Hashtags can be described as a system that categorizes social media posts, allowing users to filter content. In order to content filtering a lot easier, Instagram lets users follow hashtags, just the way to follow Instagram handles. This way the user gets updates on posts made under that hashtag or category.
The fact that hashtags categorizes post means a lot to social media influencers and every enthusiast interested in having a huge influx of followers and content engagement in general. Using popular hashtags on your Instagram post can influence your content engagement both positively and negatively.
Using a popular hashtag that hasn’t been banned means you have a high chance of getting immense engagement on that post. You could get new followers, many likes and comments. However, if you use a banned hashtag, your Instagram post is going to appear on the explore tab and your Instagram handle may also end up being shadowbanned.
The availability of internet connection in handheld devices gave social media platforms huge boosts. Today many people spend a large fraction of their day on social media, which makes it very easy to share information via social media. Many people get to know about the latest trends from social media. This fact facilitated the authorities on Instagram to take precautionary measures again spreading harmful content on Instagram. Banning hashtags ins one of the precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of harmful media content.
Aside from bringing down harmful media content, Instagram also bans hashtags that are super popular, because it slows that down their paid ads business. With these popular hashtags on the loos, enthusiasts can get their content to many people for free. Below is a list of the types of hashtags that easily get banned on Instagram:
- Hashtags that bear posts of people talking about sensitive content that they do not have authority over ( imagine the #covid19 hashtag being crowded with false information. This could increase the already existing paranoia in the society)
- Hashtags affiliated with organized crime and all other illegal things against the law
- Hashtags affiliated with sexual content that doesn’t meet the community guideline.
- Hashtags with posts that contain hate speeches
- Hashtags that contain graphic contents (Content that feature tearing of body parts, gory accidents, terror and lots more)
- Posts that support self-harm
How To Know If A Hashtag Has Been Banned
It is pretty much impossible to know all the banned Instagram hashtags by heart. However, you can conveniently vet the hashtags they intend to use on their next Instagram post. The steps are outlined below:
- Enter the name of the hashtag in the search bar
- Swipe to the tags section
- Enter the hashtag
- Scroll down and look out for the notice “currently hidden“
Note: Hashtags with the currently hidden notice has been banned.
The Full List of Banned Instagram Hashtags
A
- #adultlife
- #abc7ny
- #alone
- #always
- #americangirl
- #armparty
- #adulting
- #asia
- #attractive
- #assday
- #ass
- #abcess
- #abdl
- #assworship
- #addmysc
- #africanexpeditions
- #agariogaming
- #akiralane
- #asiangirl
- #allbreasts
- #amearalavey
- #animenoobs
- #afourchamberedheart
- #audaciousprayer
B
- #beautyblogger
- #beautydirectory
- #brain
- #babe
- #boho
- #bbc
- #besties
- #bikinibody
- #books
- #beyonce
C
- #curvy
- #costumes
- #cpr
- #curvygirls
D
- #direct
- #dating
- #dm
- #date
- #dadylove
- #desk
- #dogsofinstagram
E-F
- #easter
- #eggplant
- #elevator
- #edm
- #followforfollow
- #fitnessgirls
- #fishnets
G
- #girlsonly
- #goddess
- #gloves
- #graffitiigers
H
- #hotweather
- #happythanksgiving
- #hardworkpaysoff
- #hawks
- #humpday
- #hustler
I
- #ig
- #ilovemyinstagram
- #instamood
- #instababy
- #instasport
- #iphonegraphy
- #italiano
J-K
- #killingit
- #kissing
- #kickoff
- #kansas
L
- #l4l
- #like
- #leaves
- #lingerie
- #likeback
- #likeforlike
- #lulu
- #livinforalivin
- #loseweight
- #lean
M
- #milf
- #master
- #mileycyrus
- #mustfollow
- #mirrorphoto
- #models
N-O
- #newyearsday
- #nasty
- #newyears
- #orderweedonline
- #overnight
- #outdoorbirth
P
- #parties
- #petite
- #popular
- #pornfood
- #pushups
- #prettygirl
- #puppydogmondays
- #publicrelations
Q-R
- #qatar
- #quadveins
- #rate
- #ravens
S
- #samelove
- #selfharm
- #snapchat
- #skateboarding
- #skype
- #stranger
- #snap
- #single
- #singlelife
- #saltwater
- #shower
- #sallyhansen
- #sopretty
- #stud
- #sunbathing
- #streetphoto
- #swole
- #shit
- #snowstorm
T
- #tgif
- #todayimwearing
- #teen
- #treasurethesemoments
- #teens
- #tanlines
- #thought
- #tag4like
- #thighs
- #tagsforlikes
U-V
- #undies
- #valentinesday
W
- #woman
- #womancrushwednesday
- #workflow
- #women
- #wtf
X-Y-Z
- #xxx
- #xenociteclad
- #xanax
- #yochale
- #your_sinful_memory
- #youngmodel
Wrapping it up:
Without a doubt, hash tags play a very imperative role in the growth of an instagram page, but using the wrong hashtag or using them wrongly will harm your content engagment. You are adviced to take cognisance of the listed banned hashtags and also use the prodcure discussed above to vet the hastags before you use them.