What Makes a Hashtag “Banned” or Restricted?

TikTok’s moderation system isn’t random. When a hashtag is banned or restricted, it’s usually the result of algorithmic detection, community reports, or safety policies. Understanding these categories will help you spot risks before you post.

• Banned = completely blocked.
• Restricted = partially suppressed.

Either way, both can hurt your growth — which is why knowing the list (next section) is crucial in 2025.

1. The Difference Between Banned vs Restricted

• Banned Hashtags
  • These are hashtags completely removed from TikTok search.
  • If you type them in the search bar, you’ll often see “No results found.”
  • Videos that use them won’t show up in hashtag feeds.
  • Example: explicit adult terms, self-harm hashtags, or offensive slurs.
• Restricted Hashtags
  • These aren’t completely blocked, but TikTok limits their visibility.
  • Content may show up under the tag but won’t be widely recommended on the For You Page.
  • Example: overused tags like #FYP or ambiguous terms TikTok filters for safety.

2. Why TikTok Bans or Restricts Hashtags

• Safety Concerns
  • Tags linked to nudity, sexual content, or violence are often banned to protect younger audiences.
• Community Protection
  • TikTok monitors hashtags tied to hate speech, racism, or bullying. These get suppressed or removed quickly.
• Misinformation Control
  • During global events (e.g., health crises or politics), hashtags spreading misinformation may be restricted.
• Spam & Manipulation
  • TikTok also suppresses “spammy” hashtags — generic viral sets that creators overuse to game the algorithm (like #XYZBCA).
• Hidden Bans
  • Some hashtags aren’t officially announced but quietly disappear from search. These are often harmless words that TikTok deems “sensitive” due to misuse.

3. How This Affects Your Content

Using banned or restricted hashtags doesn’t just block discovery under that tag — it can also reduce the reach of your entire video. TikTok’s algorithm may treat the content as lower-quality or unsafe, making it much harder to get traction.

TikTok Banned Hashtags 2025: The Full List

Never copy-paste hashtag sets from random lists online. TikTok changes its banned/restricted list often, so you need to test them yourself and stay updated.

TikTok updates its moderation system constantly, and every year new hashtags are added to the banned or restricted list. Some are obvious (adult or offensive terms), while others are surprisingly innocent but get flagged due to misuse. Below is the categorized breakdown for 2025:

1. Adult & Sexual Content Hashtags

TikTok heavily restricts any hashtags linked to nudity, sex work, or adult themes.
Examples:

• #NSFW
• #Naked
• #OnlyFans
• #XXX

⚠️ Why they’re banned: To protect minors and keep TikTok brand-safe.

2. Violence & Dangerous Activity Hashtags

Any tag promoting physical harm, fighting, or drug use falls under this category.
Examples:

• #FightClub
• #WeedLife
• #Pills
• #GunLife

⚠️ Why they’re banned: To prevent unsafe or illegal activity from spreading.

3. Self-Harm & Mental Health Risks

These hashtags are linked to harmful behaviors or sensitive health struggles. TikTok often suppresses them or redirects users to support resources.
Examples:

• #Suicide
• #Depression
• #Cutting
• #Thinspo

⚠️ Why they’re banned: To protect vulnerable users and avoid promoting harmful content.

4. Hate Speech & Offensive Hashtags

TikTok bans or suppresses slurs, racist terms, and offensive language in hashtag form.
Examples:

• [Racial slurs — omitted for sensitivity]
• Offensive stereotypes or derogatory terms

⚠️ Why they’re banned: To maintain community safety and inclusivity.

5. Spammy & Hidden Banned Hashtags

Some hashtags aren’t offensive, but TikTok flags them due to spammy behavior. These are “hidden bans” that most creators don’t realize until their reach drops.
Examples:

• #XYZBCA (once a viral experiment, now spammy)
• #Alone (quietly suppressed in the past)
• #LikeForLike, #FollowForFollow

⚠️ Why they’re banned: Overuse and manipulative patterns signal low-quality content.

Why TikTok Bans Hashtags (Case by Category)

 TikTok bans hashtags not to punish creators but to protect communities, minimize legal risk, and maintain advertiser-friendly content. As a creator, knowing why categories are banned helps you avoid risky areas and build sustainable growth.

TikTok doesn’t randomly remove hashtags. Each banned or restricted hashtag reflects a broader safety policy and moderation system. By understanding the reasons behind each category, creators can better protect their accounts — and avoid repeating mistakes.

1. Adult & Sexual Content Hashtags

• Why TikTok bans them: TikTok has a massive under-18 audience, and explicit terms or sexual promotion violate both its Community Guidelines and app store policies.
• Impact: Hashtags like #NSFW, #OnlyFans, or #XXX are blocked to prevent inappropriate content from reaching minors and to maintain advertiser trust.

2. Violence & Dangerous Activity Hashtags

• Why TikTok bans them: Hashtags tied to fighting, weapons, or drugs promote unsafe activity and can even expose TikTok to legal risks.
• Impact: Tags such as #FightClub or #Pills are removed to discourage harmful challenges or glorification of illegal substances.

3. Self-Harm & Mental Health Risk Hashtags

• Why TikTok bans them: TikTok is highly proactive about self-harm prevention. Hashtags like #Suicide, #Depression, or #Thinspo are either blocked or rerouted to mental health support pages.
• Impact: This protects vulnerable users while signaling TikTok’s commitment to safety.

4. Hate Speech & Offensive Hashtags

• Why TikTok bans them: Hate speech or discriminatory hashtags can spread fast, damage TikTok’s reputation, and foster unsafe environments.
• Impact: TikTok suppresses slurs, racist terminology, and derogatory phrases immediately — often before creators realize.

5. Spammy & Hidden Banned Hashtags

• Why TikTok bans them: Sometimes hashtags aren’t “offensive” but get hijacked for spam or manipulative growth. For example, #XYZBCA and “like-for-like” tags became red flags.
• Impact: These are quietly suppressed, meaning your video won’t get traction if you use them — even if your content is clean.

How to Check if a Hashtag is Banned

Before posting, spend 2–3 minutes testing each new hashtag. This small habit prevents days or weeks of lost reach from accidental shadowbans.

You don’t have to guess whether a TikTok hashtag is safe to use — there are quick, practical ways to check. By running these tests before posting, you can avoid attaching your video to hashtags that quietly suppress your reach.

1. Use TikTok’s Search Bar

• Go to the TikTok search bar and type in the hashtag.
• If banned: You’ll see “No results found” or the hashtag won’t autocomplete.
• If restricted: Results appear, but they’re limited and often lack recent posts.
  Pro Tip: Always click through to the hashtag page and check if content is still actively being uploaded.

2. Look at the Hashtag Feed

• If the hashtag shows results, scan the top and recent videos.
• Warning signs:
  • Very few views compared to the number of posts.
  • Low-quality or irrelevant spammy content dominating.
  • Warning banners like “This hashtag may be associated with harmful behavior.”

3. Watch for Redirects

TikTok sometimes redirects searches for self-harm or mental health hashtags to support resources.

• Example: Typing #Suicide may lead to a help page instead of a feed.
• This is a clear sign the hashtag is flagged.

4. Use External Tools and Blogs

• Sites like Later, Hootsuite, and community-run TikTok marketing blogs often update lists of restricted hashtags.
• While not official, they give good indicators of risky tags.
  Always double-check in TikTok’s own search bar to confirm.

5. Track Your Analytics After Using Hashtags

• Post a video using the hashtag.
• If views drop unusually low compared to your average, that tag may be harming visibility.
• Remove it from future posts and monitor if reach improves.

6. Avoid Copy-Pasting Hashtag Sets

• Hashtag lists from random “growth hacks” websites often include outdated or banned tags.
• Instead, build your own updated set by testing each one directly inside TikTok.

Safer Alternatives to Banned Hashtags

The safest way to grow is by building around community-driven hashtags like #BeautyTok or #PetTok, while layering in format-based tags like #GRWM. These not only avoid shadowban risks but also connect you to highly engaged, loyal audiences.

The good news? TikTok is full of safe, community-driven hashtags that boost visibility without putting your account at risk. These hashtags are evergreen, meaning they’ve been consistently popular and rarely flagged by moderation. Instead of chasing banned or spammy tags, focus on these alternatives to grow sustainably.

1. Community Niches (Evergreen & Safe)

TikTok thrives on micro-communities built around interests. These hashtags connect you with audiences who want your content.

• #BeautyTok — makeup, skincare, tutorials.
• #FoodTok — recipes, cooking hacks, food reviews.
• #PetTok — funny and cute animal content.
• #TravelTok — vlogs, guides, cultural experiences.
• #BookTok — book reviews, recommendations, reading challenges.

✅ Why safe: They’re broad, positive, and rooted in real communities.

2. Trend-Adjacent Hashtags

Instead of using risky viral hashtags, use tags that describe your content’s format.

• #GRWM (Get Ready With Me)
• #DayInTheLife
• #StoryTime
• #BehindTheScenes
• #Tutorial

✅ Why safe: These hashtags never go “banned” because they describe video styles, not sensitive topics.

3. Positive & Motivational Hashtags

TikTok promotes uplifting content — hashtags that encourage creativity and positivity often get more reach.

• #LearnOnTikTok
• #MotivationMonday
• #CreatorsOfTikTok
• #TipsAndTricks
• #LifeHacks

✅ Why safe: They align with TikTok’s brand-friendly, advertiser-safe environment.

4. Niche + Trend Combo

Mix one or two community hashtags with trending but safe tags. Example:

• A recipe video → #FoodTok + #GRWM + #CookingHacks
• A travel vlog → #TravelTok + #DayInTheLife + #HiddenGems

✅ Why safe: Keeps you in the algorithm’s positive spotlight while still catching momentum.

Staying Safe While Using Hashtags

Hashtags are one of the fastest ways to grow on TikTok — but only if you use them wisely. In 2025, TikTok continues to tighten its moderation system, which means creators must be more intentional about the hashtags they choose.

Here’s the smart recap to keep your account safe while still reaching the audiences you want:

Do’s

• Check hashtags before using them — search in TikTok to confirm they’re active and safe.
• Mix safe community hashtags with trending ones — balance long-term growth and short-term boosts.
• Use 3–5 hashtags per post — keep it clean and avoid spam signals.
• Rotate your sets weekly — fresh hashtags = better reach and reduced spam flags.
• Track analytics — if a hashtag tanks your views, drop it immediately.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t use banned or restricted hashtags (adult, violent, offensive).
• Don’t copy-paste massive hashtag blocks from random lists.
• Don’t rely only on generic viral tags like #fyp or #viral.
• Don’t misalign hashtags with your content just to ride a trend.

The safest path to growth is using community-driven hashtags (#BeautyTok, #PetTok, #TravelTok, etc.) while avoiding risky ones. Focus on relevancy and variety — and you’ll keep your content safe from shadowbans while still hitting the For You Page.

Avoiding Banned Hashtags = Long-Term Growth

Banned and restricted hashtags aren’t just an inconvenience — they’re growth killers. One wrong hashtag can bury your video in the algorithm, or worse, trigger a shadowban that stalls your entire account.

In 2025, the smartest creators treat hashtags like strategic tools, not shortcuts. By knowing which hashtags are banned, checking them before use, and focusing on safe community-driven tags, you’ll keep your content visible, brand-safe, and growing steadily.

Pair your safe hashtag strategy with strong engagement tactics and SMMNut’s TikTok growth services to supercharge results.