My Instagram got shadow banned. How do I fix it?

First, let's confirm it's actually a shadow ban and not just an algorithm change. Go to your most recent post, tap the three dots, and select "Turn on notifications for this post." Then ask a friend who doesn't follow you to check your profile — if your posts don't show up under hashtags, you're shadow banned. Common causes: using banned hashtags (even ones you used months ago), using third-party apps that access your account, or getting reported multiple times. To fix it: 1) Remove ALL third-party apps from your Instagram settings (Settings > Security > Apps and Websites). 2) Stop using hashtags for 7-14 days. 3) Don't post anything for 48 hours. 4) Engage genuinely with other accounts — like, comment, share. 5) Report the problem to Instagram through the app (Settings > Help > Report a Problem). It usually takes 2-4 weeks to lift. If nothing works, consider starting a new account — but learn from this and avoid the same mistakes.