13 Types Of Instagram Hashtags You Should Know

On Instagram, hashtags are your friends in your social media marketing strategy. With billions of active users on the platform, you will get more visibility, engagement and reach to your IG posts. 

It further helps you increase your social media following  and discover new audiences by using a variety of hashtags in your posts, reels, stories, and highlights. 

Thus, in this blog, we will discuss the 13 types of Instagram hashtags and the benefits they bring to your brand and marketing plan.

Instagram Hashtag Funnel - Is It real?

Using the appropriate hashtag can lead to successful posts. Hashtags list which will range from prominent hashtags (high competition) to less frequent ones (low competition) are known as the hashtag funnel. The hashtag funnel will assist you determine which hashtags to utilize.

As a business owner, hashtags are free advertising for your brand. The funnel resembles an upside-down triangle, with the broadest, most popular hashtags at the top and the least common, or particularly specific hashtags at the bottom. This funnel helps in selecting the best hashtags for your brand.

Types Of Hashtags On Instagram

Hashtags are an effective strategy for your Instagram to grow your account. In this section we will tell you how to utilize hashtags to strategically achieve your objectives. So, let’s study the various sorts of Instagram hashtags:

1. Location Based Hashtags

Location hashtags such as #ballooncity #timesquare which are exact locations, makes it easier for others to locate you. Most brands are based somewhere, and having a real presence makes this even more effective. Relevant location hashtags include your city and its subject hashtags is your area.

To discover relevant location-based hashtags, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Determine your desired location (city, state, country, or area).

• Step 2: Enter the location name and relevant keywords (e.g., "New York City", "NYC", "Sahara").

• Step 3: Search social media networks such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for location-specific hashtags.

• Step 4: Check competitors' and influencers' content for location-specific hashtags.

• Step 5: Create a list of relevant hashtags and evaluate their effectiveness.

Some more examples of location-specific hashtags are:

• #NewYorkCity

• #LosAngelesLife

• #LondonTown

• #ParisianChic

• #SanFranciscoBayArea

2. Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags such as #adidas #Nike includes the brand name and we can also use the product name. These are frequently used to collect user generated content (UGC) and increase brand recognition.

Want to create a Brand Hashtag? Here's how to identify suitable branded hashtags in steps-

• Step 1: Analyze your brand's identity, goods, and target audience. 

• Step 2: Identify key keywords that align with your goal, values, and messaging.

• Step 3: Analyze competitors' hashtags and branded keywords.

• Step 4: Create a memorable, easy-to-spell and pronounce hashtag.

• Step 5: Track hashtag performance and adjust approach accordingly.

 Let’s look into 5 Branded hashtags examples:

• #CocaColaShareACoke (Coca-Cola's personalized bottle campaign)

• #McDonaldsImLovinIt (McDonald's popular advertising slogan)

• #AppleThinkDifferent (Apple's branding and marketing campaign)

• #AdidasOriginals (Adidas' fashion and lifestyle brand)

• #LorealMakeupGenius (L'Oreal's makeup brand and virtual try-on tool)

3. Industry Specific Hashtags

Industry hashtags are related to a specific industry, profession, or niche. They help to relate information to a given topic or group, making it more discoverable to people interested in that business or field.

To locate relevant industry-specific hashtags, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Identify your industry or specialization.

• Step 2: Look up industry alliances, groups, and events.

• Step 3: Examine industry leaders, influencers, and competitors' content

• Step 4: Search for hashtags in industry journals and news websites.

• Step 5: Use the built-in search functions on social networking networks.

• Step 6: Create a list of relevant hashtags and sort your list depending on involvement and relevance.

Here are five industry hashtag examples:

• #FinTech (Financial Technology)

• #HealthIT (Healthcare Information Technology)

• #EdTech (Education Technology)

• #CleanTech (Clean Technology)

• #MarTech (Marketing Technology)

4. Community Focused Hashtags

Community-based hashtags such as #womenempowerment refer to a certain community, group, or interest-based network. These hashtags are used to connect people with similar passions, hobbies, or connections, as well as to categorize community-related content.

To discover relevant community-based hashtags, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Identify your community or niche.

• Step 2: Look into online forums, social media groups, and specialty platforms relevant to your community.

• Step 3: Examine social media posts from influencers, bloggers, and community leaders and look into community-related events, conferences, and meetups.

• Step 4: Search for hashtags in community newsletters, blogs, and podcasts.

• Step 5: Discover online groups such as Reddit, Discord, and Slack.

• Step 6: Create a list of relevant hashtags and evaluate their effectiveness and sort your list depending on involvement and relevance.

Examples of community-based hashtags:

• #WritingCommunity (writers and authors)

• #GamingCommunity (gamers and gaming enthusiasts)

• #PhotographyCommunity (photographers and photography enthusiasts)

• #FoodieCommunity (food enthusiasts and cooks)

• #MentalHealthMatters (mental health awareness and support)

5. Descriptive Hashtags

Descriptive hashtag such as #traveldiaries defines the substance, theme, or topic of a social media post, image, video, or blog piece. It gives a specific overview of the content, making it easier for visitors to find and interact with relevant stuff.

To find relevant community-based hashtags, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Identify your community or niche.

• Step 2: Research online forums, social media groups, and specialized platforms related to your community.

• Step 3: Analyze social media content from influencers, bloggers, and community leaders.

• Step 4: Check community-specific events, conferences, and meetups.

• Step 5: Look for hashtags in community newsletters, blogs, and podcasts.

• Step 6: Create a list of relevant hashtags and test their performance and refine your list based on engagement and relevance.

Examples of descriptive hashtags:

• #sunset (describes a photo or video of a sunset)

• #fitnessmotivation (describes a post encouraging fitness and motivation)

• #veganrecipe (describes a recipe post that is vegan)

• #traveladventure (describes a post about traveling and adventure)

• #funnyanimalvideo (describes a humorous video featuring animals)

6. Category Based Hashtags

Category-based hashtags such as #footwear are an effective approach to categorize material on social media, making it easier for users to find and interact with similar content.

To discover appropriate category-based hashtags, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Determine your content's category or genre.

• Step 2: Research the top influencers and content creators in your industry.

• Step 3: Check for relevant internet communities, forums, and social media groups.

• Step 4: Search for related hashtags on websites, blogs, and articles.

• Step 5: Make a list of suitable category-based hashtags.

• Step 6: Test and refine your hashtags based on their effectiveness and engagement.

Examples of category-based hashtags:

• #Music (music-related content)

• #Foodie (food-related content)

• #Fashion (fashion-related content)

• #Gaming (gaming-related content)

• #Travel (travel-related content)

7. Event Related Hashtags

Event hashtags such as #iciciworldcup is used to identify and discover postings about a specific event, conference, festival, or activity on social media. They help to link attendees, presenters, sponsors, and organizers, as well as enable online involvement and conversation about the event.

To locate relevant event-related hashtags, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Determine the event's name, location, and date.

• Step 2: Search for hashtags on the official event website, social media accounts, and press releases.

• Step 3: Look for comparable events and conferences in your field.

• Step 4: Examine social media posts on previous events, speakers, sponsors, and attendees.

• Step 5: Search for hashtags on event-related websites, blogs, and articles.

• Step 6: Create a list of event-related hashtags and test and refine your hashtags based on their effectiveness and engagement.

Examples of event-related hashtags:

• #SXSW (South by Southwest conference and festival)

• #Coachella (Coachella music festival)

• #CES (Consumer Electronics Show)

• #WorldCup (FIFA World Cup)

• #Oscars (Academy Awards)

8. Daily Hashtags

Daily hashtags such as #sundaysunset are prominent hashtags that correspond to specific days of the week or month and are frequently used to categorize and discover postings on social media. They foster a sense of community and encourage user-generated material on a particular theme or topic.

To get relevant daily hashtags, follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Determine your content's theme or specialization.

• Step 2: Examine social media posts by influencers and content creators in your niche.

• Step 3: Check for relevant internet communities, forums, and social media groups.

• Step 4: Search for daily hashtags on websites, blogs, and publications about your niche.

• Step 5: Generate a list of relevant daily hashtags.

• Step 6: Test and refine your hashtags based on their effectiveness and engagement.

Example of everyday hashtags:

• #MondayMotivation (motivational postings every Monday)

• #TuesdayTips (tips and suggestions for Tuesdays)

• #WednesdayWisdom (inspiring quotes and tales every Wednesday)

• #ThursdayThrowback (Nostalgic postings on Thursdays)

• #SaturdaySalsa (dance classes)

By including daily hashtags into your social media strategy, you may participate daily in the existing conversations and gain new followers.

9. Trending Hashtags

Trending hashtags such as #newyearparty are prominent terms or phrases that are currently being used and discussed on social media sites, namely Twitter and Instagram. These hashtags are frequently related with current events, pop culture, memes, and other topics that are gaining popularity and engagement.

Here are some techniques to uncover trending hashtags.

• Step 1: Utilize social media tools such as Inflact or Mention to determine the most popular hashtags on social media sites.

• Step 2: Search for hashtags relating to trendy subjects or current events.

• Step 3: Use a hashtag to discover if social media sites offer popular alternatives.

• Step 4: Find the "trending" or "popular" tab on social media networks.

• Step 5: Search online for "trending hashtags" to get a list of hot hashtags in recent days.

Trending hashtags can be:

• Event-based: Related to specific events, conferences, or festivals (e.g., #WorldCup, #Coachella).

• Pop culture-related: Connected to movies, TV shows, music, or celebrities (e.g., #StarWars, #Beyonce).

• Meme-inspired: Originating from viral memes or humorous content (e.g., #DistractedBoyfriend, #GrumpyCat).

• News-related: Associated with current news stories or issues (e.g., #COVID19, #BlackLivesMatter).

• Seasonal or holiday-themed: Related to specific holidays or seasons (e.g., #Christmas, #SummerVibes).

However, it is critical to use trendy hashtags intelligently and genuinely, ensuring that they complement your content and audience. Overusing or misusing trendy hashtags might appear spammy or disingenuous.

10. Product And Services Hashtags

Product and Service Hashtags such as #Samsung is used to market and categorize certain items or services provided by a business. They assist clients in discovering and engaging with the products or services that they are interested in.

More examples of Product and Service Hashtags are-

• #iPhone (product hashtag)

• #AmazonPrime (service hashtag)

• #SpotifyPremium (service hashtag)

• #MacBookAir (product hashtag)

• #NetflixSubscription (service hashtag)

11. UGC Hashtags

User-Generated Content (UGC) hashtags such as #mycalvins are used to encourage customers to contribute their experiences, photographs, or videos that highlight a company's products or services. UGC hashtags enable businesses to collect and display social proof, develop trust, and increase engagement.

Examples of UGC Hashtags-

• #MyStarbucksMoment (UGC hashtag used by Starbucks to collect customer moments)

• #ShotOniPhone (UGC hashtag used by Apple to showcase photos taken with iPhone)

• #NikeJustDoIt (UGC hashtag used by Nike to encourage customers to share their fitness journeys)

12. Campaign Focused Hashtags

Campaign-focused hashtags such as #tweetFromTheSeat are those used for a specific marketing campaign, promotion, or effort. They help track campaign-related conversations, engagement, and metrics, and they frequently have a specific call-to-action or theme.

Examples of Campaign focused hashtags

• #ShareACoke (campaign hashtag used by Coca-Cola to promote personalized bottles)

• #LikeAGirl (campaign hashtag used by Always to promote female empowerment)

• #DontJudgeChallenge (campaign hashtag used by Dove to promote body positivity)

13.  Topical Hashtags

Topical hashtags such as #habitat refers to a certain topic, industry, or niche. They assist in categorizing content and making it discoverable to others who are interested in the topic. Topical hashtags are frequently used to join larger discussions, share expertise, and connect with like-minded people.

Examples of Topical Hashtags-

• #MarketingMonday (topical hashtag for marketing professionals)

• #WellnessWednesday (topical hashtag for health and wellness enthusiasts)

• #TechThursday (topical hashtag for technology and innovation)

• #Sustainability (topical hashtag for environmental and social responsibility)

Final Thoughts

Understanding the various types of Instagram hashtags may help you develop an efficient hashtag strategy, enhance visibility and interaction, and reach your target audience.

To achieve the best outcomes, keep your plan flexible, track your success, and alter it as needed. With the correct hashtag approach, you can maximize Instagram's potential and elevate your marketing efforts.

FAQs

1. What are the most common types of hashtags on Instagram?

The most common types of hashtags on Instagram are: Industry/Market Hashtags- #marketing, Niche Hashtags- e.g. #digitalmarketing, Product/Service Hashtags- e.g. #iPhone, Brand Hashtags- e.g. #Nike. These categories help users discover and engage with content.

2. What is a niche hashtag?

A niche hashtag is a specific and targeted hashtag that caters to a particular audience or industry, often with lower competition and higher engagement compared to broader, more popular hashtags. Examples include #designerjewellery, #veganrecipes, or #zumbateachertraining.

3. Is it okay to use branded hashtags on Instagram?

Yes, it's okay to use branded hashtags on Instagram! In fact, it's a great way to build brand awareness, encourage user-generated content, and create a community around your brand. A branded hashtag is a unique hashtag for example #Nike or #Starbucks.

4. Which are three special kinds of hashtags?

There are three special types of hashtags which include branded hashtags for marketing, event hashtags for tracking conversations, and specialty hashtags for engaging with specialized communities. These hashtags help your post with more discoverability and more audience engagement.

5. What’s the ideal mix of hashtags on IG?

Instagram hashtags should ideally consist of 5–10 industry, niche or topic-specific hashtags, 1-2 broader hashtags (to reach a wider audience), and 1 branded hashtag (to promote brand awareness). This mix helps attract targeted and wider audiences, increasing engagement and reach.