Why Is #Curvy Banned On Instagram?

In an effort to keep Instagram clean, a handful of hashtags are banned; #naked #nude #weed #sex are among those blacklisted. But now, so is #curvy, which isn’t sitting well with some:

The hashtag is generally employed on posts to convey body-positivity and acceptance, a movement that’s found a home on social media, which has in turn fostered its growth. #Curvygirl, #curvyfashion, #curvywomen, and more derivatives are all allowed, but the single word doesn’t pass snuff. So why has Instagram deemed this term inappropriate?

A spokesperson from Instagram tells Yahoo Style, “Please note that the block has nothing to do with the term “curvy” itself. We block (i.e. make unsearchable) certain hashtags when they are consistently being used to share images and videos that violate our Community Guidelines. In this case, #curvy was being used to share content that violates our guidelines around nudity.”  One could argue that plenty of other hashtags pull up inappropriate content. Try #freethenipple, for example. To which Instagram says they “only [block hashtags] when they are consistently being used share content that violates our guidelines.” Like #eggplant, which also yields zero results.

Interestingly, #thin and #skinny, although met with a warning, have not been removed despite the fact that they’re linked to unhealthy behaviors and thinking.

Whatever the real reason, users are up in arms. “Over the past few years, Instagram has grown to be a platform where the plus-size community can connect on many levels,” Monif Clarke, CEO and Founder of Monif C. Plus Sizes and an avid Instagram user. “It saddens me that the hashtag curvy is no longer a ‘searchable’ term, but I know that this is just a small roadblock for the plus-size community — and we will continue to find new hashtags to further positive plus-size messaging.”

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