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Instagram Hashtag Limit: How many hashtags can you use on Instagram?

Julia Thompson | July 28, 2018

Hashtags are hands down one of the best ways to grow your Instagram following and increase engagement on your posts. Hundreds of thousands of people are searching hashtags everyday and if your post falls within those search results, it is more likely to be found and attract users to your account. There’s no question about it, you should be using hashtags on almost every single photo you post in order to maximize your chances of being seen by potential followers. But how many hashtags can you use on Instagram and how many should you use?

 

Instagram does have a hashtag limit that you need to be aware of as you determine your growth strategy. In this article we’ll discuss the Instagram hashtag limit, how to beat the system, and whether or not it’s a smart strategy to max out the limit on your posts.

hashtag limit

 

Hashtag Limit

The amount of hashtags allowed per post is 30.

Whether in your caption or your comments, Instagram will only allow you to include 30 hashtags on each photo. If you try to add more than this, you’ll receive an error message with a failure to post. On Instagram stories, you’re only allowed up to 10 hashtags. Instagram put these limits in place to keep content clean and professional without coming off as messy and spammy. They’re actually doing you a favor by ensuring that your content is able to be seen by tons of users while still keeping your posts attractive.

 

Where and When to Use Hashtags

 

When it comes to using hashtags appropriately, you’ll want to make sure to post them at the optimal time and in the most effective place. Your two options for where to include them are on the photo caption and in the comments. Either option works just fine and both are equally effective. You’ll want to format your hashtags so they’re hidden in order to keep your post looking clean.

 

In order for your hashtags to truly help your post, be sure to add them to your photo immediately. If you’ve included them in the caption, they’ll automatically be a part of your post. But if you’re posting them in the comments, you’ll want to add them within seconds of publishing for maximum effectiveness. If you’re copying a saved list of hashtags into a comment, be aware of how many there are so you don’t receive an error message for trying to post too many. For more tips and best practices, check out our 2018 Instagram Hashtag Cheat Sheet.

 

How to Beat the System

 

If you’re determined to add more than 30 Instagram hashtags to a post, there is a workaround that will allow you up to 60. In order for it to work, you’ll need to follow this exact process:

1. Add your photo and caption, then publish.

2. Copy and paste 30 hashtags into a comment and submit.

3. Edit your post and paste an additional 30 hashtags in the caption.

4. Voila! You’ve just included 60 hashtags in a single post!

This may not work every time so don’t count on this as part of your strategy.

 

Pencils in hashtag formation

 

Should You Max Out the Limit

 

When it comes to growing your Instagram account, you need to have a solid strategy in place. This involves determining how best to use hashtags on your posts. Some will say you should always max out the hashtag limit for maximum exposure, some will say you should only use a few to avoid looking spammy. The truth is, there is no one best answer for this as it will work differently for each account. Your best bet is to do some testing in order to figure out the best strategy for your brand.

 

For several weeks, try maxing out the hashtag limit on every post while keeping track of both follower growth and post engagement. Then for the next few weeks, try using only a select few on every post while keeping all other Instagram behavior the same. At the end of the trial, compare your results and see what worked best for you. You can also take a look at what your competitors are doing and copy their hashtag practices. Typically, a good strategy is to max out your hashtags while still a young account, then as you grow you’ll need to use less and less.

 

If you’d like help improving your hashtag game, consider using an Instagram Growth Service. They’ll grow your account quickly and effectively with a proper hashtag strategy, while allowing you more time to focus on other aspects of your business and life.

Topics: instagram hashtags

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