So, you’re killing it on TikTok. The views are rolling in, followers are stacking up, and people are curious about that special link in your bio. But then… BAM. Your views tank. Your videos stop hitting the For You page. Engagement falls off a cliff.

Welcome to the world of the shadowban.

TikTok doesn’t exactly send you a “Hey, you’re in trouble” message. Nope. It’s sneakier than that. One day you’re trending, the next day you’re invisible. And for creators with a spicier twist to their content, the line between “safe” and “flagged” is thinner than you think.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to quit posting. You just have to post smarter.

Let’s talk about the magic of algospeak—the secret language creators use to dodge TikTok’s overprotective moderation without losing their voice.

First off… What even is Algospeak?

Algospeak is basically a coded language creators use to stay in the algorithm’s good graces. TikTok’s moderation bots are constantly scanning captions, hashtags, and even audio for “bad” words. The problem? Their filters are extra sensitive. Even words that hint at anything beyond PG-13 can trigger them.

So instead of saying the “risky” word, creators swap in a safer version. It’s like speaking in code—but your audience still knows exactly what you mean.

Some examples:

  • “Adult content” → “Spicy content” or "Grown-up job"
  • “OnlyFans” → “0F,” “f@nsly,” "🌽", or O.F. with dots
  • “Sexy” → “Saucy” or sp!cy
  • “Nudes” → “Art” or “exclusive”
  • “DM me” → “Slide into my DMs 👀”

It’s subtle, but it works.

Why is TikTok so sensitive?

In short, TikTok is designed to be advertiser-friendly and safe for younger users. Which means anything even remotely suggestive can get caught in its moderation net.

That doesn’t mean you’re actually breaking the rules—just that the algorithm doesn’t want to risk it. Unfortunately, that means creators who hint at more exclusive content (you know, the kind only found behind a locked bio link) can get swept up too.

So you’ve gotta learn to speak in hints.

How Spicy Creators Keep It Clean (but interesting)

Here’s the trick: You can stay 100% TikTok-safe and still get your message across if you mix a little creativity into your content.

  1. Keep your videos PG-13
  2. TikTok isn’t where you post the full reveal. It’s where you drop teasers—behind-the-scenes clips, day-in-the-life vlogs, or even funny skits. Think “innuendo” not “full show.”
  3. Use emojis like a secret code
  4. A 🌶️ (spicy pepper), 🔒 (locked), or ✨ (extra special) says way more than you think—without ever saying it.
  5. Be vague on purpose
  6. “Check out the link in my bio for more” works way better than name-dropping platforms that TikTok loves to suppress.
  7. Don't put the platform link in your bio, lead it to a landing page (Linktree etc.), that then has the link.
  8. Mix trending content with your teasers
  9. Don’t just post promo after promo. Do a trending dance, hop on a viral sound, share a funny moment. The algorithm loves variety, and it keeps your profile from looking too one-note.

What if you STILL get shadowbanned?

It happens. Even the best algospeakers sometimes trip a moderation wire. Signs you’re shadowbanned:

  • Your views suddenly nosedive.
  • Your videos stop showing up in hashtag searches.
  • No new followers, even after posting.

When that happens, don’t panic. Just:

✅ Take a short break (3–7 days).

✅ Delete anything that might have been too close to the line.

✅ Come back with squeaky-clean, high-quality posts to “reset” your account.

Oh, and watch out for catfish accounts…

Another headache for creators? Fake profiles. Catfish love to steal content and pretend to be you, scamming your fans and stealing your traffic.

This is where something like BranditScan comes in. They track down impersonators, remove stolen content, and even help redirect confused fans back to your real pages. So if someone’s pretending to be you, they handle the takedown while you keep creating.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, TikTok can be an amazing traffic driver—even for creators with spicier offerings elsewhere. You just have to play the game.

Speak in code. Keep it light. Tease, don’t overshare. Mix in fun, trending content to stay in the algorithm’s good graces. And if you ever feel like TikTok’s rules are sabotaging your growth, remember: you’re not alone. Plenty of creators are mastering algospeak and thriving.

So go ahead—drop that 🌶️, lock that bio, and keep your audience curious.

And if you’re tired of fake accounts stealing your shine? BranditScan has your back. Because you deserve the traffic you actually earned!