How to Use the Instagram Multiple Hashtag Collector

Before you start

• Awareness of platform limits:
  • Instagram’s browser version only shows a limited number of posts per hashtag: currently capped at 28 posts per hashtag.
  • Providing multiple hashtags expands your reach, but each individual hashtag is still limited.

Step 1: Connect your Instagram account

To let the Phantom act on your behalf:

1. Install the PhantomBuster browser extension and connect your Instagram session in one click.
2. If you’re not using Chrome or Firefox, you can retrieve your session cookie manually (see our cookie guide).

Step 2: Provide your hashtags and/or location

You must provide at least two search terms: either two hashtags, or a hashtag plus a location.

Note that when using multiple hashtags, the Phantom runs them in pairs (e.g. #a + #b, then #a + #c). This can result in duplicate posts across runs.

You can:

1. Paste directly in the setup field:
   • Hashtags separated by a + 
     Example: #cactus + #plants
   • Location and hashtags separated by a + 
     Example: London + #party + #travel
2. Provide a Google Sheet with a list of hashtags or location + hashtag pairs (make sure it’s shared with “Anyone with the link”).
3. Upload a CSV file with a list of hashtags or location + hashtag pairs (make sure it’s publicly accessible, and note that CSV upload is only available on paid plans).

→ Each line should contain multiple hashtags or hashtags and location in a single cell, separated by a +
→ If you’re using a spreadsheet, the Phantom defaults to the first column (A). To use a different column, enter the column’s header name in the field “Name of column containing Instagram hashtags/locations.”

Step 3: Configure extraction limits

Fine-tune how much data to collect per launch:

• Number of lines of your spreadsheet to process per launch (optional):
  • Default = 10.
  • If left empty, the Phantom will process all of them in one launch.

Advanced settings (dropdown in setup)

1. Number of matches to find (optional):
   • Default = unlimited until hitting Instagram’s rate limit.
2. Number of posts to extract (optional):
   • Default = 1000 (Recommended max).
   • If left empty, unlimited until hitting Instagram’s rate limit.

Result file settings (dropdown in setup)

1. Name your results file (optional)

   • You can customize the file name.

     If you rename the file between launches, the Phantom will create a new results file and start processing inputs from scratch.

2. Fields to keep (optional)
   • Export only the fields you care about by listing them (comma-separated).
     Example: postUrl, username, likeCount.
   • This generates a second CSV file with just those fields.
   • Learn more in our guide: Customize how your Phantom results files are saved.

Step 4: Select launch frequency

Choose how often the Phantom should run:

1. Launch manually: Start the Phantom yourself whenever you need.
2. Launch once at a specific time: schedule a one-time run at a set date and time.
3. Launch repeatedly: schedule regular runs (e.g. once per day, several times during working hours).
4. Launch after another Phantom: chain automations together so this Phantom starts right after another finishes.
5. Advanced scheduling: customize the exact minutes, hours, days, or months when the Phantom should run.

→ For a complete walkthrough of scheduling options, see our guide to scheduling Phantoms automatically.

Step 5 (Optional): Advanced settings

Advanced settings are available if you want to fine-tune how your Phantom runs, but by default they’re already optimized for most use cases.

We recommend leaving them as they are unless a guide specifically instructs you to change something.

→ For a detailed overview of all advanced options (like execution limits, retries, email notifications, proxies, webhooks, and file management), see our Advanced settings guide.

Launch and results

When you’re ready:

1. Click Launch to start your Phantom.
2. Once it finishes, open the Results tab in the Phantom console to see the data collected.
3. Download your results as a CSV or JSON file.

→ To learn how to export your data to Google Sheets, integrate with other tools, or reuse it in more automations, check our Access and Export your Phantom Results guide.

Export and input limits on the Free plan
If you’re on the Free plan or Free trial, some features are limited:
- CSV exports include only the first 10 rows of results.
- CSV download links (for dynamic viewing in Google Sheets or integrations) are not available.
- JSON exports are not available.
- CSV upload as an input method is not supported.
To unlock all features, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan.

What you give (Input) and What you get (Output)

This section gives you a detailed breakdown of everything you need to provide to run this Phantom, and everything you’ll receive once it completes.

What you give (Input)

What you get (Output)

Tips and troubleshooting

Common pitfalls

• Using a private spreadsheet (make sure it’s set to “Anyone with the link”).
• Expecting unlimited results per hashtag: Instagram caps hashtag searches to 28 posts maximum per hashtag in the web version.
• Hashtag pairing duplicates: When multiple hashtags are used, the Phantom runs them in pairs (e.g. #a + #b, then #a + #c), which can produce duplicate results.
• Forgetting the + separator: Multiple hashtags or hashtag and location must be joined with a +.

If you run into errors or account issues

• Check how to troubleshoot your phantom using Logs.
• Browse the Fix Issues & Troubleshoot Errors section for solutions to common problems.
• Review our Automation Rate Limits by Platform guide.
• Check our Best Practices for Social Media Automation guide.

Suggested automations

• Instagram Auto Follow Phantom → Follow the profiles behind the posts you collected to grow your audience.
• Instagram Auto Liker Phantom → Like posts from your collected hashtags to engage with content in your niche.
• Instagram Auto Commenter Phantom → Post randomized comments on the extracted posts to increase visibility.