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

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ondato, CCBill Announce Strategic Partnership for Global High-Risk Market

Age and identity verification firm Ondato and payment processor CCBill have formed a strategic partnership to serve the global high-risk market.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Show More