The guide to choosing the right Instagram hashtags

The guide to choosing the right Instagram hashtags

23 March, 2023
The guide to choosing the right Instagram hashtags

Find the best hashtags for your posts in no time and make them trend.

Instagram hashtags have the power to either make or break your Instagram marketing strategy. When you use them correctly, your postings will be seen by more people who are likely to be interested in your products or services. Nevertheless, if you use the incorrect one, you may end up irritating potential followers or being penalized by Instagram’s algorithm. To utilize hashtags effectively on Instagram, you must first grasp how they function and then devise a strategy. How to use hashtags on instagram?

What are the advantages of using Instagram hashtags?

Instagram hashtags

Utilizing relevant, targeted hashtags on your Instagram posts and stories is one of the best methods to reach new audiences. Utilizing the “correct” hashtags might bring you in front of your target audience even if they haven’t previously connected with you. This can lead to increased interaction, followers, and clients for your brand or business! This is the reason why you should know how to use hashtags on Instagram.

But it isn’t all. Hashtags can also be used for purposes other than boosting your discoverability. You can use them to develop communities, find user-generated content (UGC), execute campaigns, investigate your audience, and more. That is why having a clear and well-crafted hashtag strategy is critical – without one, you may be missing out on opportunities to optimize your account and generate interaction. 

You may be asking yourself how many hashtags should I use on instagram to make an impact ? You should know that you have the freedom to use up to 30 hashtags on Instagram. Some experts said that it is best to use about 20 of them.

How do hashtags function?

Before you can master how to use hashtags on instagram effectively, you must first grasp how they function. These are the most important things to know regarding hashtags:

  • Individuals can follow hashtags that are of particular interest to them. Your hashtagged posts will appear in the feeds of those who follow the same hashtag/s as you, whether or not they follow you.
  • Utilizing hashtags is an excellent technique to create a community of people who have common interests, goals, or needs. A hashtag created for a specific community stimulates participation and interaction.
  • A hashtag is essentially a searchable label or category. When you use a hashtag, your post will appear on the results page for that hashtag. Instagram’s algorithm finds the proper audience for your content based on the hashtags you choose.
  • If you know how to choose a good hashtag, your post may show on Instagram’s Explore tab 
  • Hashtags can be clicked on. When you click on a hashtag or conduct a hashtag search, all of the posts that contain that hashtag will be displayed.

How to choose the right hashtags?

How to choose the right hashtags?

Here are some pointers to help you find the best Instagram hashtags:

1- Make use of a Hashtag Suggestion Tool.

Employing a hashtag suggestion tool can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. For starters, it may assist you in quickly identifying relevant and popular hashtags that can assist your material in being discovered by individuals who are interested in the themes you are blogging about. Manually researching and picking the most relevant hashtags for your content can take effort.

Therefore, a hashtag suggestion tool can help you save time by offering a list of relevant and popular hashtags for your content. It can help you keep your social media marketing efforts consistent. You may build a recognizable brand and grow your social media following by using the same hashtags throughout all of your posts. Use a hashtag recommendation tool to discover the finest hashtags and master how many hashtags on instagram.

The list of Hashtag generator tools

Here are three of the most popular hashtag generators for Instagram:

1. Hashtagify: This generator uses an algorithm to suggest relevant hashtags for your post. It suggests both popular and relevant hashtags based on the keywords you enter and offers a hashtag search tool to find the best hashtags for your content.

2. RiteTag: This generator uses predictive analytics to suggest hashtags. It also offers an AI-based hashtag generator, which uses machine learning to find the best hashtags for your post.

3. Toolzu: This hashtag generator allows you to track the performance of your hashtags. It provides real-time insights into the hashtags you use, including the number of impressions, engagement rate, and reach.

Overall, hashtag generators can be a great way to save time and get the best results for your Instagram posts. With the right generator, you can find the best hashtags for your content

2- Do some researches on the Instagram Explore Page

The Instagram Explore page is a terrific source of inspiration for your Instagram hashtag strategy. It is an app feature that allows users to discover new material and users that share their interests. These are some findings from a recent Instagram Explore Page study. Search for keywords related to your brand or content and look at the “Top” results for the best results.

These posts are clearly functioning well with the Instagram algorithm, so pay attention to the hashtags that are being used and consider whether they might work for your content. You may simply look at the hashtags that are being used, which will allow you to be inspired or use them to get similar results.

3- Use Instagram’s Tag Search Function to Determine Hashtag Volume

Hashtag Volume Tag Search Function

When it comes to choosing the finest hashtags, post volume is a critical parameter to consider. If a hashtag has already been used on millions of posts, your post will likely be drowned out by the crowd. If a hashtag has only a few hundred posts, it’s likely that no one is searching for it on the Instagram Explore tab. Aim for hashtags with 10K-200K posts for a comfortable medium ground.

To see the post volume of a hashtag, go to Instagram’s tag search feature on the Explore Page. This is an excellent approach to vet your hashtags while also getting some inspiration. For example, you could come across a more specific hashtag that begins with the same topic but has a considerably higher volume of posts.

4- Create distinct and unique hashtags

Create your own unique hashtag to start your own conversation and campaign. Choose a slogan that is memorable, distinct, and resonates with your target audience. While there are many hashtags available, you can design something unique with a little effort. To find out if a hashtag is already in use, utilize a third-party hashtag analytics tool or your hashtag aggregation tool. Aside from being distinctive, the hashtag must be obvious in terms of the message it conveys. It should be appropriate for the event or campaign in which you wish to use it. Don’t leave any room for ambiguity.

A hashtag that is unclear about the message it is sending may wind up relaying the incorrect message. Consider the Susan Boyle hashtag, where her PR team decided to use the hashtag #susanalbumparty; read it with a dirty mind and you’ll understand the significance of a clear hashtag. Check out this example to emphasize the point: #therapist. A simple hashtag that may convey the incorrect meaning. What the user really meant was “Therapist,” yet some misinterpreted it as “The Rapist.” Just make sure your audience understands your hashtag without any ambiguity.

5- Be certain that the hashtag is relevant.

The major objective for using hashtags is to increase the size of your audience. As a result, if your hashtag isn’t conveying information pertinent to your business, you’ve already lost the race. Your hashtag should be relevant to your services and products. Any popular hashtag will not suffice. If you’re not careful, you can find up promoting someone else simply because you weren’t careful enough while selecting your hashtag.

Keep in mind that after you’ve used a hashtag, you should never leave it unattended. This is because a hashtag, whether new or old, can readily deviate and go in unexpected directions. You can monitor your hashtags with apps like Curator.io thanks to advances in technology. Additionally, promote your hashtag so that it receives the attention it deserves. Use it in your products, promote it in advertising, and encourage others to include it in their tweets, Instagram posts, and Facebook postings. Send the word out to as many people as possible, and then let it do the rest. 

FAQ on The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Hashtags

Q: Can I use spaces in Instagram hashtags?

A: No, spaces are not allowed in hashtags. If you want to use multiple words, combine them without spaces, known as camel case, or use underscores (_) to separate the words.

Q: Should I use popular or niche hashtags?

A: It’s recommended to use a combination of popular and niche hashtags. Popular hashtags have a higher search volume but also come with intense competition. Niche hashtags are more specific to your content, allowing you to target a more engaged and targeted audience. Strike a balance between the two to maximize your reach and engagement.

Q: How often should I change my hashtags?

A: It’s beneficial to change your hashtags periodically to avoid monotony and reach new audiences. Experiment with different sets of hashtags and analyze their performance. Keep an eye on trending topics and adjust your hashtags accordingly to stay relevant.

Q: Can I use the same hashtags for every post?

A: While it’s convenient to reuse hashtags, it’s essential to diversify your hashtag selection for each post. Tailor your hashtags to the specific content and target audience of each post to maximize its visibility and engagement potential.

Q: Should I hide hashtags in my captions?

A: Hiding hashtags in your captions by placing them after a series of dots or line breaks is a common practice to maintain a cleaner caption appearance. However, be cautious as some users may find it deceptive or spammy. Consider using the comment section or a separate comment to add your hashtags.

Q: Are there banned or restricted hashtags on Instagram?

A: Yes, Instagram has guidelines regarding hashtags and may ban or restrict certain hashtags that violate their policies. It’s important to research and avoid using hashtags associated with inappropriate or spammy content. Stay updated on Instagram’s community guidelines to ensure your hashtags comply with their rules.

Q: How do I measure the success of my hashtags?

A: Instagram provides basic insights on the performance of your posts, including the number of impressions from hashtags. Additionally, you can use third-party analytics tools like Sprout Social, Hootsuite, or Instagram Insights to track the reach, engagement, and follower growth associated with specific hashtags.

Q: Can I trademark a hashtag?

A: It is possible to trademark a hashtag in certain circumstances. However, the process can be complex, and it’s recommended to consult with a legal professional specializing in intellectual property to understand the requirements and implications of trademarking a hashtag.

Q: Can I delete or edit hashtags from my old posts?

A: Yes, you can edit the captions of your old posts to add, remove, or modify hashtags. However, keep in mind that editing a post may affect its engagement metrics, such as likes and comments, as the post will reappear in the feeds of your followers.