Hashtags are a powerful tool for growing your social media presence and reaching a wider audience. By using relevant hashtags in your posts, you can connect with users who are interested in the same topics as you and increase the chances of your content being seen by a larger number of people.

Instagram has said that hashtags no longer matter however we feel they should still be part of your strategy as they are still a great way to be found. Our clients repeatedly have engagement on Instagram from non followers who would have found their content via the hashtags that we have chosen for them. Hashtags are vital on TikTok and we will share our strategy in this article.

What is a hashtag?

A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by a “#” symbol that is used on social media platforms to identify messages on a specific topic. Hashtags are used to group messages and make it easier for users to find and follow specific topics. They are often used to promote campaigns, events, or causes, and they can be a powerful way to build a community around a particular topic or issue. Hashtags can also be used by brands to engage with their audience and promote their products or services. To use a hashtag on social media, you can simply include it in your post by typing the “#” symbol followed by the word or phrase you want to use as the hashtag.

WHY USE HASHTAGS?

Hashtags are useful for growing followers on social media because they help users find and engage with content that is relevant to their interests. By using relevant hashtags in your posts, you can increase the chances of your content being seen by a larger number of people who are interested in the same topics. This can lead to more engagement on your posts, which can in turn lead to more followers. Hashtags can also help to build a community around a particular topic or issue, which can be a great way to connect with like-minded users and grow your followers. Finally, hashtags can be a powerful tool for promoting campaigns, events, or causes, and they can be a great way to get your content in front of a larger audience.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT HASHTAGS

There are a few different ways to find hashtags to use on Instagram:

Research popular hashtags: You can use tools like Hashtagify or Keyhole to find popular hashtags in your industry or niche. These tools can also show you related hashtags that you might want to consider using.
Look at what your competitors are using: Take a look at the hashtags your competitors are using and consider using some of the same ones. You can also look at what hashtags influencers in your industry are using and consider incorporating those into your strategy.
Use Instagram’s hashtag suggestions: When you start typing a hashtag into the caption or comments of an Instagram post, Instagram will suggest related hashtags that you can use. This can be a great way to find relevant hashtags that you might not have thought of.
Use a hashtag generator: There are several online tools that can generate hashtags for you based on keywords or phrases. These can be helpful ways to find relevant hashtags, but be sure to vet the suggestions before using them to make sure they are appropriate for your content. We love HishHash.
Think about your target audience: Consider who your target audience is and what hashtags they might be using. This can help you find relevant hashtags that will help you reach the right people.

By using a combination of these strategies, you can find the right hashtags to use on Instagram to help grow your followers and increase engagement on your posts.

To use hashtags on TikTok, you can simply include them in the caption of your video. When you start typing a hashtag into the caption, TikTok will suggest related hashtags that you can use. You can also use hashtags in the comments of your videos.

It’s important to choose relevant hashtags that are related to your content and your target audience. Using popular hashtags can help increase the visibility of your videos, but be sure to mix in some more niche hashtags as well. This can help you reach a more targeted and engaged audience.

To find popular hashtags to use on TikTok, you can use tools like Hashtagify or Keyhole, or you can simply search for hashtags on the platform to see which ones are being used the most. You can also look at what other users in your industry or niche are using and consider incorporating some of those hashtags into your strategy.

Remember to not use too many hashtags in your videos. A good rule of thumb is to use a maximum of 10 hashtags per video. Using too many hashtags can make your content look spammy and can actually turn off potential followers.

Our tiktok Hashtag Strategy

We break down our hashtags into the following categories and use 3-4 for each category:

What is the TikTok video about?
Who is the TikTok video for?
What problem is the TikTok video solving?

Our director Kate has a strong following on TikTok with videos created for women who are in midlife and struggling with menopause and confidence. Using the example above her hashtags would be:

What is the TikTok video about? #menopause #hotflushes #womenshealth
Who is the TikTok video for? #over50women #over40women #genxwomen
What problem is the TikTok video solving or providing? #menopauserelief #menopausesupport #menopausetips

This has helped her grow her account to over 60K followers.

Overall, it is a good idea for both platforms to use a mix of popular and niche hashtags. While it’s important to use popular hashtags to reach a larger audience, don’t forget to include niche hashtags as well. These hashtags may have a smaller number of users, but they are often more engaged and can help you build a loyal following.

Use hashtags in your bio also in addition to using hashtags in your posts, consider adding a few relevant hashtags to your bio. This can help users who are searching for specific hashtags find your profile more easily.

Finally don’t overdo it: While it’s important to use hashtags, don’t go overboard. Using too many hashtags can make your content look spammy and can actually turn off potential followers. A good rule of thumb is to use a maximum of 7-10 hashtags per post.

By following these tips and regularly using hashtags in your social media posts, you can effectively grow your account and reach a larger, more engaged audience. Remember to mix up your hashtags and always be on the lookout for new and relevant ones to use.

Want help creating your own short-form video strategy? Here’s how we can help: