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When Instagram users try to search for the aubergine, or eggplant, emoji hashtag no posts appear - even if there are posts tagged in this way

Last night Instagram rolled out its latest update that lets users create and search for hashtags using emoji. 

But it appears not all emoji hashtags are created equal.

When people try to search for the aubergine, or eggplant, emoji using a hashtag on the app, no posts appear - even though there are posts that have been tagged with it.

And it is believe to be because the emoji is commonly used to represent male genitalia and may be attached to images containing nudity. 

The anomaly was discovered by Katie Notopoulos from Buzzfeed. 

Emoji hashtags were released as part of Instagram's latest app update, which also added three new filters and a redesigned Love button. 

Hashtags can now be used with single emoji, multiple emoji or can be combined with text in post, comments, captions and when using the Explore tab. 

Instagram told MailOnline it is not commenting on the eggplant anomaly. 

But, given that the emoji could potentially be tagged onto images that contain nudity, it is likely the app is restricting its use under its community guidelines. 

It also appears the hashtag itself isn't banned across the app, instead it just can't be searched for.

Instagram's guidelines explain: 'We know that there are times when people might want to share nude images that are artistic or creative in nature, but for a variety of reasons we don't allow nudity on Instagram.

'This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks. 

'It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos of post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding are allowed. Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is OK, too.'

Ms Notopoulos has even created a hashtag called #freetheeggplant. 

Despite issuing an apparent ban on searching for the aubergine, searches for emojis such as the gun (left) and a syringe (right) are allowed. Instagram doesn't ban pictures of guns, although it doesn't allow the sale of guns. In terms of the needle, many images posted using this hashtag include tattoos and giving blood

Following yesterday's update, Instagram users can post, explore other people's photos and interact with captions using emoji. Emoji are popular in the Instagram community, with nearly half of Instagram captions (pictured on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's page) already featuring the small pictures

But she also noted that despite issuing an apparent blanket ban on searching for the aubergine emoji, searches for emojis such as the gun and a needle and syringe are allowed. 

Instagram doesn't ban pictures of guns on the app, although it doesn't allow the sale of guns. 

In terms of the needle emoji, many images posted using this hashtag include tattoos and giving blood. 

However, if an image was to be posted of a person using drugs or guns in an illegal way Instagram would remove it. 

WHAT EMOJI REVEAL ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY

From sending countless 'poops' to adding hearts to sentimental messages, your choice of emoji says a lot about you. 

And experts recently analysed more than one billion uses of the tiny icons to see how they are used across different languages.

Study found that the French are the most loved-up, sending more hearts than any other region, while Australians use double the average amount of alcohol-themed emoji. 

Swiftkey recently analysed more than one billion sets of emoji data, covering 800 emoji across 60 categories. The most popular categories for each language are pictured

In the US, gadget users send 30 per cent more LGBT-related emoji than the average, including a rainbow, men holding hands or women holding hands. This is followed by Canada and Malaysia.  

To plot the differences in use, London-based keyboard app firm SwiftKey analysed more than one billion sets of emoji data, covering 800 emoji across 60 categories. 

The findings of the report came from an analysis of data over a four-month period between October 2014 and January 2015, and includes both Android and iOS devices.

The languages studied include English, including US, UK and Australian, Spanish, Vietnamese, French, Malaysian, Arabic, German, Turkish, French, Portuguese, Italian and Russian. 

Canadians are twice as raunchy as all other languages, according to the emoji study. ​They use twice as many so-called 'raunchy humour emoji', including the banana, eggplant, peach, cherries and Cancer astrological symbol than average.

Vietnamese and French are half as raunchy as the average and US English speakers are the top users of the eggplant emoji at more than double the average. 

Italians use the banana emoji the most. 

Canadians are twice as raunchy as all other languages, according to the emoji study. ​They use twice as many so-called 'raunchy humour emoji', including the banana, eggplant, peach, cherries and Cancer astrological symbol than average (pictured)

This would rely on either the image being reported by a fellow member or Instagram seeing the image itself. 

Subsequently, this suggests it will potentially allow images of illegal activity to appear in search, when tagged in this way, and act on it retrospectively but won't allow images of nudity to appear in the search results at all. 

Following the launch of the new feature, Instagram told MailOnline: 'Over the past few years, emoji have become part of a universal visual language.

'From today, on Instagram emoji will now work within hashtags, so you can add them to your posts, search for them on the Explore page, and tap on them in captions.' 

Emoji are popular in the Instagram community, with nearly half of Instagram captions already featuring the small pictures.

The most popular emoji on Instagram is the crying with laughter face, followed by the face with love hearts for eyes and blowing a kiss emoji. Other popular emoji are the OK hand gesture, two hearts, clapping hands, another crying with laughter face, thumbs up, smiley face and kiss mark (pictured left to right)

Instagram also unveiled three new filters. It said Juno tints tones green while making 'warm tones pop and whites glow for vibrant photos of people'. Lark (left) desaturates reds while 'punching up blues and greens to bring your landscapes to life' and Reyes (right) was inspired by the coast of Point Reyes, California

The most popular emoji on the site is the crying with laughter face, followed by the face with love hearts for eyes and blowing a kiss emoji.

Instagram also unveiled three new filters called Lark, Reyes and Juno.

Lark desaturates reds while 'punching up blues and greens to bring your landscapes to life', explained Instagram. 

Reyes was inspired by the coast of Point Reyes, California and adds a 'dusty, vintage feel' to photos.

While Juno tints tones green while making 'warm tones pop and whites glow for vibrant photos of people.'