Does the Shadow Ban really exist? Is saving the new liking? Expert tips on Instagram myths from Thilda, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Instagram Germany
–
Shadow Ban, Superlike, SuperSaving – and all of this just to play out, bypass and outsmart THE algorithm … at least that’s what I hear here and there. And now I come around the corner and say: There is no ONE algorithm and certainly no shadow ban that chooses whimsically who is played out today and who is not, no superlike, no super save and no red button that anyone in ours Company operated because we want to take someone out of reach. Instagram doesn’t get any of that. Because Instagram is a place where all people should exchange ideas about all topics that interest them. Are there any rules? Sure, of course!
–
These rules really apply:
–
I’ll add something to the last point. There are contexts in which nudity is allowed on our platform – for example with educational content and / or when it is about art, for example, or content about breastfeeding is shown. But you must never forget: Instagram is officially usable from the age of 13 and in addition, the app is available worldwide. We want everyone of all ages and cultures to feel comfortable on Instagram and to be able to exchange ideas. This also includes protecting yourself from spam.
–
Buying followers and likes is not allowed. We restrict the actions of third-party apps – because we want to promote authentic exchange. By the way: If you buy likes and followers, there is also a great security risk for you. Because you are giving your Instagram account data to a third-party app. This app then has access to your account – do you then know exactly what this app is doing with your account? And / or whether this app is protected from hacks? So, always remember: Honesty lasts the longest
–
No, and whether or not you see the number of likes is entirely up to you. You can decide for yourself under each post (using the three dots) to hide or display the number of “likes”.
–
Finally, I can really recommend you to say goodbye to alleged strategies to outsmart the algorithm. Because this is not a game that has to be defeated, but an app that gives you the opportunity to interact with other people. And these people like, comment, and save what interests them. And if something interests you, you will see more of it in Explore. In their feed, however (when they open the app), they get EVERY content that is posted to the accounts they follow. The more accounts someone follows, the lower the chance of being displayed right at the top. To see everything, you have to scroll very far.
–
But the same applies here: all content is displayed. Therefore: Create content that you enjoy, that you can identify with, that is authentic. Will there be people who are not interested in it? Yes! Will there be people who may only be interested in it later and not immediately? Yes! Will there be people who find content interesting, beautiful, cool, irrelevant and who neither like, comment nor share it? Also yes! Because: They are people like you and me – not robots.
–
