YouTube Shadowban Detector

Tick the signs you see and get a plain read on whether reach has really dropped, plus where to look next.

Quick answer

YouTube does not publish a hidden penalty called a shadowban. A drop in impressions or click-through rate is usually the real signal. Use the checklist below to spot patterns and see what to check in YouTube Studio.

Tick every statement that is true for your channel right now.

Views and impressions fell sharply across several recent uploads, not just one.New videos do not appear when I search their exact title in a private window.My channel does not appear when I search its name while signed out.Impressions are steady but click-through rate dropped a lot.Browse and Suggested traffic in YouTube Studio fell close to zero.Subscribers tell me new uploads did not show up in their feed.Comments are held for review or disappear.I recently got a strike, an age restriction or a limited-ads label.

Looks normal (0 of 8 signs). One sign on its own usually points to a single weak video, seasonality or a topic that cooled off.

What to look at next

YouTube Studio, Content: look for restrictions, age limits or policy notices on recent videos.
Analytics, Reach: compare impressions, click-through rate and traffic sources against an earlier period.
Search your exact video titles in a private window to see whether they appear.
Compare the best and worst recent videos by thumbnail, title and topic before changing anything else.

YouTube does not use the word shadowban. This checklist only helps you spot patterns worth investigating.

Is there a YouTube shadowban?

YouTube has not described a secret penalty by that name. What creators call a shadowban is usually a drop in impressions or click-through rate, or a limit placed on a specific video.

Common causes of a reach drop

A new thumbnail or title that gets fewer clicks.
A topic your usual audience does not watch.
Seasonality or a news cycle that changed what people search for.
Weaker audience retention, so YouTube shows the video to fewer people.
A policy action on a video, such as an age restriction or removal.

Where to check in YouTube Studio

Content: look for restrictions, age limits or notices on recent videos.
Analytics, Reach: compare impressions, click-through rate and traffic sources with an earlier period.
Notifications: check for policy messages.

How the checklist works

You tick the statements that are true. Zero or one sign reads as normal, two to four as mixed signals and five or more as many signs of reduced reach. It is a conversation starter, not a diagnosis.

Read the full guide: YouTube Monetization Requirements Explained

How to use it

Step 1

Tick every statement that is true for your channel.

Step 2

Read the summary.

Step 3

Follow the list of places to check in YouTube Studio.

Questions about this tool

Is this a real shadowban test?

No. YouTube does not publish such a signal. The checklist helps you spot patterns.

What usually causes a reach drop?

Lower click-through, a topic your audience stopped watching, seasonality, or a policy limit on a video.

Should I delete videos?

Not as a first step. Check restrictions and analytics before changing anything.

How long does a dip last?

It varies. Compare several uploads over a few weeks instead of reacting to a single video.