shadow banning

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The practice of blocking or hiding a user's content on a platform without telling them, so they do not realize they are being restricted.

   Grammar: Uncountable; used with a singular verb: Shadow banning is controversial.

   Patterns

   • shadow banning of someone
   • shadow banning on a platform

   Many users complained about shadow banning after their posts stopped appearing in search results.

   The company denied using shadow banning as a moderation tool.

   Shadow banning can be frustrating because you don't know it's happening.

2. 2verbtransitive

   Present participle of 'shadow ban': to restrict a user's content secretly without notifying them.

   Grammar: Takes an object: The platform is shadow banning critics.

   Patterns

   • shadow ban someone
   • be shadow banned from something

   She suspected the site was shadow banning her account.

   Users who post controversial opinions often get shadow banned without warning.

Common combinations

accused of shadow banning

The platform was accused of shadow banning political activists.

practice of shadow banning

The practice of shadow banning has drawn criticism from free speech advocates.

shadow banning algorithm

Their shadow banning algorithm is kept secret.

Synonyms and how they differ

stealth banning

A less common term with the same meaning; 'shadow banning' is the standard term in tech news.

quiet banning

Very rare; 'shadow banning' is the usual term.

Word family

shadow ban verb

To secretly restrict a user's content.

shadow ban noun

An instance of such a restriction.

Commonly confused: shadow banning or banning?

Practice

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