You’ve probably noticed hashtags on Instagram. They’re not just for searching, they can be used as tags to help you grow your Instagram! Hashtags are simply words or phrases with the hashtag symbol (#) combined together and placed at the end of a word or phrase. There are two types of hashtags: popular and custom (or personal). Many people have used popular hashtags in order to categorize their posts into certain topics. In contrast, custom hashtags allow you to label your content with whatever keywords that best describe what it is about.
You can find hashtags under any post on Instagram; by scrolling through your feed, clicking on a hashtag page, or typing them into the search bar. If you use hashtags strategically, it can help boost your account to new heights and increase the number of followers you gain.
In this blog post, you will get some tips on how to utilize hashtags to get what you want from Instagram:
- Use popular hashtags that are relevant or related to your content:
Hashtags such as #love #travel #selfie #beautiful are popular hashtags that you can use to categorize your content into specific categories. These hashtags will help people find your posts and potentially follow you. Make sure to research thoroughly about the relevant hashtags because these are the ones that will make your posts visible to your target audience.
- Be creative when using hashtags:
Using creative hashtags can help give an edge over other users with how many likes and comments you get on Instagram! Some examples of different ways to combine hashtags include: by combining them into one word (#loveselfie), separating them (I love selfies!), capitalizing some words but not others (#LoveSelfAmateurPhotography). You’ll want to make sure the amount of characters is within range.
- Follow your favorite hashtags:
Follow hashtags that introduce you to pictures or videos similar to your niche. And if you love someone’s content, then give them a like or comment. Doing this will help others discover your profile and skim through your content. If someone likes your content, then the chances are high that they will follow you and share your content with their followers.
- Use a variety of hashtags on every post:
Using just one hashtag is limiting for both Instagram and its followers to find you. For instance, if someone clicks on your photos because of an interesting tag like “cute,” then there might not be anything else to click through, which means less opportunity for engagement with new potential followers. By using various tags from time to time, you’ll expose your account to different people who may not have seen you otherwise.
- Plan ahead for hashtags:
It’s a good idea to plan out some of the tags that will sound appropriate to what you’re posting. This way, if someone searches those terms and comes across your post, they’ll find it more easily! It also prevents wasting time trying to think of the perfect tag later on when you could be uploading pictures instead (I’m guilty too). Add in hashtags after editing and before publishing.
- Don’t go overboard:
Hashtags are like seasoning; sprinkle them throughout posts sparingly but generously so others can enjoy all tastes! If there is one hashtag per sentence or two, then it should suffice nicely.
- Use hashtags that are popular or trending:
The purpose of hashtags is to be seen. If you use something obscure, your post may not get as many views and engagement as it deserves. Look at the number of posts under the hashtags and then select the ones with high and average popularity.
- Utilize a mix of different strategies:
Use personal tags mixed with popular ones (e.g., #fashionblogger and #ootd). This way, potential customers may be able to relate better than just one tag they might not understand as well (#fashionblogger) alone. You’ll also have an easier time keeping track of all the posts that you have posted in the past.
- Use hashtags in your first comment:
If you have a crowded caption, then make sure you don’t overcrowd it with your hashtags. Instead, use them in your first comment, so your followers stay connected with what you have to show them.
- Add hashtags to the title or caption of a post:
Sometimes, using hashtags strategically is better than adding them in one place. If you are great at writing captions, then make sure to use most of your community-related or brand-related hashtags in the caption of a post. This strategy helps you add only a specific set of common hashtags in one place while mixing up the relevant ones in your caption.
How many hashtags can you use on a single post?
Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags per post. It is not necessary to utilize all 30 hashtags, so you can use around 15-20 hashtags at your convenience.
Conclusion:
Although growing on Instagram can be challenging these days, you can use hashtags as an easy way to improve your account. They help you find content that is related to yours, and they increase the chances of people clicking on your posts! So make sure you use these tips and start improving your Instagram account.