Master Instagram hashtags: the ultimate guide

Introduction to Instagram hashtags

Hashtags have become an indispensable part of any content strategy on Instagram. When used correctly, they can significantly increase the visibility of your posts, attract new followers and improve engagement with your audience. 

Why use hashtags on Instagram?

The benefits of hashtags

Hashtags play a crucial role in optimizing your posts on Instagram. Here are a few key benefits:

• Increased visibility: hashtags enable your posts toappear in relevant searches, attracting a wider audience.
• Improved engagement: Publications with hashtags tend to receive more likes, comments and shares.
• Trend tracking: hashtags help you keep up with current trends and participate in popular conversations.
• Brand building: Creating branded hashtags can improve recognition and loyalty to your brand.

How to choose the best hashtags for Instagram?

Search for relevant hashtags

To find the most effective hashtags, follow these steps:

• Competitor analysis: Observe the hashtags used by accounts similar to yours. Identify posts that get a lot of engagement and note the hashtags they use.
• Using search tools: Tools like Hashtagify, RiteTag, and even Instagram's search function can provide you with suggestions for relevant hashtags. 
• Popularity mix: Combine very popular hashtags with niche hashtags.

How many hashtags should I use on Instagram?

Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags per post, but the ideal amount depends on your strategy. Here's why and how to choose the right number of hashtags:

• Optimizing engagement: Using between 9 and 11 hashtags seems to be the sweet spot for maximizing engagement. 
• Relevance and quality: Instead of focusing solely on numbers, focus on the relevance and quality of hashtags. 
• Balance between popularity and specificity: Include a combination of popular and niche hashtags. 
• Test and adjust: Instagram is a dynamic platform, and what works today may not work tomorrow. 

Types of hashtags to use

There are different types of hashtags you can use to optimize your posts on Instagram. Each has its own purpose and advantage. Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Niche hashtags: These are hashtags specific to your industry. They enable you to target a precise, engaged audience. 
• Trending hashtags: Using trending hashtags can increase the visibility of your posts by integrating them into popular conversations.
• Brand hashtags: These hashtags are unique to your brand or campaign. They are designed to reinforce brand recognition and encourage users to interact with you.
• Content hashtags: Directly linked to the content of your post, these hashtags describe precisely what you're sharing. 

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How to use hashtags on Instagram

Placing hashtags

There are several strategies for placing your hashtags on Instagram. The choice of placement can affect the appearance of your post and the way users interact with your content.

• Post description: This allows hashtags tobe immediately visible when users see your post. 
• Comments: This method keeps the caption clear and concise, while retaining the discovery benefits of hashtags.

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How do I create a hashtag on Instagram?

Creating a unique and memorable hashtag is essential to strengthening your brand and increasing engagement. Here are some tips on how to achieve this:

• Simplicity: Choose something short and easy to remember. Opt for simple, punchy words that can be easily integrated into conversations.

• Originality: Make sure your hashtag isn't already being used extensively by others Originality helps distinguish your content and avoid confusion with other campaigns or brands.
• Relevance: The hashtag must be relevant to your content and audience. It must reflect the theme of your campaign, your product or your brand. 

Additional steps to create an effective hashtag :

• Inspiration: Take a look at what your competitors or influencers are doing in your field. 
• Test: Try out your hashtag with a restricted group of users or in a test publication to see their reaction and adjust if necessary.
• Promotion: Once you've created your hashtag, actively promote it. Use it in all your publications, and encourage your subscribers to use it.

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Instagram hashtag generators

To maximize the effectiveness of your hashtags, you can use hashtag generators that will help you find relevant and trending keywords in 2024.

• All Hashtag: This tool lets you quickly generate lists of hashtags based on specific keywords. 

• Instavast: This is an artificial intelligence-based hashtag generator that analyzes current trends and keywords to suggest effective hashtags. ‍
• Display Purposes: This tool automatically filters out spam hashtags to provide you with high-quality suggestions.

Why use hashtag generators?

1. Efficiency: These tools allow you to quickly find relevant hashtags without spending hours doing manual searches.
2. Trends: They help you stay up to date with current trends and use hashtags that are popular at the moment.
3. Optimization: By using a combination of generated hashtags, you can optimize the reach and engagement of your publications.

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Why don't Instagram hashtags work?

Using hashtags on Instagram can be powerful for increasing the visibility of your posts, but several factors can influence their effectiveness:

• Overuse of popular hashtags: When you use very popular hashtags like #Love, #Instagood, or #PhotoOfTheDay, your publication risks getting lost among millions of other posts using the same hashtags. This reduces your chances of being seen by your specific target audience.

• Irrelevant hashtags: Using hashtags that aren't directly related to your content can attract an audience that isn't interested in what you're sharing. This can lead to low engagement and limited reach.

• Shadowban: Instagram may limit the reach of your posts if you use hashtags that have been banned or reported as inappropriate. This can happen if you use hashtags banned by Instagram or if your account has been flagged for questionable practices.

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Which hashtags work best on Instagram?

Hashtags play a crucial role in amplifying visibility and engagement on Instagram, whatever your industry. Here are some strategies and examples of popular and specific hashtags:

General popular hashtags :

• #instagood: To share high-quality content that captures the attention of a large audience.
• #photooftheday: Ideal for showcasing your best photos or daily creations.
• #tbt (Throwback Thursday): Used to revisit past moments or memories every Thursday.
• #instadaily: For daily posts that keep your audience engaged.
• #igers (Instagrammers): Connect with the Instagram community and discover other users.

Hashtags specific to your industry:

• #YourIndustryTips: Tips and tricks relevant to your industry.
• #DigitalMarketing: For everything to do with digital marketing, including specific strategies tailored to your field.
• #ContentStrategy: Discuss best practices in content strategy in your industry.
• #YourBrandName: Hashtags specific to your brand or a particular campaign, boosting recognition and engagement.
• #IndustryEvents: Used to discuss key events or emerging trends in your sector

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Tips for maximizing the effectiveness of hashtags :

• Research and analysis: Use tools like Hashtagify, RiteTag, or Instagram's built-in suggestions to find the best hashtags for your content.
• Variety and relevance: Combine popular hashtags with industry-specific hashtags to reach a diverse and engaged audience.‍
• Constant evolution: Adapt your hashtag strategy to the changing trends and interests of your audience.

Instagram hashtags FAQ

How many hashtags should I use on Instagram?

It's recommended to use between 9 and 11 hashtags to optimize engagement on Instagram. This range of hashtags allows you to maximize the visibility of your posts without appearing excessive or spammy.

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Which hashtag to use on Instagram?

To maximize the impact of your posts on Instagram, it's strategic to use a balanced mix of different hashtags. Keep in mind to have hashtags that are varied and personalized. 

Tips for using hashtags effectively :

• Balance and variety: Use a combination of these types of hashtags to reach a wide audience while remaining relevant to your niche.
• Research and analysis: Use tools like Hashtagify, RiteTag, or explore Instagram's built-in suggestions to discover new hashtags and assess their popularity and relevance.
• Limiting the number: Respect the recommendation to use between 9 and 11 hashtags per publication to optimize engagement without overloading your caption.
• Personalization: Adapt your hashtags to each publication to match the trends of 2024 and the specific interests of your audience.

Hashtag for Instagram 

To choose hashtags relevant to your audience and content on Instagram, here's a varied selection that can help you reach different segments of your target audience:

‍Popular hashtags

• #instagood
• #photooftheday
• #tbt (Throwback Thursday)
• #instadaily
• #igers (Instagrammers)
• #love
• #beautiful
• #happy
• #nature
• #art

Niche hashtags

• #YourIndustryTips (e.g. #FitnessTips, #CookingTips)
• #DigitalMarketing
• #ContentStrategy
• #FashionInspiration
• #HomeDecorIdeas

Brand Hashtags

• #YourBrandName
• #YourProduct
• #YourCampaignName
• #BrandAmbassador
• #ExclusiveOffer
• #LimitedEdition
• #BehindTheScenes

Hashtags for specific content

• #MotivationalQuotes
• #SelfCareSunday
• #TechInnovation
• #MorningRoutine

Tips for choosing and using hashtags :

• Strive for relevance: Make sure the hashtags you use are directly related to your content and of interest to your target audience.
• Vary your selection: Use a combination of popular, niche, brand and content hashtags to reach different segments of your audience.
• Limit the number of hashtags: Opt for around 9 to 11 hashtags per publication to maximize engagement while maintaining the clarity of your message.
• Analyze performance: Use Instagram's engagement statistics to assess which hashtags work best for your content, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

By using this strategic approach to selecting relevant hashtags, you can increase visibility, engagement and interaction with your content on Instagram. At My name is Bond, we support your strategy by helping you choose the best hashtags for your communication. 

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How do I create a hashtag on Instagram?

Step 1: Choose a relevant hashtag 

Select a short word or phrase that accurately describes your content, your brand, or the event you wish to promote. Make sure the hashtag is easy to remember and spell.

Step 2: Add the pound sign

Once you've decided on a hashtag, add the hash symbol in front of the word or phrase.

Step 3: Avoid spaces, punctuation and special characters

Hashtags may not contain spaces, punctuation or special characters. If your hashtag is made up of several words, capitalize each new letter to make it easier to read.

Step 4: Check availability

Before you start using your new hashtag, make sure it's not already widely used or associated with inappropriate content. You can check this by typing the hashtag into Instagram's search bar to see how many publications are using it and whether it's relevant to your purpose.

Step 5: Promote your hashtag

Once created, use your hashtag in your publications to increase its visibility. Also encourage your subscribers and partners to use your hashtag in their own publications to increase its reach and effectiveness.

Step 6: Monitor and engage

Track the use of your hashtag by monitoring publications that include it. Interact with users who use it and share their content to encourage more engagement around your hashtag.

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Instagram hashtag generator

To find effective hashtags on Instagram, you can use specific tools such as All Hashtag or Display Purposes.

Using these tools, you can easily find effective hashtags that will increase the visibility and engagement of your posts on Instagram, while reaching a wider, relevant audience for your content.

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How do I use hashtags on Instagram?

When using hashtags on Instagram, you have two main options for inserting them: in the caption of your post or in the first comment. Here's how you can use them effectively in each of these locations:

In the caption of your publication:

• Include hashtags naturally: Integrate hashtags into your caption in a fluid and relevant way. Make sure they blend in well with the rest of the text so as not to appear too promotional.
• Place them at the end: End your caption with hashtags to keep your main message clear and legible.
• Use spaces or dots to separate: To keep your presentation clean, use spaces or dots to separate your main text from hashtags.

In the first comment:

• Post first: Post your photo or video on Instagram without including hashtags in the initial caption.
• Comment on your own publication: Next, add a comment containing your relevant hashtags. This keeps your caption clean while maximizing the visibility of your content.
• Keep a prepared list: Having a list of hashtags ready to copy and paste into the first comment can save you time and ensure that hashtags are added quickly after publication.
• Avoid controversial hashtags: Make sure the hashtags you use are appropriate for your content and aren't banned or flagged by Instagram, which could reduce the reach of your post.

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Why don't Instagram hashtags work?

Hashtags on Instagram may not produce the desired results for several reasons, including:

• Overuse: Excessive use of popular hashtags can lead to fierce competition, where your publication risks getting lost among millions of others. It's essential to choose relevant hashtags and balance their use to avoid this effect.
• Irrelevance: Using hashtags that aren't directly related to your content can attract an audience that isn't interested in what you're offering. This can lead to less engagement and genuine interaction with your publication.
• Shadowban: Instagram may limit the visibility of your posts if you use hashtags that are banned or flagged as inappropriate. This can result in a drastic decrease in the reach of your posts, even if you use popular hashtags.

How to avoid these pitfalls:

• Look for relevance: Choose hashtags that are specific to your content and attract an audience aligned with your objectives. Use tools like All Hashtag or Display Purposes to find relevant and popular hashtags.
• Balance popularity: Use a combination of popular and niche hashtags to reach a broad audience while specifically targeting those interested in your content.
• Check Instagram rules: Make sure the hashtags you use aren't banned or flagged as inappropriate by Instagram. Avoid hashtags that may be associated with controversial content or questionable practices.

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Which hashtags work best on Instagram?

The hashtags that work best on Instagram can vary depending on your niche, your specific content and your target audience. 

Tips for maximizing the effectiveness of your hashtags :

• Look for relevance: Choose hashtags that are specific to your content and appealing to your target audience.
• Use a combination of popularity: Mix popular hashtags with niche hashtags to reach a wide audience while targeting specific users interested in your content.
• Analyze and adjust: Monitor the performance of your hashtags using Instagram's engagement statistics and adjust your strategy according to the results.

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What are hashtags for on Instagram?

Hashtags play a crucial role on Instagram, helping to increase visibility, engagement and making it easier to keep up with current trends. Here's how every aspect is influenced by the strategic use of hashtags:

Increased visibility 

Hashtags enable your publications to be discovered by users who don't yet follow you, but who are interested in the content you offer. When you use relevant and popular hashtags, your publication may appear in search results for those hashtags. 

Improving engagement :

Publications accompanied by hashtags tend to receive more engagement in the form of likes, comments and shares. When users search for or follow specific hashtags that are relevant to your publications, they are more likely to interact with your content if they find it interesting or useful. 

Trend monitoring :

Popular hashtags are often associated with events, seasons, challenges or hot topics. By using these trending hashtags, you can participate in ongoing conversations and capitalize on the interest around these topics. 

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Should I use hashtags on Instagram?

Hashtags play an essential role on Instagram, increasing visibility, improving engagement and participating in current trends. By incorporating relevant hashtags into your posts, you expand the potential audience beyond your current followers. 

This not only helps you attract new followers interested in your content, but also boosts engagement by encouraging interactions such as likes, comments and shares. 

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How to use hashtags on Instagram

When using Instagram, inserting relevant hashtags into your posts and comments is essential to maximize the visibility of your content without appearing overly promotional. Here are some practical tips for effectively integrating hashtags:

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How to hide hashtags?

To hide hashtags on Instagram, you mainly have two options: insert them discreetly in the caption or place them in a comment after publishing your content. 

By hiding hashtags in this way, you maintain the aesthetics of your post while effectively using hashtags to increase the visibility and engagement of your content on Instagram.

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Conclusion

By following the best practices presented in this ultimate guide, you'll be able to take full advantage of the potential of hashtags on Instagram to promote your content, expand your audience and strengthen engagement with your community. Ultimately, mastering hashtags becomes an invaluable skill for any user looking to succeed on this must-have social platform. With My name is Bond, you can optimize your strategy from A to Z.

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