How to Use Emoji Hashtags on Instagram

Express yourself by combining two popular social media trends

By
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Freelance Contributor
  • University of Ontario
  • George Brown College
Elise Moreau is a writer that has covered social media, texting, messaging, and streaming for Lifewire. Her work has appeared on Techvibes, SlashGear, Lifehack and others.
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Updated on April 17, 2024

What to Know

  • Open the Instagram app and compose a post. Add a picture, filter, caption, and hashtags as you usually would.
  • Type the # and then switch to the emoji keyboard. Tap an emoji to select it. Optionally, tap multiple emojis, then share your post.
  • Search by emoji hashtag: Tap the magnifying glass, tap the Tags tab, then type the emoji (without #) into the search field.

This article explains how to use emoji hashtags on Instagram to boost engagement, express yourself, and try a new way to catalog your post. Instagram also lets you add hashtagged emojis to comments, and users can search for posts via an emoji hashtag.

How to Hashtag an Emoji on Instagram

Sometimes an emoji captures your feelings perfectly. Coupling it with a hashtag makes your post discoverable to those searching for that emoji.

  1. Open Instagram and tap the plus sign to compose a new post.

  2. Add a picture, filter, and caption as usual, including your regular hashtags.

    Start a new Instagram post and add your caption and hashtags

  3. To add a hashtagged emoji, type # and then tap the emoji keyboard icon to switch to the emoji keyboard.

  4. Choose an emoji to add it to the hashtag.

    Add the # and an emoji to create an emoji hashtag in your Instagram post caption

  5. If you like, add multiple emojis. Don't put any spaces between the hashtag and emojis.

  6. When you're happy with your emoji hashtags, share your post. Your emoji hashtag turns into a tappable link, which displays a feed of other posts that include the hashtag.

    Add multiple hashtag emojis and then share your post

It's easy to leave an emoji hashtag when commenting on an Instagram post. In the comment field, type # and then switch to the emoji keyboard. Choose your emoji or emojis and post as you normally would.

Use the Search Tab to Find Emoji Hashtag Posts

To search for an emoji hashtag:

  1. Open Instagram and tap the magnifying glass.

  2. On the top row, tap Tags.

  3. Type the emoji into the search field (without a hashtag). Tap a search result to see top posts featuring the emoji hashtag.

    Search emoji hashtags to find posts

Why Use Hashtag Emojis on Instagram?

Emojis are expressive picture icons people use to complement their written text on social media and in text messages. Most people use emojis on a mobile device because emoji keyboards come already installed (or can be downloaded).

If you're active on any other popular social network, you know that hashtagging involves placing a pound sign (#) in front of a word (or phrase without spaces). When you hashtag a word or phrase and publish it in a status, tweet, caption, or comment, that word or phrase turns into a clickable link, which takes you to a page where you can follow other updates containing that same hashtag.

Emoji hashtags combine social connection and convenience. Hashtags link, build communities, start trends, and streamline social media content. In short, they get you found. Emojis simplify language, break barriers, and give a little emotional heart to your posts. Combining hashtags and emojis adds a new dimension to the process of getting found and making connections.

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