With 1.16 billion Instagram accounts grabbing attention, being in the limelight is getting harder and harder. How to notice? There are many ways to boost your social media presence, and using hashtags is one of them. So, how to use hashtags on Instagram? That’s what we are going to explore in this article together…
Why use hashtags on Instagram?
You know that pound sign (#) on your keyboard? Just add it before a word and voila, you have a hashtag! It is a word or group of words preceded by a pound sign (#). Those are used to categorize and find conversations around a particular topic or trend.
So should you be using hashtags on Instagram? yes because instagram hashtags = keywords,
The Instagram algorithm knows what your account/post is about (especially if you have a new account). It also knows how people can find your account (thanks to the new Instagram search feature).
On Instagram, hashtags have specific purposes:
- They help Instagram understand what your content is about, so they can recommend it to users who might be interested;
- Users can “follow” the hashtag to see some of this content in their feed.
- It is an easy way for users to find the type of content they are interested in.
These 3 characteristics are why you need to use relevant keywords – you want your content to be visible to people who will care about it, like it, and maybe even follow your account.
Hashtags are as follows Opportunities to be seen and found by new customers, So take advantage of this opportunity especially if you have a brand new Instagram account or business.
Instagram has 9 types of hashtags:
- Product or service hashtags: These are basic keywords to describe your product or service, such as #training #elearning
- Special events or seasonal hashtags: They are #Valentine’s Day or #seosquare. Can refer to important events such as one-time events
- Location hashtags: Even if you geotag your Instagram posts, it can still be a good idea to include a hashtag that refers to your location, like #Paris #IDF
- Niche hashtags: These get a little more specific, showing where you fit into the context of your industry, like #foodindustry #webmarketing
- Instagram industry community hashtags: Communities exist on Instagram, and these hashtags help you find and connect with them. #digitalmarketingthink instagram
- Daily hashtags: Every day has its own hashtags like #Jeudiconfession
- Hashtags of relevant phrases: These hashtags combine elements of product hashtags, niche hashtags and community hashtags. Basically, these are phrases people use on Instagram to connect with existing communities;
- Acronym hashtags: Perhaps the most famous acronym is hashtag for #OOTD outfit of the day, #Insta: Instafat, Instagram… any hashtag starting with #insta signifies a captured moment of life.
Hashtags organize content by topic and help Instagram identify what your post is about. They serve as a filter for the huge amount of content posted on the platform every day, and this filter helps users find relevant and interesting posts.
In their simplest form, you use to power search results on the Instagram Explore page. But it does not stop there.
They are also used as a reference for the Instagram algorithm, so that it can categorize your content and suggest to users that it will be of great interest.
To better understand why hashtags are used on Instagram, let’s zoom in a bit on the mechanics, starting with the algorithms. The Instagram algorithm is a set of rules that determine what content users view on the app.
The content displayed every time you open your Instagram feed. is a combination of all your Instagram interactions based on Interest, engagement, post time, frequency, follow, and usage time on the app.
All these factors play a role in your visibility on the hashtag page.
Here’s some interesting data: analyzed 5.4 million Instagram posts and found that:
- 35.2% had 1 to 3 hashtags;
- 23.1% had 4 to 10 hashtags;
- 12.1% had 10 or more hashtags.
Instagram recommends creators use between 3 and 5 on their posts, although they allow up to 30 per post. The most common number used on Instagram is between 1 and 3. Use it to determine what is best for your business.
all in: Use more hashtags = better results.
In fact, the threshold rate increases by 11% (from 24% to 35%) as the number increases from 1 to 30.
Source: later
Unlike Twitter, Instagram does not publish a list of trending hashtags. However, if you search for one on Instagram, you’ll see how many posts use it. You will also see a list of other popular Instagram hashtags, including the number of posts, using similar words.
To search hashtags:
- On the desktop, type it with the # sign in the search box;
- On mobile, enter your search term in the search field, then tap Tags.
How do you find so many relevant hashtags for each post? Here are 3 different tricks you can use:
1. Explore Instagram Research
The Explore Instagram page is a great source of inspiration for your Instagram hashtag strategy. To get the best results, search for keywords relevant to your brand or content and look for “top” results.
2. Use the Hashtag Suggestion Tool
This is an easy way to find keywords based on the content of your posts and similar keywords in your industry.
3. Use a Search Tool
When it comes to finding the best hashtags, post volume is a very important metric. If the hashtag has already been used on millions of posts, chances are that your post will sink in with the masses. On the other hand, if she only has a few hundred posts, chances are no one is looking for her on Explore Instagram. For a definite middle ground, aim for people with 10,000 to 200,000 positions.
If you post advice related to digital marketing and entrepreneurship on Instagram, here are some of the best hashtags to use.
- #Entrepreneur – 83.9 million
- #Small Business – 72 Million
- #Marketing – 57.9 million
- #Branding – 31.3 million
- #Social Media – 26.4 million
- #Digital Marketing – 18.8 million
- #socialmediamarketing – 15.9 million
- #Online Marketing – 6.7 Million
- #seo – 6.4 million
- #contentmarketing – 5 million
- #Marketing Tips – 4.7 million
- #Marketing Strategy – 4.5 million
- #businesstips – 3.9 million
- #Affiliate Marketing – 2.7 million
- #Internetmarketing – 2.5 million
- #Agency Marketing – 2.2 million
- #b2b – 2 million
- #Email Marketing – 1.3 Million
- #marketing101 – 1.1 million
Source: SearchEngineJournal
Above all, Instagram hashtags can be placed in the caption of a photo or video when you post content. They can also be added to one or more comments after they are posted. There is no difference in their functionality, so it is your choice.
There are four ways to use them on Instagram:
- in Instagram posts;
- in Instagram stories;
- on Instagram video;
- in real.
Instagram post
- Add up to 30 hashtags;
- Tag up to 20 accounts to increase your chances of appearing on other pages;
- Tag up to 5 products per post.
- Add Instagram Alt Text to rank your images in Google results;
To improve Instagram’s algorithms and get better reach, try to get as many likes and comments as possible within the first hour of posting.
Instagram stories
- Add up to 10 hashtags;
- Mention up to 10 accounts in a story;
- Include a location, quiz, question, poll, countdown, GIF, or donation sticker;
- Tag 1 Product (Available for business accounts with Shopping enabled).
instagram video
- Add up to 30 hashtags;
- Add clickable links to a legend;
- Add cover photos and share IGTV videos on Instagram feed.
Instagram reels
- Add up to 30 hashtags;
- Tag up to 30 products or a collection of products;
- Share your Instagram reel video to your Instagram feed.
When you share a reel containing certain hashtags, effects or songs, your reels may also appear on dedicated pages when someone clicks on that song, hashtag or effect. When your reel is ready you can add hashtags.
Where to put your branded hashtag on Instagram?
You can add them to:
- legend your publication;
- first comment, This is the most convenient option so as not to distract the attention of followers with several hashtags in the caption;
- Your Biography, When a user taps on it, they get redirected to that hashtag page. For businesses with popular branded hashtags, this is a great way to increase engagement or collect user-generated content.
But overall, it’s a matter of preference.
To finish
Test, experiment to create your own strategy for using hashtags on Instagram. If you really want to get more customers and likes, it will take work and persistence, but the reward will be worth it.
Follow updates, tools, trends, pro tips on our Instagram section and have fun creating your own strategy!
And do not forget to share your experiences on social networks in the comments below.