Instagram Limits Hashtags to Five — Creators, Prepare

• Instagram will cap hashtags at five per post for reels and standard posts.
• The change aims to reduce spam and encourage targeted tagging for better discovery.
• Instagram tested lower limits earlier and now enforces a universal five-tag maximum.
• Threads and other Meta products continue to adopt even stricter tag rules.

What changed: Instagram sets a five-hashtag cap

Instagram announced it will gradually limit the number of hashtags you can include in a caption for a Reel or post to five. The update applies across the app and replaces previous tests where some users were limited to three tags.

Why Instagram is limiting hashtags

Meta says the move is intended to reduce misuse by spammers and scammers while encouraging creators to use fewer, more relevant tags. Instagram’s comment captures the shift: “Instagram will gradually update the number of hashtags that you can include in a caption for a reel or post to five. We find that using fewer (up to 5) more targeted hashtags, rather than many generic ones, can improve both your content’s performance and people’s experience on Instagram.”

Discovery vs. relevance

Instagram has long signaled that hashtags no longer drive reach the way they once did. Machine learning and feed algorithms now prioritize personalized content recommendations over broad hashtag-based discovery.

That said, targeted hashtags can still help categorize content and reach niche audiences — which is why Instagram recommends using up to five focused tags instead of many generic ones.

How this compares to Threads and Meta’s broader approach

Meta’s Threads platform is even stricter: it allows only one topic tag per post. Instagram’s five-tag limit fits into the company’s broader strategy of de-emphasizing mass tagging in favor of algorithmic discovery and clearer content signals.

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has repeatedly said hashtags “don’t work” like they used to for increasing reach, though he also notes they’re useful for signaling what a post is about.

What creators should do now

Choose tags that accurately reflect your content and target audience. Replace long lists of generic tags with a short mix of niche and descriptive hashtags to improve relevance.

Track performance — if reach and engagement remain steady after trimming tags, prioritize quality over quantity going forward.

Bottom line

Instagram’s five-hashtag cap is rolling out to reduce spam and make hashtags more meaningful. Creators should adapt by narrowing their tag selection to the most targeted, topic-relevant options.