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“Shadowbanning” is one of those terms that gets thrown around a lot, especially in adult-content spaces, but it’s often misunderstood. It can feel like a catch-all explanation for when your social media reach tanks or your posts stop getting likes. But to tackle the issue effectively, we need to separate the myth from the reality.
What is shadowbanning?
Shadowbanning is when a platform limits the visibility of your content without notifying you directly. Your account isn't banned in the traditional sense — you can still post, comment, and interact — but fewer people see your content, especially new followers or those outside your immediate circle. In most cases, it’s a form of content suppression triggered by algorithmic moderation, keyword filters, or manual reports.
Are you really shadowbanned?
Before assuming the worst, it’s important to consider other factors that affect engagement:
Algorithm changes
Seasonal fluctuations (summer is slow for everyone)
Burnout in your audience
Boring content (harsh but true)
To investigate a shadow ban, try these steps:
Search test: Log out or use an incognito window. Search your username or hashtags you’ve used. If you’re not showing up, that’s a red flag.
Check analytics: A sudden drop in reach (not just likes) may suggest content suppression.
Compare platforms: If you’re suddenly struggling on one site but not others, you may be dealing with moderation quirks specific to that platform.
Why NSFW creators are especially vulnerable
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube often flag content that includes nudity, “suggestive” poses, or even certain words (like “OnlyFans,” “kink,” or “Patreon”). You don’t need to post explicit content to be caught in the dragnet — being tangentially associated with adult spaces can be enough.
Also worth noting: platforms aren’t interested in transparency, especially when adult content is involved. Their moderation tools often err on the side of restriction to avoid backlash from advertisers or scrutiny from payment processors.
What can you do about it?
Unfortunately, there's no silver bullet — but there are strategies that help:
Diversify your platforms. Don’t rely on one site to build or reach your audience. Use email newsletters, paid platforms (like Patreon), and NSFW-friendly alternatives like Bluesky, Cohost, or Newgrounds.
Play the game (sometimes). Use “soft” versions of risky words (e.g. “spicy site” instead of “OnlyFans”) or break them up with symbols. But don’t let censorship shape your entire brand.
Build your own infrastructure. A personal website with its own mailing list is still the most powerful tool you can own. No algorithm can throttle what you send directly to your fans.
Speak up. Sometimes shadowbanning isn’t just about the algorithm — it’s a systemic bias. When platforms silence adult creators, especially queer and marginalized artists, it’s worth raising awareness, pushing for transparency, and organizing with others.
Shadowbanning is real, but it’s also a murky, inconsistent process that’s often invisible. Instead of obsessing over algorithms, focus on what you can control: diversify, decentralize, and own your connection to your audience.
Riot & MasterCard: Moderating Message or Managing Image?
This was initially reported by Ana Valens corroborated by Dieselbrain. Sports Illustrated later picked up the story.
A troubling internal memo appears to be circulating at Riot Games, revealing pressure from MasterCard — a key eSports sponsor — to suppress negative chatter around the ongoing Steam/itch.io content controversy. Riot Games is the developer and publisher behind hugely popular online titles like League of Legends and Valorant. It's also a major player in eSorts, heavily sponsored by companies including MasterCard — making the relationship between Riot and the brand particularly significant in eSports circles.
The alleged directives include:
Monitoring official Riot streams for adverse mentions of MasterCard.
Asking affiliated esports creators to flag negative sentiments about the brand.
Instructing moderators to swiftly remove or penalize any talk of MasterCard, even if seemingly benign.
According to Dieselbrain, one internal source bluntly put it: Riot’s moderation team is "immediately nuking any mention of Mastercard," with even harmless comments, drawing lengthy timeouts.
Even if MasterCard didn’t personally hand down banning orders, the internal moderation behavior at Riot — clamping down on even benign mentions of MasterCard — strongly suggests the brand feels vulnerable enough to micromanage public sentiment around it.
Your calls are working. Here’s more information on how you can keep up the pressure.