Are there any hashtags I shouldn’t use?

Yes. Instagram holds the list of banned hashtags close to its chest.

You can guess some of these – think obscenities, obvious pointers to banned content (#NSFW); hashtags that encourage spam likes #tagsforlikes; hashtags around nudity (#tanlines), and then others that really don’t fall into any category (#sopretty, #newyearsday).

There is a list here by Kicksta : https://blog.kicksta.co/a-complete-list-of-banned-hashtags-you-should-avoid/ but be aware it is not 100% correct (#sunbathing is allowed for example).

If you have any doubts, just look them up using the search function on Instagram – you’ll see the usage amount (first picture below), then you’ll see a message come up (second and third picture). This means, it’s banned.

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What This Looks Like in Practice

For example, when working with Great Southern RV, the focus wasn’t simply creating more ads. The strategy centred on positioning their caravans and motorhomes around a clear lifestyle promise – the freedom to travel and explore Australia on your terms. That clarity shaped campaigns, show promotions and social content that resonated strongly with buyers already dreaming about the road.

With St Patrick’s Technical College, the challenge wasn’t marketing activity – it was perception. By repositioning the brand to highlight the strength of vocational pathways and industry partnerships, the messaging shifted from “alternative education” to a powerful career pathway, changing how the college is seen by parents and students.

And for Succoris Psychology, the work went beyond promotion. It involved clarifying how the brand speaks to both clients and clinicians across multiple clinics, creating a structure that supports long-term growth rather than just short-term marketing activity.

In each case, the goal wasn’t simply “more marketing”. It was better-aligned marketing built on clear strategy.

The Pitstop Approach

At Pitstop Marketing, we believe marketing should be a growth engine for the business, not just a collection of activities.

That’s why we focus first on understanding the commercial goals, the audience and the positioning — and then build marketing that supports those foundations.

If you want your marketing to stop feeling like guesswork, get in touch. We want to work with businesses who want to grow.