Instagram hashtags have been one of the best ways to categorize your content. Based on your hashtags, Instagram decides whom to show your post to. Hashtags can be broad, like the name of the place, or narrow, like a smartphone model. This article will show us how to choose the best Instagram hashtags for posts.
Before moving to the tactics behind choosing the right hashtags for posts. Let's quickly go through all the benefits of using hashtags:
- Hashtags categorize posts and determine their niche and audience.
- It initiates the reach of your posts even with 0 followers.
- It brings in new people apart from your own followers.
- Hashtags make your posts searchable on Instagram search results.
- Instagram hashtags boost the visibility of your account.
Next, let's understand how you can choose the right hashtags for your posts
Relevancy Over Quantity
Always choose relevancy over quantity. If a hashtag is not relevant to your audience, don't add it. Irrelevant hashtags will make your posts appear to the wrong people, which is not good, as there will be no engagement at all.
If you are adding 10 hashtags to a post, use 5 relevant to your content and 5 relevant to your audience.
For example, if a bakery posts a cake picture, then hashtags should be like this:
#bakery #chocolatecake #tastytreats #pastries #sweetcravings ( content relevancy )
#foodlover #foodie #cravings #hunger #cakelover #birthdayparty ( audience relevancy )
Narrow to Broad Hashtags
When deciding your hashtag set for any post, start with Narrow to Broad hashtags. Choose the niche-specific hashtags first, then go for broad-category hashtags. It will boost your posts within specific niches and also give a space to expand to a broader audience.
Let's see how to choose the best hashtags from narrow to broad with an example
Example: If a pet shop posts a cute dog picture on Instagram, then hashtags should be like this:
#labrador #beagle #pomrenian #furrdogs #2yearsoldpuppies #newyorkpuppies ( narrow hashtags )
#cutedogs #puppies #petshop #lovelydogs #petlovers #petowners ( broad hashtags )
Interest-Based Hashtags
Interests can be direct or indirect. If a person likes flowers, most probably he likes nature places, travelling etc. that's a direct interest. If a person likes dogs he may like cars as well that's indirect interest.
Instagram performance is driven by people's interest. If you can figure out both the direct and indirect interests of your audience you can bring new followers to your account.
For example: if a car lover posts a Car picture on Instagram, then hashtags can be like this:
#luxurycars #automobiles #luxuryhouse #billionairlife #millionairemindset #travelling ( direct interests )
#trading #sharemarket #realestate #dogs #startups #forbes #raymonds ( indirect interests )
Legendary Hashtags
Some hashtags are legendary, they have been there since Instagram came into existence. If these hashtags are relevant to your content, you should always include them in your posts.
The best part about legendary hashtags is that they are well-known and have become prominent keywords on Instagram. Including these will help your post get views even if you have 0 followers.
For example: If a traveller posts a travel vlog reel on Instagram, then these legendary hashtags can be used
#ciao #picoftheday #tgif #ootd #mylife #myjourney #Lol #fomo #omg #fyi
Most of the abbreviations of hashtags constitute legendary hashtags.
Brand Hashtags
Brand hashtags are different for everyone. It's a unique keyword hashtag that you use only. It can be anything you like. It becomes a signature of your Instagram profile over time. Some ideas for brand hashtags can be:
- brand username
- brand tagline
- some kind of unique number (e.g James bond 007 )
- a unique punch line
- a unique emoji set
You can think of anything that makes your brand unique. It might need a brainstorm but it's really worth it. Once you find your brand hashtags, you must include them in every post.