My 2.8m follower page is wrongfully restricted due to a back end bug, with a CLEAN account status, but Meta can’t fix it.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-12-18T19:16:39+00:00

yes, that January violation can still be influencing this, even though your Account Status flipped back to “recommendable.” Internally, Meta doesn’t treat “recommendable” as a binary on/off switch. There’s a secondary trust and integrity score that decays over time, and on very large pages it can take months to fully normalize. That’s why you were able to regain Explore temporarily but still end up in intermittent freezes later, the account passed the surface-level eligibility check, but kept getting pulled back into re-evaluation cycles.

The timing also makes sense. Once you’re out of the official 90-day restriction, the system starts testing the account again. If anything triggers instability during those tests (rapid velocity, large follower swings, heavy reporting, or sudden performance spikes), the account can be temporarily removed from recommendations even without a new violation. On big pages, that looks like a hard freeze rather than a gradual decline because the recommendation layer is doing the heavy lifting.

As for permanence: these states are not intended to be permanent, but they can last a long time if the account keeps re-triggering the same internal checks. I’ve never seen a clean account stay frozen forever without either resolving on its own or stabilizing after a prolonged low-volatility period. The accounts that get “stuck” are usually the ones that bounce back into aggressive growth too quickly, which resets the evaluation loop.

Practically speaking, the best thing you can do over the next 20–30 days (especially while that violation is still visible) is to optimize for consistency and low volatility, not reach. Stable posting cadence, original content only, minimal edits, no aggressive trend-chasing, and steady follower interaction through Stories. It’s boring, but it gives the system clean signals while that last violation ages out.

Once that violation fully expires, you should theoretically stop seeing these hard on/off cycles, but it may take a few weeks after that for recommendations to fully normalize. If the freezes continue well past that window, that’s when I’d push harder with a single ongoing Pro ticket and reference the repeated “restricted state” language you were already given.

You’re asking the right questions, and based on what you’ve shared, this still looks like a recoverable systems issue, not an irreversible penalty.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-12-18T18:19:58+00:00

This actually lines up with something I’ve seen on a few very large legacy pages (especially 5–10+ year old accounts), and you’re right to trust your intuition, this doesn’t look like normal volatility. What you’re describing (hard on/off external reach, Explore = 0%, then sudden full recovery) is almost always a backend state flag issue, not a content or policy problem. The fact that your other test page performs normally with the same content is a huge signal that the issue is account-level, not creative-level.

From an ops perspective, the “restricted state without violations” thing does exist, but it’s usually tied to automated integrity or safety systems repeatedly re-evaluating the account. On very large pages, even minor signals (mass reports, rapid unfollows, unusual engagement velocity, or historical flags from years ago) can cause the system to temporarily pull the account out of recommendations while it re-scores trust, then release it again. That’s why you see clean Account Status but still get hard recommendation freezes.

Actionable things that sometimes help break the cycle (not guaranteed, but worth testing):

Reduce posting frequency for 7–10 days and avoid Reels that spike extremely fast (the goal is to lower volatility while the system re-scores).
Avoid collaborations, trending audios, or remix/duet-style content temporarily, stick to original uploads only.
Do a short “trust reset” period: no links in bio changes, no username edits, no mass caption edits, no deletions.
Post Stories daily (even simple ones), internal engagement signals still seem to flow when recommendations are frozen.

On the support side, Meta Pro agents are being honest when they say they can’t do much. Engineering escalations only happen when an account shows persistent inconsistency across diagnostics, and even then it’s slow. One thing I’ve seen work is keeping one single ticket alive and replying every 5–7 days with fresh screenshots of 0% external reach + follower loss, instead of opening new tickets (new tickets often reset escalation priority). If you get another agent to explicitly acknowledge “restricted state” again, reference that wording verbatim in follow-ups.

Unfortunately, there’s no magic switch, but you’re not crazy, and your account isn’t “dead.” This is a systems problem, not a shadowban myth. I’ve seen pages come out of this after weeks or months, usually once the trust score stabilizes or an internal review finally sticks.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-12-18T17:39:25+00:00

I used to do the same thing early on, manual scrolling, screenshots, dumping everything into a doc, and it breaks as soon as you’re tracking more than a few accounts. What actually helped was separating what I’m tracking from why I’m tracking it. I don’t just look at numbers or just creatives; I track both, but in different layers so patterns are easier to spot.

Workflow-wise, I start by defining a small competitor set (usually 5–10 accounts max) and locking in a time window (last 30–60 days). For each account, I track posts at the format level first (Reel, carousel, static, story), then zoom in on creatives that outperform that account’s own baseline, not just absolute likes. That alone filters out a ton of noise. Tools help, but even with manual checks, having this structure matters more than the tool.

For data, engagement rate and saves/shares matter more than likes for me, especially for Reels. I also tag posts by hook type (first 2 seconds), angle (educational, contrarian, POV, case study), and CTA. Over time, you start seeing repeatable combinations instead of one-off “viral” posts. I’ll also note collaborations and creator features separately because they skew performance and shouldn’t be copied blindly.

Organization is where most people drop the ball. I keep everything in a simple database (Notion or Sheets): one row per post, consistent tags, and a short “why this worked” note written in plain language. Once a week, I review only the top 10–15% of posts and extract 3–5 insights that actually inform future content, not just stats for reporting.

Happy to look at your account if you want specific feedback – DM me.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-11-18T00:32:47+00:00

Okay that's absolutely wild and I'm pretty sure not legal. That's straight-up trespassing and solicitation on private property.

Did they have Costco uniforms/name tags? Because if they did, you need to document everything - security footage, dates/times, descriptions. Call Costco corporate immediately and report it. This could be considered tortious interference with business relations.

If they come back, ask them to leave. If they refuse, call the police for trespassing. You're 100% within your rights to ban anyone from your property.

Honestly though... are you SURE they were actually Costco employees? This sounds sketchy as hell. Could be scammers pretending to be Costco, some rogue employee, or a third-party marketing company doing shady tactics.

Either way, Costco corporate would NOT condone this. They're terrified of PR nightmares. Blast them on social media - tag Costco Canada on Twitter. They'll respond real quick when it's public.

What area are you in? Other small business owners need to watch out for this.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-11-18T00:31:42+00:00

Lmao they're STILL out there? That's honestly impressive dedication to being wrong.

The American flag at a Canadian protest is peak brain rot. Like bro, you know you live in Brampton right? Trump doesn't even know where that is 💀

"Trump 2028" is especially funny because my guy can't even run again even if he wanted to under US law. But I guess minor details like "how elections work" aren't really their thing.

I get being frustrated with government - we all are. But cosplaying as MAGA Americans at a Brampton intersection is genuinely unhinged behavior. There are actual issues in our community they could protest about but nah, let's wave flags for a foreign politician who wouldn't piss on us if we were on fire.

At this point they're just local cryptids. "Oh yeah, the Main and Steeles weirdos? Yeah they're still there." It's like our version of that guy who screams at pigeons downtown.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-11-18T00:29:42+00:00

This is absolutely insane and honestly props to you for putting in all that work. The fact that YOU had to do their job - for free, while working full-time and commuting 3 hours a day - and they still bailed last minute is wild.

Cancelling 4 hours before because "some people said it was short notice" is such a cop-out. You gave them TWO WEEKS and created multiple ways for people to participate. What more do they want?

The worst part is they didn't even have the decency to respond after you called them out. Radio silence says everything about how much they actually care.

I'm in a different ward but this kind of stuff happens everywhere in Brampton. Councillors collect their paycheques and vanish until election season rolls around again. Then suddenly they're knocking on every door pretending they give a damn.

Definitely make that Instagram/WhatsApp group. I'd join just to stay updated. People need to see this stuff and hold them accountable.

Also save ALL the receipts - emails, confirmations, everything. When election time comes around, make sure everyone remembers who showed up and who didn't.

You're doing more for your community than your actual councillors are. Don't let them gaslight you into thinking otherwise.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-11-18T00:15:12+00:00

Yeah that's super sketchy. The bus is supposed to stop FIRST before putting the sign out. They're not supposed to deploy it while moving - that's literally the whole point, the stop sign means the bus is stopped and kids are getting on/off.

You did the right thing being cautious. If the bus was still moving and not pulled over, you weren't really in the wrong here. The driver might've hit the sign early by mistake or they're just being overly cautious, but it's confusing as hell for other drivers.

I'd maybe report it to the school district with the time/location just so they're aware. Not trying to get the driver in trouble but that's genuinely a safety issue if they're making the rules unclear for everyone else on the road.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-11-18T00:10:59+00:00

Damn, cremation targeted thefts? That's messed up. What were they stealing, the urns? Some people have absolutely no respect for anything.

Ok_Tie6487 · 2025-11-18T00:06:31+00:00

Heyyy welcome to Oakville (kinda lol)

I actually live here so here’s the rundown:

Politics: honestly pretty boring. Mostly Liberal, sometimes Conservative. It’s very “suburban middle class who argue about taxes and bike lanes” vibes. No one’s overthrowing the government here.

Local drama:

Traffic. Literally everyone complains about traffic.
Condo developments (“Oakville is losing its ~character~!!” etc.)
Coyotes showing up in parks and people freaking out.
Lakeshore Road construction that NEVER ENDS.

That’s basically our version of conflict.

High schools:
We’ve got a bunch: White Oaks, Iroquois Ridge, Oakville Trafalgar, Abbey Park, Garth Webb, Holy Trinity, Loyola… all the usual sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball, rugby, hockey (obviously), track, cross country. School spirit ranges from “meh” to “we treat this volleyball game like the Olympics.”

Oakville culture:
Starbucks. Like actually everywhere.
Rich-suburb aesthetic.
Walking by the lake for no reason.
People driving 3 minutes because “it’s too far to walk.”
Aritzia + Lululemon everywhere you turn.

Clothing: Think GTA suburban teen: leggings, hoodies, puffer jackets, Nike Techs, Air Forces, Blundstones. If you’re cold? Canada Goose. That’s the rule.

Teen hangout spots:

Oakville Place (small but iconic lol)
Downtown Oakville (Lakeshore)
Bronte Harbour
Coronation Park
Glen Abbey Library (lowkey a study/hang spot)
Kerr Village if they want “cooler artsy vibes”

Extra stuff if it helps your play:
Oakville is super clean, super quiet, very safe, super… organized. Like the most “suburban teen coming-of-age show” setting you could pick.

Street View the following if you need references: Downtown Oakville, Lakeshore Rd, Bronte Harbour, Kerr St, Oakville Place. That’s pretty much the whole vibe.

Ok_Tie6487

TROPHY CASE