Does Instagram Censor Bongs and Glass Art?
When it comes to a platform like Instagram, there are no explicit bans against bongs or glass art. However, Instagram can heavily restrict the visibility or outright delete content that violates their terms and service. Luckily, there are grey areas regarding Instagram policies that give glass enthusiasts to share and see high-quality glass art – but things are more stringent regarding branded content, and the sale and promotion of bongs and glass art. Much of what is banned or restricted is up to algorithmic detection, leading to some frustrating inconsistencies in the allowed publication of glass related content.
Instagram’s Official Rules on Drug-Related Content
Official rules on drug-related content goes as follows: “To encourage safety and deter potentially harmful activities, we prohibit attempts by individuals, manufacturers, and retailers to purchase, sell, raffle, gift, transfer or trade certain goods and services on our platform” (source).
Unfortunately, bongs and glass art fall under this policy. So, for an artist trying to sell their work, you’d be out of a potential customers feed and out of luck. Despite this policy, the restriction of Meta policy violating content exists on a scale. For instance, branded content, or content that a creator or publisher has posted in exchange for some form of payment, faces much stricter restrictions. Certain goods and services such as: “Tobacco products, vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, or any products that simulate smoking … drugs and drug-related products, including illegal or recreational drugs” (source). On the other hand, glass related content that is not flagged as attached to a business or as branded promotional content can often slip through moderation and stay up on Instagram.
How algorithms detect restricted content
Meta algorithms used to detect restricted content rely on object recognition, text-based tells, tags that flag content promoting illicit commerce, and the volume of user reporting on content. When multiple of these content triggers are flagged by moderator algorithms, there is a higher chance of a post being hidden or outright removed. Multiple flags by these algorithms can even result in a ban.
Why Glass Artists and Head Shops Get Flagged
Glass artists and head shops typically get flagged because of the generalization of Instagram’s drug and drug related policies. Despite forty of the forty U.S. states have legalized cannabis for medical use, and twenty-four states for recreational use, Instagram defaults to sweeping content restrictions to avoid any legal brouhahas on their end that could come from the appearance of allowing “drug” related content. As a result, even fully legal businesses and artists are hindered by content restrictions and bans. So, when content moderating algorithms detect the presence of “drug” related content in the shape of functional glass, related hashtags, or prompts for shopping glass – they are flagged and removed for violating the terms of service.
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How Artists Share Bong and Glass Content Without Getting Penalized
Artists can get around these harsh penalties with a little know how and some finesse. All it takes is a shift in content presentation, specifically highlighting the artistic quality of functional glass pieces to keep Instagram’s algorithmic watchdogs off your back.
Caption strategies that avoid rejection
Instead of using captions that emphasize substance consumption like “weed,” “dab,” or “bowl,” use artistic descriptions that highlight the technicality and craft quality of your glass pieces. Use descriptions like: "vibrant coloring,” “line-work,” “shaping,” “fuming,” or “unique craftsmanship.” Another strategy is to avoid any overt references to any type of calls-to-action for sales. Using words like buy or sell are sure to get your glass flagged. Use captions that reference external third party sites or contact information where transactions could occur off of Instagram.
Hashtags that keep you safe
Hashtags are meant to be bold and pop out, as well as signal boost your content algorithmically with related posts. It’s easy to miscaption your glass and send your post to the bottom of visibility with tags like: #bong or #smoke. Any reference to the functionality of glass tends to lead to content flagging. Instead, use more technical and art/craft inspired terms to promote your glass like #borosilicate or #glassart. Reworking your hashtags will yield beneficial results on your content visibility.
Posting angles that comply with policy
Any reference to what a bong is used for on Instagram is a huge no-no. None of your posts should show functional glass in use. Better yet, avoid posts of your glass that highlights parts used for herb like a bowl or carb cab. Any pictures of glass pieces should be shot in a way that shows them off as “artistic pieces,” such as wide shots emphasizing form and color as opposed to close ups showing functionality. Posing a piece in a gallery style or glass blowing studio environment is also conducive to content visibility.
What Happens If Your Post Gets Taken Down
Sometimes, even when you take all the right steps to follow the Instagram TOS, you’ll find yourself staring down the dreaded notification of content removal from your account. It’s here you’ll see what your apparent transgression is according to the community guidelines and have to decide how to proceed.
Shadowbanning vs account suspension
Both “shadow banning” and account suspension are methods in which Instagram penalizes posts and accounts that violate their community guidelines. A shadow ban involves retaining your account and even post visibility, but at such a high level of suppression that it might as well be hidden from the general public. This kneecaps engagement and steamrolls your account traffic. An account suspension follows from a series of violations that lead to an either temporary or permanent ban. It’s rarer for glass-artists or head shops to be suspended, but not impossible if glass content is repeatedly too illustrative of drug-related uses.
Steps to appeal content removal
To attempt an appeal, go to the removal notification in your support inbox on Insta, click or tap “Appeal,” and then make your case. The best bet to win a glass-piece related appeal would be to try and establish a proper context in which your glass-piece is handmade art and not drug related content. If the first appeal gets rejected, you can try again. Whenever content removal happens, try to learn what it was that triggered it in the first place whether it was your tags or caption, and avoid making the same mistake down the road.
How Glass Retailers Can Build a Compliant Instagram Presence
Glass retailers really get the short end of the stick when it comes to product promotion on Instagram. If they stray from the carefully performed dance it takes to avoid content flagging, they’ll wind up losing visibility, losing attention, and losing money. That’s why it takes a little bit or planning and compliance within Insta’s strict community guidelines to maintain a post schedule that helps their brand or business grow sustainably on Instagram. This little content dance involves declaring clear distinctions of pieces as artistic content or transactional content, take sales related activity off-site, and stay up to date with any changes in policies as they are updated.
Final Thoughts: Navigating Social Platforms as a Glass Brand
It can be quite the headache juggling Instagram’s policy guidelines and your own desire to share glass art and bongs. With how effective Instagram is at sharing and discovering content, it seems like it’s worth it to just bite the bullet and keep on the balancing act. However, if you need to diversify your business’ traffic, or simply want to avoid relying on Instagram for sales, then moving forward to a industry-friendly platform built specifically for glass artists and collectors is a great choice. One such platform like Giggle Glass, caters to the market of glass enthusiasts as both buyers and sellers – giving exposure to the most talented artists and their work. It’s there you’ll find a level of marketing freedom that Instagram wouldn’t allow.
