How to Add Hashtags on Instagram?

If you've been struggling with low engagement on your Instagram posts, you're not alone. Many users on this visually driven platform often wonder why their meticulously curated content isn't gaining traction. One crucial element that can significantly enhance your reach is the strategic use of hashtags. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to add hashtags on Instagram to unleash their full potential and boost your visibility on this dynamic social media platform.

Table of Contents

You'll Learn

The fundamental role of hashtags in boosting Instagram engagement
Step-by-step instructions on how to add hashtags on Instagram effectively
Various tools and strategies to discover the best hashtags for your niche
Best practices to avoid overusing hashtags or getting shadowbanned
Examples of brands leveraging hashtags successfully

Understanding the Power of Hashtags

Why Are Hashtags Important?

Hashtags began as a simple way to categorize content on social media platforms, but today they serve a much larger purpose. They function as the lifeline of Instagram's search and discovery feature, acting like keywords that help organize and expand the reach of your posts. When you add hashtags on Instagram, your content becomes discoverable to a broader audience who share interests in those specific tags.

In essence, hashtags help you tap into communities and conversations that are relevant to your content, thereby increasing your exposure and the likelihood that your posts will engage a new and enthusiastic audience.

The Right Number of Hashtags

A common misconception is to overload a post with hashtags. However, Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, which doesn't necessarily mean you should use all of them. Research indicates that using too many hashtags can appear spammy and could potentially thwart your reach due to Instagram's spam detection algorithms.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Add Hashtags on Instagram

Step 1: Identify Your Focus Keywords

Before you can determine which hashtags to use, you'll need to identify the focus keywords or themes of your post. Start by outlining the core message or topic of the content. If you're posting a stunning landscape photo, for instance, your focus keywords might be "travel," "nature," "photography," among others.

Step 2: Research Relevant Hashtags

Once you've nailed down the focus keywords, it's time for some research. Here's how to add hashtags on Instagram effectively:

Use Instagram's Search Feature: Type in a keyword relevant to your niche and study which hashtags pop up.
Explore Related Hashtags: After clicking on a hashtag, Instagram will suggest related tags at the top of the screen, providing a stream of additional options.
Spy on Competitors: Watch how your successful competitors in the same niche use hashtags. Follow the ones who are getting significant engagement and observe their hashtag strategies.

Step 3: Utilize Hashtag Tools

To refine your hashtag selection process, consider using one of several powerful tools designed to help maximize your Instagram hashtag usage:

HashtagsForLikes: This tool generates trending hashtags based on your inputs and suggests tags that are likely to go viral.
RiteTag: Analyze the performance of various hashtags in real-time, which can greatly enhance the precision of your hashtag integration.
Display Purposes: This tool eliminates spam tags and only suggests hashtags that are organically connected to your keywords.

Step 4: Add Hashtags Strategically

When you've compiled a list of potential hashtags, the next step is seamlessly embedding them into your posts:

In the Caption: Write a cohesive, engaging caption and blend in the hashtags. This keeps the flow and readability while ensuring the hashtags serve their purpose.
In the Comments: Another popular approach is to post your hashtags in the first comment right after publishing. This keeps your caption neat yet ensures that your hashtags are still discoverable.

Tools to Help You Grow Your Instagram Engagement

Leveraging third-party tools can not only optimize hashtag usage but can also automate elements of your strategy:

Later: A scheduling tool that includes hashtag suggestions and lets you plan your Instagram posts and stories.
Hootsuite: Offers robust analytics that help track the performance of different hashtags and the engagement they drive.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you're familiar with how to add hashtags on Instagram, mistakes can creep in. Here are some common pitfalls:

Overusing Generic Hashtags: Aim for a mix of niche-specific and popular hashtags. The competition for generic tags is immense, making it harder for your content to be noticed.
Ignoring Trends: Trends fluctuate constantly on Instagram. Use hashtag tools to stay ahead.
Repetitive Use of Same Hashtags: Reusing the exact same set of hashtags can lead you to be shadowbanned. Always tweak and rotate your strategy.

Real-World Examples

Let’s look at some real-world examples that demonstrate how effectively using hashtags can amplify engagement:

National Geographic: National Geographic uses nature-related hashtags intertwined with storytelling captions to create powerful, discoverable posts.
Glossier: With a minimalistic and clean hashtag strategy, Glossier connects with beauty and skincare communities effectively, oftentimes seeing firsthand how a single branded hashtag (like #glossierpink) could stimulate a vibrant community.

FAQ

Q1: How many hashtags should I use on my Instagram post?
It's generally recommended to use 5-11 relevant hashtags even though Instagram permits up to 30. This range has been linked with the highest engagement without appearing overly spammy.

Q2: Can I use the same hashtags for every post?
Rotating hashtags are preferable. Repetitively using the same ones can decrease their effectiveness over time, and there is potential for penalties from Instagram algorithms.

Q3: What is a shadowban, and how will hashtags affect it?
A shadowban limits the visibility of your posts without notifying you if you engage in 'spammy' behaviors, such as repetitive hashtag use. Changing your hashtag strategy regularly and avoiding banned hashtags can prevent this.

Q4: What's the difference between adding hashtags to captions or comments?
Functionally, there's no difference for discovery, but adding them to comments can lead to a cleaner caption appearance, while immediately positioning them in a comment after posting ensures they remain effective.

Q5: How do I know if a hashtag is banned?
Searching for the hashtag on Instagram and seeing if it returns content or reports that it is 'broken' is a quick way to check. Avoid using any tags that have been reported as banned.

Summarizing How to Add Hashtags on Instagram

Identify focus keywords for your post.
Research relevant hashtags via Instagram’s search and hashtag tools.
Implement tools like HashtagsForLikes, RiteTag, and Display Purposes for suggestions.
Add hashtags strategically in captions or in comments.
Use tools such as Later and Hootsuite for better hashtag performance analytics.
Stay clear of common mistakes like using overly generic or banned hashtags.

Understanding how to add hashtags on Instagram correctly can undeniably pivot your engagement strategy to new heights. By adopting a well-researched, adaptable approach to utilizing hashtags, you can exponentially increase your content's visibility, effectively drawing in and engaging with your target audience.