Instagram Tips

Natalie Myers

Natalie Myers

Author

Clock

9 min read

Clock

9 min read

Calender

Date Publish: Aug 09, 2024

Calender

Last Modified: Aug 09, 2024

How To Find And Use The Best Instagram Hashtags?

Table of Content

Hashtags are the key to get your amazing Instagram posts seen by more people. Hashtags are the Hashtags (#) categorize your content, connecting it with others on similar topics.

Imagine your post about delicious homemade pizza. By adding relevant hashtags like #pizzanight, #homecooking, and #foodphotography, you'll open your content to a whole new audience who love pizza just as much as you.

In this article we will talk about the world of Instagram hashtags.  We will discover the hashtag strategies, benefits for brands, and top hashtags. Let us find the perfect hashtags to maximize your reach..

The Power Of Instagram Hashtags

Instagram hashtags (#) are a strategic tool for maximizing the reach of any content. They function like keywords in captions, organizing your posts and linking them with users seeking similar themes. 

Including relevant and proper hashtags will significantly increase the chances that users who don't currently follow you can discover your posts. Grow your brand's visibility on Instagram to achieve more engagements, driving targeted traffic toward your profile. 

Remember, it’s all about the quality hence use 3-5 highly relevant hashtags for maximum effect. Here are main uses for Instagram hashtags that can power up your Instagram.

  • Expand Your Reach

Hashtags carve out a path for your content to reach the people who look in on those particular topics. Just think- your post with homemade pizza would land in the feed of every #pizzalover out there!

  • Create Conversations- 

The hashtag really acts as a community in itself. By including relevant hashtags, you join in on the conversation with others interested in the very same things that you are. 

This could garner more engagement, likes, comments and even new followers who find you through participating in hashtag conversations.

  • Build Brand Awareness-

The consistent use of relevant hashtags helps your audience remember you for it. Anytime someone sees content that has a relevant hashtag attached, there's another chance for your brand to possibly leave a really good impression.

  • Notice What's Trending 

Find trending Instagram hashtags to join the buzz! It's like attending a giant online party where your content can be seen by tons of new people.

By including a strategic mix of hashtags in your Instagram posts, you should notice instant growth in reach, engagement, and even brand awareness. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works for you and your audience in the best way.

How To Find Relevant Hashtags On Instagram? 

Find relevant hashtags and include them in your content strategy. You'll connect with the right people and watch your engagement soar! Get the most out of your Instagram hashtags by using these critical tips and methods:

1. Research On The Instagram Explore Page

Finding appropriate hashtags for your niche is simple. Look for Instagram's Explore Page! Here, you'll see popular posts using relevant hashtags. Search keywords related to your industry and see which hashtags top-performing posts use. 

These hashtags likely have a large audience, perfect for boosting your reach. Just remember to check the content that aligns with your brand's image. 

2. Use Autocomplete To Help You Think Of Hashtags

Instagram's autocomplete feature is a wide, yet effortless way to come up with appropriate hashtags. As you type a hashtag, you will get automatic hashtag suggestions related to your word. 

These suggestions show how many posts use them, so you can pick relevant hashtags with good reach. It's a quick way to find hashtags people are actually searching for. 

The auto-complete feature makes sure that you're tapping into tags in actual usage and which users of the platform are actually searching for.

3. Follow Creators And Accounts In Your Niche

There is no substitute for the best way to get informed regarding which hashtags pertain to your content- follow industry leaders and influencers! They know their audience and use trending hashtags. 

See what hashtags they use consistently to find new hashtags. This will also help you understand how to engage with followers,  boost your reach and engagement.

4. Hashtags By The Competition

Spy on your competitors' hashtags! Monitoring what your rivals are doing in terms of hashtagging will help you quickly realise the best way to do things within your industry. See what works for them in your industry, then adapt those strategies to your brand. 

This helps you find hashtags that resonate with your shared audience, boosting engagement and building credibility. Remember, it's not copying, it's learning and adapting for your brand's unique goals.

5. Hashtags Used By Your Audience

Understanding what your ideal audience is actively using for hashtags changes the game. Jump into their comments and posts to know the most relevant ones that will connect them with your post.  This not only increases your visibility but also strengthens your connection with your audience. 

Use Instagram Insights to understand audience demographics and trends of engagement. Tailor your hashtag strategy further with audience-driven hashtags for more impact. Create highly relatable content using these audience-driven hashtags and watch your engagement soar.

How To Use Hashtags On Instagram Effectively?

Master the art of Instagram hashtag usage with these proven strategies to enhance your visibility, engagement, and overall social media presence.

1. Find The Optimal Number For Hashtag Use

While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, maximizing engagement hinges on striking the right balance. Research suggests a strategic selection of 9-11 hashtags delivers optimal results. This approach broadens your reach while maintaining relevancy and avoiding a spammy appearance.

You should also focus on tracking your post performance with different hashtag quantities to determine the ideal range for your specific audience. Remember, the goal is to create engaging, informative captions that feel conversational, not overwhelming.

2. Use Relevant And Niche Hashtags

Forget the generic hashtags that everyone uses; they are overcrowded, and getting noticed is tough. Instead, find a more niche one related to your industry or community you belong to, or anything that goes with the theme of your post.

Think #handmadejewelry instead of just #jewelry. Although niche hashtags may have fewer posts, people who do see them are interested in what you've got.

3. Use Local Hashtags For Local Business

Help drive up your reach on Instagram with the inclusion of local hashtags for your business. Hashtags targeting your city, neighborhood, or even just mentions of local landmarks zero in on a highly relevant audience and increase their chances of converting to customers.

For example, an Austin coffee shop could use hashtags such as #AustinEats or #ATXcoffee to reach out to the local food crowd. TIn other words, using local hashtags tactically will create community engagement, show your business as a valued neighborhood asset, and build customer loyalty.

4. Create Branded And Campaign Hashtags

Hashtags are your key to unlocking brand awareness and user love on Instagram! There are two main types to understand.

  • Branded Hashtags - These are unique to your business, like #Nike or a product name as they enhance your brand’s recall value.

  • Campaign Hashtags - These are for specific events or promotions, like #ShareACoke to market  your products and services  to a larger audience. It also encourages you to create user-generated content.

5. Add Hashtags In The First Comment

For a polished and visually appealing presence on Instagram, you should place the hashtags strategically. While maximizing reach is paramount, maintaining a visually organized and professional aesthetic remains equally important. 

Share the photo with an engagingly written caption for the audience to understand precisely what you wish to say. In the comment section following the initial post, insert relevant hashtags. 

This aids in maximum content discovery from your target audience without reducing the appeal of your primary post. .

6. Add Hashtags In Your Bio

Your bio is the first impression and attracts users to learn more about your brand.  Strategic use of hashtags within this space can significantly enhance your discoverability and brand recognition. 

Carefully select hashtags in your niche and place them in your bio. These tags act as keywords, enabling users who search for those specific topics to easily find your profile. For example-  #travelblogger or #wanderlust for travel lovers.

Develop a unique, memorable hashtag specific to your brand. Encourage followers to utilize this hashtag when sharing content related to your brand. 

This nurtures user-generated content, strengthens brand recognition, and cultivates a sense of community. Remember, keep it short and sweet - just a few well-chosen hashtags go a long way.

7. Add Hashtags To Your Instagram Stories

make your Instagram Story more discoverable by using strategic hashtags. You can mix and match between popular and niche to maximize reach while getting the right audience for your needs.

Utilize the text feature to directly type relevant hashtags onto your Story content. This offers a more subtle integration. For a more visually distinct approach, employ the dedicated hashtag sticker.

Final Thoughts

Hashtags on Instagram are crucial to growth, regardless of whether you're a brand, social media pro, or content creator. Strategic integration involves using hashtags in the first comment for a clean look. Research the optimal number of impactful hashtags and avoid generic overload. 

Track their performance and adapt as trends change. This data-driven approach boosts brand awareness, engagement, and even competitor insights. Before diving in, however, understanding the various hashtag types and best practices is recommended.

FAQs 

1. Can hashtags be edited after posting?

Yes, hashtags can be edited after posting by editing the post or adding hashtags in the comments. However, frequent editing might reduce engagement as Instagram's algorithm may not prioritize repeatedly modified posts.

2. How many hashtags should you use on Instagram?

Using 9-11 hashtags per post is optimal for maximizing engagement. This balance helps reach a broader audience without appearing spammy, enhancing your post's visibility while maintaining relevance and focus.

3. What are the top 10 hashtags on Instagram?

The top 10 hashtags often include #love, #instagood, #photooftheday, #fashion, #beautiful, #happy, #cute, #tbt, #like4like, and #followme. These tags are widely used, offering broad visibility but intense competition.

4. Which Instagram hashtags get the most likes?

Hashtags like #love, #instagood, #photooftheday, #fashion, and #beautiful often get the most likes due to their widespread popularity and broad appeal. They attract a large number of users and boost engagement.

5. How to find trending Instagram hashtags?

You can find trending hashtags by exploring the Instagram Explore Page. You can also use the search bar’s autocomplete feature, following relevant influencers. Take help of tools like Hashtagify or Trendsmap to track hashtag popularity and trends.

Natalie Myers
Written By
Natalie Myers

Natalie has the strongest control on words. She is the content manager at GPC.FM with an avid experience in content marketing. Her biggest strength is her ability to express through persuasive words. She has been working in the content industry for a decade and now works with GPC.FM to strategize and plan content marketing. From curating social content calendars to strategizing content for social media platforms, she ideates a bespoke content roadmap at GPC.FM.