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

AEBN Announces Peter Green as Top Male Boy/Girl Performer for Summer 2025

AEBN has revealed its top 10 male Boy/Girl performers for summer 2025, with Peter Green landing atop the leaderboard.

Spicey AI Relaunches Site, Debuts $Spicey Tokens

Interactive voice chat platform Spicey AI has relaunched its website and introduced $Spicey tokens.

FSC: Missouri Age Verification Rule Will Not Take Effect August 30

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced that Missouri's proposed age verification legislation will not take effect on August 30, as it had originally estimated.

Little Caprice, Marcello Bravo to Co-Host 2025 XMA Europa Awards

XBIZ is pleased to announce that husband-and-wife duo Little Caprice and Marcello Bravo will co-host adult’s biggest night in Europe: the 2025 XMA Europa Awards on Sept. 4, in the epic climax to XBIZ’s fall events series.

Germany Will Block Payments to AV-Noncompliant Adult Sites as of Dec. 1

Starting Dec. 1, Germany will implement new rules prohibiting financial institutions from providing payment services to adult sites deemed to have inadequate age verification systems and making it easier for the government to target websites mirroring the content of such sites.

Jerkmate Joins Pineapple Support as Partner-Level Sponsor

Jerkmate has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Launches Age Verification Toolkit for Adult Websites

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that it has launched a comprehensive toolkit to help adult websites navigate age verification laws.

Romero Mr. Alien to Present XBIZ Talk at Amsterdam Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that noted producer/director Romero Mr. Alien, the impresario of the XMAs award-winning studio Hentaied, will present an exclusive talk at next month’s Amsterdam conference.

New Fansly Analytics Platform 'SlyKiwi' Launches

SlyKiwi, a new analytics platform exclusively designed for Fansly content, has officially launched.

FPNCash Appoints Kimi Evans Head of Business Development

FPNCash has appointed Kimi Evans as its new head of business development.

Show More