term for when a platform subtly limits the reach and visibility of your account or specific posts without notifying you.
While Bluesky hasn't officially detailed a shadowbanning system, users have observed patterns of algorithmic suppression that can significantly impact visibility. If you suspect your account is being subtly sidelined, here’s a guide on how to investigate.
What is a "Shadowban" (or Algorithmic Suppression)?
A shadowban isn't an outright ban; it's a reduction in your content's reach. Your posts might still be visible to you, but they won't appear as readily in others' feeds, search results, or replies sections. This often happens if the platform's automated systems or human moderators flag your account for potential violations of community guidelines, spam-like behavior, or other policies.
🚩 Key Indicators You Might Be Shadowbanned
Before you dive into testing, look for these tell-tale signs:
- Sudden Drop in Engagement: This is the most common indicator. Your likes, replies, and reposts plummet dramatically without a change in your posting habits or content quality.
- Posts Missing from Feeds: Your followers might tell you they're not seeing your recent posts in their main "Following" feed or custom feeds.
- Low Search Visibility: When you (or others) try to search for your username or specific recent posts, they either don't appear in the results or are buried far down the list.
- Replies Are Hidden: Your replies to other users' posts might be invisible to others, or appear under a "Show additional replies" button, implying low relevance or potential spam.
🔬 How to Test for a Bluesky Shadowban
The most effective way to confirm suppression is by checking your account's visibility from an "outside" perspective.
1. The "Logged Out" or "Alt Account" Test (Crucial!)
This is your primary method. You need to see your Bluesky presence as someone who isn't you and isn't following you.
- Log out of your primary Bluesky account.
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OR, even better, use a secondary/alt Bluesky account that does not follow your primary account. If you don't have one, consider creating a throwaway account for testing purposes.
- Step 1: Search for Your Account: From the alt/logged-out perspective, go to the search bar and type in your primary account's exact handle (e.g., @yourhandle.bsky.social).
- Result: If your account doesn't appear in the search results, or appears very low down despite an exact match, this is a strong indicator of search suppression.
- Step 2: Check Recent Post Visibility: If you can find your account, scroll through your profile. From this alt account, can you see all your recent posts? Are they loaded immediately, or do you have to click to reveal more?
- Step 3: Test a Recent Reply: Go to a recent post by another user where your primary account left a reply. Navigate to that original post from your alt account.
- Result: Look at the replies section. Is your reply visible immediately? Is it hidden behind a "Show additional replies" button? Or is it completely absent? If your replies are consistently hidden or missing, it's a strong sign of reply suppression.
- Step 1: Search for Your Account: From the alt/logged-out perspective, go to the search bar and type in your primary account's exact handle (e.g., @yourhandle.bsky.social).
2. The Hashtag Visibility Test
This tests if your posts are reaching broader, public feeds.
- Post something on your primary account using a very unique or obscure hashtag that you've never used before and is unlikely to have other recent posts (e.g., #MyBlueskyTest12345).
- Immediately switch to your alt/logged-out account.
- Search for that exact unique hashtag.
- Result: If your post does not appear in that hashtag's feed, or takes a long time to show up, your posts might be experiencing limited visibility.
3. Ask a Trusted Follower
Enlist the help of a friend or trusted follower.
- Ask them to keep an eye on their main "Following" feed or a specific custom feed that includes your posts.
- Post something on your primary account, then immediately ask them if they see it appear in their feed.
- Result: If they report not seeing your posts regularly, or note significant delays, it adds to the evidence of suppression.
❓ What To Do If You Suspect Suppression
If your tests strongly suggest your account is being suppressed, here are steps you can take:
- Review Bluesky Community Guidelines: Carefully re-read the Bluesky Community Guidelines. Think about any recent posts, replies, or activity that might have inadvertently violated these rules. Common triggers include excessive posting, rapid following/unfollowing, spam-like content, hate speech, or harassment.
- Take a Break: Sometimes a short "cooling off" period (24-48 hours) without posting can help. The algorithms might reset or re-evaluate your account.
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Adjust Your Content/Behavior:
- Avoid "spammy" actions: Don't post excessively within a short period, avoid repetitive phrases, and don't mass follow/unfollow accounts.
- Focus on quality engagement: Post thoughtful content and engage genuinely in conversations.
- Self-moderate: If you posted anything potentially controversial or borderline, consider deleting it (though this won't necessarily remove past flags).
- Monitor: After making adjustments, continue to monitor your engagement and visibility using the tests above. It might take some time to see improvements.
Bluesky, like all social platforms, uses algorithms to manage content flow. Understanding how to check your visibility is key to ensuring your voice is heard. If you find your account is suppressed, a thoughtful review of your activity and adherence to guidelines is the best path forward.
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