Instagram Launches New Tool Notifying Users Who Have Been Shadow-Banned

Instagram Launches New Tool Notifying Users Who Have Been Shadow-Banned

MENLO PARK, Calif. — In a move away from Meta’s longtime policy of denying the existence of "shadow bans," Instagram has launched a new tool to let users know if their posts are “barred from being recommended to other users.”

Although Instagram still declines to use the widespread term “shadow-banning,” the announcement of the new tool acknowledges that the company makes decisions on what content to promote and what content to hide, a practice that adult performers and other sex workers have been denouncing for years as discrimination.

According to a BBC News report, Instagram says the new tool “will inform users if there are restrictions on their account because they broke certain rules,” whereas previously, “people were not told if intervention by a platform meant posts did not appear in other people's feeds.” 

Instagram Aims to Be More 'Transparent' 

Instagram head Adam Mosseri, a Mark Zuckerberg confidant, promoted to the position after the Meta leader pushed out Instagram’s founders, said in a video statement that the decision to launch this tool “was about transparency.”

The accounts of users who post content that violates Instagram's "recommendability" guidelines, Mosseri elaborated, "can end up in a state where it's not eligible for your photos and videos to show up" in recommendations.

According to BBC News, Instagram users “will be able to edit or delete posts which have fallen foul of the platform's rules. They will also be able to appeal to Instagram if they feel any content has been flagged in error. People can check the status of their account in the Instagram app by selecting their profile, opening the menu, then selecting: settings, account, and account status.”

Online moderation expert Dr. Carolina Are, a researcher at the Centre For Digital Citizens at Northumbria University and a pole dancing content creator, told BBC News, “Instagram has historically had a major issue with people having posts 'hidden' without their knowledge. The platform did not notify us about shadow banning. For ages, Instagram denied that it was ever a thing.”

Are also said she believes shadow-banning “has had a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

ImLive Announces Revamped Member Loyalty Program

Cam platform ImLive has revamped its member loyalty program.

GoFundMe Set Up for Danny Ferretti's Medical Expenses

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Fangear founder Danny Ferretti, who requires extensive lung surgery.

Byborg Acquires Cuties AI

Byborg Enterprises has acquired adult artificial intelligence startup Cuties AI.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

New York Assemblyman Proposes Banning the Term 'Sex Work'

Republican New York Assembly Member Brian Maher has introduced a bill to prohibit the use of the term "sex work" in government documents.

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club, Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

Creator Networking App 'Plaiir' Launches

Plaiir, a mobile networking app for creators, has officially launched.

Swedish Court Rules LELO Products Do Not Infringe 'Invalid' Satisfyer Patent

A Swedish district court has ruled that a patent filed by Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH is not valid, and therefore three products from pleasure brand LELO are not in violation.

Show More