How to check if you are shadowbanned on X
Three manual tests you can run in a private window, and the faster way: a live four-part test that does the same from a logged-out view.
The only reliable way to check is to look at your account the way strangers see it: logged out. Your own logged-in view always shows your posts, so it can never show a shadowban.
The quick way
Type your handle into FSB. In a few seconds you get four separate results (search ban, search suggestion ban, ghost ban, reply deboosting) plus the sensitive-media flag and a visibility score out of 100. FSB re-tests any new restriction before showing it, so one slow response from X does not become a false alarm.
The manual way
Open a private (incognito) window where you are not logged in to X. Some of these views now require a login on x.com; where that happens, ask a friend who does not follow you to look instead.
1. Search ban test
Search for from:yourhandle and for a distinctive phrase from one of your recent posts. Switch to the Latest tab. If your posts are missing while other accounts' posts show up, search is filtered for you.
2. Suggestion ban test
Start typing your exact handle in the search box. If your account does not appear in the dropdown while similar names do, you have a suggestion ban.
3. Ghost ban and reply deboost test
Reply to a busy post from a large account, then open that post from the second view. If your reply is missing entirely, that is a ghost ban. If it only appears after "Show more replies" or a "probable spam" section, your replies are deboosted.
Read the result correctly
- One restriction is common and often temporary. In FSB's shadowban index a minority of checked accounts have any restriction at a given moment, and most restricted accounts have only one.
- Re-check after changes. If you change a setting or stop a behaviour, check again in 24–48 hours. FSB keeps a history graph so you can see when a restriction started and ended.
- Test the right account. Handles change. Paste the profile link if you are not sure; FSB also accepts numeric user IDs.
Keep watching
Sign in with Discord or X to add accounts to your dashboard. FSB re-checks them automatically and can email you when an account you favourited posts something new.
Check an account
Four live tests from a logged-out view. No password, no app permissions.
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