I tracked a video's views before and after a shadowban for 30 days

I posted a video about a local protest in Seattle, and it got about 2,000 views in the first two days. Then it just stopped. I checked the analytics and saw the reach from the 'For You' feed dropped to almost zero overnight, while my other videos were fine. I mean, the content wasn't even that extreme, just raw footage. Over the next month, it only got about 50 more views total. It's a clear case of a platform quietly limiting reach without telling you. Has anyone else had a video just die like that and found a way to check why?

4 comments

4 Comments

murray.cora1mo ago

Used to think my videos just flopped on their own. Seeing your data on the shadowban makes it hard to deny the platforms are messing with reach. Really changes how I see my own analytics now.

nguyen.morgan2d ago

Wait, are you seriously still doubting it after seeing actual proof? The platforms absolutely manipulate reach, it's not just some conspiracy theory. I've had videos that performed way better on one account vs another with the exact same content. The algorithm picks winners and losers based on things we can't even see. It's frustrating because you put in the work and then they decide who sees it. Your analytics probably weren't lying to you, the platform was.

kim.nina1mo ago

What platform was this on?

robertcarr1mo ago

But is it really a shadowban or just the algorithm being weird? I see people blame the platform all the time when their stuff doesn't get views. Sometimes content just doesn't connect. The platforms change things constantly, so a drop in reach doesn't always mean they are out to get you. It feels like a big deal but might not be that serious.