If you are wondering how many hashtags you should use on Instagram in 2025, you are definitely not alone. This is one of the most frequently asked questions by both casual users and social media professionals. The simple answer is: Instagram officially recommends using 3 to 5 relevant hashtags per post. Even though the platform still lets you add up to 30 hashtags, studies and Instagram’s own Creators account point out that less is more when it comes to real engagement.
Because adding too many hashtags can actually look spammy and may even hurt your reach instead of helping it. In 2025, the Instagram algorithm continues to prioritize genuine interactions and content quality over the sheer number of hashtags. Using a small, focused set of hashtags helps you reach a more targeted audience and encourages more authentic engagement.
But what about those exceptions you see on some viral posts, where users fill the first comment with all 30 allowed hashtags? While this tactic can still work in some cases, it’s usually not sustainable or effective for most accounts. Especially for business profiles or anyone aiming for consistent growth, sticking to Instagram’s official advice of 3-5 carefully chosen hashtags remains the best practice.
Why Does the Number of Hashtags Matter for Engagement?
It’s natural to wonder if the exact number of hashtags you use really makes a difference. In reality, the number you choose directly impacts your engagement rates on Instagram. Here’s why:
First, Instagram’s algorithm pays close attention to how users interact with your posts. If you overload a post with too many hashtags, it can come across as spammy or inauthentic, which may reduce your reach. In fact, data from multiple social media studies consistently show that posts with 3 to 5 targeted hashtags generally perform better than those with a long string of generic tags.
On the other hand, using too few or irrelevant hashtags limits your discoverability. You want your posts to be seen by people who are genuinely interested in your content or niche. Well-selected hashtags work like digital signposts, connecting your post with communities and topics that matter most to your audience.
What Is the Official Recommendation for Hashtag Count?
This is one of the biggest sources of confusion for Instagram users because the platform lets you add up to 30 hashtags, but their own advice is much more reserved. So, what is Instagram’s official stance on how many hashtags you should use?
According to the latest updates from the Instagram Creators account, the ideal number of hashtags per post is 3 to 5. The focus is on quality and relevance rather than simply reaching the maximum allowed. Instagram’s algorithm now favors posts that use hashtags thoughtfully and intentionally, not posts that try to “game the system” with long lists of unrelated tags.
Instagram’s goal is to serve content that’s most relevant to each user. By keeping your hashtags specific to your content, you improve your chances of being discovered by people who are genuinely interested. On the other hand, using too many or overly generic hashtags can signal spammy behavior, and the algorithm might limit your reach as a result.
Is There a Difference Between Feed Posts, Reels, and Stories?
Many Instagram users wonder if the best hashtag strategy changes depending on where you share your content. Should you use a different number of hashtags for Reels, Stories, or regular feed posts? Let’s break it down.
Feed Posts
For your standard Instagram posts, the official recommendation remains 3 to 5 relevant hashtags. The feed is where most hashtag research and discovery happens, and this is where users still search for content through hashtags. Keeping your list targeted and clean will help the algorithm match your post with interested users.
Instagram Reels
When it comes to Reels, the rules are similar but there’s a little more room for experimentation. Instagram’s algorithm uses hashtags to help categorize Reels and show them to a wider audience, especially on the Explore page. While you can technically use up to 30 hashtags, most experts and Instagram itself still suggest that 3 to 5 carefully chosen tags work best. Make sure your hashtags are relevant not just to your content, but also to trending topics or audio on Reels. If you’re asking how many hashtags should I use on Instagram Reels, the answer is the same: prioritize quality over quantity.
Instagram Stories
Stories are a bit different. Hashtags in Stories are less visible, but they can still help your content get discovered, especially if you’re using a branded or trending hashtag. You can add one hashtag sticker or include up to 10 hashtags in the text. However, overloading your Story with hashtags can distract from your message, so just add one or two highly relevant tags. Hashtags do work on Instagram, no matter where you use them. Whether it’s a feed post, Reel, or Story, hashtags are a major way for the algorithm to categorize your content and serve it to the right audience. If you want to learn more about how and why hashtags are effective on Instagram, check out our detailed answer below.
How Do Hashtags Impact Reach and Visibility on Instagram?
When you use a hashtag, your post becomes searchable by anyone following or browsing that tag. This means you’re no longer limited to just your followers your content can show up in hashtag feeds, on Explore pages, and even as suggested posts. In other words, hashtags are like bridges, connecting your content to new communities and potential followers.
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Instagram’s algorithm looks at the hashtags you use to figure out what your content is about. If your hashtags are well matched to your post, the algorithm is more likely to show your content to people who are interested in those topics. The more engagement you get from this audience likes, comments, saves the further your post can travel. This can have a direct impact on your instagram views (for more tips on boosting views, see our dedicated section below).
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