I struggled to acquire traction on Instagram when I initially started using it. My posts were like specks in a big ocean of information. But everything changed when I realized the potential of a well-planned hashtag strategy. In this piece, I’ll share my experience and the hashtag approach that propelled my Instagram growth to new heights. This article includes a list of the top Instagram hashtags for 2024, tips for choosing the best Instagram hashtag for your post, and a list of the best Instagram hashtag generators.
In Instagram captions, hashtags are words, phrases, or numbers preceded by the pound or hashtag symbol (#). Using this symbol categorizes your Instagram post and makes it easier to find on the app.
Here’s an example of an Instagram caption that includes hashtags:
You can use up to 30 Instagram hashtags in a single post, while Instagram recommends using no more than 3-5.
Key Takeaways
- Using a combination of popular and niche hashtags effectively increases content visibility and engagement on Instagram.
- In 2024, Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes engagement and relevancy, making the targeted use of hashtags essential for reaching the appropriate audience.
- Hashtags serve to enhance post visibility, encourage user-generated content, and categorize posts for better organization on Instagram.
- Utilizing hashtags on Instagram leads to increased exposure, audience interaction, competitive insights, content inspiration, and integration of online and offline marketing efforts.
- Effective hashtag selection involves researching trends and audience preferences, sometimes necessitating the creation of unique branded hashtags for maximum impact.
- Tools like Best-Hashtags, SISTRIX, Influencer Marketing Hub, Inflact, and Keyword Tool aid in finding optimal hashtags by analyzing historical data, images, and keyword relevancy.
- Successful Instagram growth requires combining strategic hashtag use with high-quality content and proactive audience engagement.
Understanding Instagram’s Algorithm In 2024
In 2024, Instagram’s algorithm is advanced, emphasizing user engagement and relevancy. Hashtags are more crucial than ever for ensuring that the right audience discovers your content.
Initially, I used prominent hashtags in the hopes of reaching a larger audience. This strategy, however, frequently resulted in my contributions becoming lost in a sea of content. I recognized I needed a more focused plan.
Hashtags can help you expand your account and arrange your material in a variety of ways. Let’s go over some of the most common usages for Instagram hashtags.
#1. Improve the exposure of your posts
To begin, as previously said, hashtags help boost the exposure of your posts. Hashtags assist in feeding the Instagram algorithm in addition to helping your posts appear in search results for terms you’ve used. The algorithm will place your post in the feeds of other users based on their interest in the hashtags included in your post.
#2. Solicit user-generated material.
Instagram hashtags are also a terrific way to invite users to create UGC for you to share on your feeds. In your Instagram bio, include a branded hashtag for followers to interact with and for your staff to readily find UGC photographs.
#3. Sort Instagram posts by category
You might also use hashtags for internal purposes, such as categorizing your Instagram posts. For example, The Closet, a clothing business, might utilize hashtags for its numerous products, such as #TheClosetShoes, #TheClosetAccessories, or #TheClosetDresses.
Hashtags should play an important role in your Instagram marketing approach. There are several applications for them, as well as numerous advantages. Let’s go over the top five advantages that hashtags can bring.
#1. Improves exposure and discovery
The main objective of using hashtags is to gain more exposure and discovery. When you click on a hashtag on Instagram, you’ll get a gallery of both the top and most recent posts that include the hashtag.
You can then browse all of the relevant posts, making hashtags an excellent way for users interested in a specific topic to find more accounts to follow. This means that if you utilize the right and most relevant hashtags for your brand, those who search for such hashtags will find your posts.
Furthermore, as a kind of brand promotion, your audience can utilize branded hashtags to share their experiences with your products or services. Hashtags are beneficial to overall brand exposure. Clicking on a single post on the search results page will take you to other related posts.
#2. Encourages audience participation
When you employ branded hashtags and encourage their use, you’re creating a new type of interaction. Tagged feed posts are kept in search results, while tagged Story posts are kept for the duration of the Story. Consider Instagram hashtags to be just another tool to reach out to and engage your customer base.
#3. Competitor Analysis
How much digital real estate are your competitors occupying in your market? Hashtags allow you to analyze your social media share of voice. You and your competitors are likely to have overlapping hashtags, especially if you use industry and local hashtags. You’ll be able to examine the share of voice, sentiment, and engagement of those postings using a social media competitive analysis.
In a perfect world, your postings and those tagged by your customers would account for the majority of hashtag search results. You may also look at articles with your relevant hashtags for content ideas and to see where your brand is falling short in comparison to rival material.
#4. Content investigation
Hashtags can assist you in researching various content ideas, much like SEO keyword research. Assume you want to boost your share of voice under the hashtag #NaturalSkincare. That’s difficult given that the hashtag is used in over 9.8 million postings.
However, you can use the Top tab on the search results page to discover what the best posts have been. Use this space for ideas.
What appears to be working for comparable brands? Is there a popular style or caption right now? By delving into top postings for more information, you may be able to find additional hashtags that are less popular but just as important to your target, akin to secondary keywords for search optimization.
#5. Connects digital and in-person campaigns
If you go shopping in any retail store these days, you’re bound to stumble across a marketing campaign that includes a hashtag. Whether they encourage you to use a general brand hashtag or a campaign hashtag, hashtags provide a simple approach to connecting digital and in-person efforts.
As of the time of writing, these were the most popular Instagram hashtags. But keep in mind that the most popular Instagram hashtags are not always the most effective.
A huge number of posts may indicate that many people follow that hashtag, but it also indicates that there is a lot of content on it, and your postings may be lost. Consider combining popular and specialist hashtags to reach a variety of audiences, from broad to specific.
- #love (2.1B)
#instagood (1.6B)
#fashion (1.1B)
#photooftheday (1B)
#photography (1B)
#art (1B)
#beautiful (816M)
#nature (771M)
#picoftheday (714M)
#happy (693M)
#follow (687M)
#travel (685M)
#cute (660M)
#style (634M)
#instadaily (627M)
#tbt (581M)
#followme (553M)
#summer (539M)
#beauty (522M)
#fitness (514M)
#like4like (514M)
#food (502M)
#instalike (493M)
#photo (482M)
#selfie (450M)
#friends (436M)
#music (434M)
#smile (432M)
#family (432M)
- #life (431M)
- #fun (430M)
- #girl (424M)
- #likeforlikes (385M)
- #motivation (344M)
- #lifestyle (338M)
- #likeforlike (327M)
- #sunset (320M)
- #amazing (286M)
- #nofilter (284M)
- #instamood (276M)
- #sun (269M)
- #follow4follow (250M)
- #inspiration (235M)
- #followforfollow (211M)
- #instapic (205M)
- #bestoftheday (200M)
- #cool (165M)
- #swag (144M)
- #night (144M)
- #happybirthday (121M)
- #smallbusiness (118M)
- #business (107M)
- #entrepreneur (97M)
- #socialmedia (35M)
- #digitalmarketing (28M)
- #sales (20M)
- #tech (19M)
- #leadership (18M)
- #innovation (13M)
- #networking (12M)
- #SEO (9.1M)
- #contentmarketing (7.3M)
- #marketingstrategy (6.9M)
- #businesstips (5.8M)
- #startups (5.4M)
- #productivity (3.9M)
- #strategy (3.8M)
- #b2b (2.9M)
- #consulting (2.9M)
- #workplace (2.3M)
- #professionaldevelopment (1.3M)
- #leadgeneration (940K)
- #b2bmarketing (575K)
- #saas (516K)
- #thoughtleadership (194K)
- #fashion (1B)
- #beauty (522M)
- #fitness (514M)
- #explore (468M)
- #lifestyle (338M)
- #foodporn (296M)
- #foodie (238M)
- #instafood (234M)
- #instafashion (182M)
- #travelgram (171M)
- #shopping (153M)
- #homedecor (138M)
- #fashionista (134M)
- #instatravel (124M)
- #sale (95M)
- #shoplocal (81M)
- #summervibes (58M)
- #instabeauty (26M)
- #styleinspo (24M)
- #discount (13M)
- #instashop (10M)
- #healthAndwellness (8M)
- #instasale (1.7M)
- #productreview (1.2M)
- #b2c (387K)
#love (2.1B)
#instagood (1.6B)
#instagram (1B)
#follow (687M)
#instadaily (627M)
#instalike (493M)
#like (356M)
#explorepage (324M)
#followforfollowback (284M)
#instamood (276M)
#insta (206M)
#fyp (182M)
#instafashion (182M)
#daily (168M)
#like4likes (142M)
#instalove (135M)
#instaphoto (121M)
#likeforlikes (112M)
#instacool (108M)
#followers (104M)
#comedy (79.5)
#like4follow (73.1M)
#follow4followback (67.5M)
#likeme (42.7)
#likesforlikes (11M)
#dog (363M)
#dogsofinstagram (303M)
#dogs (164M)
#instadog (114M)
#doglover (93.7M)
#dogoftheday (82.M)
#ilovemydog (49.6M)
#rescuedog (26.2M)
#doglove (23.4M)
#dogphotography (19.2M)
#dogmom (17.5M)
#dogmodel (10.5M)
#Dogsitting (10.1M)
#Dogofinstagram (9.7M)
#dogtraining (8.4M)
#doglife (6.1M)
#Doggrooming (6.1M)
#Doginstagram (4.1M)
#doginfluencer (1.9M)
#dogboarding (1.7M)
#dogsmile (1.7M)
#Dogselfie (1.7M)
#dogpics (1M)
#doggram (1.5M)
#Dogadventures (1.3M)
#fitness (514M)
#gym (250M)
#workout (214M)
#health (162M)
#fitnessmotivation (137M)
#bodybuilding (132M)
#healthy (119M)
#yoga (116M)
#running (88.3M)
#body (63.3M)
#run (59.9M)
#fitnessmodel (59.4M)
#gymmotivation (54.7M)
#cardio (51M)
#fitnessaddict (45.5M)
#fitnessjourney (38.4M)
#getfit (35.3M)
#fitmom (29.1M)
#workoutmotivation (24.8M)
#gymrat (22M)
#fitnesslifestyle (17.4M)
#yogainspiration (16.7M)
#sweat (16.1M)
#strengthtraining (12.3M)
#gymgirl (10.5M)
#art (1B)
#photography (1B)
#artist (310M)
#drawing (283M)
#artwork (193M)
#digitalart (135M)
#artistsoninstagram (110M)
#draw (104M)
#instaart (92.8M)
#artoftheday (76.5M)
#contemporaryart (66.6M)
#paint (54.5)
#abstractart (46.8M)
#artgallery (43.6M)
#artistic (28.3M)
#artofinstagram (22.9M)
#artcollector (16.9M)
#modernart (15M)
#tattooart (14M)
#urbanart (14M)
#picsart (14M)
#artists (13M)
#artlover (11.1M)
#artdaily (6.7M)
#artjournal (5M)
Instagram, unlike Twitter, does not provide a list of hot hashtags. (Why are you so shy, Instagram?)
If you search for a hashtag on Instagram, you can see how many posts contain that hashtag. You’ll also get a list of additional popular Instagram hashtags with similar terms, along with post counts.
To find a hashtag on the desktop, type the hashtag followed by the # symbol into the search box. Enter your search word in the search box on mobile, then tap Tags.
If you pay attention to your Instagram feed, you’ll soon learn to identify trendy hashtags as they appear. But don’t be too fast to take on a fad. Only use a trending hashtag if it is truly relevant to your business and the content of your article.
Limit yourself to 3 to 5 hashtags for each Instagram post (or Story, or Reel) for the best results.
Technically, you can use up to 30 hashtags for each post… but using too many hashtags can look spammy and may potentially reduce your reach.
This recommendation comes directly from Instagram, however if you want further proof that using 3 to 5 Instagram hashtags is a smart idea, we put it to the test.
Remember that Instagram’s search tool also examines the actual content of your captions… so hashtags aren’t your sole option for making an impression. To take advantage of social SEO, create useful, unambiguous captions that are densely packed with search terms and keywords.
There are no hard and fast restrictions concerning what an Instagram hashtag can be, although hashtags can be broadly classified into one of the following ten categories:
These are fundamental keywords that you can use to describe your goods or services, such as #handbag or #divebar.
#2. Niche Hashtag
These are more specialized, indicating where you fit in the context of your business, such as #travelblogger or #foodblogger.
Instagram has communities, and these hashtags might help you find and join them. Consider the hashtags #gardenersofinstagram or #craftersofinstagram.
These can relate to actual holidays or seasons, such as #summerdays, or to all of the National [Thing] Day holidays, such as #nationalicecreamday or #nationalnailpolishday.
#5. Location Hashtag
Even if you geotag your Instagram photo, it’s a good idea to include a location-specific hashtag, such as #vancouvercraftbeer or #londoneats.
#6. Daily Hashtag
Every day has its own set of hashtags, from #MondayBlues to #SundayFunday. If you’re looking for a quick source of hashtags to add to your posts, we’ve compiled a list of daily hashtags for you to select from.
These hashtags incorporate features of product, specialized, and community hashtags. They’re hashtags that individuals use on Instagram to engage with existing communities in a somewhat more intimate way, such as #amwriting or #shewhowanders.
TBT, which stands for Throwback Thursday, is arguably the best acronym hashtag. Other popular acronym hashtags include #OOTD, which stands for outfit of the day, #FBF, which is for flashback Friday, and #YOLO, which stands for you only live once.
#9. Emoji Hashtag
These hashtags may contain emojis on their own, such as #, or words or phrases with emojis added, such as #sunglasses.
These are hashtags that are exclusive to your brand or campaign, such as #starbucksboy or #slurpeesummer. These can be an excellent method to foster community around your business, track user-generated content, and even encourage employee ambassadorship.
The internet is rife with Instagram hashtag generators, but the truth is that doing the labor yourself yields the best results. That indicates…
#1. Investigating your competitors
You do not want to be a carbon replica. However, there is always a lot to learn from observing others in your industry. What works for them? What community groups are they targeting with their tag strategy? Also, what hashtags are they using that you should certainly avoid?
Brandwatch for Hootsuite is a great tool for analyzing competition and spotting industry trends.
#2. Monitor your audience
Okay, so “spy” is a strong word… but how about “eavesdropping”? If your target audience is utilizing hashtags as a community identifier or to join in a conversation, this could be a good tag to test out as well.
Pro tip: Use social listening tools like Hootsuite streams to keep track of your whole audience, as well as your adversaries and industry idols, all from one dashboard.
#3. Allow Instagram to lead you.
When you enter a word into the Instagram search engine, a list of related search phrases will appear as suggestions. These are frequently relevant phrases that can help you reach a bigger (or more niche!) audience.
For example, you may instinctively identify your crochet pattern post with #crochet, but Instagram also proposes the hashtags #crochetaddict, #crochetlove, and #crochetersofinstagram – all of which have millions of posts each.
#4. Create your unique hashtag.
Anyone on Instagram may design a unique hashtag to promote a campaign or your entire brand. In other words, the best hashtag for your brand is always inside of you!
Highlight your hashtag in captions and Stories, and even include it in your Instagram bio, to let your audience know about it. Create a contest to promote your branded hashtag and collect some fantastic user-generated content along the way.
#5. Research the Explore page.
Although Instagram’s algorithm is somewhat opaque, these posts all wound up on the Explore tab because they were engaging in some way. Examine prominent posts and take note of their hashtag choices to learn something new. If you see any emerging trends, there’s no harm in attempting to replicate their success.
Creating a Winning Hashtag Strategy: My 10x Instagram Growth
A successful hashtag strategy combines high-volume, trending, and niche-specific tags. I began using tools to find hashtags that were closely relevant to my content and audience, which resulted in more engagement and visibility.
Within a year of implementing this method, I saw a tenfold increase in my followers and interaction. Here’s a screenshot demonstrating the significant rise in my follower and engagement rates.
I learned to strike a balance between broad and particular hashtags. This combination enabled me to reach a wide range of audiences, from general to niche-specific.
Best Instagram Hashtag Generators and Tools In 2024
Whether you want six or thirty hashtags, entering that many characters can be time-consuming, especially since autocorrect does not correct hashtag spelling problems. Any social media manager will tell you that it is not their favorite thing in the world.
Fortunately, there are numerous Instagram hashtag generators and hashtag search engines available to help. Here are some Instagram tools to think about.
Best Hashtags is a straightforward hashtag research tool that runs in the browser. Based on past data, its technology determines the best Instagram hashtags for your social post. Simply enter your preferred hashtag and Best-Hashtags will provide a list of hashtags from various categories such as:
- Best related hashtags
- Top 10 hashtags based on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok popularity
- Low difficulty hashtags
- Exact hashtags
#2. SISTRIX
Another wonderful tool for quickly finding successful hashtags is the SISTRIX Instagram Hashtag Generator. Enter a hashtag or topic to find the best 30 hashtags to use. Search for alternative hashtag versions linked to your main search to get more recommendations.
For up to 25 searches every day, the tool is entirely free. If you want more searches, you must create a SISTRIX account.
#3. Influencer Marketing Hub
This Instagram hashtag maker is unique. Instead of searching for hashtags by topic, you submit a photo and the tool recommends hashtags to use. In the example below, we uploaded a bizarre artwork to see what hashtags would be generated.
You have the option of selecting up to five keywords. Once selected, the tool displays the best hashtags to utilize for your post.
#4. Inflact
Inflact is yet another great Instagram hashtag tool for tagging your images or investigating popular Story and Reel topics. Keywords are the simplest method to utilize the tool. For example, if you enter “Paris” into the generator, it will display several hashtags that contain the term. Hashtags are classified into frequent, average, and uncommon use situations.
Inflact’s AI search tool also provides organic hashtags or hashtags that are frequently used in the same post.
#5. Keyword Tool
Keyword tool is a paid service that assists businesses in locating keywords across several media, including Instagram hashtags. It offers a geolocation feature that allows you to find popular hashtags that are trending in your target audience’s vicinity.
The majority of Instagram hashtag generators are free. If you don’t want to invest in a product specifically for this purpose, a general social networking tool may be a more cost-effective option. You can keep a spreadsheet with various hashtags and use social media scheduling tools.
On your PC, you can compose the posts by copying and pasting hashtags or sets of hashtags into the caption as needed. Because all of these tools can now automatically post to Instagram, you can save a few steps.
On Instagram, limit your hashtags to 3 to 5. Yes, theoretically you can include up to 30, but we’ve noticed that fewer will get you more engagement and reach.
#2. Analyze your data
Examine which hashtags are producing the best results for you. Hootsuite Insights provides useful information in a visually appealing package to assist social media administrators in determining which tags are successful and which are not.
Instead of inserting hashtags into the text, place them at the end of your caption (or even in a remark!). Including hashtags in the middle of captions or comments may make your material less accessible to users who use text-to-speech readers.
Choose hashtags that will bring in quality followers rather than a high number of followers. Just because a hashtag like #followme has millions of tweets doesn’t imply it’ll attract the type of target audience you want – you can find your follower count spike with bots and spammers, which could turn off genuine potential customers.
Look for hashtags that truly describe your brand, whether it’s a literal description of your product or service (#bookstore) or a shout-out to a community you’re a part of (#bookloversofinstagram). Aim for a combination of wide and niche hashtags that are all relevant and significant to your company and audience.
Do you want to search for numerous Instagram hashtags at the same time?
The Instagram app does not support multiple hashtag searches (but you may find some relevant results due to its better keyword searchability).
For more accurate Instagram search results for several hashtags, go to Google and type “site.instagram.com” followed by all the hashtags you want. This will return posts that have been tagged with all of the specified hashtags.
#5. Don’t say the same thing twice.
It may be tempting to simply copy and paste the same big list of hashtags into each post, but resist the urge.
Instagram’s community guidelines declare unequivocally that “posting repetitive comments or content” is not permitted. If you utilize the same hashtags for every post, your content will be penalized by the Instagram algorithm.
#6. Look up the meaning of the hashtag.
Because hashtags are occasionally made up of numerous words running together (#hereisanexample), misunderstandings can sometimes ensue. Proofread any new hashtags with a nasty mind to catch any unintentional swear words.
If you’re using slang or an abbreviation, conduct a fast search to ensure you’re not posting something objectionable by accident. Maybe at your store, “B.D.E.” signifies “Big Deals Everyday!” but the internet might have another idea altogether.
If you find your hashtags are distracting from your wonderful caption, you may easily tuck them away out of sight. You can do this by either posting them many lines below the caption (which will keep them concealed till someone clicks “see more”) or popping them into a new comment.
Instead of picking five hashtags that are variations on a theme (#dogs, #puppies, #doggos, #goodboys, #furryfriends), aim to hit different types of search terms with each of your tags.
For example, one hashtag may be tied to your geography (#boston), another to your community (#dogmoms), and yet another to your branded content (#staceyssummerdogfashioncontest).
Some hashtags, such as #nudity or #youngmodel, are so regularly misused by users that Instagram effectively hides them.
Some of these tags are prohibited momentarily, some permanently, but it’s difficult to forecast what will be damaged next, so double-check that your favorite hashtags are working before you schedule that post.
Hashtags aren’t magical on their own. They function best when combined with high-quality content and active audience involvement. I made it a point to respond to comments and engage with the material of other people.
Conclusion
Thanks to my enhanced hashtag strategy, my Instagram adventure has been transformative. What began as a single account has grown into a thriving community. Remember that hashtags are only a tool; the quality of your content and your engagement are equally crucial.
I encourage you to experiment with these tactics and share your results. What differences have you noticed? Do you have any fresh ideas or strategies? Let’s keep learning and growing together in the ever-changing world of Instagram!
- 5 Ways To Engage Followers And Be At The Top Of User Feeds on TikTok
- Unveiling the Power of Captions: How They Boost Business on Social Media
- How to Improve Your Instagram Growth Strategy
- The Power of TikTok Views: How to Make Your Content Go Viral
- 5 Social Media Managing Mistakes You Might Be Making
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