Including hashtags on your Instagram posts is a great way to increase engagement and reach new users. But how does it work? And what types of hashtags should you use? Become a #hashtag expert with this guide on all the latest tips and tricks on Instagram.
So what exactly is a hashtag?It’s a a word, phrase, or series of emojis preceded by the # symbol (e.g. #Throwback, #WorldCup) that categorizes content and make it more discoverable. Imagine the internet, or Instagram, is a giant file cabinet. The hashtags help separate the folders of content.
Try searching one of these hashtags on Instagram. You’ll see a feed of both popular posts – typically from users with large followings – and most recent posts, which is a real time feed of everyone who has used that hashtag.
The most recent update to hashtags has allowed users to follow them, just like they follow a user. This means your content could end up in a user’s feed even if they don’t follow you. If your content is interesting and of high-quality, these users might start following you.
How to Use Hashtags
The best practice for using hashtags is choosing a few super-relevant tags for your post or Story. The more specific, the better, as it will help you reach a more niche audience. While some hashtags like #love are super popular and might get you a few new users it’s better to use something that will help your content stand out. Using super popular tags like #followback will likely only attract spam users, who will not be valuable to your brand down the line.
You can include up to 30 hashtags on a regular post, and up to 10 hashtags on a Story. According to an analysis by TrackMaven, posts with nine hashtags receive the most engagement.
You can always go back and edit a post and add hashtags, or post them in the comments section.
How NOT to Use Hashtags
Though we encourage the use of hashtags, there are some behaviors that will only hurt you.
First, don’t just copy and paste the same hashtags from one post to another. This will make your account come across as spammy, and could get you punished by Instagram.
You also don’t want to use hashtags that are unrelated to your post. #Love may be a popular post, but does it really apply to a picture of your boardroom? Put thought into using tags that actually describe the image you’re posting.
You also want to search the hashtags you’re considering before you post. A phrase that you might think is an innocent business term might have a different usage on the internet. And if you’re creating a hashtag from multiple words, make sure it doesn’t spell out something unfortunate when it’s all put together.
Remember that hashtags should not be used just to get your post in front of more people – it’s about reaching the right people.
How to Find Hashtags
Apart from standard words that describe your business, like #restaurant or #CEO, Instagram is full of clever, more specific hashtags that can benefit your page.
To start search for a basic hashtag in the search. At the top, Instagram will suggest related hashtags for you to use. Check those out, and keep clicking on related options to see more suggested hashtags.
You can also see the number of times its been used on the platform, which is helpful info. A large number may mean lots of people following that hashtag, but it also means there’s a ton of content on it and your posts might get lost. Experiment with a combination of popular and niche hashtags to find your brand’s sweet spot.
Check out your competitors’ post to see what hashtags they use. Be careful not to use a branded hashtag they’ve created for their company.
Using hashtags on Instagram isa great way to reach more users and expand your brand. Try experimenting with different tags to see which increase engagement the most. Happy tagging!