Reader Mode displays pages in a simplified view for easy reading. The tool works best with articles and other similar content, providing a more digestible format.

Why Google feels the need to bury the feature is unclear. But locating the appropriate settings is straightforward once you know where to look. Here’s how to enable Google Chrome reader mode.

Enable Google Chrome’s hidden reader mode on desktop

If you prefer to read news and articles in a more simplified format, here’s how to enable Reader Mode in Chrome on desktop:

READ MORE: How to stop Chrome from saving history on Windows and Mac

Whenever Reader Mode is available, the icon will appear on the right of the address bar (shown above). All you need to do is click the button, and the page will transform for easy reading.

Enable Google Chrome’s hidden reader mode on mobile

READ MORE: How to view and edit saved passwords in Google Chrome

For those of us who prefer to digest content through our smartphones, here’s how to enable Reader Mode in the Chrome mobile app:

1. Launch Google Chrome and tap the More menu

2. Go to Settings > Accessibility

3. Tick Simplified view for web pages

Whenever you visit a compatible page, a prompt will appear asking if you want to switch to a simplified view (shown above). Tapping View when prompted activates the feature.

Why does Google hide its Reader Mode in Chrome?

Locating Reader Mode on most popular browsers doesn’t involve an epic quest into the settings. For some reason, however, Google has decided to hide the feature.

Why? Because sometimes epic settings quests are fun. But once you know where to find it, Chrome’s Reader Mode lets you see a more simplified version of a webpage.

And with easy prompts on both desktop and mobile versions of Chrome, Reader Mode is easy to use after its initial setup.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to record your screen on Chromebook
• Here’s how to stop Google Chrome from constantly logging you out
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• Here’s how to update Google Chrome on basically any device

The post How to turn on Google Chrome’s secret Reader Mode appeared first on KnowTechie.

The 2.4GHz band is older and has a better range. It can easily penetrate through walls and other obstacles.

The tradeoff? It faces interference from other devices that might use the same frequency. That includes microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and even your neighbor’s Wi-Fi network.

Having a separate 5GHz band can help reduce or eliminate this type of interference. Plus, high bandwidth devices like consoles and streaming media players benefit from the higher speeds that 5GHz bands offer.

Now that you know the difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, let’s look at how to split your Xfinity Wi-Fi into two networks. The process is easy and only takes a few minutes to complete.

How to split 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks on an Xfinity router

To create separate channels on your Xfinity router, follow our step-by-step guide below:

That’s it, you have now successfully created separate networks for both the bands on your Xfinity Router.

Remember, not all devices support the 5GHz frequency, so it might not appear in the list of available networks on some devices.

Most devices these days support band steering technology which automatically detects the best band for the device and connects to it.

Split your Xfinity Wi-Fi

By splitting your dual-band Xfinity Wi-Fi router into two networks with separate bands, you can take full advantage of the 5GHz band by using it for streaming, gaming, or other high-bandwidth activities.

On the other hand, the 2.4GHz band can be used for general internet usage, like web browsing and checking email. This will help avoid interference and improve your devices’ speeds and performance.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can’t remember Xfinity router password? Here’s what to do
• Why is my Xfinity router blinking orange?
• Xfinity Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting? Here’s how to fix it
• How to upgrade your old Xfinity router

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post How to split Xfinity Wi-Fi into 2.4GHz & 5GHz bands appeared first on KnowTechie.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, and The Boring Co., is routinely near the top of the Forbes billionaire list. That makes his net worth hundreds of billions of dollars, but is that the whole story?

For background, he almost went bankrupt in 2008, with Tesla’s balance sheets looking terrible and SpaceX having difficulty launching its Falcon1 rockets.

That misfortune changed after a series of big business moves.

NASA decided that SpaceX was exactly what it needed to take supplies into space, and Tesla had a successful initial public offering.

So, crisis averted, but how high is Musk’s net worth nowadays?

So, what is Elon Musk’s net worth?

Short answer: $140 billion

At the end of 2020, Elon Musk had a net worth of $24.6 billion. Tesla’s stock skyrocketed, making his net worth closer to $170 billion a year later.

With the help of Tesla stock, Musk’s net worth peaked at around $320 million in November of 2021. But 2022 hasn’t been as great for Elon’s net worth.

As of December 2023, Elon Musk’s net worth is around $140 billion, according to Forbes’ real-time net worth tracker.

READ MORE: How old is Elon Musk?

As Bloomberg notes, Musk’s net worth has decreased by more than $130 billion, or around 48%, in the last year.

Much of that decrease is due to Tesla’s falling stock prices. Musk owns an estimated 25% of Tesla, and he uses many of his stocks as collateral for loans.

He also owns around 47% of SpaceX, which carries a value of about $125 billion. That adds another $50 billion or so to Musk’s net worth after adjustments.

Musk recently purchased a major stake in Twitter for $44 billion. Musk owns an estimated 79% of the company, with much of that value tied to the $44 billion purchase price.

Bloomberg includes an estimated $4.6 billion liability in its net worth calculation tied to the Twitter purchase.

That, along with the alleged $17.8 billion cash used in the purchase, technically brings Musk’s net worth down, but that could change as Twitter’s value fluctuates.

As a note, net worth estimates like this are nothing more than estimates. The exact numbers for Elon Musk’s net worth are unknown. These figures are gathered from public information to estimate the number.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post What is Elon Musk’s net worth? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Luckily, Gmail offers a useful labeling system you can use to maintain some level of order.

So, what’s a label? It’s basically a folder for your emails. If you’re super serious about organization, you can even automate the labeling process via filtering.

Are you ready to restore order to the chaos of your inbox? Let’s discuss how to create, apply, and automate labels in Gmail

How to create a folder or label in Gmail (web app)

You can create a label, which acts like a folder, in the Gmail web app by following these steps:

Your new label should now be available for use in your mailboxes.

If you need to modify your label at any time, you can click the remove or edit buttons in the label settings, depending on the action you want to take.

How to create a folder or label in Gmail (mobile app)

If you’re using the Gmail mobile app for iOS, you can create a label by following these steps:

1. Tap the More (hamburger) button

2. Scroll down to the Labels section and tap Create new

3. Name your label and tap Done

If you need to edit or delete a label on your iOS device, you can do so within Settings (accessible from the Hamburger menu).

From here, you’ll need to go to Inbox customizations → Inbox customizations → Labels and select the label you want to modify.

Unfortunately, Gmail for Android doesn’t allow you to create labels, so you’ll need to use the web app or an iOS device to do the job.

How to label emails in Gmail (web app)

If you’ve already got some labels ready to go, you can label emails in the Gmail web app by following these steps:

1. Select an email and click the Labels icon

2. Tick the label you want to use and click Apply

From the labels menu, you’ll also see Create new and Manage labels options, granting you quick and easy access to key settings.

How to label emails in Gmail (mobile app)

You can apply pre-created labels to emails in the Gmail mobile app by following these steps:

1. On Android, long-press an email to select it. On iOS, tap the sender’s profile picture. If necessary, you can select multiple messages

2. Tap the More (three dots) button in the top right corner and select Change labels

3. Select one or more labels and tap OK (Android) or Apply (iOS)

Alternatively, you can open a singular email and follow the same process if you don’t want to work from your inbox.

How to automatically apply labels in Gmail

When it comes to productivity, automation is key. If you don’t want to manually slap a label on every message, you can organize Gmail by using a filter to do the work for you.

Here’s how to automatically label emails in the Gmail web app:

1. Click the Show search options button in the search bar

2. Enter the appropriate variables and click Create filter

3. Tick Apply the label, choose the appropriate label, and click Create filter

You can edit or delete your filters by going to Settings → See all settings → Filters and Blocked Addresses.

Benefits of organizing Gmail

Call them labels, folders, or something else entirely—anything that brings order to an over-stuffed inbox is worth exploring.

As they say, an uncluttered inbox leads to an uncluttered mind. If they don’t actually say that, they should start now. Because only by organizing your Gmail inbox can you know true inner peace.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to customize Gmail’s side panels
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The post How to organize your Gmail inbox with folders and labels appeared first on KnowTechie.

YouTube is leading the race to snatch exclusive rights for the National Football League’s NFL Sunday Ticket package.

A recent report from The Wall Street Journal claims that the streaming giant is in “advanced talks” with the company for the rights. The two companies could reach an agreement any day now.

The exact terms of the deal are still unknown. For the past 25+ years, DirecTV has owned the exclusive rights for NFL Sunday Ticket.

In contrast, the satellite TV service reportedly pays around $1.5 billion annually for the rights.

Apple and Amazon were also recently linked in talks with the National Football League to stream the NFL Sunday Ticket.

However, Apple recently pulled out of the deal, claiming it doesn’t “see the logic” in Sunday Ticket’s $3.5 billion price tag.

We haven’t heard much from Amazon about a potential deal, but the recent WSJ report suggests that YouTube will end up striking a deal.

NFL Sunday Ticket is the NFL’s yearly subscription service to unlock many weekly games. It lets viewers watch all out-of-market Sunday football games throughout the NFL season.

The service has been in the hands of DirecTV since it launched in 1994. But it will move to a streaming service for the 2023 season.

This represents a major shift from sports leagues to focus more on streaming platforms as consumers continue to “cut the cord.”

Amazon has a deal with the NFL for Thursday Night Football. Additionally, Apple recently signed a deal to bring all Major League Soccer games to Apple TV.

We expect more sports leagues will strike similar deals in the near future, and YouTube TV could end up the home for more than just NFL Sunday Ticket soon.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• NFL Plus lets you stream live football games but there’s a catch
• YouTube TV rolls out picture-in-picture support for iPhones, finally
• YouTube TV’s new referral program could save you up to $200
• Your YouTube TV subscription just got cheaper – here’s why

The post YouTube is now the home of NFL Sunday Ticket appeared first on KnowTechie.

For example, Creality is giving Newegg shoppers a major discount on its Ender 3 S1 printer. The company is extending a $193 discount, reducing the price to $326. It typically sells for $539.99.

Sponsored

Creality Ender-3 S1 3D Printer
Save $193 off this 3D printer’s original $536 price tag. Act fast; this offer is valid through December 30.

Rating

$342 at Newegg

Expires 1/5/2023

The Creality Ender-3 S1 is a compact and affordable printer perfect for beginners and experienced makers alike.

Creality Ender-3 S1 offers a seamless printing experience that’s easy to set up and use

One of the standout features of the Ender-3 S1 is its CR-Touch Auto Leveling system, which ensures that your prints come out perfectly level every time.

The dual Z-axis design also adds to the printer’s precision and stability, making it ideal for printing intricate and detailed models.

The Ender-3 S1 comes equipped with a powerful Sprite direct dual-gear extruder, ensuring smooth and consistent filament flow for high-quality prints.

Overall, the Creality Ender-3 S1 is a fantastic 3D printer with features and excellent value.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced maker, the Ender-3 S1 is an excellent choice for bringing your ideas and inspirations to life.

Again, get it now at Newegg for $326 and start building things you never imagined. But act fast; this offer is valid through November 31. Click below for more.

Deals

Creality 3D Ender-3 S1 3D Printer

Getting a quality 3D printer doesn’t have to break the bank; Ender is here to prove that. From now until January 5, you can get this 3D printer for just $326.

Buy Now

Editors’ Recommendations:

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• Save $50 on a pair of AirPods Pro 2, now $200

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Save $200 on this 3D printer and bring your ideas to life appeared first on KnowTechie.

Musk replied to a tweet from a user complaining about the new view count feature. The user said that tweets have become “too messy” with the new metric shoved at the bottom of a tweet.

Musk said that the company plans to clean up the look of tweets with the new view count. He also says that, eventually, users can turn off view counts.

Musk and the engineering team at Twitter recently added the view count feature to tweets. Musk shared plans for the feature on December 22, and most users began seeing view counts shortly after.

A feature traditionally kept for video only, view count shows a user how many times other users have seen their tweets. It shows up at the bottom of a tweet, to the left of the retweets and likes.

Many users are upset with the feature, saying it’s unnecessary and doesn’t fit well in its current iteration.

But it’s hard to argue against the usefulness of the new view count as a metric to measure reach.

It shows how many people have seen the tweet, giving users great insight into what kind of content gains the most traction.

It has become common at Twitter for Musk to launch new features with little to no discussion first. He then gauges user interest in that feature before deciding whether or not to keep the new feature as it is.

We saw this with the launch of paid verification through Twitter Blue and the uproar that came after.

It will be interesting to see what view counts look like after Musk and the Twitter team have time to modify and adjust the new feature.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Mastodon surges past 2 million users, but will people keep using it?
• Elon Musk plans to make Twitter polls pay-to-win
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• TikTok will start telling users why it recommends videos

The post Elon Musk says tweet view counts will soon be optional appeared first on KnowTechie.

Many Comcast Xfinity customers use Netflix with their Xfinity subscription, and the latest set-top boxes have the streaming app preinstalled.

The service works great for those who don’t have a compatible TV. However, some users report that they cannot use Netflix on their Xfinity set-top boxes.

According to those affected, every time they try to launch the Netflix app on their Comcast Xfinity set-top box, it either doesn’t load or gets stuck on the loading screen. Sometimes the app even crashes.

If you’re also encountering this problem, don’t worry, as there are a few things you can do to fix it.

Fix 1: Soft reset Xfinity TV box

Power cycling is a simple yet effective trick to fix many issues with electronic devices, especially software glitches.

To soft reset your Comcast Xfinity set-top box, follow the steps below:

1. Unplug the power cord of your Comcast set-top box from the power outlet

2. Wait 1-3 minutes
3. Plug the power cord back into the power outlet

On new Flex & X1 boxes, you can restart using the remote too:

1. Press the ‘A’ button on the remote to open the Help menu

2. Under Troubleshooting, select Restart

3. Select Restart to confirm

Fix 2: Perform system refresh

On the new Xfinity Flex Boxes, a system refresh option helps you deal with Netflix crashing. Here is how you can use it:

1. Navigate to the Netflix app using the Flex remote

2. Press the ‘A’ button as the selection hover over the Netflix icon

3. Select System Refresh

4. Wait 10-15 minutes
5. Start the Netflix app and see if it works

If this doesn’t work, continue on below to learn how to clear the Netflix app cache.

Fix 3: Clear Netflix app cache

Netflix app stores some data and files on your Comcast Xfinity set-top box to load content faster. But sometimes, this cached data might get corrupted and cause the app to crash or not work properly.

In this case, you can try clearing the Netflix app cache to see if it fixes the problem. Here’s how:

1. Press the Xfinity Button or Home Button on the remote

2. Select the gear icon on the screen to open Settings

3. Select Privacy
4. Navigate to the locally stored data option
5. Now clear locally stored data

A confirmation message will appear on your screen. You will be signed out of the Netflix app and will need to sign in again.

Wrapping up

These three options are your main ways to fix issues with Netflix on Xfinity. If the issue persists, you should contact customer support from both Comcast and Netflix.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How much does a Netflix subscription cost?
• Xfinity Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting? Here’s how to fix it
• Can you watch Netflix without an internet connection?
• Can’t remember Xfinity router password? Here’s what to do

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s but one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Netflix not working on Xfinity: 3 easy fixes appeared first on KnowTechie.

BLUETTI’s “Share Your Story” campaign is in full swing. It begins on December 15, 2022, and will end on January 15, 2023.

All participants can win free solar generators, solar panels, outdoor gear, coupons, and BLUETTI Bucks, which can now be used to redeem BLUETTI Lifestyle products.

Share Your Story with BLUETTI

“We’d love to hear from our users, and want to know how our products can make some difference in their lives. Meanwhile, by sharing stories, our global users can be inspired by each other, and unlock more scenarios ”, James Ray explained the motive of this online activity.

All users can participate with a short YouTube video telling their special moments with BLUETTI products.

It only takes two steps to join, firstly make and post a short video centered around experiences with BLUETTI products on YouTube with #BLUETTIstory for its title.

Then, submit the video link on the BULUETTI website. Then, wait for the winner announcement by email and get rewards. 

Whether it’s a clip from a camping trip, a wilderness expedition, a garden party, or happy family time during a power outage – as long as the story is related to BLUETTI power backup.

Lucky winners will earn a chance to win free solar generators, hand-picked gifts, coupons, and more.

Prizes at a glance: Cash US$100, EB3A, PV120, EB55, BLUETTI T-shirt, BLUETTI Hoodie, BLUETTI mini-fridge, BLUETTI Cap, Coupon US$50, BLUETTI Bucks 3000.

Know more contest details, please click https://www.BLUETTIpower.com/pages/share-your-story 

Since the prizes are quantity-unlimited, every great work may be the next winner of an EB3A.

Bucks for BLUETTI Lifestyle Products

BLUETTI recently added a BLUETTI Lifestyle section to its website homepage to strengthen its connection with its users and show appreciation for their support and likes. 

For every dollar spent at the BLUETTI official store or other third-party platforms, a BLUETTI Buck is deposited into a user’s account.

Nothing lasts forever, and neither do BLUETTI Bucks. They will expire after 12 months from the day they were earned.

Typically, buyers use the Bucks to offset their next order after redeeming them for coupons or gift cards.

However, during the validity period, those not in demand will see their Bucks wasted.

To make up for this, BLUETTI Bucks are now redeemable for many useful BLUETTI Lifestyle products, including but not limited to the following:  

Outdoor gears 

BLUETTI mini fridge 4999 bucks: 4-liter, it can cool or heat six 12-oz cans and has a movable shelf for separate storage. Two ways to charge: by home outlet or car.

BLUETTI tableware set 4999 bucks: Includes a cooking pot, a frying pan, a teapot, a spoon, a knife, a fork, a lock, and two cups.

Made of hard alumina, they are solid, lightweight, and essential for outdoor activities.

BLUETTI handheld vacuum 5499 bucks: Bottle-shaped, portable, easy-to-use, and has strong suction. It sucks out crumbs or pet hair from hard-to-reach areas between cushions or dirt from under car seats.

BLUETTI camping lantern 1999 bucks: Rechargeable, portable, waterproof, and hangable with a carabiner. It has 3 brightness modes: daylight, warm light, and SOS flash. 

BLUETTI phone tripod 2499 bucks: Scalable, aluminum-alloy-made, portable one-piece design, Bluetooth remote control. It can rotate freely to allow horizontal or vertical camera mode on Android or iOS phones.

BLUETTI power strip 1999 bucks: 3 grounded outlets and 3 USB ports, multiple safety protection features for multiple device charging.

BLUETTI multimeter 1999 bucks: Safe and accurate for professional electrical testing or home use.

BLUETTI brand apparel and other useful gadgets

BLUETTI Hoodie for 3999 bucks, T-shirt for 1499, the cap for 699 bucks, the same amount needed by stickers, key chain.

For more details, check https://www.BLUETTIpower.com/collections/BLUETTI-lifestyle

BLUETTI always takes its users seriously and strives to improve their experience by offering premium products and thoughtful services.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post BLUETTI’s users always get more than power for their off-grid lives appeared first on KnowTechie.

The Meta Quest 2 is one of Meta’s premier virtual reality headsets (not counting the Meta Quest Pro).

The versatile headset is capable of much more than gaming, and Mark Zuckerberg likely has bold plans for the headset involving the metaverse.

With Meta Quest 2, you can do all kinds of activities.

You can watch movies, browse the web, try some of the latest VR games, or even get in an intense workout with games like Beat Saber.

But can Meta’s VR headset do all that by itself, or do you need a PC to hook the headset up for these activities?

Does the Oculus or Meta Quest 2 need a PC?

Short answer: No

The Meta Quest 2 or Quest Pro does not need to be hooked up to a PC or anything else to experience what the headset offers.

It is a completely standalone device, making it a great consumer product that just about anyone can enjoy.

The Quest 2 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 System built right into it, which has 6 GB of RAM and an Adreno 650 GPU.

This combination is powerful enough to run most games.

In addition to downloading games and apps designed specifically for the Quest 2 through the Oculus Quest Store, players can sideload titles onto the device by transferring them into its storage.

Again, all these games are playable on the headset without using a PC.

READ MORE: Can I use the Oculus Quest 2 with Steam games?

But that doesn’t mean you can’t use the headset with your PC to unlock even more entertainment.

The Meta Quest 2 can wirelessly connect to your PC via Air Link or hardwire using the Quest 2 Link cable.

READ MORE: Meta’s new parental controls make Quest VR headsets safer for kids

Connecting your Meta Quest 2 headset to your PC will let you use the headset to experience some VR games that aren’t available as a standalone Meta product.

But again, this is just an extra benefit you get with the Meta Quest 2.

You can still get dozens of games and apps on the headset without extra hardware. Alternatively, you can cast Oculus Quest 2 on a TV.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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• Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?
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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Does the Meta Quest 2 require a PC? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Typically priced at $399.99, you can grab them now at their newly minted discounted price of $290. That’s $125 off the usual sticker price.

And if you prefer to go another route outside of eBay, Amazon has them down to $348. So you have choices.

Verified

Staff Pick

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Usually priced at $399.99, this eBay deal saves you $125, knocking the price down to $290. Act fast, this price won’t stick around long.

Rating

$290 at eBay

On-Going Offer

The XM5 is an upgraded iteration of Sony’s best-selling XM4 headphones, and this new offering comes packed with features. The biggest change? The design, and for the better.

On top of that, the headphones are equipped with new ANC processors, 30mm drivers, and a selection of new colors.

The headphones also have standard premium features, like Speak to Chat, LDAC, DSEE Extreme upscaling, 360 Reality Audio, and more.

So, if you’re mulling the idea of getting these, do yourself a favor and head to eBay or Amazon. But act fast while supplies last. Click below for more info.

Sony WH-1000XM5

Who are these good for?

• People who spend a lot of time on the phone or in video conferences
• People who need to use headphones in noisy environments
• Music lovers, movies buffs, and anyone who values high-quality sound and effective noise cancellation

See at eBay

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones are somehow just $290 appeared first on KnowTechie.

Whenever you’re scrolling through Facebook, do you ever think about who is looking at your profile?

We can get a decent idea of some people who see our posts through likes and comments, but what about people who browse through your profile without liking or commenting?

By now, I’m sure we’ve all seen those third-party apps or websites that say they can tell you who’s looking at your profile.

While most of these apps and websites are obviously sketchy, it can lead you to wonder whether or not it’s possible to track the people visiting your Facebook profile.

It doesn’t seem too crazy that it could be possible.

Facebook is notorious for tracking as much of its users’ browsing activity as possible, so why wouldn’t it be possible for a third-party app to track users who click on your profile?

So, is it possible?

Can you really see who looks at your Facebook profile?

Short answer: No

Unfortunately, there’s no way to see who has been visiting your Facebook profile.

While many apps and websites claim they do this, Facebook has said there is no way to check who viewed your profile:

Even though the social giant collects and stores all kinds of data regarding users’ social media browsing, the company does not allow any third party to use that information for tracking purposes.

This data is only used for the company’s own advertising platform, and giving third-party access to that data would be a huge privacy risk for everyone on the platform.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Can you see who looks at your Facebook profile? appeared first on KnowTechie.

It’s safe to say that many of us spend a lot of time on our phones.

Whether it is texting friends and family or mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, our phones are rarely very far from us.

This begs the question, how much time are we spending looking at Reddit, Instagram, and other apps that call our phones home?

It’s fairly easy to do this on an iPhone, but what about Android?

How to check app usage time on Android

If you want to know how much time you spend on apps like Facebook, Spotify, and Twitter on your Android phone, the answer depends on which handset you own.

If you have one of Google’s Pixel range, you can use the Digital Wellbeing app to see all the stats you want about app usage, notifications, and other on-device stats.

If you own any other Android, you’ll have to use one of the third-party apps that fill the same need.

On a Google Pixel device, it’s super easy to check your app usage stats:

1. Scroll down to Digital Wellbeing and tap on it
2. Open up the Settings app
3. You’ll then see an overview of your app usage stats. Tapping on any of the names gives you a more in-depth view of your usage of that app, including when you used it most during the day.
4. The Dashboard option shows information about Unlocks, Notifications, and App Usage. You can also set timers to limit your use of a particular app during the day.
5. If you scroll down to the bottom of the Digital Wellbeing page, you can toggle a switch to show the app in your app drawer. That’ll stop you from having to scroll through the Settings app every time you want to look at your stats

How to check app usage on other Android devices

If you don’t own a Pixel, it’s time to head over to the Google Play Store, where you can find several app usage tracking apps.

Here are some of our favorites:

Quality Time

Quality Time is one of the most-downloaded time trackers (over a million installs and counting), probably because of how well everything is laid out inside the app.

You’ve got a daily timeline that shows which apps you used each hour, with total time, daily usage overviews, and individual app overviews over a longer period.

You can also set daily usage alerts, custom profiles that ban certain apps when applied, and the Take a Break mode, where your smartphone turns into a dumbphone with calls only while set.

App Usage

App Usage is also a great option, and the most like the Digital Wellbeing app for Pixel devices, with some useful additions.

It also has a chronological timeline of app usage, a “per-category” view in case you spend too much time on social media.

In addition, a handy battery history tracking screen that shows battery drain overlaid on your app usage stats.

There’s also a handy widget for your home screen, so all the stats about your app usage are just a tap away.

Things to keep in mind

Due to Android system limitations, any method you use will only be able to track usage when apps are in the foreground.

So, make sure you keep this in mind as you try to get a handle on your tech habits

That means the app has to be in use with the screen on. That makes tracking how much time you spend listening to Spotify in the background impossible.

What apps do you use to track your smartphone activity? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Twitter lets you go live with guests – Here’s how to do it
• How to easily delete the recordings associated with your Alexa account with just your voice
• Sony’s PSN name change service is now live – Here’s how to change it
• How to stay safe online when watching Netflix

The post How to check how much time you spend on Android apps appeared first on KnowTechie.

Das Keyboard is offering a rare 15% discount on two of their top models – the 4Q and the Prime 13 – for the next 24 hours starting on 12/26.

That means you can snag the Prime 13 for just $109.65 (usually $129) and the 4Q for $169.15 (usually $199).

Why should you care about a measly 15% discount? For starters, Das Keyboard is known for its high-quality keyboards, but they rarely ever discount them.

So this is a rare opportunity to save on some top-of-the-line gear. Let’s start with the Prime 13.

Das Keyboard Prime 13

Get ready to up your productivity game with the Prime 13, the ultimate minimalist mechanical keyboard.

This bad boy features an anodized aluminum top panel, Cherry MX switches with blinding white LEDs and a super long braided cable for all your typing needs.

Plus, it has a handy USB pass-through because who has time to unplug and replug their devices constantly?

This is the keyboard you never knew you needed, but trust us, you won’t be able to live without it. Learn more below.

Verified

Staff Pick

Das Keyboard Prime 13

Normally $128, get it for 15% off. That drops the price down to $109.65. Today only.

Rating

$109.65 at Das Keyboard

Valid Through 12/26

Das Keyboard 4Q

The Das Keyboard 4Q is the smart RGB Cherry MX version of the Das Keyboard 4 Professional. This keyboard keeps you focused on your tasks without any unwanted interruptions.

Instead of constantly checking multiple devices for updates, the 4Q tracks the most important information directly on its RGB keys, allowing you to customize for whatever.

If an important website goes down, you have a new task to tackle, or an important email comes in, the 4Q will let you know with a stylish color change.

At just $170, take your productivity to the next level with the Das Keyboard 4Q. Click below for more info.

Verified

Staff Pick

Das Keyboard 4Q

Normally $199, get it for 15% off. That drops the price down to $169.15. Today only.

Rating

$169.15 at Das Keyboard

Valid Through 12/26

Don’t let this 24-hour window pass you by – head to Das Keyboard’s website now to take advantage of these amazing deals.

Upgrade your setup and take your productivity to the next level with top-quality Das Keyboard gear.

Deals

Das Keyboard Boxing Day Sale

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to upgrade your setup with top-quality Das Keyboard gear. The Prime 13 and 4Q are 15% off for the next 24 hours starting on 12/26, so act fast to take advantage of these rare discounts.

See at Das Keyboard

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Master & Dynamic’s Boxing Day sale saves you 30% on headphones
• Save $50 on a pair of AirPods Pro 2, now $200
• Score an absolute deal on these JBL headphones, now only $20
• Get this Creality 3D Printer at a steep discount, now only $505

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Das Keyboard’s best-selling options are 15% off today appeared first on KnowTechie.

Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 is one of the premier consumer brand VR headsets.

With a price starting at just $399, this is the headset that will inevitably introduce a lot of people to the world of VR.

And the Quest 2 is a pretty versatile device. The base model was previously upgraded to feature a 128GB hard drive, unlike the original 64GB.

And it’s standalone, which means you don’t need to hook the headset up to any other hardware to enjoy what it offers.

Although the Oculus Quest 2 is a standalone device, it doesn’t have to be confined to its own capabilities.

What about VR games and apps on other platforms? Does the Oculus Quest 2 work with Steam?

Can you play Steam games with the Oculus Quest 2?

Short answer: Yes

Yep, you can play SteamVR games using your Oculus Quest 2. Oculus has a feature called Air Link that lets users wirelessly tether their headset to their PC.

READ MORE: Does the Oculus Quest 2 require a PC?

If you’re not into the idea of using your Oculus Quest 2 wirelessly with your computer, there’s always the option of connecting it with a wire via the Oculus Quest Link Cable or any standard USB-C cable.

That way, you can still enjoy all the same features without relying on a wireless connection

How to use the Oculus Quest 2 with Steam

If you want to use your Oculus Quest 2 with Steam, first, you’ll need to install the SteamVR app on your Quest 2.

While you’re at it, install the Quest 2 desktop app on your PC if it’s not installed already.

Once installed, connect your headset to your computer using the Quest 2 Link Cable. If you’re connecting wirelessly, skip ahead.

With your headset connected to your PC, launch the SteamVR app from the Quest 2 Home screen.

Launch Steam on your computer and click on the “VR” icon in the top right corner of the Steam window.
Then, follow the prompts to set up your VR headset and controllers.

Once you get your Oculus Quest 2 hooked up to your computer via Air Link or the Link Cable, you are ready to start experiencing what SteamVR offers on your Quest 2.

So whenever you’re ready, select any VR game from your Steam library and dive in.

READ MORE: Does the Oculus Quest 2 support quick charging?

Important to point out: make sure your gaming rig is up to snuff. After all, you’ll rely on your PC to run the games, not Quest 2.

So, make sure your machine has the horsepower to handle the load.

Oh, and don’t forget to have a Steam account, too – you’ll need it to access your Steam library and play VR games.

Step up your VR game: play Steam games on Oculus Quest 2

So there you have it; it is definitely possible to play Steam games on the Oculus Quest 2. All you need is the SteamVR app, a compatible PC, and a Steam account.

Just keep in mind that not all Steam games are compatible with Quest 2, so be sure to check the system requirements before you buy.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can you buy a replacement controller for the Oculus Quest 2?
• Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?
• Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?
• Are Oculus Quest 2 controllers rechargeable?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Can you play Steam games on the Oculus Quest 2? appeared first on KnowTechie.

The Oculus Quest 2 is immensely popular and could become the hardware that finally pushes VR mainstream.

Now, you might be wondering if you’ll be able to charge your headset quickly.

With upgraded specs and immersive experiences, you’ll want the battery to last so you can keep playing, right?

Quest 2 quick charging would help, so it’s easy to think that would be an option with the Oculus Quest 2 headset, right?

Well, we have some bad news.

Does the Oculus Quest 2 offer a fast charge?

Short answer: No

How long does an Oculus Quest 2 take to charge?

According to Meta and confirmed by our testing, the Oculus Quest 2 takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge from an empty battery.

READ MORE: Does the Oculus Quest 2 require a PC?

Oculus Quest 2 charger wattage

Quest 2 charger wattage runs at 5V, 2A, which works out to 10W max power charging.

A helpful Redditor on the r/OculusQuest subreddit did some testing and found the max power the Quest 2 draws is 9W.

KnowTechie also confirmed this in our testing. But, sadly, that’s far from a quick charge.

READ MORE: What’s the Oculus Quest 2’s battery life?

With Meta seemingly capping the power input, there’s no point utilizing a higher-wattage charger.

In fact, using an aftermarket Quest 2 adapter or charger might even damage your device, which is what Meta refers to in its support pages.

So there you have it, the Oculus Quest 2 does not offer any fast or quick charging. Maybe we’ll see that in the Meta Quest Pro?

READ MORE: A Quest 2 Pro VR headset might be coming later this year

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can I use the Oculus Quest 2 with Steam games?
• Where do I find the serial number of my Oculus Quest 2?
• Can Oculus Quest 2 controllers be used on the original Quest?
• Apple’s anticipated AR/VR headset might not arrive until the end of 2022 now

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Does the Oculus Quest 2 support quick charging? appeared first on KnowTechie.

One of the most important parts of your Oculus Quest 2 is the controllers.

They control your interactions with games, apps, and other experiences, and gesture control helps with your immersion.

You might get too immersed though, and accidentally hit or drop one of your Oculus controllers, breaking it.

If this happens, you’ll need to figure out a solution, as the controllers are a major component of the VR headset.

Here’s what to know about getting a replacement controller for your Oculus Quest 2.

So, does Oculus sell replacement controllers for the Quest 2?

Short answer: Yes

Replacement controllers for the Oculus Quest 2 cost $74.95 each; ideally, you can get them directly from Meta.

Previously, Meta’s Quest store had displayed them as out of stock for months, leaving customers frustrated and disappointed.

But here’s some good news: the stock drought is finally over.

READ MORE: How to switch from a Facebook to Meta account on Quest

Oculus Quest 2 controller replacements are back

Thankfully, The Meta Store now has both the left and right controllers in stock, with delivery dates roughly a week from ordering time.

They are also available from overcharging third-party sellers on Amazon, but we don’t recommend you do that unless it’s cheaper.

How much are Oculus controllers? Meta Quest 2 controllers normally run $79.95 a pop.

Previously, resellers were charging $200 when Meta had them out of stock, so you might as well buy a full Quest 2 headset pack for $299.

READ MORE: Where are all the Meta Quest 2 controllers?

If you get one from the Meta Quest store, you’ll want to ensure you’re on the correct ordering page for the replacement controller.

That’s because the controller that the Oculus Quest 2 uses isn’t quite the same as the one that came with the original Oculus Quest.

Don’t forget to unpair the old, broken controller (if possible) and manually pair the new replacement when it arrives.

READ MORE: Does the Oculus Quest 2 have expandable storage?

One last note, while the controller for the Oculus Quest 2 is better for battery life than the one that shipped with the Rift CV1; they’re not as robust.

The tracking ring at the top sticks out and isn’t the thickest plastic.

Maybe before you need a replacement controller, consider buying some silicone covers to cushion any inevitable knocks.

Editor’s recommendations:

• Which Oculus Quest 2 should you buy?
• Are Oculus Quest 2 controllers rechargeable?
• 8 of the best VR games that you can try on your new Oculus Quest 2
• Where do I find the serial number of my Oculus Quest 2?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Can you buy a replacement controller for the Oculus Quest 2? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Looking for a hair dryer that is fast, safe, and efficient? Then look no further than the Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer.

This blow dryer is seriously powerful. But it’s not just about the drying – it’s also got some seriously cool features that’ll blow your mind (and your hair).

This sounds too good to be true, sure, but get ready to be impressed.

Tensky High-Speed Hairdryer

Who is this good for?

• People in a rush who need something that can dry their hair super fast (like, in 1-5 minutes fast)
• Anyone who wants a hair dryer with seriously impressive features, like smart induction and a high-speed brushless motor
• Somebody who wants a high-performance hair dryer that’s also gentle on their hair and easy to use.

See at Amazon

See at Tensky

The Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer is like a Swiss Army Knife for your hair and beauty needs.

Need to dry your hair? It’s got you covered. Need to dry your acrylic nails on the cold shot setting? No problem. Need to defrost some food? Yeah, it can do that too.

And if you’ve got painted nails that need drying, it has your back there, too. Basically, whatever you throw at this dryer, it can handle.

But, its standout features set this blow dryer apart from the competition. This dryer has a lot to offer, from advanced technologies to its sleek design.

Sponsored

Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer

KnowTechie readers can save an insane 48% by clipping the $40 on-site coupon and using promo code TENSKYH3301 at checkout.

Rating

48% off Amazon

On-Going Offer

Save time and protect your hair with the innovative Tensky Hair Dryer

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer is its unique, sleek, and compact design.

This palm-fitting blow dryer easily fits into any hand. 60 percent slimmer and 75 percent lighter, it can also easily fit into your handbag, unlike other bulky blow dryers. 

Aside from its aesthetics, it also has a touch-sensitive grip sensor that makes it super easy to use.

But better, that means no more fumbling for buttons or switches – just grab and go (or don’t go if you’re trying to turn it off). Simply hold it to start and drop it to stop it within seconds. 

Tensky’s High-Speed Hair Dryer offers intelligent heat control

Regarding technical specs, it comes with an industry-standard 110,000 RPM high-speed brushless motor that produces wind speeds of up to 23m/s.

This is enough to dry short hair in one minute, medium hair in three minutes, and long and thick hair in five minutes max.

Experience the Benefits of Negative Ions

The Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer also features 200 million negative ions.

This helps break down the water molecules, speed up the drying process, and leave your hair silky smooth with zero frizz.

With its intelligent heat control function, filter, and 0.2mm air inlet, the Tensky High-Speed Blow Dryer helps prevents overheating or accidental burns.

On top of that, the touch-sensitive handle requires a firm grip on the dryer before it can be activated.

Tensky’s hair dryer has another neat feature. How so? It compensates for excessive heat using alternating hot and cold airstreams.

The hair dryer features four temperature modes. The modes include:

• Alternate airflows (hot and cold from 50°F to 180°F)
• Cold (at 50°F)
• Warm (at 140°F)
• Hot (at 180°F)

It also features dual power/speed settings and a circulating mode function.

The Tensky blow dryer is designed to dry your hair in half the time of most other dryers. But that’s not all – it also runs super quiet.

It operates smoothly and quietly at just 59 dB. In other words, it won’t disrupt your routine or make you go deaf as you use it.

Plus, it’s safe for everyone – kids, pregnant soon-to-be-mothers, and even the elderly can use it without any issue.

What’s more, with a 360^o  rotating magnetic nozzle, you can rest assured that it can reach every hair strand on your head.

Using it for other purposes can also allow you to blow dry objects at multiple angles, unlike a fixed nozzle.

Dry your hair in record time with the powerful Tensky hair dryer

 For only $189, you can get the amazing feature-rich Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer with free shipping anywhere in the world.

Now, it costs $189 if you don’t apply the discounts we secured from Tensky for KnowTechie readers.

Again, head to Amazon, clip the $40 on-site coupon and apply promo code TENSKYH3301 at checkout. That gets you this killer hair dryer for half off the usual asking price.

Sponsored

Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer

KnowTechie readers can save an insane 48% by clipping the $40 on-site coupon and using promo code TENSKYH3301 at checkout.

Rating

48% off Amazon

On-Going Offer

And as a gift item, you can never go wrong getting someone the Tensky High-Speed Hair Dryer.

Sure, the holidays may be over, but gifting one of these is one of the easiest ways to put a smile on a loved one’s face. 

Tensky High-Speed Hairdryer

Who is this good for?

• People in a rush who need something that can dry their hair super fast (like, in 1-5 minutes fast)
• Anyone who wants a hair dryer with seriously impressive features, like smart induction and a high-speed brushless motor
• Somebody who wants a high-performance hair dryer that’s also gentle on their hair and easy to use.

See at Amazon

See at Tensky

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Morus Zero Portable Dryer
• Review: RevAir hair dryer – it surprisingly sucks (in a good way)
• Samsung’s new washer and dryer uses AI to clean your dirty clothes
• The new Laifen Swift can dry your hair in half the time with less heat

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Dry your hair in a flash with the lightning-fast Tensky Hair Dryer appeared first on KnowTechie.

When setting up a TV or similar devices, you may have noticed an HDMI port called ARC (Audio Return Channel).

The ARC standard was designed to reduce cable clutter, streamline your setup and make your audio and video devices play nicely together.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is an audio and video equipment cable standard.

This popular and well-supported standard introduced the ARC protocol in HDMI version 1.4 in 2009. 

While ARC is not necessary, it makes setting up and using your equipment more convenient. It can also take advantage of newer audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS HD.

So, do you want to improve your home theater’s audio and video quality without adding extra cables or complexity?

HDMI ARC might be the answer. If this sounds good to you, we’ll explain what HDMI ARC is and how it can benefit you. Keep reading to learn more.

HDMI ARC: A quick overview

What should HDMI ARC be used for?

ARC and eARC (enhanced audio return channel) take advantage of the extra bandwidth available in HDMI cables to transfer audio signals from one device to another.

Previous to ARC, HDMI cables could only transfer audio in a singular direction.

Until the ARC standard was created, transferring sound from your TV to your audio equipment took multiple cables.

With HDMI ARC, you now only need one cable to achieve this. The HDMI cable is capable of sending and receiving audio from both directions.

ARC can transfer stereo and compressed 5.1 audio formats to and from your devices. It has a maximum bandwidth of about 1 Mbps per second.

The enhanced version is more capable but not nearly as common.

EARC supports the ARC audio formats and uncompressed 5.1, uncompressed 7.1, Dolby Atmos, and the DTS: X audio formats.

Furthermore, it can transfer significantly more data simultaneously with its 37 Mbps per second transfer rate.

Do I need HDMI ARC for a soundbar?

You don’t need HDMI ARC to connect to a soundbar. While ARC is useful and reduces the cables you need, there are various ways to connect to a soundbar.

If your soundbar supports it, you can connect external devices directly to it via HDMI cables and bypass the need for ARC altogether.

If your TV and soundbar both support Bluetooth audio, you can connect the two wirelessly and achieve similar results to ARC while keeping your cable usage down.

You can also connect your TV to the soundbar using an optical cable. This method isn’t as convenient but does a good job of getting sound from your TV to your audio equipment.

Do I need a special HDMI cable for ARC?

Fortunately, just about any HDMI cable you have lying around will work with ARC and eARC.

While ARC may have been introduced in HDMI version 1.4 and eARC was introduced in HDMI version 2.1, those refer to the ports themselves.

The cables haven’t changed all that much over the years, so you shouldn’t have any issues getting your old cables to work with ARC. 

Is HDMI ARC better than optical?

While optical is capable of getting sound from your TV to your audio equipment, it is not as good as HDMI ARC.

First, it has a maximum bandwidth of 384Kbps, less than half of the HDMI ARCs bandwidth.

Additionally, it does support the same stereo sound and compressed 5.1 audio formats as the standard ARC but doesn’t come close to matching eARC. 

Optical can’t handle various audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, DTS HD, and Dolby Digital Plus. However, you lose out on potential other benefits of the ARC standard by using an optical cable.

HDMI ARC has an optional feature (which is required on eARC) to sync your audio and video for you. This auto-syncing feature is not available on the optical standard.

Optical is fine for use with older equipment or setups. If you choose between these two, there is almost no reason not to choose ARC.

HDMI ARC is the way to go

Hopefully, you now understand HDMI ARC and how it can benefit you.

Whether you’re looking to simplify your home theater setup or improve your devices’ audio and video quality, HDMI ARC can be a great solution.

Just be sure to check that your TV, receiver, and other devices are HDMI ARC-compatible before you start using them.

With HDMI ARC, you’ll enjoy a seamless and hassle-free home entertainment experience like never before.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Vizio sound bar HDMI ARC not working? Here’s how to fix it
• How to connect a Vizio sound bar to a Samsung TV
• Vizio Sound Bar turning on or off by itself? Here’s how to fix it
• How to connect Harman Kardon speakers to TV?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post What’s HDMI ARC? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Gaining followers and increasing engagement after a well-edited post or strategic campaign is chef’s kiss-level satisfying.

But what happens if you get shadowbanned? It’s not a total ban, but it’s tragic.

This post will cover what a shadowban means and how to avoid one. Ready to jump in?

What does it mean to get shadowbanned on Instagram?

Your Instagram usage may not be bad enough to receive the permanent ban hammer from Meta, so a shadowban is the soft version.

Users can still operate accounts, but your posts have drastically reduced visibility. The algorithm sees shadowbanned accounts and gives them less priority in feeds. 

All your efforts to build an organic cult following or execute an expensive marketing strategy could be all for nothing, so ensure you aren’t already shadowbanned by checking your analytics.

If you’re in the clear, take note of these essential tips so you stay favored by Instagram’s algorithm.

Stop trying to make those hashtags happen

Banned hashtags exist. Type them into Instagram’s search before committing them to a comment when doing keyword research.

If you don’t see any posts for that hashtag, there’s probably a reason — don’t think you’re setting the trend by being first. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Another hashtag tip — it’s not ideal to be irrelevant, either.

To expand audiences, some users put popular hashtags in their descriptions that don’t apply to the post to get new eyes on the account.

If Instagram catches you trying to be sneaky this way, that’s a red flag for them to shadowban you.

Read the terms and conditions

The community guidelines are the bread and butter of Instagram life.

Any violation could get you instantly shadowbanned, so if you’re concerned you are or will accidentally break the rules, familiarize yourself with them instead. 

They cover everything from how to foster a fanbase of real people — not bots — and post content that makes viewers happy.

The platform strives to be positive and inclusive, and content that acts as a barrier to that goal will be punished. 

Give credit where credit is due

Many creative, innovative, and hard-working people share content on Instagram.

In a world where giving credit is celebrated, it doesn’t benefit anyone to plagiarize or steal writing or art for a few followers or increased engagement. 

The internet effectively scouts for copied content, and users can also submit reports if they see their posts on an account that isn’t theirs.

Repeated reports are a sign your content shouldn’t be in other feeds.

Original information is where it’s at, and it’s more interactive for the account and its followers because it sparks genuine conversations.

Don’t automate your way to the top 

Marketers and internet-savvy people have tried to optimize Instagram since it was born.

You can buy followers, incorporate third-party apps to automate an activity, and join number-hungry engagement pods to create an infinite feedback loop of engagement. 

Spoiler alert — all these strategies can get you shadowbanned.

Anything that signals to the app you’re acting like a bot or a part of groups that exploit users will result in repercussions.

Leave engagement pods, minimize third-party app access, and unfollow and block bots following and interacting with your content.

You don’t want to associate with them, and neither does Instagram.

Remember that content is Instagram royalty

Honestly, the most significant way to stay on Instagram’s good side is to make quality content.

There’s no reason to get followers or be on the platform if nobody cares about your feed.

Posting unique, informative content will keep people interested, regardless of what product you’re promoting. 

There are many avenues to express creative visions, especially since Instagram has expanded its features to include videos, reels, and highlights.

There’s probably still more in the works with future app updates.

Stay out of Instagram’s shadow

For most, avoiding a shadowban won’t require extra effort.

However, you might run into some issues if you’re trying to ramp up engagement fast or make it to the top of every hashtag in a split second.

The magic behind social media platforms is data, and that data can recognize suspicious activity like no other.

Engage authentically and creatively. You’ll be fine if you take time to socialize and express yourself on the platform as it was intended.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to change the font on your Instagram profile?
• Who’s the most followed person on Instagram?
• Instagram finally adds better way to get back lost accounts
• What is Vanish Mode on Instagram?

The post 5 tips to avoid getting shadowbanned on Instagram appeared first on KnowTechie.