Instagram appears to be experimenting with a major change that could impact how posts are discovered on the platform. According to a new report, the Meta-owned app is testing a limit on how many hashtags users can add to a post. Several users have started seeing a notification that stops them from adding more than three hashtags. For now, Instagram hasn’t announced anything officially, suggesting this is still a small-scale test.
Instagram Tests a Three-Hashtag Limit
Hashtags have long played a key role on Instagram, helping posts surface in searches, trending sections, and recommendation feeds. Until now, creators could add up to 30 hashtags to boost visibility. That might soon change.
As reported by DroidApp, a number of users recently encountered a restriction that allows only three hashtags per post. When trying to add more, Instagram reportedly shows a message saying the limit has been reached. However, this change is not consistent across all accounts — some users still have the original 30-hashtag limit, indicating that Instagram is running an A/B test.
Meta has not yet commented on the experiment or the reasoning behind it. Many expect this to be part of a controlled test before a broader rollout.
Instagram’s Other New Feature Tests
This hashtag limit isn’t the only update Instagram is exploring. The platform was recently reported to be testing a new way for users to shape their algorithm-driven recommendations. The feature allows users to pick or remove topics they want to see more or less of, starting with Reels and later expanding to Explore.
Announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, the new tool appears under a “Your Algorithm” section in Settings. It gives users a clearer look at the topics influencing their feed — such as luxury watches, stand-up comedy, concerts, fashion, or even specific artists — and lets them adjust their preferences to fine-tune what shows up in their recommendations.
