Writers in the Storm

A blog about writing

storm moving across a field
January 10, 2025

Facebook Banned Me And You Could Be Next

banned - cell phone with a line through it

by Lisa Hall-Wilson

I love Facebook. It has helped me launch a business, find old friends, document family memories, and engage with communities that otherwise I wouldn’t have connected with.

But a few days ago, Facebook decided to suspend my account without warning, without real appeal – permanently. I was on Facebook for 17 years without any infractions in those years. Being suspended on Facebook also gets you banned on Instagram (because Facebook owns Insta).

I have, in the past, taught writers how to use Facebook correctly to avoid Facebook jail or getting suspended. I’m typically a rule-follower. I’ve always warned people that Facebook is a game of roulette, and I guess I finally lost that game.

I commented on a post shared by a writer friend. I didn’t post the photo. Many people commented on that near-viral post, or made a very similar comment. Here’s the photo in question:

I checked with Snopes – this is a legit label for One Night Cough Syrup from the 1800s. I made the joke that all they were really missing was cocaine – then they’d have had something really fantastic.

Now, keep in mind that Coca (the plant cocaine is made from) was a key ingredient in Coca-Cola in the 1800s and became popular because of its euphoric effects and boosted energy (source here). Sigmund Freud wrote the “Cocaine Papers” and prescribed it as a miracle drug.

I was joking, but the regular accepted legal use at the time this cough syrup was being marketed of Coca and cocaine is very well documented.

Facebook says I violated their Community Standards (read the whole policy here).

I was not promoting drug use. I was not trying to sell or make drugs, and (in my opinion) the sarcasm about the helpfulness of cocaine in this recipe was blatant. It wasn’t a positive endorsement of the drug. What I did was use a banned word: “cocaine.” That was the real infraction. Yes, technically I was allowed to appeal, but the appeal was denied within one minute.

There were no human eyes involved in that appeal. And what adds to the sting is when speaking with a friend who’s a cop and sharing this experience, they laughed. They personally know of several cocaine dealers who use Facebook to move their product and have multiple Facebook accounts. *sigh*

Katniss Saluting

May the odds be ever in your favor!

Censorship is a problem, generally IMHO, but Facebook’s punitive use of banned words has been a recognized reality for a long time. In fact, Mark Zuckerberg (founder of Facebook), announced just this week that the platform would no longer censor users and instead promote free speech and is backing away from the banned words filtering.

The problem in tasking a computer to simply catch words that are banned means false positives (as in my case), and that any personal bias on the part of the developer, “fact-checkers”, or high-level execs filters down and silences voices that hold differing opinions. The Zuck openly admits this in his announcement this week (Here’s the announcement the Zuck made on the very same day I lost my account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSHpYHncNxw )

Here’s the stark reality (and this hasn’t changed in the 17yrs I’ve used Facebook): you don’t own any real estate on Facebook, or Instagram, or Tiktok or any other platform. That means you can be restricted, censored, and removed without any meaningful way to appeal or get human eyes or ears on your plight. There’s not really even any point in trying in my opinion.

Facebook has known for many years that their filters are punishing and suspending accounts wrongfully, and there was never any real mechanism put in place to deal with it. They don’t care:

  • how long you’ve been on Facebook.
  • that you’re losing access to a genuine community you’ve spent ten years building.
  • that you’ve lost precious photos and family memories.
  • how much money you spend on ads.

Tough luck.

If you are using Facebook to promote your books or create a community, you’ve probably already been warned about the banned words filters. Many writers avoid the filters by asking for advice on how to “unalive” a character in a particular setting or historical time. Some replace characters with symbols to try and escape the AI: de@d for instance.

Posting book covers that reveal any amount of skin is problematic. I’m hearing of people having accounts restricted or suspended for posting a pic of a baby’s face for crying out loud. A friend got thrown in Facebook jail for using the word “fairy” in the context of talking about the Nutcracker Ballet’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Posting book covers or book titles that show any kind of weapons can get you in trouble. I heard of another who landed in Facebook jail for mentioning they were “hanging” a photo.

Filter Sensitivity

The filters are so sensitive it’s ridiculous. (I’ve heard many many similar complaints about Amazon filters on book covers, titles, and descriptions as well.)

If you’re writing content that others may find objectionable (language, nudity, sexuality, violence), you’re playing Facebook roulette. If the AI filters don’t nab you, all it can take is one complaint. And don’t be naïve and think that complaint system isn’t used punitively by others because it absolutely is.

Don’t neglect building community on space you do own – like a website, or an email list. For years, writers have been told not to rely on social media and make sure they build an email list. And that’s really hard as a fiction author because:

  • What do you blog about?
  • Should you go to the time and expense of a website if you haven’t got a book out yet, but realize you need to build community if you’re going to sell the book once it’s out?
  • If you’re not publishing a new book every month, what do you include in a newsletter?

I get it. It’s a catch 22. Keep writing more books. It’s still true that the best way to sell the last book you wrote, is to publish another.

An email list may be the only way you have to communicate with people should the worst happen. Include links to an email list inside book matter for new releases and such. Try giving away free content in exchange for an email: extra chapters, prequel short stories, maps and other resources, etc.

As someone who’s a news junkie, Facebook forced me over to X simply to stay on top of world events and to engage with local news. This move drastically reduced my Facebook usage. Perhaps for the better, given the events of this week. (As a Canadian, I’ve been barred from seeing any news links from anywhere around the world for a year and a half - see that announcement from Meta here.)

I have guest-posted here and in other places for many years, always leaving the same link to the same Facebook group. I’ve got a very good, organically-grown, audience there. And the reality is that the majority of those won’t sign up for my email list. And that sucks.

I have always relied on organic reach for my blog. I took a really fantastic course on organic growth a few years ago, and it has paid me back three times over. It doesn’t run anymore, but if you connect with Rachel Miller (www.rachelmiller.com) on her blog or other socials, she gives away a lot of free content.

All my eggs aren't invested in one social basket. I invested a moderate amount of time into Pinterest. I get very little traffic on blog post links from Facebook (the algorithm changes from time to time, but blog links have had seasons of very dismal reach). A great majority of the social traffic to my blog comes from Pinterest. Now, my blog’s audience is mostly writers, but even if your blog audience are genre fiction readers there is a lot of opportunity on Pinterest to engage and drive traffic.

If there’s one type of content I’ve been asked for more than another other from readers, it’s video content. So, I’ll be launching my YouTube channel very very soon.

Does YouTube have similar maddening censorship? Absolutely. I’m exchanging one roulette gun for another – I’m aware of that. So, I’ll be building in whenever possible links to the blog which encourages people to sign up for the emails. Creating unique content on each channel helps people see the need to get email even if they follow on Pinterest or subscribe on YouTube.

I’m waiting to see what happens with TikTok in the United States. That may be a platform I dive into learning if there’s a positive outcome there.

I’ll be doing videos of my blog posts, and posting the short tutorial videos I had been posting infrequently on my Facebook group. I have a lot of those short tutorial videos saved offline (you can download even the live-streamed videos). That’s another key. Save everything offline (or at least the popular content), so if you have to start over, you have the content your audience resonated with to get you started.

Make a point of saving your email list offline at regular intervals.

Don’t rely on website platforms to buy your URLs. Make sure you own them, and can take them with you should something happen to your website platform (I use WordPress, but there’s a learning curve with that).

Search Engine Optimization is always a great investment of your time, in my opinion. If you’re not hiring out your social media posting or blogging, then learning SEO is going to deliver really great bang for your buck. There are a variety of free and paid resources out there to help you do this, but understanding SEO means you’ve got a better understanding of keywords as they’re used as hashtags, or search features on social media or Amazon.

Learn Google Analytics for your blog or book data on retailer platforms. Know where your traffic is coming from, and focus on those platforms.

Don’t try and do it all. Learning these features means you’re better positioned to take advantage of organic discovery and algorithm recommendations (which cost you nothing).

I may try and create a new profile in a bit. Afterall, Facebook was the primary way I kept in touch with family. My first attempt got shut down almost immediately. I had a new email, used a device I’ve never used for Facebook, but it didn’t matter. You need a new email and phone number (unless you’ve somehow been able to avoid giving your phone number to Facebook), and restrict posting any photos of yourself because those were all mapped and catalogued and will be flagged on future profiles.

How do you feel about using Facebook to build community or drive traffic?

* * * * * *

About Lisa

Lisa Hall-Wilson is a writing teacher and award-winning writer and author. She’s the author of Method Acting For Writers: Learn Deep Point Of View Using Emotional Layers. Her blog, Beyond Basics For Writers, explores all facets of the popular writing style deep point of view and offers practical tips for writers. 

 Interested In Deep Point Of View? Here's the place to learn! https://deepdiveauthorclub.vipmembervault.com/ Class begins January 12th!

Cough Syrup Image from one-night-label.webp

Katniss Image from Lisa's personal blog

Top Image by DanXaw from Pixabay

107 comments on “Facebook Banned Me And You Could Be Next”

  1. I understand exactly how you feel, Lisa. I lost my Facebook and Instagram accounts the same way about two years ago. I had to start completely over. And a friend of mine is going through the exact same thing right now.

    The thing that worries me is that publishers supposedly look at your social media numbers. When you don’t have the numbers you originally did because of something like this that isn’t your fault, it really sucks. I need to take screenshots of my friends list or something like that, in case it ever happens again. Thank you for the wonderful and very honest post.

    1. It's my understanding that social numbers are more important for non-fiction proposals than fiction proposals, but I've not jumped through those hoops for a bit so that may have changed.
      Starting over is hard. Sorry that happened.

      1. Lisa,
        Please advise. I enrolled in your master class and paid but I am unable to log into the course. I am blind and navigate with a screen reader. The link that says "Okay go to page" cannot be activated...can you send me another link or advice on how I can access the course?
        Thank you,
        Marcia Wick
        ma*********@***il.com
        719-651-2221

        1. This same thing happened to me a few days ago. Someone who I'm friends with on Facebook wrote that he now has to get his eggs in an alley and his Marijuana at the store. I said that I know get my cocaine at JC Penny. This innocuous, mildly funny post got me banned without an appeal because the AI also went through my old posts and told me I had been constantly violating their terms of service. I mean if JC Penny is selling cocaine now (and they might be; brick and mortar retail has taken a hit), then I'm sorry.

    2. Hmmm, I was treated this same way. I was very pissed because I use the accounts for work, and all memories of my new baby are on them. I'm thankful to my mom; without her help, I wouldn't have gotten into my account. Thank you so much for linking me up with anthonydavies01 on Telegram. He works at Meta, and with his assistance after I hired him, I got back into my account.

  2. Sorry to hear of your permanent Facebook ban. There is a real problem with algorithms. Personally, I think that appeals should go to a real person. If it goes through an algorithm, surely the same result will occur?
    A perfectly innocent comment of mine was refused on MSN because it said it violated their rules. I checked, and could find nothing I could see as going against what they said.
    But I've received pornographic images, unsolicited, on Facebook, and requests to receive others. I tried to report these, to no avail. I couldn't find any way to do something.
    Seems to me that Facebook is not treating its 'customers' fairly if some people can get away with objectionable, or even criminal posts while others get banned for an innocent remark.
    Zuckerberg's latest comments, including no longer checking facts, have made me anxious and angry in equal measure. If there were another, similar, platform I would move to it.
    I didn't like where Twitter was going (even before Musk) so I moved to Blue sky. I would willingly move from Facebook if there were an alternative.

    1. It was suggested I try Bluesky so I've created a profile there, but that's about it. I only lurk on X, I rarely post anything.
      My daughter is an avid reader and huge fantasy fan, and she connects with authors mostly on Tiktok and Insta. Find out where you readers hang out and invest time there.

  3. Excellent blog. I'm SO sorry this happened to you! Yeah, bots and sarcasm don't travel in the same circles. I've done time in fb jail many times, but a lifetime ban terrifies me.

    I get it - their sandbox, their rules, and with 'free' you get what you get. It's an expense to have a human intervene, but a LIFETIME ban should have an appeal that involves an actual human.

    UGH!

    1. Thanks. I've gone awry of the filters in the past in a writer's group, but there was an option to write an objection to the suspension and it worked. This was a few years ago, but no such mechanism seems to exist now.
      Definitely frustrating. And heartbreaking. I've lost photos of my kids. Photos of the pup I lost to epilepsy. All of my photos - no. But some I have no way of getting back now. 🙁

    2. Yup. I got banned over a year ago due to someone who hacked my account. After repeated attempts to get it back I simply gave up. Has if affected book sales. Not that I can see. Almost all my friends were writers or folks who don't read a lot. I could still be trying to get the account back but why? One less time suck...

  4. I'm sorry that happened to you. Meanwhile, my estranged cousin put up a photo of what looked like a dead woman with a caption "was, were" to imply it was a transperson. Several of us reported it months ago. It's still up.

    Since Zuckerberg's new plan is to stop checking for misinformation, I think Facebook is going to become worse. I might leave.

    1. I'm sorry that upset you. The computer isn't good with sarcasm or implication, etc. It definitely has its limitations. If your readers are hanging out on FB, you may have to just scroll past content you don't like.

  5. Facebook is frustrating. As a writer, I joined the platform 3 years ago to make use of its ads to promote my books. When I finally got around to opening my ads accounts, I received a message that I had been permanently banned from advertising, and trying to get any help proved to be time consuming and fruitless, so I eventually gave up.
    My blog posts are automatically uploaded to my feed and some get blocked for reasons I don't understand, and trying to get any help...well, you know...

    1. That sounds frustrating. I've spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs of the algorithm, so I can usually pinpoint the issue. If I had given it a second thought, I'd have either changed my comment or not posted it all, knowing how sensitive the filter is.

  6. Lisa, I'm sorry this happened. Words can be interpreted in so many ways. It seems your "opinion" of injecting humor was taken the wrong way. Finding a platform to freely express oneself opens up doors leading to dark passages. Sadly, society has become so co-dependent on social media ....one's lost when the addiction is taken away. I hope you're able to find a alternative or better solution.

    1. Was I addicted? At one point - probably. I was pretty isolated and Facebook created opportunities to connect with like-minded people I didn't have in real life.
      But, not so much anymore. I'm frustrated, a few years ago I'd have been devastated. And partly my frustration is because I was following the rules.
      The last few years have brought many great options, but if you're wanting to run ads, Facebook's framework is pretty comprehensive if you understand how it works and how to use it to reach new people. it's also very easy to spend a lot of money and get zero return.

  7. Lisa, I'm sorry this happened. Words can be interpreted in so many ways. It seems your "opinion" of injecting humor was taken the wrong way. Finding a platform to freely express oneself opens up doors leading to dark passages. Sadly, society has become so co-dependent on social media ...

    1. I can pinpoint the problem exactly. Cocaine is a banned word so was flagged by the system. The AI determined it was used in a "positive" way, which is true I suppose if you don't account for sarcasm (and I've not spoken to any human about this who hasn't immediately recognized the sarcasm). So, that's why it was taken down. But, to be banned from the platform was a little over the top, especially for a first infraction of this type.
      The kicker is I've lost the unique URLS to my pen name. I won't ever get those back.

      1. Hi Lisa. This sounds as if I have written it except that I have never mentioned a drug
        Someone else did it and posted on the women's group saying "my doctor won't prescribe HRT, i feel like I am asking him for c*ack c*caoine. I responded explaining that she needs to find a new DR and that i feel much better since my GP prescribed HRT in April. I mever mentioned any drugs! Her post is still up, her FB is active and I am permanently banned just like you. Same process.
        They never said this was the comment that got me in trouble but this is the only post that any type of drug was mentioned (never by me!)
        I don't care about FB but I am still upset about my IG being gone. My friend list, pics,videos and all the recipes I have save omg!

        1. I had no clue that HRT could trigger anything. Hundreds of women in that and other group are talking about it every day. No clue what have I done wrong.

          1. It's just a big game of roulette unfortunately. I'm not sure why someone content gets flagged and others don't. The computer does search for what it feels is positive content about drugs and doesn't like it. If it felt your comment was "positive" that might have been what tipped the scales against you. Sorry that happened.

            1. Could be. Well, at least i purged my FB and IG and now will accept and follow only what and who I care about. Hopefully less time spent on socials. Very tired of mindless scrolling 🤣

  8. Lisa, your story is way too familiar, but thanks for sharing the pain of it.

    I have been banned from Facebook for impersonating myself ... go figure. Facebook doesn't seem to care when they get it wrong, and there is no way to to make them get it right.

    Sorry, this is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Why we do we keep rewarding bad behavior? I think 'we' should ban Facebook. I have.

    1. Hopefully, your audience is on other sites like mine is and you have options. I think particularly if you're writing to an older audience, Facebook is where they're hanging out primarily.

    1. Oh - sure. I guess. I'm using Pinterest to reach writers, so it would take a bit of investigation to see how authors are using it reach readers, but I know it's a great way to reach people.

  9. Hi Lisa: What a nightmare your story is. I use FB a lot to promote visibility of my novels and short stories and to drive traffic to my Reading Fiction Blog. I left X for Blue Sky and love the literature community there. So many writers and readers! Blue Sky is soaring these days. It might serve you well until other options arrive. Best wishes for a successful recovery.

  10. OMG! Facebook suspended my account after a romance scammer posing as a US General in Syria but actually in Lagos, Nigeria, attempted to hack into my profile. He somehow managed to get in and I received a security alert that someone in Lagos has attempted to log in to my account. I clicked on 'this wasn't me' option and next thing I know, my account is suspended for fraud and deception. I lost over 1600 friends connections, and pictures from my vacations and baby pictures of my sons that I'll never get back again. Thanks "General".

    1. Ugh - that super sucks. I've gotten those friend requests too.
      I have all my groups linked to a Page (the Page owned the groups, not my profile) and I have a backup admin on the Page. So, I can still get access to the Page by having that backup admin give me access through another account.

    1. What's more interesting is the Zuck abandoning his third party fact-checking, and instead moving towards X's style of user generated community notes. Of course those can be manipulated and used punitively, but on the whole it's worked pretty well on Twitter.

  11. I'm sorry this happened to you but in this day and age I am not surprised. I walked away from Facebook a few years ago. The harassment was ridiculous. Instagram isn't as bad but I have been warned a few times over things as ridiculous as what happened to you. You brought up a great reminder: We do not own anything posted of these sites. Back up everything. Learn SEO. Speaking of, that was my New Year's resolution. Fingers crossed I keep it.

  12. Oh wow! That really sucks that happened to you. I've stopped posting anything on Facebook at all. Not a comment, not a picture, nothing. I have an account so that I can run ads, and otherwise I lurk. I doomscroll there lol, but nothing more. Thanks for mentioning Pinterest as a way to connect to readers! I hadn't even considered it! Seriously frustrating to have artificial "intelligence" make calls like this. I think the whole idea of "AI" is mis-named. They aren't intelligent at all. They are artificial regurgitation of mediocrity. Mindless. Thoughtless. Soulless. There's nothing intelligent about them, though the artificial part is spot on.

    Have you tried creating your new account with a VPN on?

    1. I haven't tried a VPN, but I've read lots of Reddit threads that say it doesn't help. Not sure I'm willing to go to big extremes to get back on. I had to confirm my identity which required moving my head this way and that, up and down - so my face is well-mapped.

  13. Lisa,
    Good God. We are all effed when the AI takes over.
    So sorry this happened to you! A less deserving target can hardly be found.
    Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and ideas on how to keep it from happening to others.
    Cathryn

  14. Well, from what I've seen from Facebook, it appears the administration of said platform is trying to turn it into a trump adore-fest, just to please trump. Pleasing trump means more tax breaks for Zuck. I plan on ditching FB anyway, because I don't like the atmosphere any more.

    1. I really loved the groups I was in - some for flower farming, some for writing, local community groups (found a wallet in x parking lot), family chats. I had a really engaged organic community for my blog there. As a Canadian, it's been hard to engage with any kind of politics there at all so haven't seen much of that lately.

  15. I'm so sorry about the cancellation. I've been hit by FB warnings several times all for shared posts concerning Star Trek, a cat video, etc. Maddening. I've moved over to BlueSky and Threads, if you or the readers are interested in social media that's not insane. Of course, it's still someone else's platforms so your advice to have your own space is totally valid still. Good luck!

  16. Sorry this happened to you. It's a very frustrating part of social media and what is banned and what is not seems to never be consistent. I have reported bigoted content and fake accounts only to receive a message back saying it didn't meet the threshold and so will not be taken down. I have tried to share URLs to blog posts with descriptions that have no banned words in them, and yet these are all taken down. One thing that FB really seems to hate is the entries to our blogged posts about the Character Secret Thesaurus. I have changed the title, keywords, meta, URL and nothing works. Whether the URL is in the post or comments, it is removed.

    And then there's a post like yours where someone is permanently banned without recourse for doing nothing. It is so frustrating.

    FB is not alone in being problematic. Finding a way to stay connected to people through methods owned by the individual is becoming increasingly necessary.

    1. Yes, I remember you posting about those struggles. FB removed a whole bunch of links recently without much explanation. It hit my course platform. I had to stop posting links to my course on Facebook for a while - but then it started working again. The inconsistency has been an issue with FB from the very beginning.

  17. I'm so sorry this happened to you, Lisa. I was listening to a podcast not long ago about this very thing. I think it was Thomas Umstadt Jr. who said the social media platforms are like land owners, and the users are sharecroppers. The land owners rule, and they can kick you off any time they want to. Sad, but true.

    I joined Bluesky recently and just followed you there. Good luck!

  18. First of all - how dreadful. Secondly, this strikes me as old-school censorship, the sort I'm familiar with from the last century. While I appreciate the misjudgement in this case, the Oppressor still cuts down the intellectual (book-burnings, etc). The irony being, Facebook reversed the protocol. It was the place where, for example, Pizzagate became a model for ridicule, and the Oppressor was the one pleading to be let in.

    Now, of course they're in.

    1. Yeah - I'm personally not a fan of the increased censorship on some platforms. Say what you want about X, but my feed is filled with posts and accounts from all the political spectrums. I prefer to hear everyone's opinion and then make my own, do my own research. The bias on both sides on different issues becomes easier to spot that way.
      I don't really feel represented in politics (in Canada) much at all. I don't fall entirely into any one camp.
      Not a fence-sitter - I have some pretty strong opinions. But, I'm a big believer in everyone being allowed to have their opinion.

  19. Instagram suspended my account, accusing me of being a bot. Fortunately, when I appealed, I got it back immediately, but I was restricted for three days. It took me a bit to figure out they didn't like me using a particular hashtag. A popular one, but for whatever reason, I'm no longer allowed to use it.

    They didn't suspend my Facebook account at any point, but they did restrict my Threads. I think that because my Primary Instagram account was made before Meta acquired it, Facebook wasn't impacted. My secondary Instagram account is linked to Facebook.

    They also suppress some of my reels once in a while. TikTok does that, too.

  20. Was suspended from Facebook with no appeal process or recourse for a personal essay about 4 year old me slicing open her shin trying to climb a fence to see the baby that drowned in my backyard neighbor's pool. After a few months, I was suddenly able to participate again. Too late. I'd moved my activities to other venues and am doing just fine. Great article!

    1. They banned you, or just put you in FB jail for a determined amount of time? (restricted what you could post, where you could post, how often you could post, etc)? Facebook jail sucks, but at least you don't lose your account. There's a lot of hoops to jump through to get a new profile. And starting over just... sucks.

  21. So sorry for your loss--of FaceBook. I personally despise the platform. I used it for a short period of time until they started "fact checking" everything I wrote from historical things to politics to people, etc. I stop posting on it over 4 years ago and it has saved me TONS of time.

    I'll stick to my email subscribers, a few things on Pinterest, and I'm going to do a trail run on Substack. I'm not big on the social media stuff as I get sucked into wasting time ((and yes I got slapped for using that word of facebook.))

    1. I will really miss the communities I was a part of there - from local neighbourhood groups to specialty flower growing, writers groups, gardening for zone 3... so many things.

  22. Someone highjacked my FB. I ended up having to use another name (added Author to the beginning) and started from scratch building back my friends list. Luckily I never posted photos that I didn't keep elsewhere. You have offered up a valuable warning. Thank you.

  23. You do not OWN your real estate on social media. It costs a lot of money to keep those servers running. If the product is free, YOU are the product they are tracking, surveilling, *nudging*, manipulating with propaganda, and controlling. If you only knew what they are DOING with your time online, you wouldn't touch their products with a 10-foot pole.

    I 'get' that marketing books requires being accessible to your readers, but seriously. Get offline and do things in real life, or onto your own private chat accounts. Your "outreach" plan should ALWAYS originate with your own website, blog, or digital product that you OWN. Sure, propagate links out on the various social media platforms, but all roads must lead to Rome, so to speak. Or you will be a victim of technocratic manipulation and overreach.

    1. Yes - I tried to make those points clear.
      I think it's a case of all things in moderation. Have a social connection has saved those who are isolated and home-bound for whatever reason - it's not ALL doom and gloom. It's important to have good balance.

  24. Hi Lisa. I saw that cough syrup label recently on FB, but refrained from commenting. Lucky me. While many aspects of FB annoy me, like you, I rely on it to keep in touch with family and friends outside of my immediate circle, such as cousins and/or friends from school - connections made in ancient days, and kept alive through social media. However, I now have a BlueSky account which is where, courtesy of a post by Anne R Allen, I found the link to your website. Kindly sign me up to your email list! Thankyou, Rosemary

  25. Yup. I got banned over a year ago due to someone who hacked my account. After repeated attempts to get it back I simply gave up. Has if affected book sales. Not that I can see. Almost all my friends were writers or folks who don't read a lot. I could still be trying to get the account back but why? One less time suck...

  26. Oh, wow! I'm so sorry for what you're going through, but respect your positive attitufe to keep moving forward. This definitely concerns me, since my NF book is ALL about drugs- mostly illicit and how they can be used in perilous plots or for dark character backstories. ALL my posts about the book involve specific names of drugs and could be questionable, when taken out of context as an AI bot might. LIke "need to poison your character reaslisitically with fentanyl...," so yeah, that might be a problem. So far, it hasn't, but this certainly makes me raise an eyebrow or two. Thankfully, my FB presence really doesn;t generate the buklk of my sales, but Insta has a bit of a reach. So far, otherwise, sales have correlated wiht the number of X posts I make. Crossing my fingers that I stay out of target range of the angry bots.
    Thanks for this timely post.

    1. It's definitely risky. Will be interesting to see if the Zuck is actually going to take away the banned words or not. I'm skeptical.
      I've still got access to my groups because my author Page has a backup admin, and I created my groups with my author Page -- so when I get back on FB I can still have access to that content and those followers. Always have a backup admin, and use a Page as an admin always.

  27. This is terrifying, Lisa, and I'm so sorry it happened to you.
    Thank you for sharing your experience and some considerations.

    You're not the first person to be banned for no real reason, including big businesses who lose everything on Facebook.

    It's a real concern for me because my main business community is on Facebook. It hadn't occurred to me that I'd lose Instagram too.

    Because FB is free to use, they don't have proper customer service and bots are inately fraught with issues, as you've mentioned. I think it really is a matter of keeping meticulous records and copies of information, so you can start again elsewhere if (when) you have to.

    Heartbreakingly unfair!

    1. It is unfair, but it's a numbers game I'm afraid. I think I read that something like 2million accounts are deleted every day on Facebook (most are fraudulent or scammers). That's a lot of content to ask a human to look at. I get it - but it still sucks.

  28. Crazy story but then we live in a crazy world. I got a "consider this your first warning" letter from Amazon for using underscores to replace a banned word in a book review. I no longer review non fiction for Amazon.

    I'm @quineatal on X if you're interested in further conversation.

    Does anyone ever read these comments?

  29. I recently left FB on my own because four people I personally know lost their accounts within a year of each other, but not for being suspended. They were hacked. Again, FB does zero to help you recover your account, photos, posts etc. I'm still on Insta but I've deactivated Threads and, like you, source information from X simply because the so-called fact-checkers aren't as punitive there.
    I'm sorry you lost your accounts. You might try something like Substack. I've moved my newsletter there and have been happier. Less distractions and I own my work.

    1. Yes - getting hacked was a huge concern. I had all the double authentication, backup admins, etc. Changed password regularly. I let down my guard about the banned words. It's always something it seems.

  30. I recently experienced a situation where my Facebook account got hacked and the hacker removed both my email and phone number from it. I attempted to reset my password by using the "forgotten password" feature.
    Unfortunately the reset link kept getting sent to the email address associated with my Facebook account. In response, to this issue I reached out to Facebooks community service for assistance.
    They assured me that they would investigate the matter and get back to me.
    However since then I haven't received any communication from them. Feeling frustrated and seeking help I received a
    recommendation from someone on
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    anthonydavies01 on telegram.
    Taking their advice into
    consideration I decided to give it a try and fortunately it worked out!
    With his heln I was able ta recover my account

  31. When my Facebook account was disabled, I felt lost and overwhelmed. Thankfully, my mother recommended Anthony, who works at Meta.
    With his expertise and guidance, I was able to resolve the issue quickly and get my account back on track. His support was invaluable, and I can't thank him enough for his help during such a stressful time reach him via email (anthonydaviestech@gmail dot com)
    telegram: anthonydavies01

  32. Hi. I love your post. It applies to me - I've been banned for reasons I cannot understand and there is no real way to appeal to a live person. AI is a long way from being a working solution to replace human beings. Meta uses AI for everything. Oh well, since I can't even upload a verification video there is really nothing to be done. Thanks for the update!

    1. If your social media accounts get hacked, banned, or suspended, it can feel like losing a part of your online life. Whether you're a small business owner or an individual, your social media presence is key to connecting with others and building your brand. But dealing with account issues alone often leads to frustration and disappointment. That’s why expert help is often the smartest choice to fix your social media problems quickly and safely,i gogt recommended to anthony davies a meta employee. with his helpp i was able to get access to my banned account; you can reaach him at (anthnoydaviestech AT gmail com)

  33. If your social media accounts get hacked, banned, or suspended, it can feel like losing a part of your online life. Whether you're a small business owner or an individual, your social media presence is key to connecting with others and building your brand. But dealing with account issues alone often leads to frustration and disappointment. That’s why expert help is often the smartest choice to fix your social media problems quickly and safely,i gogt recommended to anthony davies a meta employee. with his helpp i was able to get access to my banned account; you can reaach him at (anthnoydaviestech AT gmail com)

  34. I have 3 fb accounts, not hidden. I had a stalker long ago so I made a new account, then one more because that one was not working right. I have been banned and in fb jail for many years. Was silenced before the 2020 election and out right banned for 180 days before the last election. Right now I am have another ban and an waiting for their decision. I am 75, great grandmother, Christian and Republican. GOD only knows what evil the fb people are up to now. But it is my only way to contact folks, as I am pretty much housebound. They are playing silly games with us because they can. I am to old to learn new social media. Also banned for life from youtube for sharing truth in the comment sections of videos? I thought it was good to share truth? Guess not so much on facebook. GOD is the boss, if He wants me back on facebook I will be on.

    1. I tried various routes to recover my account when it was disabled days ago before I was referred to anthonydaviestech, a capable and qualified expert who works at META. To my surprise, he successfully recovered access to my account within 24 hours. Don’t hesitate to contact him in case you’re having issues with your account; he can be reached by email at anthonydaviestech@gmail com

  35. Honestly, I don’t even understand Meta sometimes. My Facebook got disabled and I didn’t even do anything. I tried appealing but no reply. Then a coworker gave me Veronica’s contact. She helped me out and got my account restored. Real one. You can try her too if you've got similar issues with your social media account at ms***********@***il.com

  36. Losing access to your social media account is stressful, but professional recovery experts can turn things around. They bring quick solutions, safety, and peace of mind. When choosing one, prioritize experience, reputation, and security practices. Also, take steps now to protect your accounts—the best defense is a good offense. i tried the services of Anthony Davies a meta employee, with his help i was able to restore my suspended instagram account. should you need his services you can reach him via (anthonydaviestech AT gmail dot)

  37. Well I'm stuck in a bother.
    Yesterday morning I got an email saying my (personal) account has been suspended. The Facebook app did not offer me to appeal. I had no idea the reason until later that night, less than 12 hrs later, fb had advised by email that they have permantly disabled (deleted) my account due to violating community standards - advertising business assests or other assests, the thing is I DIDNT have a business, NOR did I advertise any others. But I was not given the chance to appeal or defend myself, they just flat out deleted my personal account of 16 yrs within 12 hrs. The appeal button in the email didn't work, NO offer for me to appeal in the Facebook app. Wosed of all Facebook DIDNT give 180 days to appeal their decision!! I have sent emails to appeal but I get noting back. I had 16 yrs of photo's memories just gone in a snap cos some asshole is on a power trip.
    Is there any remote chance that facebook will give my account given back to me?

    1. Every account is different. Anthony creates a step-by-step plan tailored to your specific situation. This may involve official appeals, adjusting your content, or fixing third-party app issues. His plans are designed not just to restore access but also to prevent future problems.. you can contact him via anthonydaviestech AT gmail com or telegram, anthonydavies01

    2. Losing your Instagram to a hack or suspension is a common, tough problem. Yet, solutions exist for these challenging situations. Proactive security measures are vital, but sometimes you simply need expert help when things go wrong. luckily for me my mom recommended me to Anthony davies a META rep with his assistance, I was able to get back my banned account. if you ever need his services you can contact him by sending an email to (anthonydaviestech@ gmail com or his telegram; anthonydavies01)

  38. So I am 75. And I wrote on here before. Was banned for life on youtube a few years ago. And just got banned from face book for life also. What was my crime? I have no idea, they don't tell you what you did? I posted on ACLU left wing page so they may have gotten upset they don't seem to like truth. Or if I remember I posed on Mayor Bass page, the treason on the left is disgusting. Not worried about it we all know face book is a left wing rag. My opinion.

    1. Losing your Instagram to a hack or suspension is a common, tough problem. Yet, solutions exist for these challenging situations. Proactive security measures are vital, but sometimes you simply need expert help when things go wrong. luckily for me my mom recommended me to Anthony davies a META rep with his assistance, I was able to get back my banned account. if you ever need his services you can contact him by sending an email to (anthonydaviestech@ gmail com or his telegram; anthonydavies01)

  39. If your YouTube channel has been banned, it can feel like losing a part of your life’s work. Many creators face this tough hit unexpectedly. Whether it’s due to misunderstandings or violations, knowing your options is crucial. Understanding how YouTube enforces bans and how to fight back can mean the difference between losing everything or getting your channel back. Marie can assist you in recovering your account,reach her (in******************@***il.com and telegram:@Marie_consultancy)

  40. If your YouTube channel has been banned, it can feel like losing a part of your life’s work. Many creators face this tough hit unexpectedly. Whether it’s due to misunderstandings or violations, knowing your options is crucial. Understanding how YouTube enforces bans and how to fight back can mean the difference between losing everything or getting your channel back. Marie can assist you in recovering your account,reach her (infocyberrecoveryinc@gmail com and telegram:@Marie_consultancy)

  41. I am 75 . Been banned for life from commenting on you tube or ever making a video for you tube. I don't even know how to do that. And facebook just banned me for life. And I have no clue why? Disabled old lady and how I kept in contact with family. Gone because only GOD knows why.

  42. I'm in the same position, Facebook suddenly asked me to verify that I'm a real person by posting a selfie of me and when I did it they immediately banned my account and when I appealed they immediately refused and said my 18 years old account has been banned permanently..

    Welcome to the world of machines and humans free policies .

    1. Anthony Davies is the expert you need for Facebook account recovery. He has a proven track record and uses advanced methods. He gives you the best chance to reclaim your digital presence. you can reach out to him by sending him an email at (anthonydaviestech AT gmail com or whatsapp +1 951 490 8435)

  43. Losing your Instagram to a hack or suspension is a common, tough problem. Yet, solutions exist for these challenging situations. Proactive security measures are vital, but sometimes you simply need expert help when things go wrong. luckily for me my mom recommended me to Anthony davies a META rep with his assistance, I was able to get back my banned account. if you ever need his services you can contact him by sending an email to (anthonydaviestech@ gmail com or his telegram; anthonydavies01)

  44. If your Instagram account has suddenly been disabled, it can feel like losing a part of yourself. Instagram is more than a social network; it's where we connect, promote, and share our stories. When access is cut off unexpectedly, your reputation, reach, and engagement suffer. Fixing this problem quickly and safely isn't easy—unless you get help from a professional. A social media recovery expert understands how to navigate Instagram’s complex rules and technical issues to bring your account back. Their expertise can save you time, stress, and possibly your online reputation. so far the best I got help from is Anthony Davies Tech a honest guy, with his help I was able to restore my account. you can contact him (anthonydaviestech AT gmail dot com)

  45. Anthony Davies is the expert you need for Facebook account recovery. He has a proven track record and uses advanced methods. He gives you the best chance to reclaim your digital presence. you can reach out to him by sending him an email at (anthonydaviestech AT gmail com or whatsapp +1 951 490 8435)

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  47. I just had an encounter when someone hacked into my account and took away my phone number and email address. I tried utilizing the "forgotten password" tool to reset my password. Unfortunately the reset link continued getting sent to the email address associated with my Facebook account. I requested help from Facebook's community service in response to this problem. They promised to look into the situation and get back to me. That being said, I haven't heard from them since then. I was feeling down and needed assistance. Someone on Facebook suggested that I get in touch with Anthony at an***************@***il.com. After considering their advise, I decided to try it, and happily it was successful! With his assistance.

  48. Be wary of fraudulent cryptocurrency recovery services. Many promise to recover your lost digital currency. These services often provide excuses or fail to deliver any results. This only adds to your distress. After several unsuccessful attempts with others, I discovered a genuine expert. This individual was highly capable and provided excellent assistance. They successfully recovered my stolen cryptocurrency. I was finally able to find peace of mind. If you have lost crypto, talk to recoveryfundprovider (@) gmail(.)com for help. via WhatsApp to (+)447366445035, Stop losing time on scams. They can help you get your money back.

  49. I never imagined I’d fall for a crypto romance scam but it happened. Over the course of a few months, I sent nearly $150,000 worth of Bi*****tcoin to someone I genuinely believed I was building a future with. When they disappeared without a trace, I was left heartbroken, humiliated, and financially devastated.
    For a long time, I didn’t tell anyone. I felt ashamed. But eventually, while searching for answers, I came across a Reddit thread that mentioned Agent Jasmine Lopez. I reached out, not expecting much. To my surprise, she treated me with kindness, not judgment. She used advanced tools like blockc***hain forensics, IP tracing, and smart contract analysis and with persistence and legal support, she was able to recover nearly 85% of what I lost. I know not everyone gets that kind of outcome, but thanks to recoveryfundprovider@gmail. com WhatsApp at +44 736-644-5035, I’ve started to reclaim not just my assets, but my confidence and peace of mind. If you’re going through something similar, you’re not alone and there is hope.

  50. My Facebook account had been disabled for almost a month and couldn’t get anywhere with appeals or support. Then I heard about Veronica from someone who had the same issue, she’s with Meta and genuinely knows the system. She recovered my account in no time. If you’re going through that headache, email her at ms***********@***il.com.

  51. My Facebook account had been disabled for almost a month and couldn’t get anywhere with appeals or support. Then I heard about Veronica from someone who had the same issue, she’s with Meta and genuinely knows the system. She recovered my account in no time. If you’re going through that headache, email her at msveronica023@gmail com.

  52. Unlike ticket waits, Davies reaches key contacts at Meta. He crafts urgent messages with clear facts and proof attached. His network from past cases opens doors to priority reviews. You get updates every step, not radio silence. This direct path slashes recovery time by weeks. It's the difference between hope and quick wins. you can get that account back get in touch withh anthonydaviestech AT gmail com

  53. Meta disabled my Facebook and Instagram for no reason and I couldn’t get them back no matter what I tried. Appeals and support were useless. Someone told me about Veronica from Meta and she sorted it out fast. Got both my accounts restored in just a few days. You can reach her at msveronica023@gmail if you’re dealing with the same thing.

  54. I know and can recommend a very efficient and trustworthy hacker. I got his email address on Quora , he is a very nice and he has helped me a couple of times even helped me recover stolen funds in my Coinbase account at a very affordable price. he offers a top notch service and I am really glad I contacted him. He's the right person you need to talk to if you want to retrieve your stolen crypto currencies & bitcoin accounts, deleted/old texts, call logs ,emails ,photos and also hack any of your spouse’s social network account Facebook,
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  55. They guided me through a structured recovery process, which included the following steps: First, I provided them with detailed information about my investment, including transaction records, account details, and any communication with the cryptocurrency platform. Next, their team conducted a thorough investigation to trace the funds and identify any fraudulent activities. They then collaborated with legal and financial experts to build a case for recovery. Finally, through persistent efforts and negotiations, MBCOIN RECOVERY GROUP successfully helped me recover my funds. For anyone facing similar issues, I recommend contacting MBCOIN RECOVERY GROUP via their email for professional assistance.

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  56. A few months ago, I faced a distressing situation after investing $160,550 in cryptocurrency. What began as an exciting venture turned into a nightmare when I couldn’t withdraw my coins. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue with the platform's support, I hit dead ends and vague responses. Frustrated and fearing I might lose my investment, I researched recovery options and came across MBcoin Recovery Group, known for helping individuals in similar situations. Initially skeptical of trusting a third party, I was reassured by their professionalism and positive testimonials. From our first contact, their team showed expertise and empathy, explaining my withdrawal issues and outlining a clear recovery process. Throughout the journey, MBcoin Recovery Group addressed my questions and kept me updated. Their meticulous methods helped me successfully recover my coins after weeks of uncertainty. This experience taught me the importance of due diligence in cryptocurrency and the value of expert assistance. If you're facing similar challenges, I highly recommend MBcoin Recovery Group. Their expertise can help you reclaim what’s rightfully yours. Contact them via

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  57. A few months ago, I faced a distressing situation after investing $160,550 in cryptocurrency. What began as an exciting venture turned into a nightmare when I couldn’t withdraw my coins. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue with the platform's support, I hit dead ends and vague responses. Frustrated and fearing I might lose my investment, I researched recovery options and came across MBcoin Recovery Group, known for helping individuals in similar situations. Initially skeptical of trusting a third party, I was reassured by their professionalism and positive testimonials. From our first contact, their team showed expertise and empathy, explaining my withdrawal issues and outlining a clear recovery process. Throughout the journey, MBcoin Recovery Group addressed my questions and kept me updated. Their meticulous methods helped me successfully recover my coins after weeks of uncertainty. This experience taught me the importance of due diligence in cryptocurrency and the value of expert assistance. If you're facing similar challenges, I highly recommend MBcoin Recovery Group. Their expertise can help you reclaim what’s rightfully yours. Contact them via

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