Popular Instagram hashtags are a simple but powerful way to help more people see your posts on Instagram.
Hashtags help organize content and make it easier for others to find. If you’re not using hashtags, your posts are missing out on much visibility.
In this article, I’ll explain Instagram hashtags, how to use them, and why they matter. I’ll also give plenty of examples so you can start using them more effectively.
What Are Instagram Hashtags?
Instagram hashtags are words or phrases that start with the “#” symbol. They act as a label for your post.
When you use a hashtag, it makes your post visible to anyone who searches for or follows that hashtag.
For example, if you post a picture of your dog and use the Instagram hashtag strategy #dogsofinstagram, people searching for dog pictures will be able to find your post.
Why Are Hashtags Important?
Hashtags matter because they help expand the reach of your post. Without trending hashtags, your post is mostly limited to people who follow you.
But with hashtags, you open your post to a broader audience. This is really helpful if you’re trying to gain more followers or boost engagement on your content.
How to Use Instagram Hashtags Effectively
Using hashtags isn’t just about throwing random words after a “#.” There’s a bit of strategy involved if you want to use them to get the best results.
Choose Relevant Hashtags
Make sure the hashtags you use are relevant to your post.
If you’re posting a picture of your lunch, using an Instagram hashtag strategy like #beach won’t make sense and won’t attract the right audience.
Instead, try hashtags like these:
- #foodie
- #foodstagram
- #instafood
- #yum
- #eatinggood
These are relevant to a food post and will help you connect with people who are interested in food-related content.
Mix Popular and Niche Hashtags
A good strategy is to use a combination of popular and more specific hashtags. Trending hashtags, like #love or #instagood, have millions of posts attached to them.
They can get you seen quickly, but because so many people use them, your post can quickly get buried.
Niche hashtags, like #sunsetlovers or #fitnessgoals, may not have as many posts, but they target a more specific audience and can help your post stay visible for longer.
Example of a Balanced Instagram Hashtag Strategy:
Let’s say you’re posting a picture of a beautiful sunset from your vacation. Here’s how you could mix popular and niche hashtags:
- Popular Hashtags:
- #sunset
- #beach
- #vacation
- Niche Hashtags:
- #sunsetlovers
- #oceanview
- #naturephotography
This mix ensures your post will be seen by both a large general audience and a more focused group of people who are really into sunsets or nature photography with Instagram hashtag generators.
Avoid Using Banned Hashtags
Some hashtags are banned by Instagram because they’ve been overused or associated with inappropriate content.
If you use a banned hashtag, your post might not appear in search results at all, even if other hashtags are working fine.
You can check if an Instagram hashtag strategy is banned by searching for it on Instagram; if no posts appear, it’s likely banned.
How Many Hashtags Should You Use?
Wondering how many hashtags should you use?
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but you don’t need to use all of them. Using too many hashtags can make your post look cluttered or spammy.
A good number to aim for is around 5-10 relevant hashtags. That way, you’re giving your post a solid chance of being seen without overdoing it.
Examples of Instagram Hashtags by Category
Here are some examples of hashtags you can use depending on the type of content you’re posting:
Popular General Hashtags
- #love
- #instagood
- #photooftheday
- #beautiful
- #happy
- #picoftheday
- #selfie
Fitness Hashtags
- #fitnessmotivation
- #fitlife
- #workout
- #gymlife
- #fitfam
- #healthylifestyle
- #stronger
- #noexcuses
Travel Hashtags
- #wanderlust
- #travelgram
- #explore
- #adventure
- #vacation
- #instatravel
- #beachlife
- #worldtraveler
Photography Hashtags
- #photography
- #instaphoto
- #naturephotography
- #portraitphotography
- #streetphotography
- #travelphotography
- #photooftheday
- #nature
Fashion Hashtags
- #fashionista
- #style
- #ootd (Outfit of the Day)
- #fashionblogger
- #trend
- #streetstyle
- #outfitoftheday
Types of Instagram Hashtags
Not all hashtags are the same. There are different types of hashtags, each serving a different purpose.
Branded Hashtags
Branded hashtags are unique to a specific brand or company. If you run a business, creating a branded Instagram hashtag strategy allows your customers to use it when they post about your product.
For example, Nike uses #justdoit, and people use that trending hashtag when they post pictures of themselves wearing Nike gear.
Trending Hashtags
Trending hashtags are currently popular hashtags on Instagram, often because of a specific event, holiday, or viral trend.
For example, during the holiday season, hashtags like #Christmas or #holidaydecor start trending. You can join these trends if your post is relevant to the topic, but don’t force it.
Community Hashtags
Community hashtags on Instagram help you connect with others who share your interests.
For example, if you’re a photographer, you might use #photographersofinstagram or #streetphotography to connect with other photographers.
Location Hashtags
Using location-based hashtags helps people in your area discover your Instagram posts. This is especially useful for local businesses or travel Instagram posts.
For example, if you’re posting about a restaurant in Los Angeles, you might use #LAeats or #losangelesfood.
Instagram Hashtags Do’s and Don’ts
To get the most out of hashtags, here are a few tips to follow.
Do’s
- Research Popular Hashtags: Take time to see what trending Instagram hashtags are popular in your niche.
- Use a Mix of Popular and Niche Hashtags: Don’t just use the most popular ones; balance them with niche tags.
- Engage with Hashtags: Don’t just add hashtags to your posts. Look up trending Instagram hashtags and engage with other posts that use them.
- Create a Branded Hashtag: If you have a business, create a hashtag that your customers can use.
Don’ts
- Don’t Use Irrelevant Hashtags: Only use hashtags that are related to your content.
- Don’t Overuse Relevant Hashtags: Stick to around 5-10 per post.
- Don’t Use Banned Hashtags: Always check to make sure a hashtag isn’t banned.
Instagram Hashtags vs. No Hashtags: A Quick Comparison
Here’s a simple comparison table to show the difference between using relevant hashtags and not using them:
|
Feature |
Posts with Hashtags |
Posts without Hashtags |
| Visibility | High | Low |
| Engagement (Likes & Comments) | Higher | Lower |
| Post Longevity | Longer | Shorter |
| Audience Reach | Larger | Smaller |
Using hashtags gives your post a much better chance of being seen by more people and staying visible for longer.
Final Thoughts
Instagram hashtags are a great way to boost your content’s visibility on Instagram.
By mixing popular and niche hashtags, keeping them relevant, and staying away from banned hashtags, you can reach a much wider audience.
So, next time you post, don’t forget to include the right hashtags to help your content shine!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Instagram Hashtags Get the Most Likes?
Hashtags that are commonly associated with positive emotions, popular trends, or frequently shared content tend to get the most likes.
These hashtags are used widely across Instagram, so if you add them to your post, it can help you get more engagement.
Some hashtags that typically get the most likes include:
- #love – People love to share things they love, whether it’s their pets, family, or hobbies.
- #instagood – Often used for photos or videos that users are particularly proud of.
- #photooftheday – A popular hashtag for great photos.
- #beautiful – Commonly used for anything visually appealing, from landscapes to selfies.
- #tbt (Throwback Thursday) – Popular for posting old photos, creating a nostalgic feel.
By adding these types of hashtags, your post can connect with a broad audience that is likely to engage with your content.
What Are the Top 5 Hashtags on Instagram?
The top hashtags on Instagram are ones that are used the most across the platform. These are general hashtags that are relevant to many different types of posts. Here are the top 5:
- #love
- #instagood
- #fashion
- #photooftheday
- #beautiful
These hashtags are widely popular and can help your posts get more visibility and engagement.
What Are the Top 10 Hashtags?
Expanding the list, here are the top 10 Instagram hashtags that are most commonly used:
- #love
- #instagood
- #fashion
- #photooftheday
- #beautiful
- #art
- #happy
- #cute
- #travel
- #style
These hashtags are versatile and can fit a variety of posts, from selfies and outfits to nature shots and travel adventures.
What Is the 3 Hashtag Rule?
The 3 Hashtag Rule is a simple hashtag strategy that suggests you should only use three hashtags per post.
This rule emphasizes quality over quantity, focusing on relevance rather than filling your post with too many hashtags. Here’s how it breaks down:
- One Broad Hashtag: This could be a popular, widely used hashtag like #love or #photooftheday that will get your post in front of a large audience.
- One Niche Hashtag: This should be specific to the type of content you’re posting. For example, if you’re posting a photo of a sunset, you might use #sunsetlovers.
- One Branded Hashtag: If you have a personal or business hashtag, include that. This can help build your brand and engage your community. For example, a coffee shop might use #BestBrewNYC.
Using this hashtag strategy keeps your post relevant, prevents it from looking spammy, and still gets you in front of the right audience with the Instagram hashtag generator.
Example of the 3 Hashtag Rule:
If you’re posting a picture of your workout routine, you could use:
- #fitness (Broad)
- #homeworkout (Niche)
- #GetFitNow (Branded)
This simple rule helps you stay focused and keeps your post clean while still reaching the right people!