List of Banned Instagram Hashtags in 2024

Written by: Jules Samuel | Est. 9 min.

Instagram is a social media powerhouse where millions of users share content daily. A major part of getting visibility on Instagram is using hashtags. But not all hashtags are equal—some are banned. These banned hashtags are hidden from public search results due to associations with spam, inappropriate content, or violations of Instagram’s community guidelines. In this article, we’ll dive into the list of banned Instagram hashtags for 2024 and discuss how using them can harm your account.

2024 Updated List of Banned Instagram Hashtags

General Banned Hashtags (Common Across Multiple Categories)

These are frequently used hashtags that Instagram has flagged due to their association with irrelevant, misleading, or inappropriate content:

#adulting – Often linked to off-topic, irrelevant posts.
#alone – Sensitive mental health topic, sometimes misused.
#beautyblogger – Frequently targeted by spammers and misused.
#besties – Misleading and irrelevant use, often flagged for spam.
#boho – Linked to commercial spam.
#curvygirls – Sometimes associated with explicit content.
#costumes – Frequently used in inappropriate or spammy contexts.
#desk – Misused for irrelevant content.
#humpday – Frequently flagged due to misuse or explicit connotations.
#kissing – Often used in suggestive or inappropriate contexts.

Hashtags Linked to Spam or Misleading Use

Some hashtags are abused by spammers or linked to irrelevant, low-quality content:

#abdl – Adult Baby Diaper Lover, used for inappropriate content.
#addmyonlyfans – Direct promotion of explicit content.
#addmysc – Used for promoting Snapchat accounts, often with explicit content.
#edm – Frequently associated with spam, especially in the music niche.
#direct – Linked to spammy DM promotions.
#mustfollow – Often exploited for spammy “follow-for-follow” campaigns.
#balenciaga – Brand-related spam posts.
#instagood – Often overused, resulting in low engagement due to its saturation.
#newyearsday – Linked to commercialized spam, often irrelevant.
#workflow – Frequently misused in irrelevant posts, reducing its effectiveness.

Hashtags Associated with Explicit or Inappropriate Content

Some hashtags are banned due to their explicit nature or being linked to content violating Instagram’s guidelines:

#ass – Frequently associated with inappropriate or explicit content.
#assday – Linked to explicit posts.
#assworship – Misused for inappropriate content.
#babyrp – Inappropriate or concerning role-playing activities.
#bikinibody – Linked to objectifying and explicit content.
#milf – Adult content in violation of Instagram’s guidelines.
#nudity – Promotes explicit material, against Instagram’s community standards.
#pornfood – Often misused to share inappropriate posts.
#undies – Explicit content linked to lingerie and inappropriate visuals.
#youngmodel – Inappropriately used, especially concerning minors.

Hashtags Linked to Mental Health and Sensitive Issues

Instagram takes special care when it comes to topics of mental health. These hashtags are banned to prevent harmful content:

#selfharm – Directly encourages dangerous behaviors.
#depression – A sensitive topic often misused inappropriately.
#suicide – Banned to avoid promoting self-harm or dangerous ideas.
#anorexia – Encourages unhealthy or harmful content related to body image.
#alone – Sensitive topic that often appears in negative mental health discussions.
#thinspiration – Promotes dangerous, unhealthy body images.

Hashtags Flagged for Illegal Activities or Misinformation

Certain hashtags are banned due to promoting illegal actions or spreading harmful misinformation:

#xanax – Linked to the promotion of illegal drug use.
#opioid – Promotes discussions around illegal drug use.
#weed – Though legal in some areas, banned on Instagram due to varying laws globally.
#undage – Promotes illegal or inappropriate content concerning minors.
#fake – Often associated with counterfeit goods or misleading information.
#brain – Linked to misleading health advice or dangerous information.
#fentanyl – Associated with illegal drugs and harmful discussions.

Seasonal or Event-Related Hashtags Banned Due to Spam

Some hashtags linked to popular events or seasonal activities become overused or misused for spammy content:

#happythanksgiving – Frequently linked to commercial spam or irrelevant posts.
#valentinesday – Over-commercialized and often misused for irrelevant content.
#christmas – Misused for spammy promotions, especially during the holiday season.
#blackfriday – Overused in spammy commercial campaigns.
#cybermonday – Often linked to excessive advertising or spam.

Commercial Spam and Overused Hashtags

These hashtags are frequently flagged for misuse in commercial spam campaigns:

#customers – Misused for irrelevant tagging in sales campaigns.
#hardworkpaysoff – Frequently used in irrelevant or spammy contexts.
#loseweight – Misused for promoting dubious weight loss products.
#fitspiration – Often overused by spammy fitness-related accounts.
#tbt – “Throwback Thursday” but used too broadly, sometimes flagged for irrelevance.
#fashionista – Saturated by spammy, low-quality posts.
#instafollow – Frequently linked to spammy follower-growth schemes.

Hashtags Flagged Due to Cultural or Regional Sensitivity

Some hashtags get banned because they’re linked to content that’s deemed inappropriate or offensive in certain cultural contexts:

#asiangirl – Misused in objectifying or inappropriate content.
#asia – Often flagged for spam or inappropriate posts.
#africa – Misused for commercial or irrelevant content.
#hustler – Frequently misused for self-promotion and spam.

Other Notable Banned Hashtags

Here are additional banned hashtags that don’t fit into the above categories but are flagged for specific reasons:

#snapchat – Linked to external app promotions, often misused.
#iphonegraphy – Misused in irrelevant posts.
#youngmodel – Frequently linked to inappropriate content concerning minors.
#shit – Explicit and offensive, banned for inappropriate language.
#tagsforlikes – Linked to spammy engagement campaigns.
#snowstorm – Often used in irrelevant or spammy contexts.
#tanlines – Linked to explicit or suggestive content.
#stranger – Misused in irrelevant or inappropriate contexts.
#swole – Associated with spammy fitness posts.

Why Instagram Bans Hashtags

Instagram’s goal is to maintain a positive and safe environment for all its users. Hashtags that are linked to spam, explicit content, or even misinformation often get banned. Let’s break down why some hashtags make the list:

Spam: Hashtags linked to spammy content or frequently used by bots are a big target for Instagram. For example, hashtags like #mustfollow or #like4like are often exploited in “follow-for-follow” schemes, which violate Instagram’s guidelines.
Explicit Content: Certain hashtags, like #nudity or #milf, are directly associated with adult content and violate Instagram’s rules on explicit material.
Misinformation: Hashtags like #brain or #xanax may be tied to misleading health claims or illegal activities, which goes against Instagram’s effort to combat misinformation.
Irrelevant or Misleading Use: Sometimes, hashtags that seem innocent, like #boho or #besties, get misused in posts that don’t match the context, leading them to be flagged and banned.

Instagram keeps a close watch on how hashtags are used, and if one becomes problematic, it’s added to the banned list.

How Using Banned Hashtags Affects Your Instagram Account

The consequences of using banned hashtags on Instagram can be pretty severe. Here’s what happens if you use them:

Shadowbanning: This is the big one. If you use a banned hashtag, Instagram’s algorithm may hide your posts from everyone except your current followers. This means your content won’t show up in search results or hashtag feeds, drastically reducing your visibility.
Reduced Reach: Posts with banned hashtags get less engagement—fewer likes, comments, and shares. Instagram’s algorithm penalizes posts that include banned tags, making them almost invisible.
Account Penalties: Repeated use of banned hashtags can lead to more significant penalties. In extreme cases, Instagram may temporarily suspend or even permanently ban your account if it’s deemed a repeat offender.

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How to Check If a Hashtag Is Banned

It’s important to stay on top of which hashtags are banned to protect your account from shadowbans. Here are a few simple ways to check if a hashtag is banned:

Manual Check: You can manually search for a hashtag on Instagram. If only top posts are shown and there’s a message like, “Recent posts from #hashtag are currently hidden,” then it’s banned. This method works but can be time-consuming if you use a lot of hashtags.
Hashtag Tools: Tools like Spikerz and MetaHashtags provide real-time banned hashtag checkers. You can paste a list of your hashtags, and these tools will tell you which ones are banned. Some tools even offer insights on the performance of your chosen hashtags.
Instagram’s Own Alerts: In some cases, Instagram will alert you if you’ve used a problematic hashtag. While this isn’t as reliable as using a dedicated tool, it’s still a helpful feature to keep an eye on.

Using these methods can help you avoid banned hashtags and keep your engagement strong.

Steps to Recover From a Shadowban Due to Banned Hashtags

If you suspect that you’ve been shadowbanned due to using banned hashtags, don’t panic! There are steps you can take to recover your account:

Stop Using Banned Hashtags: First and foremost, go through your recent posts and delete any banned hashtags. This will prevent further damage to your account.
Pause Posting: Sometimes taking a short break from posting—anywhere from 48 hours to a week—can help reset your account’s visibility.
Engage with Followers: Keep your account active by engaging with your current followers through comments and DMs, even if you’re not posting. This signals to Instagram’s algorithm that your account is still active and relevant.
Use Instagram’s Support: If the shadowban persists, try reaching out to Instagram’s support team. While it can be tough to get a direct response, reporting the issue may help in some cases.
Stick to Clean Hashtags: Moving forward, only use hashtags that you know are safe. You can do a quick check before posting, and using less common but relevant hashtags can also help avoid future issues.

Recovering from a shadowban can take time, but by following these steps, you can get your account back on track.

Frequently Asked Questions About Banned Hashtags

1. How do I know if a hashtag is banned?

You can check manually by searching for the hashtag on Instagram or using a dedicated banned hashtag checker tool. If you see a message like “Recent posts from #hashtag are hidden,” the hashtag is likely banned.

2. Will using a banned hashtag once hurt my account?

Using a banned hashtag once might not cause immediate harm, but repeated use can lead to penalties like shadowbanning or reduced engagement.

3. How often does Instagram update its banned hashtags list?

Instagram regularly updates the list, but there isn’t a specific schedule. It’s a good idea to frequently check the status of the hashtags you use, especially if they’re popular or trendy.

4. What happens if I use a banned hashtag unknowingly?

If you unknowingly use a banned hashtag, it could still lead to reduced visibility for that post. The best way to avoid this is by regularly checking the status of your go-to hashtags.

Conclusion

Understanding and avoiding banned Instagram hashtags is essential to keeping your account visible and growing. Regularly checking for updates and using tools to scan your hashtags can save you from the penalties that come with shadowbans and reduced engagement.

Stay informed, avoid problematic tags, and your account will continue to thrive in the competitive world of Instagram. Pair your strategy with increased engagement—get more likes to boost your visibility safely on Instagram. Get started now!

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