Can You Still Find #DTIYS Posts on Instagram? What Artists Need to Know

If you’re an artist who loves joining drawing challenges on Instagram, like the popular “Draw This In Your Style” (DTIYS) contests, you already know how vital hashtags are to the experience. Hashtags like #vikoos10K, a milestone celebration tag, bring all the participants together in one virtual corner so you can see every entry, support fellow creators, and maybe even discover new artists to follow.

But a while ago, something’s changed. Users are noticing that Instagram is no longer showing the hashtag pages at all for smaller, niche tags. Instead of scrolling through a neat gallery of artwork, some are stuck in endless search loops with no posts appearing under the tag. The “Recent” tab is gone. The hashtag page itself is either completely removed or broken.

It’s confusing and frustrating, and the impact is bigger than just missing posts. This change is making it harder to connect, discover, and build communities on Instagram, especially for smaller creators who rely on hashtags to get seen.

Let’s break down what’s going on, why Instagram seems to be doing this, and how you can still find those hidden gems and support your creative tribe.

#What Instagram Removed and Why It’s a Big Deal

Instagram has long been a place where hashtags brought people together. They allowed niche communities, like art challenge participants, hobbyists, or fans of something super specific, to gather in one place. Earlier, the “Recent” tab under hashtags showed every new post using that tag in chronological order. It was an organic way to explore what’s happening right now, from real people, not just big accounts.

Recently, Instagram has:

• Removed the “Recent” tab on hashtags, leaving only “Top” posts that show mainly popular accounts

• Made hashtag pages for smaller tags hard to access or completely disappeared

• Shifted discovery heavily toward the Explore page and algorithm-driven suggestions

This is especially painful for small creators participating in niche tags like #vikoos10K or any niche hashtag related to a challenge or specific interest. Without the hashtag page or recent posts list, you can’t see the full gallery of submissions. You’re stuck hoping the host or others mention or tag you directly. But that’s unreliable and feels like a shot in the dark.

#Why Does Instagram Do This?

From what we can tell, it seems Instagram is focusing on promoting the biggest creators and sponsored content. By showing mostly “Top” posts and commercial accounts, the platform hopes to drive more engagement and revenue.

But that also means:

• Smaller creators get less exposure

• Niche communities can’t form or grow organically

• Real-time conversations and shared experiences get lost

Instagram’s priorities appear to have shifted toward monetization and algorithmic curation, sacrificing the community-driven feel that hashtags originally created.

#Why Hashtags and “Recent” Really Matter for Artists and Small Creators

Hashtags weren’t just a way to get likes. They were the lifeblood of discovery. Here’s why:

• Artists could post their entries with a challenge hashtag and see what others are creating in real time

• Browsing a hashtag helped you discover new artists working in styles or themes you loved

• Commenting and liking each other’s posts within the hashtag fostered creative communities

• Hosts and big accounts could find entries they missed and share them, helping smaller artists grow

Taking away this tool leaves artists feeling disconnected, frustrated, and invisible.

#What Can Creators and Fans Do Now?

If you’re stuck looking for your challenge’s hashtag page and getting nowhere, here are some tips:

1. #Use Third-Party Tools Like RecentReborn

   RecentReborn restores the ability to see recent posts by hashtag, just like Instagram used to offer. This means you can browse new challenge entries and find small creators even if Instagram’s own app hides them.

2. #Follow Challenge Host’s Account Carefully

   Many hosts tag or repost participant entries on their own profiles and Stories. Keep an eye there for new submitted art and discover creators through those posts.

3. #Search by Tagging the Artist or Using Combined Hashtags

   If the main tag isn’t working, try searching for hashtags combined with the artist’s username, or looking at tagged posts directly on the host's profile.

4. #Connect Outside Instagram

   Many artists share their work on other platforms like Twitter, TikTok, or art-focused communities. Supporting creators there can help build a cross-platform network.

5. #Give Feedback to Instagram

   Voice your concerns using Instagram’s feedback tools or community forums. Small creators need a platform that values discovery for everyone, not just the biggest accounts.

#Why RecentReborn Exists and How It Helps You

At RecentReborn, we get how hard it is when features vanish overnight and you lose a key way to connect with your creative community. That’s why we built a platform that brings back the “Recent” tab experience for hashtags on Instagram and TikTok.

With RecentReborn, you can:

• Browse real-time recent posts under any hashtag

• Discover new small creators posting in your niche or challenge

• Avoid being stuck in search loops or dead ends

• Try it free and upgrade if you need more daily hashtag searches

We want to help creators, fans, and businesses find real, authentic content, not just sponsored posts or mega-influencer promotions.

#In Summary: Don’t Let Instagram’s Changes Break Your Creative Flow

Losing the “Recent” hashtag tab and seeing smaller tags disappear hurts artists who depend on community challenges and hashtag discovery on Instagram. It’s frustrating when you’ve spent time creating and want to see what others made, only to find the system broken.

But there’s hope. By using tools like RecentReborn and staying connected with hosts and fellow artists, you can keep the spirit of those hashtags alive. The key is to keep searching, supporting, and building your network on Instagram and beyond.