# How many tags to use

Course: [Hashtags Without the Myths](https://the-app.fyi/academy/hashtags-without-myths)
Lesson 2 of 5 · 3–5 min
URL: https://the-app.fyi/academy/hashtags-without-myths/how-many-tags

### The end of the “wall of tags” era

Instagram used to let you hang up to 30 hashtags — and people really did. Now the **max is ****5**. Period. The platform simply won’t take more.

> That’s actually helpful: you can’t dump a wall of “just in case” tags anymore. You have to pick only what fits.

### Working guidelines by platform

**Instagram** (max 5)

Use 3–5 relevant ones; filling all 5 “for the sake of it” isn’t required

**TikTok** (3–5)

Niche + topic; skip a pile of empty `#fyp`

**Shorts** (2–5)

Title and description carry more weight

### How to think about Instagram’s five

1. **5** is a ceiling, not a duty
2. Better **3 precise** tags than 5 where two are “eh, whatever”
3. At most one slot for a broad tag; the rest mid and niche (next lesson)

### Why quality beats “fill the limit”

- An extra irrelevant tag takes a slot a useful one could have used
- Easier to accidentally grab a **restricted** or junk tag
- The same set of 5 under every post is still a bad idea (lesson 4)

### Simple practice for creators

1. Write the post/clip **without** tags — in normal language, with keywords.
2. Add **3–5** tags that actually describe the content.
3. If you can’t fill an honest five — leave it at 3. Empty slots beat junk.

> **One-hand rule:** if you can’t explain why this tag belongs under *this* post — drop it.

## Check yourself

What’s a solid approach for Instagram tags right now?

1. Always exactly 5 — if there’s a limit, fill it
2. Up to 5 relevant ones (often 3–5 is enough; don’t pad with junk)
3. Like before — 30, just in a comment
4. The more platforms in the post, the more tags in a row

Explanation: Instagram’s limit is 5. That’s a ceiling, not a quota you must fill. Use as many as honestly describe the post — usually 3–5.