Definition: shadow banning

Making a user less visible on an online forum or social network because of inappropriate comments. Also called "stealth banning," banned users are not necessarily aware they are being censored. For example, by placing a post in a less prominent location, there will likely be few or no responses. When shadow banned, users may receive a confirmation of their post even if it never becomes public. X/Twitter, Reddit, Instagram and many other services have been known to shadow ban members.