By Onur Demirkol 
A Reddit shadowban is one of the most confusing penalties on the platform. Unlike a normal ban, it does not stop you from posting. You can still write posts and comments as if everything is normal. However, no one else can see your content. Only you see your posts, and they receive no upvotes, comments, or engagement. Many Reddit users discover this after days or weeks of silence.
A shadowban feels invisible because Reddit does not notify you. This makes it harder to understand why your account suddenly stops getting responses.
A Reddit shadowban makes you invisible. You can browse, post, and comment, but nothing you share appears publicly. Other people cannot see your posts or comments. Unlike what many people think, shadowbanning is a commonly used method on many platforms.
This silent ban is different from other Reddit ban types.Temporary bans and permanent bans show clear messages. A shadowban gives you no warning. You may believe you are active as usual, while the rest of Reddit no longer sees you.
To keep the platform safe, Reddit uses a mix of automated tools and human moderators. Knowing how Reddit bans work helps you avoid problems.
There are four main types of Reddit bans:
- Warnings for small rule violations.
- Temporary suspensions, usually 3–7 days, for more serious issues.
- Permanent suspensions for breaking Reddit’s Content Policy.
- Shadowbans for spam or repeated harmful behavior.
Warnings educate users. Temporary bans give you time to reflect. Permanent bans remove accounts completely. Shadowbans quietly remove a user’s visibility, often to stop spam bots.
Subreddit bans affect only one community. If you break a specific subreddit’s rules, moderators can ban you there. You get a message explaining why.
Site-wide suspensions affect your entire account. Reddit administrators send a clear notification when this happens. Your profile shows “suspended,” and you cannot post anywhere.
A Reddit shadowban is different. No one tells you about it. Your account looks normal to you but not to anyone else. This makes it hard to detect without testing.
Reddit’s anti-spam system looks for patterns. These actions often lead to a shadowban:
- Posting the same content in many subreddits in a short time.
- Asking friends to upvote or using multiple accounts for voting.
- Sharing the same link repeatedly, like your blog or YouTube channel.
These behaviors look like spam, even if you have good intentions. Reddit wants organic content and fair voting, so the system blocks anything that feels automated or overly self-promotional.
AutoModerator helps individual subreddits enforce rules. It can remove posts automatically based on certain words, links, or account age.
Reddit also has a site-wide spam filter. It hides suspicious links or repetitive posts. Sometimes it hides real posts by mistake.
Not all Reddit visibility issues mean you are shadowbanned. AutoModerator or spam filters may temporarily hide content. It is always good to ask subreddit moderators before assuming the worst.
Shadowbans usually last forever unless you appeal successfully. Temporary bans always show an end date, and permanent bans require a formal appeal.
If you think you are shadowbanned, you can appeal at reddit.com/appeal. Be honest about what happened. Explain why you believe the ban is wrong. Appeals sometimes work, but repeated violations lower your chances.
Many users ask, “Am I shadowbanned on Reddit?” if their posts suddenly stop getting engagement. Signs of a shadowban include:
- Your post karma stays the same even though you post often.
- No one responds to your comments in active threads.
- Messages to moderators go unanswered in every subreddit.
- Your new posts do not show up in the “new” section of a subreddit.
If these things happen, you should check your account status.
The fastest way to check for a shadowban is through a simple profile test.
How to check if you are Reddit shadowbanned in 3 quick steps:
- Open an incognito or private browser window.
- Go to reddit.com/user/YourUsername.
- See if your profile appears.
If the page says “not found” or shows an error, you are likely shadowbanned. If your profile is visible and shows your posts, you are fine.
You can also use the r/ShadowBan subreddit. Create a new post titled “Am I shadowbanned Reddit?”. A bot will reply within minutes. It checks your profile visibility and recent activity.
Many people use this because it gives instant confirmation. The subreddit also provides help and guides for users who are shadowbanned.
There are third-party tools like Reddit Shadowban Checker. They scan your profile and tell you if it is visible. Some browser extensions track your status automatically.
Manual checks remain the most reliable. Remember that shadowbans affect your entire account. Subreddit bans and spam filters are different. Always verify with more than one method.
Sometimes, low visibility has nothing to do with a shadowban. New accounts have natural posting limits. If you are new, you might see “you are doing that too much” messages. Building karma over time removes these limits.
Some subreddits also have special rules. For example, popular subreddits like r/videos require at least 10 comment karma before posting. AutoModerator might hide your post until you meet the requirements.
Always read subreddit rules carefully. Many visibility issues are simple rule-based restrictions, not shadowbans.
It is easier to prevent a shadowban than to fix one. Follow these basic rules:
- Space out your posts naturally instead of flooding subreddits.
- Join discussions and contribute to communities genuinely.
- Do not ask for upvotes or use multiple accounts for voting.
- Share different types of content, not just self-promotion.
- Build karma slowly and avoid aggressive posting.
Reddit’s systems exist to keep the community clean and fair. If you focus on authentic engagement, you will not trigger the spam filters.
A: Log out and view your profile. If it says “not found,” you are shadowbanned.
A: Reddit uses warnings, temporary suspensions, permanent bans, and shadowbans to enforce rules.
A: Shadowbans are usually permanent unless you appeal successfully.
A: AutoModerator filters, subreddit posting rules, and spam detection often cause posts to disappear temporarily.
A Reddit shadowban is silent but powerful. It makes you invisible without telling you. Understanding how Reddit bans work helps you avoid it. Always post naturally, follow subreddit rules, and focus on real engagement. If your account loses visibility, test it and confirm if it is a shadowban or just filters. Prevention is the best way to stay active on Reddit.