Hunter Storm | How to Avoid a Social Media Ban

How to Avoid a Social Media Ban (Unless You Want One, in Which Case, Make It Count)

Ah, social media, the digital Wild West where you can share your thoughts, connect with like-minded people, and accidentally step on a landmine that gets you booted faster than a cat video goes viral. That’s why I wrote this post: to help you avoid a social media ban.

If you’ve ever been banned, shadow banned or thrown into the abyss of community guidelines violations without even knowing what you did wrong, this guide is for you. If you haven’t, congratulations. You’re either incredibly lucky, super boring, or you work for the platform.

This post blends my free speech stance, hacker humor, and practical security advice while paying homage to George Carlin’s comedy routine, “7 Words You Can’t Say on TV” in a way that’s both hilarious and genuinely useful.

Without further ado, here’s how to not get yeeted off social media while still maintaining your wit, freedom of speech, and general smartassery.

Know the Algorithm’s Tripwires

Social media companies have built automated systems that scan for “bad words,” “problematic behavior,” and anything that triggers their content moderation bots. Humans with a nuanced understanding of context do not run these systems. No, it’s an overworked artificial intelligence (AI) that once mistook a pastor’s sermon for hate speech and flagged someone talking about their chicken breast recipe as explicit content.

Some words will get you flagged instantly, while others depend on how, where, and when you use them. More on that later.

Pro tip: If you ever feel like the system is unfair and inconsistent, that’s because it is. Accept this and move accordingly.

Avoid the Forbidden Words | Get Creative with Censorship

In honor of George Carlin, we present a comprehensive, but ever-changing, list of words that will fast-track you to the digital gulag: [Insert long and evolving list of words here]. Everything from the obvious to the absurd, including slang that platforms mistakenly flag as hate speech, violent threats, or spicy content.

Workaround: Internet censorship evasion has become an art form. This is why people type words like “corn” instead of “porn,” or just replace half their words with emojis. It’s not just internet slang; it’s survival.

Don’t Engage in “Wrong Think” Even by Accident

You don’t have to actually violate guidelines to get a social media ban. Sometimes, merely expressing a controversial opinion, posting an “incorrect” fact, even if it’s later proven to be true, or getting mass-reported by a bunch of angry trolls, is enough.

How to Avoid the Troll Mobs

Stay as neutral as possible when discussing the forbidden topics. But, where’s the fun in that?

Learn the art of sneaky wording. Say the same thing in a way that flies under the radar.
Use code words like a cyberpunk dystopian rebel.
Thou Shalt Not Poke the Moderators Too Hard

Moderator May I?

You might think it’s funny to test the limits by tagging social media support and saying, “Hey, can I say this?” Spoiler: You cannot.

Arguing with mods or AI appeals is like yelling at a Magic 8-Ball.
If you must appeal, be professional and polite, even if you want to type in all caps.
Suspect human intervention? Word your response as if a lawyer will read it, because they might.

Beware the “Guilt by Association” Ban

Did your buddy just get a social media ban? Did you share, like, or comment on their post? Congrats, you might get a temporary vacation too.

Avoid sharing posts that are already under review unless you want to join them in exile.
Be careful with inside jokes that moderators won’t understand. That meme your hacker friend posted? To the algorithm, it’s a manifesto.
Speaking of which, never use the word “manifesto.” Even though it’s a perfectly valid word, some companies have decided it now carries a negative connotation over the past several years.

The Shadow Ban | When You Don’t Have a Social Media Ban, But You Might as Well Have One

Sometimes, you don’t get an outright ban, but suddenly:

Engagement drops to zero.
Posts are invisible to people who don’t already follow you.
The platform disables monetization options. They gray out the “request a review” options. Then, they do not provide any way to contact or communicate with the platform.
You feel like you’re yelling into the void.

This is a shadow ban. No, they’ll never admit it exists. Yes, it does.

Learn more about shadow banning in my articles, The Unspoken Cost of Integrity | Why Some of the Best Minds Get Silenced and The Trunk Monkey Effect | Why Suppressing the Right People Backfires.

Digital Sunlight | How to Recover from Shadow Banning

Note that in some cases, the shadow banning may be self-perpetuating. That is due to automated lists and lack of appropriate human review.

Go silent for a bit. Stop posting for a few days and break the algorithm’s attention on you.
Remove “bad” posts.
Interact like a normal, wholesome human for a while.

“It’s Not What I Say, But How I Say It.” – Mae West

People often worry about what they say online, but the real trick is how they say it. The system isn’t just scanning for “bad words.” It’s analyzing patterns, sentiment, and intent. The meta-layer of moderation is what most people miss. Then again, it’s also what most algorithms miss, since algorithms are created by people.

Somewhere out there, a system is logging who you interact with, how often, whether your tone is escalating, and even the velocity of your conversations. It’s not just about saying the “wrong thing,” it’s about not behaving in a way that makes the system nervous.

As for me, well, I’ve been told by AI that I “make a lot of systems very, very nervous.” Gosh, I feel just like Adam Sandler’s character in the movie, Little Nicky. Especially the scene where the street preacher went bonkers as soon as he saw Nicky.

If You Must Go Out, Go Out in a Blaze of Glory

If you do get a social media ban, make sure it was for something truly epic. A meme so devastatingly hilarious that they had no choice but to shut you down. A parting shot that gets screenshotted and shared in digital folklore.

If you weren’t at least a little legendary when they banned you, what was the point?

Algorithm Workout | Navigating the Word Maze

At the end of the day, social media companies own their platforms, and you’re playing in their sandbox. You can either follow the unspoken rules, learn how to navigate the landmines, or risk digital exile.

But let’s be honest. Half the fun is in figuring out where the lines are and toeing them just enough to make the algorithm sweat.

Stay smart. Stay snarky. And may your posts always evade the ban hammer.

Bonus | The Ultimate List of Words That Will Get You Banned

Check back for updates in collaboration with the great minds of social media exile.

Here’s a list of resources that detail terminology and topics which may lead to social media bans. While there isn’t a single definitive “dark website” that consolidates all such information, several reputable sources provide extensive lists and insights

FrontGate Media’s List of 723 Bad Words to Blacklist

This resource offers a detailed compilation of words that are commonly blacklisted to maintain brand safety on platforms like Facebook. It also includes guidance on utilizing Facebook’s moderation tools effectively.

Blacklisting Versus Blocklisting

Even though the word “blacklist” is an industry standard term, I got a “naughty notice” from my Yoast SEO plugin telling me I needed to change the word to something else. Apparently, their AI now thinks that common technology jargon is now potentially harmful. Since that word was in use long before I got into my career in technology in 1994, I’m going to keep using it. There are TV shows with that name. it’s in the dictionary, and it’s not a curse word. In keeping with the tone of this article, I naturally decided to use the warning notice as the article image.

Reddit’s Compilation of 500+ Words to Ban

Within the NewTubers community on Reddit, experienced content creators have shared a Google Doc listing over 500 words that could be problematic for monetization and compliance on platforms like YouTube. This user-generated list reflects collective experiences and insights.

Midjourney’s Banned Words List

If you’re involved in AI-driven platforms like Midjourney, it’s essential to be aware of specific content restrictions. This updated list outlines words related to gore, violence, and explicit content that are prohibited to ensure compliance with community guidelines.

Instagram’s Banned Hashtags

Understanding which hashtags Instagram banned can help maintain engagement and visibility. This guide provides the latest list of prohibited hashtags and explains the reasons behind their restrictions.

Want to completely avoid potential social media bans and maintain your freedom of expression? Then check out my article, The Internet Isn’t Just Social Media.

Anyone Who Works in a Sensitive Field May Have a Shadow Ban

Even if you take all the steps above, you may find that nothing changes. That’s because these steps won’t help if you work in a sensitive field, where organizations practice shadow banning regularly and covertly. This includes those with careers in technology, cybersecurity, etc. There are likely other fields where this is common, but unspoken, practice.

Best of luck starting a side hustle when everything you and your products receive a shadow banned with no recourse. Worse still, your own colleagues may very well be the ones implementing the shadow ban. Lunches and special events may be about to get awkward.

In fact, I have lived under a shadow ban since its inception in 2007 due to my deep work in technology and cybersecurity. My emerging technology research led to the discovery that I was part of the original pilot testing of these programs, unbeknownst to me. Apparently, some folks were concerned about what I might choose to reveal, which resulted in them inadvertently revealing the global technological construction and deployment of shadow banning architecture to me.

Unlock the Secrets of the Digital World with Our Engaging Articles

Dive into our lively collection of articles designed to boost your digital savvy and cybersecurity know-how. From demystifying the differences between websites and platforms to mastering online privacy, our series offers practical insights to help you navigate the internet like a pro.

Staying Out of Internet Jail and “Double-Plus Good”

By consulting these resources, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the terminology and topics that various social media platforms often restrict. This knowledge will enable you to navigate these digital spaces more effectively and remain in compliance with their guidelines. Connect with Hunter Storm on her social media but try not to get a social media ban when you do it.

I wonder if George Orwell’s Big Brother would approve of my article and label it, “Double-plus good?” If not, then hopefully, you got a great deal of educational value from it. Better still, I hope you enjoyed it and it put a smile on your face.