Using Instagram Hashtags Successfully To Grow Your Engagement - Your Questions Answered

Hashtags are a really important way to be found on Instagram. For anyone new to them, or a bit confused by them - think of them as part of the glossary of Instagram. When you read a non fiction book, you use the glossary to find all the information linked to that topic. It is the same on Instagram. If you want to find a wedding cake you will search #weddingcake. When you want to find yellow shoes you will search #yellowshoes.

They are often the starting point in a new follower finding you. They search for the phrase, then they are attracted by your image or video. So with this in mind, it is important to get them right.


Here are a few tips to nail your hashtag strategy.

How many hashtags should you use?

You can use up to 30 hashtags on Instagram but many have a view on what the optimum amount is. I suggest you use all 30 if you can - why wouldn't you? My suggestion is to use a few huge hashtags (with over 1 million users) and for the rest, choose smaller ones - with some even being tiny (less than a 1000 users). It will be easier to be found if you use smaller ones as there are fewer pieces of content to compete with. 


Where should you post your hashtags?

You can either write them in the caption or in the first comment (Instagram has confirmed that it doesn't matter which you do). If you choose to add them into the first comment this has to be done immediately so the robots know what's happening! Many people feel they look ugly in the caption; while this is totally your call, we feel that it is good to space them out so they are positioned much further down from your main message.


Which hashtags should you use?

As said, it is good to feature smaller ones over the huge ones. For example, hashtags such as selfie, love and cute have millions of users BUT they also attract the robots that are set to follow then unfollow accounts. We say to avoid.


How do I find the smaller hashtags?

There are a few ways to find smaller hashtags but the easiest way is to type in a keyword such as cake. Then scroll down until you find the smaller ones (with fewer users). Instagram also provides suggestions for you. Simply click on the larger hashtag and you will see smaller ones suggested for you.


How do I know if the hashtags have worked?

When you post a piece of content, wait a few hours or even a day to review them. Click on the insights for that image (you will find this under the image) then review how many people found the image from a hashtag. We posted an image recently and a whopping 74% of accounts reached were not followers and found us via the hashtag.  (See the post here)


Ultimately it is a case of trial and error - some will work and some won't.


It is also worth remembering that while hashtags matter, creating awesome content is more important! Want to know more about how to post awesome content and grow your Instagram? Check out our masterclass HERE.