Shadowbanned definition: what "Shadowbanned" means and examples

This term describes the frustrating experience of having one's digital content hidden from others. Unlike a regular ban, a "shadowban" is invisible; the user can still post, but their friends and followers won't see it in their feeds. In a social sense, teenagers might use it metaphorically to describe feeling ignored or sidelined in a group chat or social circle. It captures the anxiety of being present but unnoticed, reflecting the deep-seated desire to be seen and validated in digital spaces.

Examples:

1. "None of my photos are getting any likes lately; I think I've been shadowbanned by the app."
2. "I feel like I'm shadowbanned in this friendship group; nobody ever replies to my messages."
3. "He tried to grow his account, but he got shadowbanned for using too many hashtags."