Hello business owners! Do you need help building your business online? Yes, we can understand you have a lot of tasks to manage. But, are you building your brand presence on the Instagram platform? If yes, then you need to know the common banned hashtags on Instagram. Yes, we are not joking. Instagram is a widely used platform with more than 2000 million active users as of April 2024.
Still, being a popular social media platform, it comes with some strict regulations. And, missteps in hashtags on Instagram can severely affect your brand reach and engagement.
So, instead of taking so much trouble and stress, why not understand more about the banned hashtags on Instagram and save your business from the impact of banned hashtags? In this quick guide, we will cover everything you need to know about Instagram-banned hashtags and also will be sharing the full list of banned hashtags on Instagram as a bonus tip. With no delays, let's quickly get into the topic called what are banned hashtags.
What are Banned Hashtags on Instagram?
Before we get into the full list of banned hashtags on Instagram, let's understand some basics, including the meaning of ban hashtags, the types of banned hashtags, and the impact of using them on your content visibility.
Simply put, an Instagram ban hashtag refers to specific words or phrases that Instagram has flagged and restricted. This restriction is mostly due to their association with inappropriate content, including spam, misinformation, or offensive material, which can trigger the Instagram algorithm to suppress your content.
Types of Banned Hashtags on Instagram in 2024
There are generally 3 types of Instagram ban hashtags. These include:
1. Excessively Broad Hashtags
The first type of Instagram-banned hashtags is those that are overly generic. These hashtags include terms like #love, #happy, #photooftheday, and #instagood.
>While these hashtags are not offensive, their broad appeal attracts a vast number of users, leading to a high volume of posts that may not always be relevant or high-quality.
This can make it harder for users to find the posts they really want to see. As a result, Instagram might ban these hashtags to cut down on spam and make sure users have a better experience.
2. Implicitly Inappropriate Hashtags
The second type of Instagram-banned hashtags are those that might seem harmless but actually lead to content that breaks Instagram's rules.
For example, hashtags like #weedstagram or #sexytime might seem harmless, at first. However, using these hashtags can result in posts being removed or accounts being restricted because they violate Instagram's community guidelines.
3. Explicitly Offensive Hashtags
The third type of banned hashtags are those directly associated with hate speech, bullying, or discrimination. These hashtags promote harmful content that Instagram aims to eliminate.
For example, hashtags such as #racialslurs or #fatshaming are explicitly offensive because they promote discrimination or hurtful behavior, violating Instagram's policies.
Top 3 Impacts Of Using Banned Hashtags on Instagram
The implications of using Instagram ban hashtags are numerous and can significantly affect your Instagram growth. Here are the top three impacts:
1. Low Visibility of the Account
The first implication of using Instagram ban hashtags is reduced visibility. If you consistently use banned hashtags, Instagram's algorithm can penalize your post by making it less visible in search results and hashtag feeds. This content suppression results in reduced engagement for your posts.
You'll start getting fewer likes, comments, and shares, as your post is visible to a smaller audience only. This will ultimately impact your reach and hinder your account's growth and influence on the platform.
2. Shadowbanning of the Account
The second implication of using banned hashtags is shadowbanning. Shadowban, or shadow ban, occurs when your posts become invisible to anyone who doesn't follow you. This can happen if you frequently use banned hashtags.
While Instagram denies that shadowban exists, many users report a significant drop in engagement when using problematic hashtags. This hidden penalty can severely limit your ability to attract new followers and grow your audience, affecting your overall Instagram growth.
3. Instagram Account Suspension
The third implication of using banned hashtags is account suspension. In severe cases, repeated use of banned hashtags can lead to account suspension.
Instagram takes violations of its community guidelines seriously, and repeated offenses can result in your account being temporarily or permanently disabled.
This can lead to a severe loss of all your content, followers, and the effort you've invested in growing the account.
These are just a few common impacts of using Instagram ban hashtags. There are more reasons, and trust us, it can severely impact your social media growth.
To avoid these banned hashtags, let's look into the full list of banned hashtags on Instagram and learn how to protect your account.
These are just a few common impacts of using the Instagram hashtag ban. There are more reasons and trust us it can severely impact you. So, to avoid these banned hashtags let us look into the full list of banned hashtags on Instagram and save your account instantly.
Check Out The Full List of Banned Hashtags on Instagram
Now that you've got some insight on banned hashtags, let's quickly look into the banned hashtag list and know which hashtags are banned on Instagram.
| Letter | Banned Hashtags |
|---|---|
| A | #abdl, #addmysc, #adulting, #alone, #always, #americangirl, #armparty, #asiangirl, #ass, #assday, #assworship, #attractive |
| B | #babe, #bbc, #beautyblogger, #beautydirectory, #besties, #bikinibody, #boho, #books, #brain |
| C | #costumes, #curvygirls, #cpr, #curvy, #customers |
| C | #costumes, #curvygirls, #cpr, #curvy, #customers |
| D | #date, #dating, #desk, #direct, #dm, #daddylove, #dogsofinstagram |
| E | #edm, #eggplant, #elevator, #easter, #eggplantparm |
| F | #fishnets, #fitnessgirls, #followforfollows |
| G | #girlsonly, #gloves, #goddess, #graffitiigers |
| H | #happythanksgiving, #hardworkpaysoff, #hawks, #hotweather, #humpday, #hustler |
| I | #instasport, #iphonegraphy, #italiano, #ice, #ig, #ilovemyinstagram, #instababy, #instamood |
| K | #kickoff, #killingit, #kissing, #kansas |
| L | #loseweight, #lulu, #141, #lean, #like, #likeback, #likeforlike, #lingerie, #livinforalivin |
| M | #master, #mileycyrus, #milf, #mirrorphoto, #models, #mustfollow |
| N | #nasty, #newyearsday, #nudity, #newyears |
| O | #overnight |
| P | #parties, #petite, #pornfood, #prettygirl, #pushups, #publicrelations, #puppydogmondays |
| R | #rate, #ravens |
| S | #saltwater, #samelove, #selfharm, #single, #singlelife, #skateboarding, #skype, #snap, #snapchat, #snowstorm, #sopretty,#stranger, #streetphoto, #sunbathing, #swole, #shower, #shit, #sexworker, #stud |
| T | #tag4like, #tagsforlikes, #tanlines, #todayimwearing, #teens, #teen, #thought, #tgif, #treasurethesemoments |
| U | #undies, #underage |
| V | #valentinesday |
| W | #workflow, #woman, #womancrushwednesday, #women, #wtf |
| Y | #youngmodel |
How To Know That The Hashtag Is Banned From Instagram?
Was the list helpful? Surely, it has given you some valuable information. But your challenge doesn't end here. Instagram often updates its banned hashtag list and introduces new rules. If you're wondering how to know if a hashtag is banned on Instagram, here are 3 effective ways:
1. Check the Banned Hashtags List
The easiest way to check for banned Instagram hashtags is to refer to a banned hashtag list. Bookmark a reliable list for easy reference. This way, you can quickly see if any of the hashtags you're planning to use are banned.
2. Search in Instagram Explore
Another method to check for Instagram ban hashtags is to search for the hashtag in Instagram Explore. If the hashtag is banned,
you'll see a message in the search results saying, "Recent posts for #[hashtag] are hidden because some posts may not follow Instagram's Community Guidelines." If you don't see this message, the hashtag is not banned, and you can freely use it in your post.
3. Use a Hashtag Checker Tool
For a more automated approach, you can use a banned hashtag checker. These tools allow you to check multiple hashtags at once and quickly determine whether they're banned or not.
For instance, you can use Hootsuite's free Instagram banned hashtags checker. Simply type the hashtag, and you'll instantly know if it's safe to use.
By following these simple steps, you'll be able to identify whether the hashtags you're using are banned or not. But wait, there's more! We'll be sharing some bonus tips on how to prevent using Instagram ban hashtags and improve your hashtag strategy.
Using this approach to check for banned Instagram hashtags you can easily get access to multiple hashtags and know whether they are banned or not. For instance, you can use Hootsuite's free Instagram banned hashtags checker. Just simply type the hashtag and instantly check for banned Instagram hashtags.
Following these simple steps, you will surely get to know whether the hashtags you are using are banned or not. Don't go anywhere. We will be revealing some bonus tips on how to prevent Instagram-banned hashtags.
3 Bonus Tips: How to Avoid Instagram-Banned Hashtags?
1. Use a variety of relevant hashtags rather than repeating the same ones, as this can be flagged as spam. Conduct thorough hashtag research to find diverse, relevant tags for your content.
2. Avoid excessive interactions and following too many accounts rapidly, and refrain from uploading stories excessively. This behavior can trigger Instagram's algorithm and potentially lead to shadowban.
3. Ensure your captions and hashtags vary between posts to avoid appearing automated or spammy to Instagram's algorithms. Develop a robust hashtag strategy that includes a mix of popular, niche, and branded hashtags.
Final Words
In conclusion, while Instagram hashtags are key to your social media growth, understanding and avoiding banned hashtags on Instagram is fundamental for maintaining a positive online presence. By adhering to these simple practices and using hashtag research tools, you can significantly benefit your business's online reputation and enhance your social media strategy effectively.
Looking to optimize your social media campaigns and improve your hashtag performance? Contact us today and check out our custom services that will help you navigate your Instagram journey and maximize your brand's impact online. Get a free business audit delivered to your inbox instantly and take your Instagram growth to the next level!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do some Instagram hashtags get banned?
Ans. Some Instagram hashtags get banned because they have been associated with posts that violate Instagram's Community Guidelines or Terms of Use.
This typically happens when users repeatedly tag inappropriate or harmful content under certain hashtags. When Instagram receives reports or detects such violations, they may restrict or ban the hashtag to prevent further misuse and maintain a safer environment for users.
2. Can I get banned from a hashtag on Instagram?
Ans.
Yes, you can get shadowbanned from a hashtag on Instagram. This means Instagram may restrict the visibility of your posts under that hashtag, making them harder to discover by others who are not already following you.
This can happen if Instagram detects spammy or inappropriate behavior associated with your account or if you use banned hashtags or any other hashtags that are restricted due to community guidelines violations.
3. Which hashtags are banned on Instagram?
Ans. Three types of hashtags are banned on Instagram. These hashtags include overly broad hashtags like #love, implicitly inappropriate hashtags like #weedstagram, and explicitly offensive hashtags like #racialslurs. It's crucial to stay updated with the latest banned hashtag list to avoid using these in your posts.
4. How to know that the hashtag is banned from Instagram?
Ans. To check if a hashtag is banned, refer to an updated banned hashtags list, search it in Instagram Explore, and use a banned hashtag checker tool for automated checks.
These methods will help you maintain a safe and effective hashtag strategy for your Instagram growth.
