If you’re on Instagram and trying to grow your business or personal brand, then hashtags are your best friend. They may look like just a bunch of words with a pound sign in front, but when used right, they can do wonders for your visibility and engagement.
Why Hashtags Matter
Instagram hashtags are essentially search tools. People use them to find content that interests them, and the platform uses them to categorize and recommend posts. Using the right hashtags means your content can land right in front of the people who are actively searching for what you offer.
1. Use Relevant Hashtags Only
You don’t need to throw in every trending hashtag under the sun. Use hashtags that relate specifically to your content, industry, or audience. If you’re a fashion brand posting about summer dresses, hashtags like #SummerStyle, #LagosFashion, or #DressesOfInstagram make more sense than just #Love or #InstaGood.
2. Mix Popular, Niche, and Branded Hashtags
Here’s a good formula:
- Popular hashtags (millions of posts): for broad exposure (e.g., #Fashion)
- Niche hashtags (10k–500k posts): for targeted visibility (e.g., #ModestFashionNigeria)
- Branded hashtags: unique to your business or campaign (e.g., #ShopWithZara)
A healthy mix of these helps you reach different levels of audiences.
3. Don’t Overdo It
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but that doesn’t mean you should use all 30. Sometimes 5 to 15 highly targeted hashtags perform better than 30 random ones.
4. Put Them in the Caption or Comments?
Both work. Some people prefer to keep their captions clean and put hashtags in the first comment. Either way, the algorithm picks them up.
5. Research Before You Use
Before using any hashtag, click on it and see what type of content shows up. Make sure it’s relevant, not spammy, and still active. There’s no point using a hashtag that nobody’s searching anymore.
6. Create Your Own Hashtag
Start a hashtag unique to your business. This could be your brand name or campaign name. Encourage your customers to use it, especially when posting reviews or photos using your products.
7. Track and Adjust
Keep an eye on what’s working. Instagram Insights or third-party tools like Later, Hashtagify, or Metricool can show which hashtags bring in the most engagement. Double down on those.
8. Use Hashtags in Stories and Reels Too
Yep, hashtags aren’t just for posts. You can add them to Stories (as stickers or text) and Reels. This increases your chances of being discovered in the Explore tab.
Final Thoughts
Hashtags might seem simple, but they’re powerful when used intentionally. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about visibility to the right people. Take the time to research, experiment, and find your hashtag sweet spot. Before you know it, you’ll start seeing the difference in reach, engagement, and even sales.