Hashtags are the backbone of discoverability on Instagram. Whether you're growing your personal brand or marketing a business, using hashtags strategically can amplify your content, connect you with your audience, and increase engagement.
But using hashtags effectively takes more than slapping a “#” in front of random words. Let’s dive into how you can make hashtags work for you.
Why Are Hashtags Important?
Hashtags organize and categorize content, making it easier for users to find posts related to specific topics or interests. When you use the right hashtags, your content becomes discoverable to audiences who don’t yet follow you but are searching for similar topics.
Hashtags are a powerful tool for…
Building brand identity
Engaging with your target audience
Boosting your reach
Strategies for Effective Hashtag Use
1. Know Your Audience
Before choosing hashtags, understand who you're trying to reach. Are they fitness enthusiasts, foodies, or small business owners? Research the hashtags your audience is already engaging with and integrate them into your posts.
Pro Tip: Use Instagram’s “Explore” feature to see what hashtags similar accounts are using and which ones perform well.
2. Use a Mix of Hashtags
Not all hashtags are created equal. To maximize reach, use a combination of:
Niche hashtags: These target a specific audience (ex: #basketballgym #youthbasketballtraining #youthhoopers)
Geographic hashtags: These target a specific location to tailor your audience (ex: #helenamontana #montanabeef #helenacommunity).
Branded hashtags: Create your own hashtag to promote your brand and encourage followers to use it (ex: #visitthegulch #downtownhelenamt).
3. Stick to the Right Number
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but more isn’t always better. Studies suggest the sweet spot is between 8-15 hashtags. Test what works best for your audience and avoid “hashtag stuffing,” which can come across as spammy. Alternating the number of hashtags on each post also helps avoid appearing spammy.
Use the 3 Hashtag Rule: Apply the most relevant hashtags using three hashtags each for the what, who, and why of your content.
Use three hashtags that relate to the product or service, three for the target audience, and three problems your service solves.
Ex: For a local butchery and meat processing market
Product: #meatprocessing #localbutchershop #freshmeatdelivery
Audience: #beeflovers #baconlovers #montanahunter
Problem it solves: #knowyourmeat #qualitymeat #supportlocalfarmers
4. Stay Relevant
Use hashtags that align with your content. If your post is about fitness, using irrelevant hashtags like #mondaymotivation (just because it’s trending) can confuse your audience and hurt your credibility. A hashtag like #fitnessmotivationdaily is more specific and can attract the right users. If you use several irrelevant hashtags, Instagram might flag your post as spam.
5. Research Before You Post
Before using a hashtag, check its performance. Some hashtags might be banned by Instagram or associated with spammy content, which could harm your account’s reach. Double-check that the hashtag appears in the Instagram search feature before using it on your post.
It's also important to use hashtags with the correct number of associated posts. The "sweet spot" is 1,000 – 500,000 posts. Any less and your hashtag won't reach many users. Any more and your post will get lost in the noise.
How to Research Hashtags:
Search hashtags in Instagram’s search bar. This will show the number of posts associated with your hashtag. Check that it's within 1,000 - 500K posts.
Click on the hashtag to see the type of content associated, and make sure the content associated isn't spammy or undesirable.
If the hashtag matches your goals, you are ready to use it in your post!
6. Engage With Hashtag Communities
Hashtags aren’t just tools—they’re communities. Interact with posts under your target hashtags by liking, commenting, and following other users. Engagement helps increase your visibility and builds genuine connections.
7. Use Hashtags in Stories and Reels
Hashtags work on Stories and Reels too! Include 1-3 relevant hashtags to make your Stories discoverable or boost the reach of your Reels.
Instagram provides a "hashtag sticker" which you can add to your story for a more visually appealing way to include hashtags.
8. Test and Adjust Regularly
The Instagram algorithm changes frequently, and so do trending hashtags. Regularly test new hashtags, analyze the performance of your posts, and adjust your strategy. Social media tools can help you track which hashtags are driving results for your business profile.
9. Don’t Forget Location-Based Hashtags
If you’re targeting a specific area, include location-based hashtags (e.g., #oklahomaranch, #atlantatherapy). These are especially effective for local businesses or events.
10. Create a Hashtag Library
Keep a list of your researched hashtags categorized by topic, content type, or campaign. This will save time and ensure your hashtags remain consistent and effective. Be sure to alternate hashtag usage and avoid using the same hashtags in every post.
Mistakes to Avoid
The Bottom Line
Using hashtags strategically can dramatically improve your Instagram performance. By understanding your audience, experimenting with a mix of hashtags, and adjusting regularly, you’ll expand your reach, grow your following, and build stronger connections with your audience.
Ready to level up your Instagram strategy? Let’s chat! Book a free call with us at proofmarketing.com
Let’s turn those hashtags into results!
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