Instagram Is Limiting Hashtags: Here’s What Changed (and Why It Matters)

Instagram quietly rolled out one of the biggest hashtag updates ever — and it mirrors what TikTok already did earlier in 2025.

Instagram is now limiting the number of hashtags you can use on your posts.

This change has been rolling out for a few weeks, so there’s a good chance you already have it. And honestly?
I think it’s AWESOME.

For years, creators were told to stack posts with as many hashtags as possible to get discovered. But Instagram is officially moving away from generic discovery tags and leaning harder into specific keyword signals instead.

Hashtags still matter — but keywords and clarity matter more.

Instagram is prioritizing what you’re actually talking about in your content — from the words you use on screen, to what you say in your captions, to how viewers interact with your post. Hashtags still play a role, but they’re no longer doing all the heavy lifting on their own.

I broke this update down quickly (no fluff) here ⤵️

If this update leaves you wondering:
– How do I choose my hashtags now?
– Where do I put them?
– Why did Instagram even do this?!

Drop your questions in the comments of the video above, and I’ll do a follow-up post or article answering them.

See you on social,