Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.10.15
Besides deletion, which sanctions do platforms use in content moderation, and what is each one for?
Sanctions on visibility and money rather than deletion: downranking, delisting, shadowbanning, demonetisation, labels and interstitials, and geo-blocking or age-gating.
* Instead of deleting, platforms increasingly reduce visibility or cut revenue *
| Measure | What it does | Typical purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Downranking / demotion | Algorithmically lowers content in feeds, search and recommendations | Reduce the reach of "problematic but legal" content |
| Delisting | Removes it from Explore/recommendation surfaces, but it stays accessible | Make it harder to find without deleting it |
| Shadowbanning | Secretly cuts reach heavily, without telling the user | Limit damage without a fight with creators. Highly controversial. |
| Demonetisation | Switches off ads and revenue ("limited ads") | Remove the financial incentive for borderline content |
| Labels & interstitials | Fact-checks, warning screens, age pop-ups | Add context and dampen attention instead of deleting |
| Geo-blocking / age-gating | Shows content only in certain countries or to certain age groups | Legally compliant limits for specific audiences |
What they have in common: content that is legal but unwanted can be made practically invisible while formally staying online. That is why these measures are harder to contest than a deletion.
Go deeper:
Wikipedia: Shadow banning — how secret reach reduction works and why it is controversial.