![[Updated] Boost Your Brand Visibility – Mastering Instagram Hashtags for 2024](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/_I2jMGl0tyzGXur_kCDYwkN4HbQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-827678424-5b6c5a0246e0fb0025d6f810.jpg)
[Updated] Boost Your Brand Visibility – Mastering Instagram Hashtags for 2024
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Boost Your Brand Visibility – Mastering Instagram Hashtags
How to Use Hashtags on Instagram
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Do you know how to hashtag on Instagram? Well, of course you know how to add a ‘#’ to the start of a word to turn it blue, but do you really know how to use hashtags on Instagram to get more engagement on your posts? ?
Instagram currently boasts in excess of 800 million users, with 500 million of those active on a daily basis. With so many people online at one time, it’s not always easy to get your posts in front of the right people for your business. However, once you know how to use hashtags on Instagram, you’ll be able to present your posts to the most engaged users, helping you grow your followers and your business as well.
Those who already know how to hashtag on Instagram have discovered the benefits this can bring. Posts with at least one hashtag generate 12.6 per cent more engagement that those without, according to research. Of course, if you get a mention by a major influencer in your sphere your engagement could receive a huge boost, but aside of this, the humble hashtag has a major part to play.
You May Also Like:
How to Hide Hashtags on Instagram >>
How to Increase Followers on Instagram - Ultimate Guide for 2018 >>
Find out how to use hashtags on Instagram with your business in our ultimate guide for 2018.
Ultimate Instagram Hashtags Guide for 2018
For your pleasure, our guide will help you understand everything you need to know about how to use hashtags to gain followers and increase likes. Let’s get started.
1. What are Instagram hashtags and how do they work?
Before we can start on how to hashtag on Instagram, it’s important that we’re all on the same page in terms of what they are and how they work.
In a nutshell, an Instagram hashtag is a bookmark; a way of categorizing content. It can be any word, phrase, number or even emoji which is prefixed by the hash symbol (#). Clicking on a hashtag on Instagram will bring up all the posts that have used that hashtag, so that you can discover new content you are interested in.
2. Why should you use hashtags?
Whether you’re a startup, new to Instagram or simply haven’t managed to acquire many followers, using hashtags on Instagram is a great way to grow your audience. By finding out how to hashtag on Instagram, your posts can be found by a much larger circle of users.
As a business, using hashtags on Instagram will help you be discovered by people who don’t already follow your page, helping you acquire new followers and boosting brand recognition. Not only that, but when you know how to use hashtags on Instagram, you can increase your reach on other channels too, because when a user shares your content to Twitter or Facebook, the hashtag is shared with it.
3. What types of hashtags are there?
When deciding how to use hashtags on Instagram, it’s important to recognize the various types of hashtags so that you can pick the right ones for you. The right hashtags will depend on your goals as a business, as well as the type of content you are sharing at that time. For example:
- Product, service and general hashtags: These might be what you do as a business (e.g. #painter) or what product you sell (e.g. #furniture). They are good for brands who want to make their work or products better known but can be difficult to achieve engagement for as there tends to be high competition.
- **Niche hashtags:**For more chance of being seen, niche hashtags reduce the competition by being more specific about your product or service. For example, #ladiesshoes rather than just #shoes will be found by more people specifically interested in shoes, while #ladiesheels will reach an even more interested audience.
- Interest hashtags: To reach enthusiasts in your niche, use interest related hashtags that describe your post. Research popular tags from the top posts section or see what specific groups are using to tag their posts. For instance, #shoeaholics or #heelsofInstagram will engage with those passionate about amazing footwear.
- Location hashtags: As you might have guessed, these tags are specifically the places where the content was show, for example #UK, #london or #hammersmith will find users who are interested in products, services or images from that location. You could also combine these with your service to narrow the audience even further, for instance #heelsinlondon or #londonfashionblogger.
- Branded hashtags: These types of hashtags are often used by businesses on Instagram to promote their brand or a particular ad campaign. You might promote the name of your business, e.g. #divashoes, or a slogan you are pushing, such as #comfortfit. However, be aware these don’t tend to get more followers on their own, because people won’t be searching for or adding branded hashtags to their posts unless they are compelled to do so. However, they can be great for engagement during a live event, for creating contests and to position your brand deeper in your audience’s mind, so use them where you can.
Understanding these different types of hashtags will help you understand how to use hashtags on Instagram better, by lacing your post with a variety of suitable tags.
4. How to add a hashtag to your post
If you’re not sure how to hashtag on Instagram, here’s a quick walkthrough. You can add tags as either captions to your post or in the comments area. As long as your account is public, the hashtag will ensure your post is discoverable via the corresponding hashtag page. Here’s how it works:
- Upload a photo or video to your Instagram account
- Pick your filters and edit as required
- Type the hash (#) symbol in the caption field followed by the text you want to be indexed for
- Tap OK
- Then share
If you prefer to add your hashtag to the comments section, just find the post and type in your hashtag in the comments section. This is particularly good if you plan to use a lot of hashtags and don’t want to make your post look too messy.
Letters, numbers and emojis work as hashtags, but special characters and spaces do not. Don’t add in any symbols like * or %, and type words altogether without any spaces. You cannot add hashtags to other people’s posts, only your own, and can use up to 30 tags on any single post.
5. How to find the best hashtags for your brand
If you’re not sure how to find the best hashtags for Instagram, there are a few options open to you:
- Search: Just doing a simple search can throw up some interesting hashtags and useful data for your post. Click in the search bar and begin your query with a #. Instagram will present you with a list of suggestions as you start to type, as well as how many posts have been tagged with that particular hashtag. If you don’t know where to start, think about what your business does, provides or specializes in as a good launchpad. If you already have a list of keywords you use for SEO or PPC, this can be a great source of initial inspiration.
- Competition: If there are other businesses already on Instagram who are in your niche, maybe who have a sizeable following already, they may well already be leveraging a hashtag strategy which you can learn from. Visit their account and see which hashtags they use on a regular basis. If they’re posting the same tags over and over again, there’s a good chance they’ve already done a bit of trial and error research and have discovered the ones that work.
- Related: If you’ve got a hashtag or two already that you get good engagement from, visit the pages for those hashtags and see what else is posted alongside them. There may be other hashtag trends relating to your business that you haven’t thought of yet, and could try including in future posts.
- Influencers: Who are the biggest influencers in your industry? Is there a blogger who simply loves products like yours? If so, check out what hashtags they use, and follow along with their favorites to reach the people who follow them. Their audience is essentially the same as yours, so why not learn from the experts?
Avoid using ‘spammy’ hashtags such as #like4like, #followme, #follow4follow and #followback. These are insanely popular among low quality Instagramers who simply want more followers, without caring about the quality. Stick to carefully chosen, related hashtags to gain valuable followers for your business.
6. How many hashtags should you use?
No doubt you’ve uncovered a great list of potential hashtags for your Instagram posts, but how many should you use in each posting? Instagram is less strict than Twitter, in that you can use up to 30 hashtags per post. However, that doesn’t mean you should go all out on every post, so how many is enough?
For some insight into the ‘norm’, you can take a look at influencers and competitors and see how many hashtags they tend to use. You can also conduct a bit of trial and error testing to see how to use hashtags on Instagram to their full effect, by varying the number you use and tracking the results.
Research conducted last year found that there is certainly a case for the more the merrier. Buffer discovered that engagement was greatest on posts with 11 hashtags, at 79.5 per cent compared to just 29 per cent for one. A separate study by TrackMaven found that nine hashtags performed best.
As a general rule, there is no rule. Optimum hashtag numbers will depend on your industry, but there’s no need to be stingy as more definitely is more. Remember to test and adapt to the response you are getting to make hashtags work for your brand.
7. How to get onto Top Posts
Getting bumped up to a Top Post is the holy grail of how to hashtag on Instagram. There are a few things you can do to maximize your chances of getting your post into the spotlight.
- Pick the right hashtags: If you want to trend for a hashtag, avoid the massive tags unless you already have more than 10k followers. Something like #dietgoals is more likely to steer you towards a top post than something huge like #instafood.
- Punch for maximum engagement: Focus on getting high levels of engagement as quickly as possible by scheduling your post to go live when your audience is most active. Research your target market, consider time zones and use a scheduling tool to optimize your post if you can’t be online at precisely the right time.
- Add some biggies too: Using between three and five of the really big hashtags are likely to boost engagement too. You aren’t likely to hit the top post for these, but should acquire a ton of likes and comments, which will help your target hashtag to rank higher too.
Breaking into the top posts takes some dedication, trial and error and a good level of commitment. It’s all dependent on the Instagram algorithm, the workings of which is a closely guarded secret, but by following these tips you’ll give your post the best chance of success.
Now you know not only how to hashtag on Instagram, but also why and which ones to use. Why not try reviewing your hashtag strategy and see what results you can get? If you have any other tips on how to use hashtags on Instagram that we haven’t included in our guide, leave a comment and let us know.
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Do you know how to hashtag on Instagram? Well, of course you know how to add a ‘#’ to the start of a word to turn it blue, but do you really know how to use hashtags on Instagram to get more engagement on your posts? ?
Instagram currently boasts in excess of 800 million users, with 500 million of those active on a daily basis. With so many people online at one time, it’s not always easy to get your posts in front of the right people for your business. However, once you know how to use hashtags on Instagram, you’ll be able to present your posts to the most engaged users, helping you grow your followers and your business as well.
Those who already know how to hashtag on Instagram have discovered the benefits this can bring. Posts with at least one hashtag generate 12.6 per cent more engagement that those without, according to research. Of course, if you get a mention by a major influencer in your sphere your engagement could receive a huge boost, but aside of this, the humble hashtag has a major part to play.
You May Also Like:
How to Hide Hashtags on Instagram >>
How to Increase Followers on Instagram - Ultimate Guide for 2018 >>
Find out how to use hashtags on Instagram with your business in our ultimate guide for 2018.
Ultimate Instagram Hashtags Guide for 2018
For your pleasure, our guide will help you understand everything you need to know about how to use hashtags to gain followers and increase likes. Let’s get started.
1. What are Instagram hashtags and how do they work?
Before we can start on how to hashtag on Instagram, it’s important that we’re all on the same page in terms of what they are and how they work.
In a nutshell, an Instagram hashtag is a bookmark; a way of categorizing content. It can be any word, phrase, number or even emoji which is prefixed by the hash symbol (#). Clicking on a hashtag on Instagram will bring up all the posts that have used that hashtag, so that you can discover new content you are interested in.
2. Why should you use hashtags?
Whether you’re a startup, new to Instagram or simply haven’t managed to acquire many followers, using hashtags on Instagram is a great way to grow your audience. By finding out how to hashtag on Instagram, your posts can be found by a much larger circle of users.
As a business, using hashtags on Instagram will help you be discovered by people who don’t already follow your page, helping you acquire new followers and boosting brand recognition. Not only that, but when you know how to use hashtags on Instagram, you can increase your reach on other channels too, because when a user shares your content to Twitter or Facebook, the hashtag is shared with it.
3. What types of hashtags are there?
When deciding how to use hashtags on Instagram, it’s important to recognize the various types of hashtags so that you can pick the right ones for you. The right hashtags will depend on your goals as a business, as well as the type of content you are sharing at that time. For example:
- Product, service and general hashtags: These might be what you do as a business (e.g. #painter) or what product you sell (e.g. #furniture). They are good for brands who want to make their work or products better known but can be difficult to achieve engagement for as there tends to be high competition.
- **Niche hashtags:**For more chance of being seen, niche hashtags reduce the competition by being more specific about your product or service. For example, #ladiesshoes rather than just #shoes will be found by more people specifically interested in shoes, while #ladiesheels will reach an even more interested audience.
- Interest hashtags: To reach enthusiasts in your niche, use interest related hashtags that describe your post. Research popular tags from the top posts section or see what specific groups are using to tag their posts. For instance, #shoeaholics or #heelsofInstagram will engage with those passionate about amazing footwear.
- Location hashtags: As you might have guessed, these tags are specifically the places where the content was show, for example #UK, #london or #hammersmith will find users who are interested in products, services or images from that location. You could also combine these with your service to narrow the audience even further, for instance #heelsinlondon or #londonfashionblogger.
- Branded hashtags: These types of hashtags are often used by businesses on Instagram to promote their brand or a particular ad campaign. You might promote the name of your business, e.g. #divashoes, or a slogan you are pushing, such as #comfortfit. However, be aware these don’t tend to get more followers on their own, because people won’t be searching for or adding branded hashtags to their posts unless they are compelled to do so. However, they can be great for engagement during a live event, for creating contests and to position your brand deeper in your audience’s mind, so use them where you can.
Understanding these different types of hashtags will help you understand how to use hashtags on Instagram better, by lacing your post with a variety of suitable tags.
4. How to add a hashtag to your post
If you’re not sure how to hashtag on Instagram, here’s a quick walkthrough. You can add tags as either captions to your post or in the comments area. As long as your account is public, the hashtag will ensure your post is discoverable via the corresponding hashtag page. Here’s how it works:
- Upload a photo or video to your Instagram account
- Pick your filters and edit as required
- Type the hash (#) symbol in the caption field followed by the text you want to be indexed for
- Tap OK
- Then share
If you prefer to add your hashtag to the comments section, just find the post and type in your hashtag in the comments section. This is particularly good if you plan to use a lot of hashtags and don’t want to make your post look too messy.
Letters, numbers and emojis work as hashtags, but special characters and spaces do not. Don’t add in any symbols like * or %, and type words altogether without any spaces. You cannot add hashtags to other people’s posts, only your own, and can use up to 30 tags on any single post.
5. How to find the best hashtags for your brand
If you’re not sure how to find the best hashtags for Instagram, there are a few options open to you:
- Search: Just doing a simple search can throw up some interesting hashtags and useful data for your post. Click in the search bar and begin your query with a #. Instagram will present you with a list of suggestions as you start to type, as well as how many posts have been tagged with that particular hashtag. If you don’t know where to start, think about what your business does, provides or specializes in as a good launchpad. If you already have a list of keywords you use for SEO or PPC, this can be a great source of initial inspiration.
- Competition: If there are other businesses already on Instagram who are in your niche, maybe who have a sizeable following already, they may well already be leveraging a hashtag strategy which you can learn from. Visit their account and see which hashtags they use on a regular basis. If they’re posting the same tags over and over again, there’s a good chance they’ve already done a bit of trial and error research and have discovered the ones that work.
- Related: If you’ve got a hashtag or two already that you get good engagement from, visit the pages for those hashtags and see what else is posted alongside them. There may be other hashtag trends relating to your business that you haven’t thought of yet, and could try including in future posts.
- Influencers: Who are the biggest influencers in your industry? Is there a blogger who simply loves products like yours? If so, check out what hashtags they use, and follow along with their favorites to reach the people who follow them. Their audience is essentially the same as yours, so why not learn from the experts?
Avoid using ‘spammy’ hashtags such as #like4like, #followme, #follow4follow and #followback. These are insanely popular among low quality Instagramers who simply want more followers, without caring about the quality. Stick to carefully chosen, related hashtags to gain valuable followers for your business.
6. How many hashtags should you use?
No doubt you’ve uncovered a great list of potential hashtags for your Instagram posts, but how many should you use in each posting? Instagram is less strict than Twitter, in that you can use up to 30 hashtags per post. However, that doesn’t mean you should go all out on every post, so how many is enough?
For some insight into the ‘norm’, you can take a look at influencers and competitors and see how many hashtags they tend to use. You can also conduct a bit of trial and error testing to see how to use hashtags on Instagram to their full effect, by varying the number you use and tracking the results.
Research conducted last year found that there is certainly a case for the more the merrier. Buffer discovered that engagement was greatest on posts with 11 hashtags, at 79.5 per cent compared to just 29 per cent for one. A separate study by TrackMaven found that nine hashtags performed best.
As a general rule, there is no rule. Optimum hashtag numbers will depend on your industry, but there’s no need to be stingy as more definitely is more. Remember to test and adapt to the response you are getting to make hashtags work for your brand.
7. How to get onto Top Posts
Getting bumped up to a Top Post is the holy grail of how to hashtag on Instagram. There are a few things you can do to maximize your chances of getting your post into the spotlight.
- Pick the right hashtags: If you want to trend for a hashtag, avoid the massive tags unless you already have more than 10k followers. Something like #dietgoals is more likely to steer you towards a top post than something huge like #instafood.
- Punch for maximum engagement: Focus on getting high levels of engagement as quickly as possible by scheduling your post to go live when your audience is most active. Research your target market, consider time zones and use a scheduling tool to optimize your post if you can’t be online at precisely the right time.
- Add some biggies too: Using between three and five of the really big hashtags are likely to boost engagement too. You aren’t likely to hit the top post for these, but should acquire a ton of likes and comments, which will help your target hashtag to rank higher too.
Breaking into the top posts takes some dedication, trial and error and a good level of commitment. It’s all dependent on the Instagram algorithm, the workings of which is a closely guarded secret, but by following these tips you’ll give your post the best chance of success.
Now you know not only how to hashtag on Instagram, but also why and which ones to use. Why not try reviewing your hashtag strategy and see what results you can get? If you have any other tips on how to use hashtags on Instagram that we haven’t included in our guide, leave a comment and let us know.
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Do you know how to hashtag on Instagram? Well, of course you know how to add a ‘#’ to the start of a word to turn it blue, but do you really know how to use hashtags on Instagram to get more engagement on your posts? ?
Instagram currently boasts in excess of 800 million users, with 500 million of those active on a daily basis. With so many people online at one time, it’s not always easy to get your posts in front of the right people for your business. However, once you know how to use hashtags on Instagram, you’ll be able to present your posts to the most engaged users, helping you grow your followers and your business as well.
Those who already know how to hashtag on Instagram have discovered the benefits this can bring. Posts with at least one hashtag generate 12.6 per cent more engagement that those without, according to research. Of course, if you get a mention by a major influencer in your sphere your engagement could receive a huge boost, but aside of this, the humble hashtag has a major part to play.
You May Also Like:
How to Hide Hashtags on Instagram >>
How to Increase Followers on Instagram - Ultimate Guide for 2018 >>
Find out how to use hashtags on Instagram with your business in our ultimate guide for 2018.
Ultimate Instagram Hashtags Guide for 2018
For your pleasure, our guide will help you understand everything you need to know about how to use hashtags to gain followers and increase likes. Let’s get started.
1. What are Instagram hashtags and how do they work?
Before we can start on how to hashtag on Instagram, it’s important that we’re all on the same page in terms of what they are and how they work.
In a nutshell, an Instagram hashtag is a bookmark; a way of categorizing content. It can be any word, phrase, number or even emoji which is prefixed by the hash symbol (#). Clicking on a hashtag on Instagram will bring up all the posts that have used that hashtag, so that you can discover new content you are interested in.
2. Why should you use hashtags?
Whether you’re a startup, new to Instagram or simply haven’t managed to acquire many followers, using hashtags on Instagram is a great way to grow your audience. By finding out how to hashtag on Instagram, your posts can be found by a much larger circle of users.
As a business, using hashtags on Instagram will help you be discovered by people who don’t already follow your page, helping you acquire new followers and boosting brand recognition. Not only that, but when you know how to use hashtags on Instagram, you can increase your reach on other channels too, because when a user shares your content to Twitter or Facebook, the hashtag is shared with it.
3. What types of hashtags are there?
When deciding how to use hashtags on Instagram, it’s important to recognize the various types of hashtags so that you can pick the right ones for you. The right hashtags will depend on your goals as a business, as well as the type of content you are sharing at that time. For example:
- Product, service and general hashtags: These might be what you do as a business (e.g. #painter) or what product you sell (e.g. #furniture). They are good for brands who want to make their work or products better known but can be difficult to achieve engagement for as there tends to be high competition.
- **Niche hashtags:**For more chance of being seen, niche hashtags reduce the competition by being more specific about your product or service. For example, #ladiesshoes rather than just #shoes will be found by more people specifically interested in shoes, while #ladiesheels will reach an even more interested audience.
- Interest hashtags: To reach enthusiasts in your niche, use interest related hashtags that describe your post. Research popular tags from the top posts section or see what specific groups are using to tag their posts. For instance, #shoeaholics or #heelsofInstagram will engage with those passionate about amazing footwear.
- Location hashtags: As you might have guessed, these tags are specifically the places where the content was show, for example #UK, #london or #hammersmith will find users who are interested in products, services or images from that location. You could also combine these with your service to narrow the audience even further, for instance #heelsinlondon or #londonfashionblogger.
- Branded hashtags: These types of hashtags are often used by businesses on Instagram to promote their brand or a particular ad campaign. You might promote the name of your business, e.g. #divashoes, or a slogan you are pushing, such as #comfortfit. However, be aware these don’t tend to get more followers on their own, because people won’t be searching for or adding branded hashtags to their posts unless they are compelled to do so. However, they can be great for engagement during a live event, for creating contests and to position your brand deeper in your audience’s mind, so use them where you can.
Understanding these different types of hashtags will help you understand how to use hashtags on Instagram better, by lacing your post with a variety of suitable tags.
4. How to add a hashtag to your post
If you’re not sure how to hashtag on Instagram, here’s a quick walkthrough. You can add tags as either captions to your post or in the comments area. As long as your account is public, the hashtag will ensure your post is discoverable via the corresponding hashtag page. Here’s how it works:
- Upload a photo or video to your Instagram account
- Pick your filters and edit as required
- Type the hash (#) symbol in the caption field followed by the text you want to be indexed for
- Tap OK
- Then share
If you prefer to add your hashtag to the comments section, just find the post and type in your hashtag in the comments section. This is particularly good if you plan to use a lot of hashtags and don’t want to make your post look too messy.
Letters, numbers and emojis work as hashtags, but special characters and spaces do not. Don’t add in any symbols like * or %, and type words altogether without any spaces. You cannot add hashtags to other people’s posts, only your own, and can use up to 30 tags on any single post.
5. How to find the best hashtags for your brand
If you’re not sure how to find the best hashtags for Instagram, there are a few options open to you:
- Search: Just doing a simple search can throw up some interesting hashtags and useful data for your post. Click in the search bar and begin your query with a #. Instagram will present you with a list of suggestions as you start to type, as well as how many posts have been tagged with that particular hashtag. If you don’t know where to start, think about what your business does, provides or specializes in as a good launchpad. If you already have a list of keywords you use for SEO or PPC, this can be a great source of initial inspiration.
- Competition: If there are other businesses already on Instagram who are in your niche, maybe who have a sizeable following already, they may well already be leveraging a hashtag strategy which you can learn from. Visit their account and see which hashtags they use on a regular basis. If they’re posting the same tags over and over again, there’s a good chance they’ve already done a bit of trial and error research and have discovered the ones that work.
- Related: If you’ve got a hashtag or two already that you get good engagement from, visit the pages for those hashtags and see what else is posted alongside them. There may be other hashtag trends relating to your business that you haven’t thought of yet, and could try including in future posts.
- Influencers: Who are the biggest influencers in your industry? Is there a blogger who simply loves products like yours? If so, check out what hashtags they use, and follow along with their favorites to reach the people who follow them. Their audience is essentially the same as yours, so why not learn from the experts?
Avoid using ‘spammy’ hashtags such as #like4like, #followme, #follow4follow and #followback. These are insanely popular among low quality Instagramers who simply want more followers, without caring about the quality. Stick to carefully chosen, related hashtags to gain valuable followers for your business.
6. How many hashtags should you use?
No doubt you’ve uncovered a great list of potential hashtags for your Instagram posts, but how many should you use in each posting? Instagram is less strict than Twitter, in that you can use up to 30 hashtags per post. However, that doesn’t mean you should go all out on every post, so how many is enough?
For some insight into the ‘norm’, you can take a look at influencers and competitors and see how many hashtags they tend to use. You can also conduct a bit of trial and error testing to see how to use hashtags on Instagram to their full effect, by varying the number you use and tracking the results.
Research conducted last year found that there is certainly a case for the more the merrier. Buffer discovered that engagement was greatest on posts with 11 hashtags, at 79.5 per cent compared to just 29 per cent for one. A separate study by TrackMaven found that nine hashtags performed best.
As a general rule, there is no rule. Optimum hashtag numbers will depend on your industry, but there’s no need to be stingy as more definitely is more. Remember to test and adapt to the response you are getting to make hashtags work for your brand.
7. How to get onto Top Posts
Getting bumped up to a Top Post is the holy grail of how to hashtag on Instagram. There are a few things you can do to maximize your chances of getting your post into the spotlight.
- Pick the right hashtags: If you want to trend for a hashtag, avoid the massive tags unless you already have more than 10k followers. Something like #dietgoals is more likely to steer you towards a top post than something huge like #instafood.
- Punch for maximum engagement: Focus on getting high levels of engagement as quickly as possible by scheduling your post to go live when your audience is most active. Research your target market, consider time zones and use a scheduling tool to optimize your post if you can’t be online at precisely the right time.
- Add some biggies too: Using between three and five of the really big hashtags are likely to boost engagement too. You aren’t likely to hit the top post for these, but should acquire a ton of likes and comments, which will help your target hashtag to rank higher too.
Breaking into the top posts takes some dedication, trial and error and a good level of commitment. It’s all dependent on the Instagram algorithm, the workings of which is a closely guarded secret, but by following these tips you’ll give your post the best chance of success.
Now you know not only how to hashtag on Instagram, but also why and which ones to use. Why not try reviewing your hashtag strategy and see what results you can get? If you have any other tips on how to use hashtags on Instagram that we haven’t included in our guide, leave a comment and let us know.
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
Do you know how to hashtag on Instagram? Well, of course you know how to add a ‘#’ to the start of a word to turn it blue, but do you really know how to use hashtags on Instagram to get more engagement on your posts? ?
Instagram currently boasts in excess of 800 million users, with 500 million of those active on a daily basis. With so many people online at one time, it’s not always easy to get your posts in front of the right people for your business. However, once you know how to use hashtags on Instagram, you’ll be able to present your posts to the most engaged users, helping you grow your followers and your business as well.
Those who already know how to hashtag on Instagram have discovered the benefits this can bring. Posts with at least one hashtag generate 12.6 per cent more engagement that those without, according to research. Of course, if you get a mention by a major influencer in your sphere your engagement could receive a huge boost, but aside of this, the humble hashtag has a major part to play.
You May Also Like:
How to Hide Hashtags on Instagram >>
How to Increase Followers on Instagram - Ultimate Guide for 2018 >>
Find out how to use hashtags on Instagram with your business in our ultimate guide for 2018.
Ultimate Instagram Hashtags Guide for 2018
For your pleasure, our guide will help you understand everything you need to know about how to use hashtags to gain followers and increase likes. Let’s get started.
1. What are Instagram hashtags and how do they work?
Before we can start on how to hashtag on Instagram, it’s important that we’re all on the same page in terms of what they are and how they work.
In a nutshell, an Instagram hashtag is a bookmark; a way of categorizing content. It can be any word, phrase, number or even emoji which is prefixed by the hash symbol (#). Clicking on a hashtag on Instagram will bring up all the posts that have used that hashtag, so that you can discover new content you are interested in.
2. Why should you use hashtags?
Whether you’re a startup, new to Instagram or simply haven’t managed to acquire many followers, using hashtags on Instagram is a great way to grow your audience. By finding out how to hashtag on Instagram, your posts can be found by a much larger circle of users.
As a business, using hashtags on Instagram will help you be discovered by people who don’t already follow your page, helping you acquire new followers and boosting brand recognition. Not only that, but when you know how to use hashtags on Instagram, you can increase your reach on other channels too, because when a user shares your content to Twitter or Facebook, the hashtag is shared with it.
3. What types of hashtags are there?
When deciding how to use hashtags on Instagram, it’s important to recognize the various types of hashtags so that you can pick the right ones for you. The right hashtags will depend on your goals as a business, as well as the type of content you are sharing at that time. For example:
- Product, service and general hashtags: These might be what you do as a business (e.g. #painter) or what product you sell (e.g. #furniture). They are good for brands who want to make their work or products better known but can be difficult to achieve engagement for as there tends to be high competition.
- **Niche hashtags:**For more chance of being seen, niche hashtags reduce the competition by being more specific about your product or service. For example, #ladiesshoes rather than just #shoes will be found by more people specifically interested in shoes, while #ladiesheels will reach an even more interested audience.
- Interest hashtags: To reach enthusiasts in your niche, use interest related hashtags that describe your post. Research popular tags from the top posts section or see what specific groups are using to tag their posts. For instance, #shoeaholics or #heelsofInstagram will engage with those passionate about amazing footwear.
- Location hashtags: As you might have guessed, these tags are specifically the places where the content was show, for example #UK, #london or #hammersmith will find users who are interested in products, services or images from that location. You could also combine these with your service to narrow the audience even further, for instance #heelsinlondon or #londonfashionblogger.
- Branded hashtags: These types of hashtags are often used by businesses on Instagram to promote their brand or a particular ad campaign. You might promote the name of your business, e.g. #divashoes, or a slogan you are pushing, such as #comfortfit. However, be aware these don’t tend to get more followers on their own, because people won’t be searching for or adding branded hashtags to their posts unless they are compelled to do so. However, they can be great for engagement during a live event, for creating contests and to position your brand deeper in your audience’s mind, so use them where you can.
Understanding these different types of hashtags will help you understand how to use hashtags on Instagram better, by lacing your post with a variety of suitable tags.
4. How to add a hashtag to your post
If you’re not sure how to hashtag on Instagram, here’s a quick walkthrough. You can add tags as either captions to your post or in the comments area. As long as your account is public, the hashtag will ensure your post is discoverable via the corresponding hashtag page. Here’s how it works:
- Upload a photo or video to your Instagram account
- Pick your filters and edit as required
- Type the hash (#) symbol in the caption field followed by the text you want to be indexed for
- Tap OK
- Then share
If you prefer to add your hashtag to the comments section, just find the post and type in your hashtag in the comments section. This is particularly good if you plan to use a lot of hashtags and don’t want to make your post look too messy.
Letters, numbers and emojis work as hashtags, but special characters and spaces do not. Don’t add in any symbols like * or %, and type words altogether without any spaces. You cannot add hashtags to other people’s posts, only your own, and can use up to 30 tags on any single post.
5. How to find the best hashtags for your brand
If you’re not sure how to find the best hashtags for Instagram, there are a few options open to you:
- Search: Just doing a simple search can throw up some interesting hashtags and useful data for your post. Click in the search bar and begin your query with a #. Instagram will present you with a list of suggestions as you start to type, as well as how many posts have been tagged with that particular hashtag. If you don’t know where to start, think about what your business does, provides or specializes in as a good launchpad. If you already have a list of keywords you use for SEO or PPC, this can be a great source of initial inspiration.
- Competition: If there are other businesses already on Instagram who are in your niche, maybe who have a sizeable following already, they may well already be leveraging a hashtag strategy which you can learn from. Visit their account and see which hashtags they use on a regular basis. If they’re posting the same tags over and over again, there’s a good chance they’ve already done a bit of trial and error research and have discovered the ones that work.
- Related: If you’ve got a hashtag or two already that you get good engagement from, visit the pages for those hashtags and see what else is posted alongside them. There may be other hashtag trends relating to your business that you haven’t thought of yet, and could try including in future posts.
- Influencers: Who are the biggest influencers in your industry? Is there a blogger who simply loves products like yours? If so, check out what hashtags they use, and follow along with their favorites to reach the people who follow them. Their audience is essentially the same as yours, so why not learn from the experts?
Avoid using ‘spammy’ hashtags such as #like4like, #followme, #follow4follow and #followback. These are insanely popular among low quality Instagramers who simply want more followers, without caring about the quality. Stick to carefully chosen, related hashtags to gain valuable followers for your business.
6. How many hashtags should you use?
No doubt you’ve uncovered a great list of potential hashtags for your Instagram posts, but how many should you use in each posting? Instagram is less strict than Twitter, in that you can use up to 30 hashtags per post. However, that doesn’t mean you should go all out on every post, so how many is enough?
For some insight into the ‘norm’, you can take a look at influencers and competitors and see how many hashtags they tend to use. You can also conduct a bit of trial and error testing to see how to use hashtags on Instagram to their full effect, by varying the number you use and tracking the results.
Research conducted last year found that there is certainly a case for the more the merrier. Buffer discovered that engagement was greatest on posts with 11 hashtags, at 79.5 per cent compared to just 29 per cent for one. A separate study by TrackMaven found that nine hashtags performed best.
As a general rule, there is no rule. Optimum hashtag numbers will depend on your industry, but there’s no need to be stingy as more definitely is more. Remember to test and adapt to the response you are getting to make hashtags work for your brand.
7. How to get onto Top Posts
Getting bumped up to a Top Post is the holy grail of how to hashtag on Instagram. There are a few things you can do to maximize your chances of getting your post into the spotlight.
- Pick the right hashtags: If you want to trend for a hashtag, avoid the massive tags unless you already have more than 10k followers. Something like #dietgoals is more likely to steer you towards a top post than something huge like #instafood.
- Punch for maximum engagement: Focus on getting high levels of engagement as quickly as possible by scheduling your post to go live when your audience is most active. Research your target market, consider time zones and use a scheduling tool to optimize your post if you can’t be online at precisely the right time.
- Add some biggies too: Using between three and five of the really big hashtags are likely to boost engagement too. You aren’t likely to hit the top post for these, but should acquire a ton of likes and comments, which will help your target hashtag to rank higher too.
Breaking into the top posts takes some dedication, trial and error and a good level of commitment. It’s all dependent on the Instagram algorithm, the workings of which is a closely guarded secret, but by following these tips you’ll give your post the best chance of success.
Now you know not only how to hashtag on Instagram, but also why and which ones to use. Why not try reviewing your hashtag strategy and see what results you can get? If you have any other tips on how to use hashtags on Instagram that we haven’t included in our guide, leave a comment and let us know.
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Also read:
- Unveiling the Mysteries of IG Metrics An Essential Toolkit for Marketers
- [Updated] The Real Strategy Behind Instagram Reels
- YouTube Snippets for Captivating IG Stories
- [Updated] Transformational Techniques Bold Borders on Instagram Photos
- [Updated] In 2024, From Front to Back A Step-by-Step Guide for Instagram Video Angles
- Step-by-Step to Stardom on Social Boost Your Instagram Fame at Warp Speed with Our 15 Must-Knows for 2024
- [Updated] Elevate Your Instagram Imagery with Striking Borders for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Unleash Your Potential with Top IGTV Creators
- [New] In 2024, Privacy-Centric Explore Instagram Stories Anon on Your Devices
- In 2024, The Leaderboard Top 15 Free & Secure Apps to Grow Your Insta Circle
- A Comprehensive Dive Into Creating Inspiring Slow Mo Videos on IG for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Perfecting Instagram Posts Tips for Vertical Editing in Final Cut Pro X
- Copyright Compliance & Photo/Video Sharing for 2024
- Make Your Instagram Content Explosive A Guide to Virality
- Discover Best Border Apps to Elevate Instagram Visuals for 2024
- The Sound of Success Tailoring Audio for Instagram Content for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Crafting Immersive Experienences Adding Sounds to Reels
- 2024 Approved Elevating Your Social Media Presence with IGTV Videos
- 2024 Approved Instagram-Ready Auto-Resizing Videos Using Mac Tech
- [New] 2024 Approved Insta Influencing Techniques for Scaling Your Following Quickly
- [Updated] Mastering Instagram's Music Stickers Integration for 2024
- [New] Expert Tips for Avoiding Instagram Video Troubles for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Final Cut Pro X Mastery Crafting Instagram's Desired Format
- Hidden Viewers Guide Reading Instagram Stories Privately From PC/Android/iOS for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Your Key to Effortless IGTV Media Downloads
- [Updated] In 2024, Picture-Perfect Instagram Carousel
- Mastering Instagram's Green Screen Magic
- [New] The Secrets of Crafting Captivating Instagram Videos for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Social Sync Combining IG and YouTube Videos
- [New] In 2024, The Hidden Weapons for Social Media Dominance on Instagram
- [Updated] How to Use Filters on Instagram?
- In 2024, Secure Your Cash Ranking Safe & Effective Posts
- Peeking Into Instagram Stories What Viewers Don’t Know for 2024
- Mastering the Art of Video Repetition A Guide for Instagram Users for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Mastering Instagram Video Load Times Desktop Advice
- [New] 2024 Approved Insider Tips Selecting the Best IG Video Editors for Success
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Comprehensive Ultimate Guide to Instagram Stories
- 2024 Approved Crafting Captivating IGTV Cover Photos (Thumbnails)
- [Updated] From Capture to Share Precision Cropping & Export Tips for Instagram for 2024
- [New] Insta Perfect Pivoting Mastering Video Angles for Social Success
- In 2024, Secure Social Scale - The Premier App Selection for iOS & Android Users
- [New] In 2024, A Seamless Transition From Aspect Ratio to Square on Instagram with iMovie
- [Updated] In 2024, Elevate Your Storytelling with Instagram & YouTube Vids
- [New] Instagram Illuminati The Top 25 Visionaries You Need to See
- [New] In 2024, Perfecting the Bokeh Aesthetic for Social Media Posts
- Step Up Your Instagram Game with These Highest-Rated Grid Makers
- 3 Solutions to Hard Reset Xiaomi Redmi 12 Phone Using PC | Dr.fone
- How to Copy Contacts from Apple iPhone 13 Pro to SIM? | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Process of Screen Sharing Sony Xperia 1 V to PC- Detailed Steps | Dr.fone
- [Updated] In 2024, Leading 10 High-Resolution Monitors with Built-In Video Editing
- In 2024, Reasons why Pokémon GPS does not Work On Nokia C32? | Dr.fone
- [New] In 2024, Apeak’s Leap Forward in Screen Capture – Review and Results
- [Updated] Dashboard Directions Entering Google Meet (PC/Mobile) for 2024
- New In 2024, Unleash Your Creativity with FCP 90 Days of Free Usage
- New Boost Your Call Audio Quality with These Top 6 Mobile Enhancers (Android & iPhone) for 2024
- In 2024, Guide to Mirror Your Tecno Spark Go (2023) to Other Android devices | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Complete Fixes To Solve Apple iPhone 15 Plus Randomly Asking for Apple ID Password | Dr.fone
- In 2024, 3 Proven Methods to Enhance Your Music Archives
- [New] The Verdict on Using ITop for Screen Capture, In 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Top-Rated Mobile Devices for Pocket-Sized Gaming
- The 6 Best SIM Unlock Services That Actually Work On Your Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Device
- In 2024, Planning to Use a Pokemon Go Joystick on HTC U23 Pro? | Dr.fone
- How To Use Special Features - Virtual Location On Apple iPhone 6s? | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How To Remove the Two Factor Authentication From iPhone X
- Best Places to Download and Listen to Bird Songs in MP3 Format
- New 3 Ways to Get Rid of Echo in Your Audio Recordings
- New The Ultimate List 10 Animated Text Generators for Stunning Visuals for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Decoding the Top Rival to ShareX
- 3 Easy Solutions to Hard Reset Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro | Dr.fone
- Craft a Customized Siri Experience Changing Your iPhones Assistant Speech
- Title: [Updated] Boost Your Brand Visibility – Mastering Instagram Hashtags for 2024
- Author: Robert
- Created at : 2024-05-21 13:08:45
- Updated at : 2024-05-22 13:08:45
- Link: https://instagram-video-files.techidaily.com/updated-boost-your-brand-visibility-mastering-instagram-hashtags-for-2024/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.