Using the right hashtags on Instagram can make a huge difference in terms of the visibility and engagement of your posts. Relevant and popular hashtags not only help you reach a wider audience but can also multiply the number of likes on your posts.
Are Hashtags Important on Instagram?
Hashtags serve as a tool to categorize content and make it easier to be discovered by people interested in a particular topic. When someone searches for a hashtag or follows it, they can see all the posts that use that hashtag. This means that by using the right hashtags, you can reach a larger audience beyond your immediate followers.
Types of Hashtags to Use
- Popular Hashtags
Popular hashtags are hashtags that are often used by many people. Using these hashtags can help your posts appear in search results where more people will see them. However, because they are highly competitive, your posts may quickly sink. Examples of popular hashtags include #love, #instagood, #photooftheday, and #fashion.
- Specific Hashtags
Specific hashtags are more focused on a particular niche or industry. While they are not as popular as general hashtags, they can help you reach a more targeted and relevant audience. Examples of specific hashtags might include #veganrecipes for a vegan food account or #technews for a technology account.
- Location-Based Hashtags
If your business has a local focus, using location-based hashtags can be effective. This helps you reach people in the same area as you. Examples include #JakartaFoodies or #BaliLife.
- Trending Hashtags
Using trending hashtags can increase the visibility of your posts. These hashtags often seem based on recent events or news stories. Stay on top of trends and use relevant hashtags. Examples might include #WorldCup or #EarthDay.
- Brand Hashtags
A brand hashtag is a hashtag created by you to promote a specific business or campaign. These hashtags can help build brand identity and make it easier for followers to find content related to your brand. For example, consider #OpenYourWorld by Heineken or #TasteTheFeeling by Coca-Cola.
Tips for Choosing the Right Hashtags
- Hashtag Research
Before using hashtags, do some research to see how popular and relevant they are. You can use tools like Instagram Insights or platforms like Grum to see hashtag trends and popularity.
- Use a Combination of Hashtags
Using a combination of popular, specific, and location-based hashtags can help you reach a wider audience while maintaining relevance. Try to use around 10-15 hashtags for each post.
- Monitor Hashtag Performance
After using hashtags, track their performance by looking at the interactions they generate. If any hashtags aren’t working, replace them with others. Keep experimenting until you find the combination that works best for you.
How to Use Hashtags Effectively
- Put Them in Captions or Comments: You can put hashtags at the end of your caption or in the first comment on your post. Both are effective, but some people prefer to put them in comments to keep the caption clean.
- Don’t Use Too Many Hashtags: While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, using too many hashtags can look spammy. Try to stick to the most relevant hashtags and no more than 15 hashtags per post.
- Create Campaign-Specific Hashtags: If you’re running a specific campaign or promotion, create a hashtag specifically for it. Promote it across all of your marketing channels to increase engagement and visibility.
Examples of Hashtags That Can Multiply Your Likes
#Love
This hashtag is one of the most popular on Instagram. It’s widely used and can be applied to a variety of content types. By using #love, you have the potential to reach millions of users interested in posts that show positive emotions or affection.
#InstaGood
Used to mark high-quality photos or great moments, #instagood is another popular hashtag that’s often used. Using this hashtag can help to increase likes as people often search for inspiration or beautiful photos under this hashtag.
#PhotoOfTheDay
This hashtag is especially effective for visually appealing content. Many Instagram users search for daily inspiration with this hashtag, increasing the chances of your post getting more likes.
#TBT (Throwback Thursday)
Used for posting old photos on Thursdays, #TBT is a fun way to share memories with your followers. Due to its popularity, using this hashtag can increase engagement and likes on your throwback posts.
#NoFilter
Using #nofilter shows that the photo you are posting is original with no editing. This can attract the attention of users who value authenticity and can increase likes on photos that show natural beauty.
Final Words
Utilising the right hashtags on Instagram is essential for boosting the visibility and engagement of your posts. By incorporating various types of hashtags such as popular, niche-specific, location-based, trending, and branded, you can significantly increase the number of likes you receive. Make sure you research thoroughly, track performance, and stay updated with the latest trends. With a well-planned strategy, you will notice a lot of improvement in the interaction and attractiveness of your Instagram content.
