---
title: "Instagram Banned Hashtags to Avoid (Updated 2026)"
description: "The definitive, regularly updated list of Instagram banned hashtags to avoid in 2026 so your account isn't locked or shadow banned. Originally published 2024, updated for 2026."
canonical: https://www.ayrshare.com/blog/avoid-using-these-instagram-banned-hashtags/
lastModified: 2026-07-16
pageType: blog
---

# Instagram Banned Hashtags to Avoid (Updated 2026)

Author: Ayrshare Team  
Published: 2024-02-12

> The definitive, regularly updated list of Instagram banned hashtags to avoid in 2026 so your account isn't locked or shadow banned. Originally published 2024, updated for 2026.

## A list of Instagram Banned Hashtags to avoid using in 2026.

Hashtags on Instagram are an incredibly powerful business discovery strategy and can be a key part of your [marketing plan](https://www.ayrshare.com/blog/instagram-hashtag-guide/). Hashtags allow you to communicate with your follows, be discovered by new ones, and join a discussion. 

However, Instagram has been cracking down certain hashtags they deem insensitive, fake news, or spamming. Accounts using these banned hashtags are often flagged as bots and can be suspended, locked, or shadow banned. Whether you’re manually choosing hashtags or using a [hashtag generator](https://www.ayrshare.com/blog/the-7-best-hashtag-generator-and-research-tools/), avoiding banned hashtags is essential to maximize your views and engagement.

Keep reading to understand what is shadow banning or skip to the [list of banned hashtags](#avoid-hashtags).

![Shadowbanned instagram logo.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/049ed77466dfd63a60e544fd3bd7a568849c9e00-2458x1565.jpg)

## What is Instagram Shadowbanning? 

The dreaded shadow banning, also known as ghost banning or stealth banning, is when your post, image, or video shares are no longer showed to Instagram users who don’t follow you. Your content is silently blocked or suppressed on social media platforms without the your knowledge. Unlike an outright ban, the you remain unaware, as you can continue to post normally but with minimal visibility to the outside world. Very devious!

Often, you have no indication you’ve been shadow banned except for a sharp drop in engagement. It can be devastating to business, revenue, and follower growth.

The Atlantic recently published an [article](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2022/04/social-media-shadowbans-tiktok-twitter/629702/) giving specific examples of shadowbanning across Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

> “By definition, users often have no way of telling for sure whether they have been shadowbanned or whether their content is simply not popular, particularly when recommendation algorithms are involved.”The AtlanticThe Atlantic

## Why Does Instagram Shadowban?

Instagram has many reasons for shadow banning accounts. If an account doesn’t comply with Instagram’s rules, such as posting inappropriate content, buying followers, or using hashtags that aren’t relevant, Instagram might stop showing their content to other users. 

Other reasons Instagram might shadow ban your account is:

- Using a bot to post spammy content.
- Your account has been frequently reported by other users.
- Engaging in suspicious behavior such as following and unfollowing people too quickly.
- Using banned hashtags…see below.

Sometimes, but not always, Instagram will [warn users](https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/18/20699393/instagram-account-ban-warning-message-moderation-update) if they are violating policies. If this happens, stop posting that type of content, hashtag, etc. immediately.

![A screenshot of the instagram app on an iphone.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ftd4n5q6/production/de1aec39751fb1ebe296d422c9f242325077b880-1820x1213.jpg)

*Source: The Verge*

## How Does Instagram Choose the Banned Hashtags?

The banned hashtags are flagged by either Instagram or the community.

- Obscene hashtags that go against Instagram’s [Community Guidelines](https://help.instagram.com/477434105621119).
- Hashtags that bots or spammers use to to SPAM.

While some hashtags are permanently banned, such as #WTF, #Eggplant, or #ILoveMyInstagram, others are added or removed from the banned list as spammers switch up their tactics. 

## What Happens If You Use a Banned Hashtag? 

If you used an Instagram banned hashtag on one post, such as #happythanksgiving, likely just that post will get low or no engagement and not be shown to your audience unless they go to your feed. Your overall account will unlikely be affected.

However, if you use too many banned hashtags too frequently, then Instagram might flag your account and shadowban or remove your account. So the best policy is to avoid using hashtags Instagram doesn’t like.

## What to Do If You’re Shadowbanned on Instagram?

If you feel your account has been shadow banned and are wondering “am I shadow banned on Instagram?”, first,** don’t panic**! Next, post on Instagram with an infrequently used hashtag and have someone using a different Instagram account do a search for that hashtag. If you’re don’t come up, you might be shadow banned.

Unfortunately there is no person or Instagram email to contact to fix your account. The **best solution is stop the above spammy behavior**, such as banned hashtags or bots, and wait two days before posting again. Hopefully after that time Instagram will reinstate your account and your engagement will return.

## List of Instagram Hashtags to Avoid (Updated for 2026)

Instagram unfortunately doesn’t publish a list of the banned hashtags, so we need to research which ones are currently on the banned list…and the list of banned hashtags continually changes. For example, [#kanas was banned](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/banned-instagram-hashtags_n_57347d6ae4b077d4d6f23122) because it violated Instagram’s policies.

Here is the most current list of hashtags to avoid – some words might be offensive, but that is why they are banned. We compiled this list from several [sources](https://markitors.com/banned-instagram-hashtags/#Banned-Hashtags-C). 

For your convenience, the complete Meta banned hashtags list presented as an array. Feel free to copy it into your code:

```text
[
  "#abdl",
  "#addmysc",
  "#adulting",
  "#alone",
  "#always",
  "#armparty",
  "#asiangirl",
  "#ass",
  "#assday",
  "#assworship",
  "#attractive",
  "#beautyblogger",
  "#besties",
  "#beyonce",
  "#bikinibody",
  "#boho",
  "#boobs",
  "#boobsbabe",
  "#brain",
  "#costumes",
  "#curvygirls",
  "#date",
  "#dating",
  "#desk",
  "#direct",
  "#dogsofinstagram",
  "#dm",
  "#edm",
  "#eggplant",
  "#elevator",
  "#fuck",
  "#followforfollow",
  "#girlsonly",
  "#gloves",
  "#graffitiigers",
  "#happythanksgiving",
  "#hardworkpaysoff",
  "#hawks",
  "#hotweather",
  "#humpday",
  "#hustler",
  "#ice",
  "#ilovemyinstagram",
  "#instababy",
  "#instasport",
  "#iphonegraphy",
  "#italiano",
  "#kansas",
  "#kickoff",
  "#killingit",
  "#kissing",
  "#lean",
  "#leaves",
  "#loseweight",
  "#lulu",
  "#master",
  "#mileycyrus",
  "#milf",
  "#mirrorphoto",
  "#models",
  "#mustfollow",
  "#nasty",
  "#newyearsday",
  "#nude",
  "#nudism",
  "#nudity",
  "#overnight",
  "#orderweedonline",
  "#parties",
  "#petite",
  "#pornfood",
  "#prettygirl",
  "#pushups",
  "#rate",
  "#ravens",
  "#saltwater",
  "#samelove",
  "#selfharm",
  "#sexy",
  "#single",
  "#singlelife",
  "#skateboarding",
  "#skype",
  "#snap",
  "#snapchat",
  "#snowstorm",
  "#sopretty",
  "#stranger",
  "#streetphoto",
  "#sunbathing",
  "#swole",
  "#shower",
  "#shit",
  "#tag4like",
  "#tagsforlikes",
  "#tanlines",
  "#thighs",
  "#todayimwearing",
  "#teens",
  "#teen",
  "#thought",
  "#undies",
  "#valentinesday",
  "#workflow",
  "#wtf",
  "#xanax",
  "youngmodel"
];
```

As more banned hashtags become known, we’ll add them. 

Originally published February 12, 2024. Last updated July 15, 2026.

## Automatically Filter Out Banned Hashtags

A great way to automatically filter out banned Instagram hashtags is by posting via Ayrshare’s API. We have built a [post verification system](https://www.ayrshare.com/docs/testing/post-verification) that checks all posts before sending to the social networks. This helps you stay in the networks’ good graces and follow their guidelines. We check for things such as duplicate posts, too many mentions, image content, and of course banned hashtags.

Find out more about [Ayrshare’s Social Posting API](https://www.ayrshare.com).

You can also use our [Banned Hashtag Checker API](https://www.ayrshare.com/docs/apis/hashtags/check-hashtags) and [Instagram Hashtag Checker Tool](/instagram-banned-hashtag-checker/) check if the Instagram hashtag is banned.

## Generating Hashtags

Ayrshare also offers API endpoints to help you [auto generate hashtags for social media](https://www.ayrshare.com/docs/apis/hashtags/auto-hashtags) or [get recommended TikTok hashtags](https://www.ayrshare.com/docs/apis/hashtags/recommend-hashtags). Check them out if you have a platform, CRM, or SaaS and need to create social media posts.