We love love love Instagram. Aside from Snapchat, it is by far one of our favorite social media platforms to be on. We can guarantee if you’re not on it yet, your competitor already is.
One of the biggest mistakes we made when we first started using Instagram was to not utilize hashtags. What were we thinking?! Today we want to show you how to find the best hashtags on Instagram for your business.
In order to gain a loyal following on Instagram, you must use hashtags. Period.
But you insist…
- Hashtags are ugly.
- Hashtags are time consuming.
- Hashtags make you look spammy and desperate.
- You don’t know which Hashtags to use.
- [ Insert some other bullshit excuse…]
It seems like no matter how many or what hashtags you use, they have little to no effect on your photo.
The struggle is real.
Today we are diving into how to rapidly grow your Instagram engagement and audience using hashtags.
- How to find the right hashtags to get more likes and followers.
- How to target your ideal audience with hashtags.
- How to save time using hashtags.
- What ‘Related Hashtags’ are and how to make the most of them.
- How to make hide your hashtags and make them look pretty.
According to Instagram, users now share over 70 million photos a day. That means you have a lot of noise to cut through to get your content seen.
Use hashtags like keywords.
Hashtags make it easy for you to categorize and organize your posts for people to find. If you add a hashtag to a photo, any time a person searches that keyword, your photo will show up.
The right hashtags will increase relevant and quality traffic to your Instagram. Click To TweetThings to keep in mind:
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Numbers and emojis are allowed in hashtags. However, spaces and special characters, like ! or @, won’t work.
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You can only tag your own posts. You can’t tag other people’s photos or videos.
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If you include more than 30 tags on a single photo or video, your comment won’t post.
The goal is to use hashtags that are being used by your target audience and clients.
Use these 5 strategies to find the best hashtags to attract the right followers for your Instagram feed :
#1 Follow Competitor Accounts
By now you probably know who your competition is in your industry or niche. Find them on Instagram. Your competitors most likely will have the same target audience as you.
For example, if you are trying to sell handmade clothes on Etsy, find the most popular handmade clothing company on Instagram and see what hashtags they are using.
The goal is not to copy your competitor, but study what they are doing right.
This strategy usually only works for personal brands. Most corporations don’t even use hashtags. They don’t need to. They already have a large enough brand recognition, so people already know how to find them.
#2 Use Relevant Hashtags
It drives us crazy when we see people hashtagging #every #other #word.
It makes us want to immediately leave their Instagram feed, and we’re sure others feel the same. Even worse, your photo may be flagged as spam, risking your entire Instagram account.
Only use hashtags that are relevant to your brand, niche and audience.
The more specific a hashtag is, the more targeted your audience will be. Click To TweetThe bag and accessories brand, Hershel Supply Co. has done an excellent job of demonstrating this. They created the hashtag #welltravelled to feature their products worn by their followers and employees.
People all over the world have grasped onto this hashtag and incorporate it into their travel photos. Genius right?!
#3 Use Related Hashtags
One of Instagram’s new features (2016) is posts “related hashtags” at the top of each hashtag search. When you’re on the page of a hashtag, scroll through the suggested ones to see if you can use any of them for your brand. Then repeat the process with each related hashtag until you have your 30 hashtags.
#4 Use Descriptive Hashtags
Start simple when researching hashtags. Apply the 5 W’s Principle and ask yourself (who, what, where, when, why) to make sure the right eyeballs land on your photo.
See below how we apply this principle to this photo of a wedding table setting we shot in La Jolla, California.
Who needs to see the photo? (Newly engaged couples, just married couples, wedding blogs, etc.)
Hashtag the people you are trying to reach as your main audience. If you want to be featured as an expert in your industry, you have to get their attention.
#stylemepretty #greenweddingshoes #theknot #greylikesweddings #magnoliarouge #oncewed #weddingsparrow #smpweddings #theknotweddings #shesaidyes #ohwowyes #risingtidesociety
To reach your ideal clients, you must first identify who they are. Go deep, and think like they would when they are searching Instagram. What are their interests?
#bridetobe #justmarried #gettingmarried #howheasked
What brands/vendors are featured in the photo?
If you collaborated with anyone to make this photo possible, be sure to research their brand/company hashtag.
For example, Urban Outfitters uses #UOonYou as their brand hashtag. So anytime you scroll through that hashtag, you can see who is wearing their brand!
Sometimes, these hashtags are not always available, so don’t fret over it. If this is the case, you can always tag the company in the image and the caption instead.
Where was the photo taken?
Hashtag the location in which your photo was taken, or where you primarily want to do business.
#lajolla #lajollabeach #sandiego #scrippsseasideforum #lajollatorreypines #california #lajollawedding #sandiegowedding #californiawedding
When was the photo taken?
Depending on the day you are posting, there are many hashtags in relation to that day or time. Here are a few examples :
#darlingweekend #feelgoodthursday #mondaycouple #traveltuesday #weddingwednesday #throwbackthursday #fridayintroductions #flashbackfriday #sundaymorning #theeverydayproject #thedailywedding #morningslikethese #tuesdaystogether #mancrushmonday #thehappynow #momentsofmine #weekendwarrior #makewavesmonday #iwokeuplikethis #fromwhereistand
Why was the photo taken?
Think about the reason this photo was taken. In our case, we are wedding photographers, so we want to share to that audience.
#ocweddingphotographer #destinationweddingphotographer #lajollaweddingphotographer #sandiegoweddingphotographer #fineartweddingphotographer #destinationweddingphotography #fineartwedding #fineartweddinginspiration #weddinginspiration #californiaweddingphotographer
After you have exhausted the 5 W’s Principle, you can dive even deeper to find the best hashtags.
Industry/Niche Hashtag
Every industry and niche has a collection of hashtags that have been created. Refer back to the related posts method to find the very best ones.
#filmisnotdead #thatsdarling #welltraveled #wanderfolk #letsgosomewhere #neverstopexploring #keepitwild #communityovercompetition #calledtobecreative #dowhatyoulove #justgoshoot #fromwhereistand #makeithappen #lookslikefilm #sayyestosuccess #pursuepretty #exploretocreate #darlingmovement
#5 Create Your Own Hashtag
Create your own unique brand/company hashtag and encourage others to use it.
Having a brand hashtag will help drive engagement and build a loyal community of followers.
It could be as simple as the name of your company, tagline or the name of a product you carry.
It works best when the hashtag has a specific purpose. For example, Beyonce has her loyal #Beyhive fans and Lady Gaga has her #LittleMonsters.
Brand hashtags create a sense of community and connection. Click To TweetAs destination wedding photographers, we connect our brides all over the world using #MooseStudioBride.
Add your unique hashtag to each photo you post in the future to create brand awareness.
Save Your Hashtags
We’re not going to lie, finding the best hashtags takes time and research. The good news is, once you find a few combinations of hashtags that work, you can use them over and over again!
Make A List
Once you know a hashtag works, you will probably want to reuse it often. We use our notes on our iPhone to store our lists so they are easy to copy and paste immediately after posting the photo and caption.
Create A Shortcut
Alternatively, you can create a keyboard shortcut on your iPhone. Becca from Bloguettes.com does an excellent job of explaining how to do this here.
Save time and create a keyboard shortcut for your hashtags Click To TweetMake Your Hashtags Pretty
Let’s face it, hashtags are ugly. They clutter up the caption and make it hard to read. Format your hashtag list with six dots before it to hide them in your comments.
Copy and paste your hashtags as the first comment on your own photo, NOT your caption.
You must have a caption written first, or this hashtag hack won’t work.
Today, Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per photo. That means you have at least 30 opportunities for someone to discover your content.
We highly suggest using all of them for maximum exposure!
Timing Is Everything
The most important aspect of hashtags is timing. When you post your photo, you must have your hashtags ready to paste as the first comment. This will increase your chances of being seen in the Top Posts of each hashtag page.
Bottom line - hashtags are crucial to your Instagram success. Click To TweetWe would love to follow your Instagram journey as you grow your fan base. Follow us @moosestudio on Instagram so we can check you out!
If you don’t have a solid Instagram strategy to follow, it can be overwhelming trying to grow your account.
That’s why we’ve created the #InstauthorityChallenge, a FREE step-by-step email course that teaches you how to build a solid foundation and grow your Instagram in just 7 days.
great tips here.. I never thought to go to a competitors insta to check out which hashtags they use!
This is exactly what I needed! The 5 W’s – brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing!
Very useful post! And can I say you have a BEAUTIFUL SITE?!? You have inspired me 😊
I have a hard time coming up w 30 unique hashtags for my niche because it’s not something people typically tag (divorce)…unless they wanna stick it to em! Thanks for giving me more ideas!!?
Hey Melissa! Try using the related hashtag method to find more targeted hashtags for your niche :) Here are a few that I found for you…#truthurts #goodwomenstillexist #knowthedifference #divorcesucks #divorcedlife #thestruggleisreal or you could go in a more positive direction with #stillsmilingtho #keepingittogether #imabadass. I hope that helps!
Omg thank you!!!!! I would have never thought of the non divorce ones. I really appreciate your help!!! ❤
Totally bookmarking this! What great tips. I’m guilty of not using enough hashtags. Thanks for schooling us on how to do better!
Hashtags are EVERYTHING on Insta. I keep a list in my “notes” on my phone for different topics (travel, food, etc) and copy/paste them as needed.
Great tips! I am pinning this post so I can reference it. Using the appropriate hashtags is key to winning with Instagram.
Such great tips! I always use hashtags for my photos, it gets waaay more eyes on them!
Thank you for this! I have been trying to up my hashtag game and these tips just might be the game changer I have been looking for!
Such great tips! Thank you for putting such a detailed guide together.
I definitely need these tips! I have read to put hashtags in the first comment now so I’ve been doing that but I definitely need to look into more relative hashtags!
This is great advice. I am still learning the hashtag thing. I tend to use #travel #disney #Food and also #ELAdventires(which stands Everyday Life Adventure)
This is SO helpful! I love the 5 Ws! Can’t wait to use this technique. I’m thinking I could regularly use #joy #inspiration #sweetlife Thank you!
This is very helpful, thanks for sharing!
These are fantastic tips! I agree that hashtags are one of the most important to your Instagram’s success!!
These are great tips! Those hashtags confuse me. Your tips are going to help a lot.
These are wonderful tips! One of my earliest mistakes when I first started using Instagram was not using hashtags. I could have probably made a world of a difference with my following!
Such great tips! I really struggle getting into Instagram. Since it doesn’t really drive traffic in a way that is measurable, it is the one social media platform that I’ve neglected but I know that it has become so important.
Great tips!!! Love the idea of hiding them. I was doing something similar but I like your idea much better ;)
I’ve using hashtags more and more on my posts and the results are well worth it. My followers have grown and I’ve discovered new people to follow. I like the idea of making a list so you can track which hashtags are the most efficient. I need to start doing that.
I’ve been really close to hitting 1000 followers on IG. I am going to utilize some of these strategies for sure. Thanks for sharing.
I love Instagram!!! Photography has become a passion of mine and my husbands so it’s great to be able to share them on Instagram!
Hashtags really add a lot of engagement and followers on Insta! This is such a great post. you have done a lot of work!
Ever since I found out the note trick it’s been so incredibly useful! I’m also a big fan of going through the related hashtags, great tips!
xo
Sami
http://www.theclassicbrunette.com
Omg what a great guide! Thank you for sharing these amazing steps!
This is amazing post! So helpful with lots of great tips! Thank you for sharing!!!
I am loving these tips!!!! After reading this it is abundantly clear I’m not on top of my hashtag game! Definitely using that 6 dot trick!
Needed this! Thank you! I really need to get better and more accurate with my hashtags!
Great tips! I try to keep a list of hashtags handy to use!
Very Helpful! Im saving this one for later
I love instagram! I just recently started a new hashtag. #FallLoveStory for fall date nights!
Awesome tips! Thank you. I’m definitely not a pro, but I’m learning!
FABULOUS collection of tips girlfriend. THANK YOU for writing an Instagram post that’s not just another copy-and-paste of every already-known strategy out there…you made something genuinely helpful here, and we all thank you for it!
Coming Up Roses
These are some great tips! I’ll definitely try them out.
So helpful! I just saved this post too because I know I will be referencing back to it! Thanks for the tips!
xo Ashley
I didn’t know how important hashtag is. I still need to learn a lot more about it. I boorkmark this, as all the tips are awesome..
This was awesome. I did not think about the 5 w as much as you laid it out. Well done.
Such great tips! I am always looking for ways to reach a new audience.
La Belle Sirene
These are some great tips! I had no idea about the related hashtags on the hashtag page.
What an excellent explanation! I have people ask me every once in a while about my hashtags and why I use the ones I do. I used to use some of the broader ones like ootd or wiw, but I feel like those get lost in the mix of all the other people using it. More detailed hashtags have really been working well for me! It’s always exciting to see my picture make it on the Top Posts!
Great tips! I always make sure to have my hashtags ready as the first comment!
Such a great and informative post! I also save my hashtags in the notes of my iphone!
Ahhhhh hashtags really are ugly, but coming from someone who hit the hashtag jackpot and has landed on the popular page several times, totally with the ugliness!!!!
yes! I personally noticed a lot more engagement when i started using these tips! The related feature on IG is great!
Hashtags are a fab way to grow your following and I’ve been fairly successful with them. Love the suggestion about finding your audience and utilizing the ones in that space!
Great tips!
I’m pinning to refer back to it!
XOXO, Amaris // http://www.crumbsandglamour.com
Fantastic
Great post!! And very helpful. I didn’t know I should put all my hashtags in the comments but I’ll give it a try. Thanks 😊
Thanks for the tips! I will definitely be using this for my blog instagram!
Very useful information! For some strange reason, I love hashtags.
Great tips. I just bought an IG ecourse and am learning so much about hashtags!
Great tips, I’m still experimenting with this <3.
This post was so very helpful…struggling horrible with hashtags..when you have 4 K followers and get 150 likes …something is not right…so so challenging!’
I am sharing this on social media. have a great day and so kind of you to share!!
valerie
This article taught me a lot–I’m pinning it for reference. Thanks so much for help upping my Instagram game!
Great tips! I especially like the idea of making up your own hashtags that fit your brand identity. Keep up the great work and live unstoppable!
Thank you for these tips! I manage a social media accounts so will definitely use this in my work!
You have some really great tips for instagram here thanks so much for sharing them.
Wonderful tips. I think that a lot of people have a problem finding the line between too many and not using them at all. They really do make a difference.
And, get this, you can grow your Instagram account in as little as 60 minutes a day!
Am going to apply all these tips for my IG! Thank you 😊
Thank you for the advice! I always use my own hashtag #mymessylittlenest but haven’t really pushed for anyone else to use it.
Thank you for the advice! I always use my own hashtag #mymessylittlenest but haven’t really pushed for anyone else to use it.
Great tips! Going to use all of these!
Great tips! Going to use all of these!
Very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to write this!
Very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to write this!
Great tips! I love ig hashtags, its like a fun puzzle!
Rachel | The Confused Millennial
Great tips! I love ig hashtags, its like a fun puzzle!
Rachel | The Confused Millennial
This is so helpful and amazing! I never knew about the related hashtags – that makes things so much easier and better! Thank you!
This is so helpful and amazing! I never knew about the related hashtags – that makes things so much easier and better! Thank you!
Hashtags have done wonders for my Instagram. It’s crazy! But I actually never noticed the related hashtags when you search! That’s a game changer haha I’m definitely going to have to go through my hashtags this week and see if I can find some more/better ones that I can be using. Thanks so much for the tips!
xo, Keating | Why Hello Lovely
http://www.whyhellolovely.com
Hashtags have done wonders for my Instagram. It’s crazy! But I actually never noticed the related hashtags when you search! That’s a game changer haha I’m definitely going to have to go through my hashtags this week and see if I can find some more/better ones that I can be using. Thanks so much for the tips!
xo, Keating | Why Hello Lovely
http://www.whyhellolovely.com
I had been wondering what all those dots were for! I think i need to start using more hashtags because i don’t feel like mine look that cluttered. Is there a recommended amount of hashtags to use? Like 10 or more? Less than 10? I’m not entirely sure what the protocol is. Thank you!
Annnndd i just read the last line. I guess my eyeballs just skipped right over it! Sorry!
I had been wondering what all those dots were for! I think i need to start using more hashtags because i don’t feel like mine look that cluttered. Is there a recommended amount of hashtags to use? Like 10 or more? Less than 10? I’m not entirely sure what the protocol is. Thank you!
Great info! I’m trying to grow my ig following but it’s going very slow!
Great info! I’m trying to grow my ig following but it’s going very slow!
Great tips. Good info for beginners like me :)
Great tips. Good info for beginners like me :)
Yes, I LOVED this post! So helpful.
Yes, I LOVED this post! So helpful.
This is the best hashtag guide I have read EVER. My new favorite post. I’ve always struggled to find hashtags so I always do things like #college and #career (I write articles on career advice for college students). As I grow my content business, I’m recognizing how difficult it is on IG to figure out these hashtags. Any tips on how to discover how popular or useful certain ones are?
Aww thanks so much Raquel! Glad you find it so useful :) If you use the related hashtag method, those are usually the most popular hashtags at the moment.
This is the best hashtag guide I have read EVER. My new favorite post. I’ve always struggled to find hashtags so I always do things like #college and #career (I write articles on career advice for college students). As I grow my content business, I’m recognizing how difficult it is on IG to figure out these hashtags. Any tips on how to discover how popular or useful certain ones are?
Aww thanks so much Raquel! Glad you find it so useful :) If you use the related hashtag method, those are usually the most popular hashtags at the moment.
What awesome tips! I love the related hashtags on instagram. I’ve found so many relevant hashtags through that! & I always make sure to save my hashtags, so they’re easier & less time consuming to post.
What awesome tips! I love the related hashtags on instagram. I’ve found so many relevant hashtags through that! & I always make sure to save my hashtags, so they’re easier & less time consuming to post.
this post is genius! just sent to several friends!
this post is genius! just sent to several friends!
I like the idea of using the 5 Ws! I struggle with figuring out which hashtags to use, so I appreciate this. =)
I like the idea of using the 5 Ws! I struggle with figuring out which hashtags to use, so I appreciate this. =)
These are super helpful tips – I’ve been wanting to shake up my hashtag game. Pinned!
These are super helpful tips – I’ve been wanting to shake up my hashtag game. Pinned!
Awesome tips! Thank you for sharing.
Loved this! Thank you for your tips!
Loved this! Thank you for your tips!
Great tips. Going to try and use the comment section to add the hashtags
Great tips. Going to try and use the comment section to add the hashtags
I have been searching high and low for information like this!! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with the interwebs!
I have been searching high and low for information like this!! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with the interwebs!
This is by far the best hashtag guide I’ve ever read! I’ve seen the related tags above but never thought to intentionally include those. Thanks for sharing!
I love this, totally am following these rules the next time I instagram something!
I love this, totally am following these rules the next time I instagram something!
This is such a helpful post! Thank you so much!
This is such a helpful post! Thank you so much!
These are fantastic tips! Some things I knew and use, but I definitely learned a few things too. Thank you!
These are fantastic tips! Some things I knew and use, but I definitely learned a few things too. Thank you!
Wow, this is greatly helpful. I tried the related hashtags and it was helpful to add to my posts. Thanks for the idea.
Wow, this is greatly helpful. I tried the related hashtags and it was helpful to add to my posts. Thanks for the idea.
This is so helpful! I’ve been meaning to clean up my set of hashtags but didn’t know how to narrow it down to the useful ones!
I’m still working on branding myself on Instagram, and I’m horrible at using hashtags! Thank you for the post, this is really useful!
I’m still working on branding myself on Instagram, and I’m horrible at using hashtags! Thank you for the post, this is really useful!
Thanks for the tips! Hashtags are the worst part!
These are great tips! I use hashtags on all my posts but need to do more research to find some new ones.
These are great tips! I use hashtags on all my posts but need to do more research to find some new ones.
LOVE this…great blog post, y’all! Thanks for the helpful hints! I’ll be adding the six dots asap, because yes, I think hashtags are ugly lol. Shh…don’t tell them I said so. ;)
LOVE this…great blog post, y’all! Thanks for the helpful hints! I’ll be adding the six dots asap, because yes, I think hashtags are ugly lol. Shh…don’t tell them I said so. ;)
These are such great tips… I’m constantly trying to revamp this!!
These are such great tips… I’m constantly trying to revamp this!!
Thanks for sharing! I feel like I’m slowly getting the hashtag game but it’s taken a lot of work. :)
Thanks for sharing! I feel like I’m slowly getting the hashtag game but it’s taken a lot of work. :)
I love looking through the related hashtags for new suggestions!!
I love looking through the related hashtags for new suggestions!!
Great tips! I was using most of these already, but I love the 5 Ws concept. Never thought of that before!
Great tips! I was using most of these already, but I love the 5 Ws concept. Never thought of that before!
What amazing tips! I’m trying to see what hashtags really work for me and then build from there!
What amazing tips! I’m trying to see what hashtags really work for me and then build from there!
So gratefull share. Really I will follow this blog.
So gratefull share. Really I will follow this blog.
Such great tips here!! Thank you for sharing. <3
Thank you for this post! Very helpful – I knew Hashtags were the *Key* but you provided some helpful strategies and tips that I haven’t thought about! Wonderful
Thank you for this post! Very helpful – I knew Hashtags were the *Key* but you provided some helpful strategies and tips that I haven’t thought about! Wonderful
I will try to use hashtags strategy wise. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
I will try to use hashtags strategy wise. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
Thank you for this post! Very helpful…
Thank you for this post! Very helpful…
Thanks for this post. I am just getting started with Instagram and this is so helpful. I’ll definitely be reading catching up on your other posts.
Thanks for this post. I am just getting started with Instagram and this is so helpful. I’ll definitely be reading catching up on your other posts.
Very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to write this!
Very helpful! Thank you for taking the time to write this!