Instagram tests three-hashtag limit in major shift to post categorisation

New Delhi: Instagram is testing a significant change to how posts are categorised and shared, trialling a restriction that allows users to add only three hashtags per post. The development marks a notable shift from the hashtag-heavy practices that have shaped activity on the platform for more than a decade.

According to the news report, Reddit users indicate that some accounts now receive an error message when attempting to include more than three hashtags, while others continue to operate without restrictions.

This suggests that Meta is testing the feature with a limited group of users before deciding whether to expand it more broadly. The company has not issued a formal statement or clarified the reasoning behind the experiment, which follows the platform’s pattern of gradual updates similar to its recent design changes.

Hashtags have long functioned as a core discovery tool on Instagram. Introduced in 2011, they helped users extend the reach of posts beyond their immediate followers by tagging content with relevant themes. The platform has historically allowed up to 30 hashtags, and many creators relied on them to increase visibility.

Over time, Instagram’s recommendation system has shifted to prioritise content signals, captions and various behavioural inputs. Instagram head Adam Mosseri has previously noted that hashtags have only a limited effect on reach, serving more as a way to organise content rather than drive audience growth.

The current test indicates a further move towards algorithm-driven discovery and away from user-generated categorisation. For creators who built posting strategies around the widespread hashtag practices of the mid-2010s, the change may feel abrupt, even as younger users increasingly post with few or no hashtags.