Module 2: Captions, limits and hashtagsLesson 5 of 114 min read
Hashtag limits: YouTube's 60-tag rule and Instagram's limit of 5
Long blocks of hashtags were once a standard trick. Today two of the biggest platforms set hard limits, and the others count every tag against your caption length. This guide covers the rules that actually exist, the ones people repeat but can't source, and how to choose a short list that describes the post.
YouTube: more than 60 and none count
YouTube's rule is explicit: if a video has more than 60 hashtags, YouTube ignores all hashtags on that video, not only the extra ones. YouTube may show up to three hashtags next to the title, picking them from the ones you've added. Hashtags also have to relate to the video. Misleading or unrelated tags break YouTube's policies and can get the video removed.
Instagram: five per post
In December 2025 Instagram started limiting posts and reels to five hashtags, and asked people to use specific tags instead of generic ones like #reels or #explore. Older advice to use "up to 30", the previous cap, no longer applies.
Repeated advice without a source
Claims about an exact "best" number of hashtags, or that hashtags in comments work better than in captions, are rarely backed by the platforms. Stick to the published limits and to tags that describe the post.
TikTok and X
Neither TikTok nor X sets a hard hashtag limit, and X recommends no more than two per post. Every tag still uses characters of the caption limit: 4,000 on TikTok's app, 280 for a free X account, where a long tag list leaves little room for the message.
What counts as a hashtag, and picking good ones
On most platforms a hashtag is a # followed by letters, numbers or underscores. #2026 alone often isn't linked; #2026goals is. A space or punctuation ends the tag, so "#new york" becomes #new. Platforms match tags without caring about capitals, so #Travel and #travel are the same tag twice.
- Describe the post: topic, place, format, or community.
- Prefer specific tags (#tokyofood) over generic ones (#food).
- Remove repeats and anything unrelated to the post.
Paste a caption and see repeats and per-platform rules. The example has a repeat and two generic tags.
Check these hashtagsQuick check
Three questions. Pick an answer to see why.
What happens if a YouTube video has more than 60 hashtags?
Show the answer
Answer: YouTube ignores all hashtags on the video Not just the extra ones: every hashtag stops counting.
How many hashtags can an Instagram post or reel have since December 2025?
Show the answer
Answer: 5 Instagram reduced the limit and asked for specific tags.
Where can YouTube show hashtags from your description?
Show the answer
Answer: Up to three, next to the video's title YouTube picks them from the hashtags you've added.
Rules change
Platform rules change often. Each guide shows the date it was last checked; when in doubt, the platform's own help page has the final word.
Sources
- YouTube Help – Use hashtags for video search
- Social Samosa – Instagram limits hashtags to five per post (Dec 2025)
- X Help – How to use hashtags
Last checked October 25, 2026