Hey, don’t jump to the shadowban conclusion just yet. That happened to me last week. It was brutal, but it wasn’t a ban. There’s been a known, major platform-wide algorithm recalibration—a lot of creators are calling it the “Mid-Q4 Slump.” First thing: check your analytics. Did your Average Watch Time or Audience Retention Rate drop significantly?

That steep drop in retention is the core issue. The algorithm is currently prioritizing instant value. It’s not just rewarding videos with high total watch time, but specifically those with the highest First-Second Retention. You have to hook the viewer before they can even consciously decide to swipe.

Actionable Fixes propositions:

• The 0.5-Second Hook: Replace your current intro with a micro-hook. Show the final result, the most dramatic moment, or the biggest surprise immediately.
• “Swipe-Stop” Movement: Ensure there is clear, sudden visual movement or text right at the start. For your makeup tutorials, show the “after” look flash on screen for a millisecond.
• Shorter Format Test: Temporarily shift to shorter videos, especially in the 7-12 second range. Shorter videos are easier to get into the 100% completion loop, which is a powerful signal to the current algorithm.