You might be thinking, are hashtags even relevant in 2021? The answer is 100% yes absolutely. If you’re running a fashion blog or in the fashion niche using hashtags is definitely important on every social network. It accounts for a large percent of your social visibility. Just like organic search if you do not optimize your social content you’ll miss out on the ability to reach people for a longer period of time.

Do Hashtags Still Work on Instagram in the Fashion Niche?

Yes, as mentioned above hashtags still work. However, you’ll need to create a strategy around the hashtags. Because Instagram’s user base is much larger in 2021 and moving forward a large crowded or overused hashtag. To that same token hashtags no one is searching for will not add any value to your reach simply because no one is interacting with those hashtags. I like to use a mix of high and medium volume hashtags as well as branded hashtags in the mix to improve reach.

For example, a hashtag like #fashion would be considered a high volume hashtag. While it’s fine to use this hashtag you should gauge the competitive nature of this hashtag. If you’re not getting upwards of a 100 likes per post and at least 10+ comments it’s less likely you’ll end up on top results. However, because the hashtag is frequented you’ll likely get more exposure just by simply interacting with others in the most recent hashtag results.

An example of a medium volume hashtag would be something like #furboots. Instagram fashion hashtags above the 40,000+ range is something I would consider medium volume. When it comes to medium volume hashtags it’s a great idea to tailor the hashtag to images within your actual photo for example if you are using the hashtag #furboots I’d expect to see fur boots in the post. In contrast, if you are posting an image on fall sweaters I’d expect to use a hashtag like #fallsweaters. Keep in mind 40,000 is a loose guideline. For example if there’s a relevant hashtag that falls somewhere between 35k to 38k you can still use the hashtag especially if it’s contextually relevant.

How do I know if a fashion hashtag is working?

You can tell if a hashtag is working by simply navigating to the hashtag page and checking if your image appears especially within 5 minutes of posting the content. Instead of using your primary instagram account use another account to check if your content appears on the hashtag page for an account that is not following you. This is very important because the purpose of a hashtag is not to reach people that already follow you. Instead, you use hashtags to reach people that do not currently follow you. Therefore, it’s important to mimic the right scenario.

What is the right number of hashtags to use in an Instagram post?

There is a limit to the number of hashtags you can use on Instagram in 2021 on feed posts. The hashtag limit is 30. However, a set of hashtags between 15 – 20 is sufficient.

How do you know if a hashtag is banned?

To be clear, Instagram constantly says there is no such thing as a shadowban but the rumor mill and leaked IG presentations as well as actual people working at Instagram have said there is such a thing as accounts being flagged and hashtags being banned, and entire accounts being shadowbanned. A banned hashtag is essentially useless to your content because you Instagram does not list recent posts. You can tell is a hashtag is banned because a message will appear beneath a row of top posts that state recent posts are currently hidden because of community guidelines. Below is an example of what you would see. Keep in mind there is a difference between using a “banned” hashtag and a “Shadowban”. A banned hashtag is specific to the hashtag. A shadowban is account-wide. If your account is shadowbanned it will not matter what hashtag you use because your entire account and its content will be buried but you do not get a notice that this is occuring.

Note a banned hashtag may not always have a notice at the bottom sometimes the hashtag page will just say “0” posts which means Instagram does not want you to use it at all. For example, #ice or #snapchat have return the 0 posts result.

List of Banned Instagram Hashtags to Avoid in 2021 (Update Nov. 1, 2020)

A

• #abdl
• #addmysc
• #adulting
• #alone
• #always
• #armparty
• #asiangirl
• #ass
• #assday
• #assworship

B

• #besties
• #bikinibody
• #boho
• #brain

C

• #costumes
• #curvygirls

D

• #date
• #dating
• #desk
• #direct
• #dm

E

• #edm
• #eggplant
• #elevator

G

• #girlsonly
• #gloves
• #gas

H

• #hawks
• #hotweather
• #humpday
• #hustler

I

• #ice
• #instasport
• #iphonegraphy
• #italiano

K

• #kansas
• #kickoff
• #killingit
• #kissing

L

• #loseweight
• #lulu

M

• #master
• #mileycyrus
• #milf
• #mirrorphoto
• #models
• #mustfollow

N

• #nasty
• #newyearsday
• #nudity

O

• #overnight

P

• #parties
• #petite
• #pornfood
• #prettygirl
• #pushups

R

• #rate
• #ravens

S

• #saltwater
• #samelove
• #selfharm
• #single
• #singlelife
• #skateboarding
• #skype
• #snap
• #snapchat
• #snowstorm
• #sopretty
• #stranger
• #streetphoto
• #sunbathing
• #swole
• #shower
• #shit

T

• #tag4like
• #tagsforlikes
• #tanlines
• #todayimwearing
• #teens
• #teen
• #thought

U

• #undies

V

• #valentinesday

W

• #workflow
• #weed

Y

• #Youngmodel

Instead of using this list above it’s much easier and faster to use a hashtag tool to do the research for you. Essentially, any good hashtag tool built for Instagram will already include the banned list of hashtags in their software. For example, IQ Hashtags uses a cool visualization process to show you what hashtags are banned and removes them from your hashtag set so you can simply copy and paste the hashtag in your post or scheduler. Using a tool like this below is pretty smart because it stays up to date, frequently, and they are likely running some sort of cron to check if new hashtags are banned.

What are the top 200+ Instagram Fashion Hashtags

1. fashionaddictzz
2. #fashiongramer
3. #fashiongramstyle
4. #fashionaddictsbelike
5. #fashiontrendsetters
6. #fashiongramers
7. #fashionweekendkids
8. #fashiongrame
9. #fashionbloggerstyles
10. #fashionistabarbie
11. #fashionistamom
12. #fashionstylelover
13. #fashionstylestreet
14. #fashionablemask
15. #fashionableshoes
16. #fashionablestyle
17. #fashionablejewelry
18. #fashionphotographymakeup
19. #fashionableclothes
20. #fashionableaddictions
21. #fashiongrammers
22. #fashionnovapartner
23. #fashionablebags
24. #fashionistastyles
25. #fashionbloggersuk
26. #fashiontrendsetter
27. #fashionstyleleader
28. #fashionstyleblogger
29. #fashionweeknyc
30. #fashionablemom
31. #fashionistakids
32. #fashionstyler
33. #fashionablewomen
34. #fashionistababy
35. #fashionphotographyeditorial
36. #fashiontrends2020
37. #fashionstyles2me
38. #fashionbloggerstyleblogger
39. #fashionablezone
40. #fashionweeks
41. #fashionphotographychannel
42. #fashionablemen
43. #koreanfashionstyle
44. #fashionstyleblogs
45. #fashionaddiction
46. #modestfashionista
47. #fashionphotographyappreciation
48. #fashionillustrationoftheday
49. #ankarafashionstyle
50. #fashionablekids
51. #instafashionistas
52. #africanfashiontrends
53. #fashionnovacurve
54. #fashiongrammer
55. #fashionistagram
56. #mensfashionstyle
57. #menstylefashion
58. #fashionstyles
59. #fashionaddicts
60. #littlefashionista
61. #fashionistastyle
62. #fashionbloggerstyle
63. #fashionaddicted
64. #streetstylefashion
65. #babyfashionista
66. #instafashionista
67. #stylefashion
68. #minifashionista
69. #fashiontrends
70. #fashionbloggers
71. #fashionistas
72. #fashionphotography
73. #fashionaddict
74. #fashionweek
75. #fashiongram
76. #fashionable
77. #fashionstyle
78. #fashionista
79. #fashionblogger
80. #fashion
81. #fashiontrends2021
82. #fashiongramm
83. #fashiongramcommunity
84. #fashionablebaby
85. #fashionable40s
86. #petitefashionblogger
87. #clothes
88. #clothesdesign
89. #clothesaddict
90. #vintageclothes
91. #babyclothes
92. #designerclothes
93. #ootdfashion
94. #ootd
95. #ootdinspiration
96. #ootdfash
97. #ootdmen
98. #ootdmenswear
99. #ootdmenstyle
100. #ootdmensyle
101. #ootdmenfashion
102. #underwear
103. #style
104. #styleblogger
105. #stylefashion
106. #stylediary
107. #styleinspiration
108. #styleinfluencer
109. #stylegram
110. #styleguide
111. #styleblog
112. #stylegrammer
113. #stylegrams
114. #styleinspirations
115. #shapewear
116. #shapewears
117. #blouse
118. #blousedesigns
119. #blouseootd
120. #blousetunik
121. #outfitoftheday
122. #outfitpost
123. #outfitideas
124. #outfitselfie
125. #outfitposts
126. #outfitlook
127. #look
128. #lookbook
129. #weddingdress
130. #dresses
131. #dress
132. #dresstoimpress
133. #dressuptime
134. #stylishmen
135. #stylishlook
136. #stylegoals
137. #stylegoalsaf
138. #styleinspo
139. #styleinsporation
140. #fashioninspo
141. #accessories
142. #accessoriesoftheday
143. #accessorieslovers
144. #accessoriesfashion
145. #accessorieslover
146. #accessoriesaddict
147. #accessorieshandmade
148. #accessoriesforwomen
149. #fashionaccessories
150. #plussizebeauty
151. #plussizestyle
152. #plussizeblogger
153. #plussizemodel
154. #plussizefashion
155. #plussize
156. #casualstyle
157. #casualoutfit
158. #casual
159. #casualwear
160. #casuallook
161. #casualoutfits
162. #casualfashion
163. #casualshoes
164. #casualdress
165. #casuallooks
166. #casuallookbook
167. #casuallookstyle
168. #formal
169. #formaldress
170. #formalwear
171. #formalhair
172. #formaldresses
173. #formalshoes
174. #formalgown
175. #runway
176. #runwayfashion
177. #runwaylook
178. #runwayready
179. #mensfashion
180. #mensfashionpost
181. #streetwear
182. #streetwearfashion
183. #streetwearbrand
184. #streetweardaily
185. #streetwearstyle
186. #streetwearaddicted
187. #streetwearclothing
188. #streetwearbeast
189. #streetwearculture
190. #sweaters
191. #sweaterseason
192. #sweaterset
193. #stylist
194. #stylistlife
195. #fashionstylist
196. #personalstylist
197. #jewelrydesigner
198. #jewelry
199. #jewelrygram
200. #jewelrydesign
201. #jewelrylover
202. #handmadejewelry
203. #jewelryaddict
204. #jewelryobsessed
205. #jewelryaddiction
206. #heels #highheels
207. #heelsaddict
208. #highheelshoes
209. #highheelslover
210. #heelsfetish
211. #redbottoms
212. #redbottomshoes
213. #kicks
214. #kicksonfire
215. #kicksoftheday
216. #kicksaddict
217. #kicksforsale
218. #glassesfashion
219. #glassesswag
220. #sunglasses
221. #sunglassesfashion
222. #sunglasseslover
223. #sunglassesaddict
224. #sunglassesstyle
225. #sunglassesbranded
226. #designerbags
227. #luxuryclothing
228. #fashionboutique
229. #boutiquefashion
230. #boutiqueshopping
231. #boutique
232. #boutiquestyle
233. #headwear
234. #headweardesigner

Keep in mind you should always mix up the hashtags between high and medium as well as vary each caption set. This will ensure you are getting the best possible reach for every post. Hope you enjoyed this post! Be sure to share, pin, or tweet, if you found it valuable!