How to Know What Hashtags to Use: Everything You Need to Know About Instagram Hashtags
In this article, we’ll break down what hashtags on Instagram are, why they’re important for reaching new followers, and give you tips for finding the perfect ones to boost your social media content’s visibility.
What Are Instagram Hashtags?
Hashtags, otherwise known as the “#” sign, are keywords or phrases that help users discover your content on Instagram. Using the right Instagram hashtag can significantly boost your post’s visibility and engagement. Instagram posts with hashtags get an average of 12.6% more traffic. By adding relevant hashtags to your posts, you categorize your content and connect with users searching for those specific topics. A branded hashtag is a unique hashtag created to promote a campaign or brand, often highlighted in Instagram bios and used to encourage user-generated content, track performance, and engage followers to build a community. This helps other users find relevant posts, increasing the visibility of your content by connecting you with a broader audience.
Posts with at least one hashtag receive an average of 29% more interactions
Do Hashtags Still Work on Instagram?
Hashtags are still very much alive on Instagram. Users can follow hashtags to see relevant content in their feed regularly. They remain a powerful tool for increasing content visibility and engagement. Hashtags can expose your content to a wider audience, fuel follower growth, and put your posts in the spotlight. Posts with at least one hashtag receive an average of 29% more interactions on accounts with fewer than 1,000 followers. Focus on quality and relevance rather than quantity for ideal results, and consider how many hashtags to use for optimal reach and engagement.
How Do Hashtags Work on Instagram, and What Are the Benefits of Using Them?
So how do they work? Hashtags work with the Instagram algorithm by categorizing your content, so users can easily find posts that match their interests. When you use relevant hashtags, your content appears in searches and feeds of users interested in those topics, increasing visibility and engagement. Following hashtags can help you discover popular and related hashtags that are targeted and relevant to your audience.
Some benefits include reaching a broader audience, gaining new followers, boosting post discoverability, and enhancing brand awareness by connecting with communities and trending conversations. Strategic hashtag use can significantly improve your content’s performance on Instagram. By including the right niche hashtags, you’re making it easier for users who love your content to find it.
Best Tools For Instagram Posts
Beautify your selfies with AI technology
Enhance, brighten & retouch in seconds 
Add movement & effects to still photos
Sharpen & enhance old blurry photos 
Stock footage, sounds & fonts library
Edit, personalize, and share in 1 app How Many Instagram Hashtags Should You Use on Your Posts?
There’s no magic number, but research suggests between 5 to 11 per post. Having a well-developed Instagram hashtag strategy is crucial for reaching a wider audience and potential customers.
What to avoid: While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, using too many can seem spammy and may reduce engagement. Prioritize quality and relevance by selecting a mix of popular, niche, and branded hashtags that align with your content. Utilize hashtag suggestions from tools like Later and Hootsuite’s AI technology to analyze captions and images for unique and effective tags.
The top Instagram hashtags for gaining likes are #instagood, #tbt, #love, #fashion, #beautiful, #happy
How Many Instagram Hashtags Should You Use on Your Posts? An Instagram Hashtag Strategy
To find trending Instagram hashtags, consider these 3 strategies:
- Instagram Search Results: Use Instagram’s search feature to explore hashtags. Type keywords related to your niche and see which popular Instagram hashtags are trending. The search results will show you the number of posts using each hashtag, helping you identify trending ones.
- Third-Party Tools: Utilize third-party tools like Hashtagify, RiteTag, or All Hashtag. These tools analyze hashtag performance and popularity, providing insights into trending hashtags relevant to your content. Additionally, exploring various Instagram hashtag generators can streamline the process of finding and using the right hashtags, saving time and effort for social media managers.
- Competitor Research: Analyze the hashtags your competitors are using. Check which ones they’re using the most. See which posts get the most likes and take a look at which hashtags were used. Then incorporate similar ones into your strategy to tap into the same audience.
What Are the Best Instagram Hashtags?
That depends on your content goals. Don’t worry, we put together a list for each category below. Use them to maximize reach, boost engagement, and connect with your target audience.
These hashtags can be used across different social media platforms to enhance visibility and engagement.
Top Instagram Hashtags By Category
Marketing:
| #digitalmarketing | #influencersnetwork |
| #marketing | #engagementgoals |
| #business | #advertising |
| #contentcreators | #smallbusiness |
| #inluencerlife | #graphicdesign |
| #marketingdigital | #motivation |
| #branding | #success |
| #socialmedia | #marketingstrategy |
| #entrepreneur | #seo |
| #socialmediamarketing | #digital |
| #design | #entrepreneurship |
| #instagood | #startup |
| #onlinemarketing | #marketingtrends |
| #marketingtips | #art |
| #follow | #contentmarketing |
| #marketing101 | #marketinggoals |
| #marketingagency | #influencermarketing |
See Also:
- How To Make Money on Instagram
- Why Getting Your Instagram Profile Picture Size Right Matters
- Best Creative Tools
- Best Affiliate Marketing Platforms
E-commerce
| #lifestyle | #instafashion |
| #selfcare | #instatravel |
| #travelgram | #sale |
| #shopping | #shoplocal |
| #homedecor | #instabeauty |
| #homedesign | #styleinspo |
| #dreamhome | #discount |
| #fashionista | #instasale |
| #instashop | #productreview |
| #healthandwellness | #b2c |
| #ecommerce | #marketing |
| #business | #seo |
| #digitalmarketing | #webdesign |
| #ecommercebusiness | #website |
| #entrepreneur | #onlineshopping |
| #marketingdigital | #fashion |
| #socialmedia | #branding |
| #onlinebusiness | #smallbusiness |
| #socialmediamarketing | #marketplace |
| #onlinestore | #supportlocal |
| #onlineshop | #ecommercewebsite |
Food:
| #restaurant | #yummy |
| #food | #foodstagram |
| #foodie | #lunch |
| #instafood | #instagood |
| #foodlover | #chef |
| #dinner | #foodblogger |
| #bar | #cafe |
| #foodphotography | #hotel |
| #delicious | #tasty |
| #pizza | #eat |
| #delivery | #cooking |
| #restaurante | #gourmet |
| #healthyfood | #seafood |
| #drinks | #pasta |
| #cuisine | #healthy |
| #burger | #cheflife |
| #breakfast | #nutrition |
| #homemade | #coffee |
| #vegan | #vegetarian |
| #healthyrecipes | #diet |
| #plantbased | #eatwell |
| #lunchbreak | #dinnerinspo |
| #dinnerwithfriends | #lunchinspo |
| #dinnergoals | #brunch |
| #sundaybrunch | #saturdaybrunch |
Travel:
| #travel | #worldtraveler |
| #wanderlust | #traveltheworld |
| #travelblogger | #traveltheworld |
| #travelgram | #traveldiaries |
| #instatravel | #traveling |
| #travelphotography | #discover |
| #explore | #travelblog |
| #adventure | #travelgoals |
| #vacation | #travelholic |
| #traveladdict | #travelguide |
| #travelnow | #goexplore |
| #roamtheplanet | #backpacking |
| #adventuretravel | #hikingadventures |
| #outdooradventure | #outdoors |
| #adventureseeker | #ecotravel |
| #naturelovers | #adventuretime |
| #trekking | #wildlifelovers |
| #wildandfree | #intothewild |
| #naturephotography | #mothernature |
| #naturetravel | #natureaddict |
| #beautifuldestinations | #planetearth |
| #naturegram | #travelsolo |
| #solotravel | #backpackerlife |
| #solobackpacker | #solotrip |
| #solotraveler | #traveltips |
| #backpackinglife | #travelhacks |
| #budgettravel | #cheaptravel |
| #flightdeals | #travelonabudget |
| #travelingtips | #solotraveltips |
Health & Wellness:
| #wellness | #selfcare |
| #healthandwellness | #healthylifestyle |
| #wellnessjourney | #wellbeing |
| #mindbodysoul | #livewell |
| #beautyandwellness | #balance |
| #mentalwellness | #healthmindbody |
| #wellnesslifestyle | #healthgoals |
| #mindfulness | #wellnesscommunity |
| #wellnessadvice | #healthyliving |
| #healthychoices | #healthtips |
| #wellnesscoaching | #fitnessandwellness |
| #healthandfitnessjourney | #wellnesscoach |
| #lifestyleblogger | #nutritiongoals |
| #liveauthentic | #healthandhappiness |
| #lifegoals | #healthierlifestyle |
| #dailyinspiration | #littlethings |
Retail:
| #retail | #retailtherapy |
| #wholesale | #sales |
| #fashion | #promo |
| #shopping | #branding |
| #business | #windowdisplay |
| #design | #technology |
| #retaildesign | #instagood |
| #onlineshopping | #supermarket |
| #marketing | #realestate |
| #visualmerchandising | #hospitality |
| #smallbusiness | #merchandising |
| #ecommerce | #office |
| #shop | #onlineshop |
| #interiordesign | #retaildisplay |
| #shoplocal | #brand |
| #style | #interior |
| #sale | #display |
| #store | #fashionista |
| #storedesign | #pointofsale |
| #architecture | #designer |
| #clothing | #commercialrealestate |
| #food | #online |
| #restaurant | #onlinestore |
Entertainment:
| #entertainment | #photography |
| #music | #movies |
| #fun | #tv |
| #comedy | #actor |
| #fashion | #hollywood |
| #hiphop | #lifestyle |
| #instagood | #podcast |
| #dance | #dj |
| #trending | #singer |
| #art | #radio |
| #party | #film |
| #news | #celebrity |
| #artist | #entertainer |
| #media | #show |
| #memes | #livemusic |
| #funny | #tiktok |
| #viral | #model |
| #events | #actress |
| #instadaily | #funnymemes |
| #musician | #entrepreneur |
| #movie | #sports |
Beauty & Personal Care:
| #beauty | #natural |
| #review | #beautyblogger |
| #skincare | #beautybasics |
| #makeup | #glam |
| #personalcare | #brows |
| #cleansing | #beautiful |
| #skincareroutine | #selfie |
| #skincareproducts | #haircolor |
| #glossier | #hairstyle |
| #fashion | #antiaging |
| #cosmetics | #organic |
| #fragrance | #skincaretips |
| #hair | #spa |
| #health | #selflove |
| #makeuptutorial | #wellness |
| #makeupartist | #lipstick |
Fitness:
| #workoutroutine | #workout |
| #gymlife | #health |
| #fitnessgoals | #fitnessmotivation |
| #fitfam | #bodybuilding |
| #workoutoftheday | #healthy |
| #bodygoals | #yoga |
| #healthylifestyle | #running |
| #personaltraining | #body |
| #gymmotivation | #run |
| #fitnessinfluencer | #fitnessmodel |
| #workoutsession | #cardio |
| #fitnesstips | #fitnessaddict |
| #activelife | #fitnessjourney |
| #trainingday | #getfit |
| #fitinspiration | #fitmom |
| #workoutstyle | #workoutmotivation |
| #fitnessfashion | #gymrat |
| #fitnessblogger | #fitnesslifestyle |
| #gymstyle | #yogainspiration |
| #fitnesschic | #gym |
| #fitness | #strengthtraining |
Bottom Line:
In summary, using relevant and trending hashtags strategically can significantly enhance your content’s reach and engagement. Limit the number to avoid spam, and connect to larger audiences. Dominate the Instagram discovery game!
FAQ:
Which Instagram hashtags get the most likes?
The top Instagram hashtags for gaining likes are #instagood, #tbt, #love, #fashion, #beautiful, #happy, #cute, #like4like, #followme, #photooftheday and #picoftheday. Additionally, hashtags related to trends, events, or holidays can boost likes due to their popularity.
How do you generate hashtags?
Create standout IG posts by brainstorming a range of hashtags. Leverage Canva’s Instagram hashtags generator, powered by OpenAI, to swiftly generate hashtag ideas with a simple prompt. This tool provides effective hashtags in seconds, enhancing your post’s visibility.
Do hashtags increase likes?
Hashtags help your Instagram posts get discovered by more people interested in your content, potentially leading to more likes. However, using irrelevant hashtags or ones with too much competition can hurt your reach. Focus on finding hashtags that are relevant to your post and have a medium volume of use. Additionally, using a trending hashtag can significantly increase visibility and engagement if it aligns with your content.
How do you write hashtags?
- Start with typing ‘#’: Always begin your hashtag with a pound sign followed by your chosen word or phrase.
- Don’t use any space within the hashtag itself. If your hashtag has multiple words, connect them together without spaces (e.g., #travelnow).
- You can use letters, numbers, and even emojis (relevant ones) in your hashtags. Just remember to keep them connected without spaces.
That’s all! Once you have your hashtag written, you can add it to your Instagram caption or a comment on your post.
