Shadowbanning is normal practice for a lot of online dating apps, such as Tinder, Bumble, and now even our dear Hinge.
Users are better off being banned than shadowbanned because they’d at least know what went wrong; Hinge Shadowbans, on the other hand, are confusing.
But, we have cracked the code and today I’ll be telling you everything you need to know related to Hinge Shadowbanning: what it is, why it happens, and what you can do to fix it!
What is a “Hinge Shadowban” and how is it different from a regular ban?
A “Hinge Shadowban” makes your profile almost invisible without deleting it, unlike a regular ban where your account is permanently removed and you can't use Hinge at all.
While you're notified about a regular ban, a shadowban leaves you unsure why your profile isn't working well.
You can still use the app, but it won't function as effectively, impacting your match success.
5 signs of Being Shadowbanned on Hinge
Hinge doesn’t tell you they have decided to pull this little trick, so you have to conclude all by yourself.
You’re in luck, however, because people are getting shadowbanned left and right, so we have narrowed down the most common symptoms.
1. Fewer matches, likes, and overall notifications.
If you stopped getting as many matches and likes on Hinge abruptly, then it’s most likely because your account stopped showing up in People’s Decks.
See Hinge notifications…are you suddenly getting none?
No messages either—all of these combined are the most common signs of being Hinge shadowbanned.
2. Messages not being sent to your Hinge match
When you send a message to a Match, it shows as sent to your receipt, but in the chat thumbnail, it appears unsent.
3. You keep seeing people you’ve skipped before.
So, this is Hinge’s logic: instead of risking suggesting users you might like and talk to, it shows you profiles it knows you’re going to skip again.
This way, you’re not communicating with fellow users, just as Hinge intended.
4. Your matches are suddenly AFK.
Hinge tries to push as few notifications as possible to shadow-banned users.
Did your matches unexpectedly stop responding to your messages for no apparent reason?
5. A very laggy Hinge app.
Last, but not least (and most annoying), Hinge users who have been shadowbanned complain about a glitchy app experience.
Getting no matches, replies, or new suggestions; even some features on the app may cease working despite paying for them.
6. Identifying a Shadowban vs. Profile Issues on Hinge
It’s a bit confusing when your Hinge experience changes because there’s no immediate telling if your profile has been shadowbanned or simply skipped too often.
If your previously active Hinge account suddenly stops receiving matches and messages, you're likely shadowbanned.
This is especially true if you're a paying subscriber and not seeing any benefits from features like unlimited likes.
However, if you've always had few matches, your profile might just need a refresh.
5 ways to fix being Shadowbanned on Hinge
I will rank them from easiest to hardest. Invisible, yes—but not invincible.
A Shadowban might be reversed, but what’s important is that you give it a try.
These are the only methods up-to-date to help your profile go back to normal:
1. Delete and re-install the app.
Before you go the extra mile while being unsure about the severity of the situation, why not delete the Hinge app and install it again?
This may get rid of any technical issues on Hinge’s end!
– If an update is available, install it and launch the app again. If everything is back to normal, good! If not, let’s look into our options.
2. Contact Hinge Support.
You can appeal over at hello@hinge.co about your account, but there are a few tricks.
First of all, don’t directly tell Hinge you think you’re shadowbanned—instead, describe the problem you’re having (no matches, a glitchy app, etc.)
– It’s a bit difficult to maintain your composure after being treated unfairly, however, I recommend you remain professional and polite.
3. Change things around in your profile.
Hinge wants its users to be active and take dating seriously because that’s what it is: a serious dating app.
So, if your profile is incomplete, it might think you’re a bot or just there to troll. You need to fix this before proceeding.
- Post some more photos of yourself (and change your current ones);
- Put your education;
- Specify the state you live in;
- Answer the prompts;
- Describe your personality, etc.
Show Hinge, that you’re there to find love and not just pass time so that you get some brownie points from fellow users.
4. Consider a Hinge subscription.
Besides the fact paying for dating apps (such as Tinder and Hinge) greatly improves people’s performance, you can also do this to find out if you’re shadowbanned.
– If Hinge won’t let you go through with getting your subscription, you’re most definitely shadowbanned.
And if nothing else works…
5. Open a new Hinge account with a new phone number.
If nothing changes despite your efforts, create a new Hinge account using a different device and a fake phone number from DatingZest’s Hinge Phone Numbers.
Prepare a new email account, new whole photos.
Avoid using the same photos as your previous account, as Hinge tends to shadowban repeated accounts.
A Hinge Shadowban may last a lifetime.
Some say Hinge Shadowban lasts for 30 days or 90 days or until you delete your account or get it banned—the point is you need to do something about it!
No need to wait for it. Get a new Hinge account and you will be able to remove shadowban.
It all depends on the account, though, so people’s best bet is being on their best behavior.
To prevent this from ever happening again, be an upstanding Hinge citizen: respect others, keep things appropriate, and be active on the app.
Good luck!
Liam.
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