Avoiding The Instagram Ban Hammer

There are a few social media platforms that models are using daily. Out of all of them, Instagram has to be the most widely used today. Sure, models are still sending Snapchats. They’re still posting on Facebook. Many are even adapting and getting into TikTok, but nothing trumps Instagram. The Google trend reference below shows just how insanely popular Instagram Live is today. It’s not all peaches and eggplant emojis though. With uneducated use, comes violations. Following that, is the typical ban hammer…

Source: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?geo=US&q=instagram%20live

Unfortunately, in the adult industry, the banning is rampant. Yes, it’s happening EVERY SINGLE DAY. Now, there is some good news to share with you. Avoiding getting banned is very doable with the proper education. I’m going to cover everything I know in hopes that it prevents you from getting banned on Instagram. 

Tips For Cam Models Looking To Avoid The Instagram Ban Hammer

As previously stated, the adult workers on Instagram are getting banned regularly. Most of the time, the bans are due to breaking end-user license agreements (EULA). Baked into the terms of service are considered to be completely valid violations for being banned. If you’re not capable of acting within the lines of the EULA, then you’re eventually going to find yourself in a tough spot, losing hundreds even thousands of followers. 

Don’t take this lightly as it all equates to brand building and ultimately money in your pocket.  If you do get banned, you’re going to begin frantically trying to find a solution on how to recover your Instagram account. Fear not, that topic is covered below too. If you do find yourself in a jam, this should help.  

First thing is first, let’s cover the EULA that Instagram presents to every user. Please understand, there is no special treatment here, especially for cam models. 

Instagram End-User License Agreement

Every single model should read and understand the Instagram user license. This page here explicitly states the guidelines that every user must adhere to. They make understanding these rules very simple. They’ve got a long version and short version of the guidelines. If you’re a cam model who’s serious about building a brand and profile, then please do not only digest the short version.

Here’s a quick summary and information that I pulled directly from the Community Guidelines page…

• Share only photos and videos that you’ve taken or have the right to share.

• Post photos and videos that are appropriate for a diverse audience.

• Foster meaningful and genuine interactions.

• Follow the law.

• Respect other members of the Instagram community.

• Maintain our supportive environment by not glorifying self-injury.

• Be thoughtful when posting newsworthy events.

If you want to know my thoughts on each of these terms, then I strongly suggest checking out this post here. 

EULA Covers Exposure

So, there is one statement in the agreement that many models miss. It covers the type of content that most cam models are tempted to post and it’s important to understand it.

“This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks.” 

This specific piece of wording in the Instagram EULA is very powerful as it states basically a bathing suit with a g-string is enough for take-down. This is super important for models to understand! Although the policies are policed inconsistently, they should be taken seriously if you wish to monetize and keep an account active. If not, then sure, go wild with explicit pics, but chances are your account will be banned!

Be Safe And Keep Your Account

We’ve had multiple models reach out to our support team asking for social media guidance and even help recovering accounts. If you want to avoid having your account banned, then you 100% must play it safe. Read the Instagram guidelines blog post referenced above. Post pictures that do not breach the agreement between you and Instagram. Conduct yourself in a manner that does not breach any agreements as well. 

In a nutshell, there are only a few instances when nudity or semi-explicit skin is allowed. If you’re posting photos of post-mastectomy scarring or breastfeeding or nudity in paintings or sculptures – that’s it! What includes the reason for getting banned when it comes to nudity? 

“This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks. It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos of post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding are allowed. Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is OK, too.” (Source)

Don’t wear bathing suits exposing your butt cheeks. 

Don’t post naked pics with tape coverings. 

Don’t take explicit photos and blur them. 

Just post creative, sexy photos and live streams without showing any nudity. 

Account Recovery In 2020

Let’s say you mess up and post something that does breach the user agreement. If that happens and you get banned, you’re going to want to try and recover the account. Yes, account recovery is possible. The most common way to recover an account is via the in-App appeals process. 

Before covering the appeals process, an important thing to mention is the use of fake followers aka bots. If you’re serious about using Instagram, then steer clear from purchasing fake bot followers. If your account does get banned and they start the appeal process, the second that they see a purchased bot follower, kiss your account goodbye for good! 

Another thing to steer clear of is account recovery services. These are paid services that typically promise the world, yet almost never deliver. The recovery rate is exceptionally low for these services. Why? Well, think about it, who cares more about your account than you? That’s right, no one! They bake the non-guarantee in their terms of service, just stay away. 

How To Appeal Via In-App

On this page, you’ll find that Instagram has covered exactly what you should do if your account was disabled. You might be able to appeal the disabled action. In the event that your account does get banned or disabled, simply open the app, enter your username and password and follow the instructions given. 

Why try and appeal via in-app and not just via email? Well, in order to remove a ban from a device, you’re going to need your hardware ID cleared. If you’re trying to appeal via another device, then you’re more likely to run into problems in the future with the account from your mobile device. Another reason why appealing via in-app makes most sense is because it’s the fastest way for Instagram to verify that the appeal is authentic by the user. 

A Warning To Models…

Many models have wondered just how many “chances” they get if they violate the agreement. This is tough to answer as it’s not as black and white as it sounds. However, there are a couple of major takeaways from two Techcrunch articles published in 2019. This article here outlined in 2019 how account offenders would receive a warning before their account was deleted. 

However, there were many people in 2019 who ended up getting banned without warning. For example, cam model Lana Rhoades had her account deleted instantly without warning. She posted a video discussing the ban. 

In this other Techcrunch article, you’ll find some slides and information covering the machine learning algorithm and the reality that obvious things like “sexy pics” and lingerie automatically become demoted on the engagement/discovery feeds. You might think, why does this matter? Well, if you’re posting sexy pics and no one sees them, then why do it? Long story short, you’re going to get more exposure with clean pics. 

Two takeaways from these articles are simple… 

1. You will be warned before being banned (but don’t abuse it)

2. Machine learning actively demotes sex workers already. They will not show up on “suggested” feeds, so stay on the more conservative side and you’re more likely to be found. 

Conclusion

If you find yourself in a pickle and you’re completely lost still, please reach out to us. We’re here to help models succeed on our platform as well as socially. Do yourself a favor and remain within the guidelines or plan to be warned and eventually banned if you keep it up. Leave the explicit content where it belongs, right here on Camsoda.com