Are Instagram hashtags not working in your account?
If yes, this post is for you.
Hashtags are crucial to increase your post reach and get more audience. When you use relevant hashtags, your Instagram photos and videos will end up on the hashtag page.
Users who follow your hashtags could see each of your posts on their feed. Hashtags are great for building community as well. If you use appropriate hashtags, your followers will be motivated to engage with your posts.
But sometimes, because of some issues, users experience problems while using hashtags on their posts.
In this post, we’ve listed some reasons why Instagram hashtags are not working for you. And we’ve also given some solutions to fix these issues.
One of the most common reasons why Instagram hashtags aren’t working is – you’re using banned hashtags. Many people don’t know this, but in early 2020, Instagram banned multiple hashtags, so users don’t misuse them.
If you’ve been using hashtags on a post that doesn’t follow Instagram’s community guidelines, it will get banned. Adding hashtags on photos that include nudity, abuse, and graphic violence will ultimately result in banned hashtags.
For example, #costumes is a banned hashtag on Instagram. So, if you search for it, Instagram will show you the below message.
Using banned hashtags on Instagram can result in low reach on your post. Instagram may shadowban your posts and account. That means only your followers can see your posts, and your account won’t reach new audiences.
2. You’re Using a Hashtag That Doesn’t Exist
If you randomly type a word and use it as a hashtag without realizing whether it exists or not, your post will lose visibility.
This issue can occur if you don’t do enough research before using hashtags. On Instagram’s explore page, you should research every hashtag you’re going to add to your post.
This will help you understand which hashtag has the most following and which one doesn’t exist.
Also, make sure to check the spellings or formattings of your hashtags. If you use a misspelled hashtag, chances are it doesn’t even exist on Instagram.
3. Instagram is Having Technical Issues
Maybe you should blame Instagram for your hashtags issues. Sometimes, because of a simple technical error on the platform, you may experience issues with hashtags.
Instagram’s features and the algorithm constantly goes through updates and developments, which causes technical errors. As a result, Instagram hashtags might not work properly sometimes.
Hashtags won’t work correctly if they don’t match the niche or content of your post.
Most users add popular hashtags that are irrelevant to their posts, assuming that it will increase their posts’ reach. But in reality, it does exactly the opposite. When you use irrelevant hashtags, Instagram may flag your post.
Instagram hashtags should be appropriate to your brand and post niche. That’s why it’s crucial to research well before adding any hashtags.
Many users assume that adding trending hashtags that are too long can boost engagement. But the fact is, it can harm the engagement of your posts.
According to TrackMaven, a good strategy is using hashtags with 21 characters gives you the most engagement on Instagram, followed by hashtags with 22, 23, and 24 characters. So, anything longer than this is a strict no-no!
If you’re facing issues with your Instagram hashtags, the good news is we know the fixes! Apart from doing thorough research on the hashtags before adding them to your Instagram captions, here are a few more ways you can fix this issue:
1. Wait (This Might Be Some Technical Error From Instagram’s End)
We understand waiting is boring!
But, when the error is from Instagram’s side, there’s nothing you can do about it. So, wait for Instagram to address the hashtag issue and resolve it.
As Instagram continuously updates the app, sometimes it will take only a few minutes to fix the problem.
However, if you notice your Instagram hashtags aren’t working for a long time, you can contact the Instagram support team to see what the issue is, so they can help you fix it.
As we mentioned earlier, inappropriate hashtags that don’t follow the community guidelines can limit your post’s engagement.
So, make sure to check before adding hashtags whether you’re using words or hashtags that are banned by Instagram.
To make sure your post gets high engagement, stop using irrelevant hashtags that don’t match your posts.
For instance, many users use common and high following keywords like #you, #we, or #the, assuming it will increase their account’s reach.
But if these hashtags don’t match the content you’re posting, there’s no point in using them.
So, it’s best to use relevant and appropriate hashtags for your post niche. Even if the hashtag has less following, it will help you reach your target audience. This will boost your profile’s overall engagement rate and help you get more loyal followers.
Wrapping Up
There you go! As you can see, we’ve shared all the possible reasons why your Instagram hashtags are not working properly for you. Also, all the common fixes you can try to resolve this problem.
We hope you found this post useful.
None of our hastags are working on instagram.
Hey there, do not publish anything for 24-72 hours. If you can, just delete some photos you already shared with many hashtags.
It’ll be okay after some hours.
Still not working, this is so annoying.
Hey there, do not publish anything for 24-72 hours. If you can, just delete some photos you already shared with many hashtags.
It’ll be okay after some hours.
Mine aren’t working either. Deleted post, and will hold off until Monday. Super frustrating, I messaged them on all media platforms and have been ignored so far.
Hey there,
Did you share many photos with many hashtags?
Thank you!
I havent posted in about 6 months and my hashtags still are not working
Try sharing 2-3 photos without any hashtags, then share one with hashtags.
Thank you!
Just posted one photo this morning and no hashtags are working not even my own!
Hey Andrew,
Try sharing 1-2 photos without any hashtag after 24-48 hours share new one with hashtags!
Thank you!
I’ve deleted all the tags from all my pictures and I’m gonna take a gap of 3 days, do you think that’ll solve the problem of pictures not showing up on any tags?
Hey there, most probably it gonna be resolved!
Thank you!
Hi, i just want to inform you that the hashtags that i use now at present posts are not working. As in, only my followers are liking my posts. otherwise i used to get likes in a minute after posting. i don’t really know what is happening. Is there a solution?
Hey there,
Did you use many hashtags in your last photos or something?
Nothing works. No matter how much time off I take between posts, or how many or what tags I use, it doesn’t work.
Nothing works. Not even if I create a new hashtag and only use that. This is so frustrating and the fact that instagram is doing NOTHING about it in any of their updates the past 3 years when this problem first became serious.
I have a theory on why Instagram is not fixing this problem. They are forcing you to pay to promote your account. I mean, what other choice do you have to promote your account if the hashtags don’t work?
You are correct sir.
Hi same problem here and they don’t respond to my messages either
Hey there,
Did you share many photos with many hashtags in last 4-5 days?
Thank you!
Same here!! It’s frustrating :”( profile is set to public and my non-followers can’t likes the pictures I posted (typically every minute I’ll get a like) and no matter how many hashtags I deleted and use only one, my post hashtag still doesn’t work!
Now ,I am not getting followers & in my post hashtags doesn’t working .
I just started a secondary account. I have posted a few pictures that I would have expected to get at least some likes, if not follows. When I click the hashtags, in two cases there is nothing there (they are based on my new account) and when I use established hashtags, my pictures aren’t there – some of them are small, local hashtags so they wouldn’t be lost in the crowd). So, I went to my primary account and clicked the hashtags to see if maybe I couldn’t see the pics from the posted account – nope, nothing there. So I used the same hashtags from my primary personal account and the picture I used the hashtag with showed up instantly by using the hashtag. Very weird, almost as if my secondary account is behaving like it’s private, but its’ not. I messaged instagram, but based on everything I’ve been reading, I suspect I won’t be hearing from them. Any thoughts from this group?
I haave the same problem
I’m having the same problem with my secondary account as well. It’s incredibly frustrating since it’s a new arm of my business that I’m trying to promote locally using hashtags. I even went ahead and did a small promotion and the hashtags are still not working a week after that.
hi, same problem here and i reported the problem to instagram but nothing…
My hashtage stopped working ahwile ago as well. I have a theory, I have not switched to a business account because I don’t want to pay to have my existing followers see my posts. Everyday IG puts a ad in my feed to “switch to a business account”. They know i have a business and am not switching over. I think they have turned off my hashtags to try and force me to switch to a business account. Just a theory, but all of a sudden my pics are only being liked by followers. I am hashtagging photography centric things not anything scandalous or sex related. I too have sent messages only to have them ignored. There is this other thing people have been talking about “shadow banned” this may be it to.. i dont know.. Very frustrating
xxx instagram support center , i sent 3 emails but they never answer it . xxx xxx xxx . i’m a pro graphic designer with 23k followers and also adobe company follow me but instagram banned my hashtags and i can not use any kind of hashtags
I just realized my hashtags have not been working and/or all of them are now broken. Makes no sense and I am so upset. Doesn’t seem to be any solution either
Hey Brad,
Did you try deleting of your last 4-5 photos?
hi admin
im from iran and read you issue and comments
today my hashtag are blocked :(
that is very bad from instagram .
Hey there,
Did you try deleting of your last 4-5 photos?
Same problem… I’ve messaged IG many times over the past 3+ weeks sans an answer. This is not only frustrating but incredibly UNPROFESSIONAL!
Make my hashtags work again!!!
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossips and internet and this is actually frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this website, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
Hey there,
You can subscribe the blog by clicking the link below content.
Thank you!
Hi, I have recently added a new instagram account. When I use hashtags, they do not work. I have tried deleting pictures and uploading them again. I have also posted them on my private accout and hashtags use fine from that account to the same tags. Do you know what I should do to fix this?
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Hashtags are not showing up the photos shared.
My hashtags stopped working a month ago. I went two weeks without posting and I have tried re-installing, being careful with hashtags and so on. Nothing works. This is stupid.
I have the same problem with my business account, what should I do? I have already deleted the photos and deleted all the #… but still doesn’t work…
Same problem, I cannot post any hashtags. Error message tells me I’m using too many, even I just try one.
“I am just starting to learn about all of this. Thanks for your help!”
Same problem still. Posting one pic tonight with no hashtags, will only hit my followers, but it’s going to seriously limit my growth. :(
Same issue happening to my acc now. My new post does not appear in any hashtag despite i’ve checked they are not banned hashtags, and i only used 10 hashtags. Furthermore, all my older posts have disappeared too in all the hashtags i used! Crying out loud!
I’ve already deleted all the hashtags from my previous posts and for the current one too. Then i started to include only one regular hashtag with only 20 posts inside, still not working.
Sigh~ Anyone has a solution for me please?
Dod your hashtags work again. Same problem. Jad a photo removed by them all mymold photosmdeleted from all hashtags. Now nothing shows in any. Ive emailed them reported problem. Just wondering when and if ban will be lifted @bizarredoctor
It only seems to pick out certain photos. I posted one and posted it again 4 weeks later but the image still had the same problem. No idea why. Contacted insta 6 times as i use it to promote my photography business, and as you say, no response at all.
If you are on private, your tag won’t work.
The whole point of instagram is now pointless.
Started a whole new account and still no hashtags are working. I did everything posted here and nothing worked. I even used hashtags that have never been used and nothing. I wrote if support several times and never had a response yet. My final solution is to just go back to facebook.
my hashtags don’t work on all my accounts that I have they was working for a while but have now stopped
I have had problems With my account for two weeks. Reported to IG but noe response. See from other posts her, that I might not get any answer at all.
So what to do? Anyone know WHY this is happening? Account is not private, has workde through hashtags all the time (for years), never used hashtags that are sleezy and so on. Deleted and installed app again. Deleted hashtags and photos. Have tried to not post photos over several days… Tried to Google it to find out more..
SO, why is this really happening. Does anyone have any answers??
I am resending my comment. I have the same problem with my hashtags,. I posted one picture 4 days ago and the hashtags were not working. Today, my picture slowly started showing up in the hashtags. One more thing, I usually open my Instagram on my computer and it is weird that the hashtag works. I just posted today one picture and it shows in all the hashtags but not in my mobile phone at all. Has anyone have the same experience and why is this so? Thank you for any feedback.
Many people have that issue, Instagram needs to resolve it :(
Ever since I was hacked none of my hashtags work and I can’t add new ones. IG has zero customer support, probably because they are owned by Facebook. None of the solutions work. Beyond frustrating. It would be great if they cared about fixing problems or receiving customer feedback and actually assigned people to listen or take care of things but I doubt that will ever happen.
My hashtag problem begin when my account dissapear after bè hacked. I create a new one with same nane and therefore no one hashtag work. Not only this, I cant switch to commercial account or link with Facebook account. It’s a shame. I need It to my work. What van I try ti do? Could you help me?
Thanks
Hey there,
Please do not take any action for 72 hours (at least) then everything will be normalized automatically, it’s a temporary problem.
It happened to my business account, it was a public account, at the beginning of this year, my post got fewer likes, and there are no discover from hashtag since then. I can see it from the insight, there no “From Hashtag” like the other post last year. And then I try to cut some hashtag on my post, but it doesn’t work at all. I used to use until 30 hashtags, but I never got a problem. I already sent report bug to Instagram. I thought it was a new Instagram algorithm thing.
Nayati, did this get resolved for you? I have tried all above advice, and held off instagram for 24hrs now. Hashtags are still not working :(
My hashtags aren’t working either! This is infuriating.
Just added my 5th IG account and after i verified my account no hashtags are working!
shock that instagram don’t give a sh*t about the users, make no mistake this problem wont get fixed. My wifes account was growing well, she got shadow banned for no reason and now no hashtags work…….nazi instagram
hi all i’m from hk , ig hastag is not working now ,what happen?:(
Is there a way to solve it?
Did you try the solutions?
Yes, have tried your solutions and checked all hashtags to see if banned. Was completely banned and had to send it a photo with a hand written code on it. We were getting such high engagement rate they must have thought we were a bot. Re instated. But still hashtags don’t work. @xxx
It may take couple of weeks to get back to normal.
My hashtags are not working. What should I do?
You’ve tried the possible solutions?
im trying now. I posted a photo with no hashtags and deleted photos with hashtags on Friday. Do you think it might work by Monday?
Sure it will work again shortly.
Still not working
My Instagram hashtags not working again. DonI use the same solutions?
Instagram is working now! Thanks for the tips!
Hashtags worked for a couple of days know it’s not working again. Should I do the same thing again?
I continue to test this when it happens….I feel like IG is filtering images out… for some reason IG algorithm does not approve of some photos and it seems random…. I tried posting a picture several times with hash tags, without, with only a couple, and said image never appears anywhere except in my followers feed (with no HT that’s obvious)…I added it to my story and it never got any views on the hashtag i used (on a popular hashtag this means no one could see it)….tried the same thing with another image and followed the exact same pattern, everything was instantly view-able, tried again with the original image and NOTHING…..I feel like their filters just randomly strip posts… I feel like they do nothing about the “issue” because it’s intentional and how their platform works….I feel like it happens at certain time and on certain days of the week. I feel lots of frustration, but we will eventually analyse the behavior and find a workaround…or a new social media site.
For sure Instagram analysis every posts and ask for proper hashtags every time.
If you feel like hashtags not actually working on your account, just don’t put any hashtags on new 3-4 posts and wait 4-5 days.
If there is a temporary restriction, will be removed after couple of days.
Hi, my hashtags are not working. Its now almost 3 weeks, that they are not working. I have constantly reported this issue to IG but nothing is working. Non of my posts are reflecting on any hashtag I use. This is really frustration.
not sure what has happened but since a couple of days ago I seem to have the same issue as you guys, I never put too many hashtags or banned has tags but now I can’t see any of my new posts being on targeted hashtags. very upsetting not sure what to do ??
I’ve only recently created an Instagram account. Not a single one of my hashtags have worked in the months I’ve been posting. No “likes” or followers to speak of…
Run a design blog and my hashtags haven’t been getting user engagement (other than a handful of my followers) for about a month now. I have over 10K followers but almost zero engagement on public posts and stories. What gives???
My hashtags don’t work either. This is bad, really bad. Hashtags are the main reason to even USE, Instagram My theory : Facebook, SUCKS …. Facebook, bought Instagram … now, Instagram too, SUCKS !!!! Zuckerberg, needs to take, a long walk, off a short pier, while balancing an anvil on his head, while holding bowling balls in his hands.
I just found out that hashtags are not working on some photos and I don’t know why.
I posted a photo with the hashtags and it didn’t work. I deleted it and posted a different one and use the same hashtags I used and it work on that photo. I deleted the 2nd photo and post the 1st photo again and use the same hashtags but still, didn’t work. I deleted it, again, and posted the 2nd photo with the same hashtags – and it worked, again.
Anyone knows what’s going on?
Hello Evan, did you fix the problem?, my # are not working and tried everything, I just deleted all my hashtags to see if it gets fixed. I haven’t wait the 2 weeks.
I’m having exactly the same issue, I’m a photographer and do a lot of bikini stuff and find that Instagram have started not to allow any of this up (this is my theory so far even though it’s not explicit content whatsoever) – have no idea why as there is a tonne of it on the platform, all very frustrating… I hope someone out there has answers as Instagram sure don’t seem to give a f***
Do you still have this problem? Thanks for sharing your analysis.
I’ve once removed an post and reposted it again and then it suddenly works.
It really appears to be random and in my case it’s linked to the posts, not to be shadow banned.
I unfortunately puts me off from using Instagram.
Has anyone found a solution for this now that it’s 2020?
“Instagram is suffering from some serious issues with their hashtags at the moment, and hasn’t clarified what is going on” ahahahaha let’s be serious. the main problem here is about the pages that pay for advertising. nobody speak about this. if you pay then your hashtag will be working. i’ve tested that with my page @peter_mocanu and i’ve posted a photo with a logo design and the hashtag #logo and I couldn’t believe it when I saw that my post was not reachable when someone clicked on that hashtag. And the same structure of hashtags is being used by other graphic design pages and the posts are reachable. my question is why. and maybe the answer is that those pages have paid campaigns in the past and the algorithm was updated to show up only those pages.
Thanks for your contribution Peter.
The hashtags that I used are not banned hashtags or sensitive hashtags. Do I need to post a limited number of hashtags now?