via dopaliciousdistrict.files.wordpress.comArts+Culture / News#FreeTheEggplant: Instagram bans emoji from search functionYou can now search Insta hashtags by emoji – with one very notable purple exceptionShareLink copied ✔️April 28, 2015Arts+CultureNewsTextNatalie Turco-Williams Instagram are now letting users hashtag and search by emoji as part of a new update, but guess what... They’ve banned the eggplant. The innocent purple fruit, often used to tag dick pics, has been totally blocked from the social media app’s new hashtag search engine. According to Instagram, this is because the eggplant’s association with dicks violates their community guideline of no graphic or harmful hashtags. But this doesn’t mean the penis-shaped fruit is completely banned from the app. Users are still able to use and tag the eggplant in their posts, but they just aren’t allowed to search for it. The block has upset many Instagrammers, especially as other emojis like the gun and cigarette, which could be considered harmful content, haven’t been banned. In light of this, some die-hard eggplant fans have taken their grief to social media and started the #FREETHEEGGPLANT, hoping to get Instagram to change their stance on the innocent fruit. I can't stand this kind of oppression anymore. We live in a world where we can search for #🍑 on Instagram but not #🍆#FREETHEEGGPLANT— pistol pat (@PatSison) April 27, 2015Instagram honestly, I don't want to hashtag emojis if I can't hashtag the eggplant. #FREETHEEGGPLANT 🍆— diane tomaszkowicz (@dtomaszkowicz) April 27, 2015 Instagram has always caused controversy with their arbitrary community guidelines. Even when trying to clear them up with more "transparent" rules, the app still ends up seeing ridiculous. So, with constantly frustrated users, it’s clear Instagram should be listening more and asking people what they want. Most important question being: will they ever #FREETHEEGGPLANT? Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREWhy did Satan start to possess girls on screen in the 70s?Learn the art of photo storytelling and zine making at Dazed+LabsJim BeamJim Beam and Dazed want to help you get game day-ready8 essential skate videos from the 90s and beyond with Glue SkateboardsThe unashamedly queer, feminist, and intersectional play you need to seeJim BeamWhat went down at Jim Beam’s NYC bashParis artists are pissed off with this ‘gift’ from Jeff KoonsA Seat at the TableVinca Petersen: Future FantasySnarkitecture’s guide on how to collide art and architectureBanksy has unveiled a new anti-weapon artworkVincent Gallo: mad, bad, and dangerous to knowEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy