To pinpoint the best place for hashtags on Instagram, you essentially have two primary options: directly within your post caption or strategically placed in the first comment.

Both methods have their proponents and statistical backing, and the optimal choice often depends on your content strategy, aesthetic preferences, and audience engagement patterns.

Many top marketers lean towards using the caption for discoverability and convenience, but some prefer the first comment to maintain a cleaner, less cluttered caption look.

For those looking to really dial in their Instagram strategy and get a holistic view of what’s working, exploring a powerful growth marketing tool can be a must. Best link in bio tools for instagram

I highly recommend checking out this 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool which can help you analyze hashtag performance and much more, giving you data-driven insights into where to put hashtags in an Instagram post for maximum impact.

Understanding where to find the best hashtags for Instagram and what hashtags get most likes on Instagram is crucial, and that often involves testing where should you put hashtags on Instagram to see what resonates most with your specific audience.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but rather a dynamic process of optimizing where to add hashtags on Instagram for sustained growth.

Table of Contents

The Case for Hashtags in the Post Caption

Placing your hashtags directly in the post caption is the most common and often recommended approach, and for good reason. Best new hashtags for instagram

This method ensures that Instagram’s algorithm immediately registers your post with those keywords, potentially boosting its discoverability right from the moment of publication.

Immediate Indexing and Discoverability

When you embed hashtags directly into your caption, Instagram’s system can quickly process and index your content.

This immediate recognition is vital for appearing in relevant hashtag feeds promptly.

Faster Algorithm Recognition: Instagram’s algorithm starts working on your post as soon as it’s live, and having hashtags present in the caption from the get-go means it can categorize and distribute your content faster.
Enhanced Reach at Launch: For new posts, the initial engagement window is crucial. Being indexed immediately means your content has a better chance of being seen by relevant users in the moments following its publication. Data suggests that posts with hashtags in the caption often see a higher initial reach compared to those with hashtags in the first comment due to this immediate indexing.
User Experience UX: From a user perspective, if someone is specifically searching a hashtag, finding posts with those hashtags directly in the caption can feel more intuitive and immediate, especially if they are scrolling quickly.

User Convenience and Visibility

While some argue about aesthetics, having hashtags in the caption can be more convenient for users and ensures they are always visible without an extra tap.

No Extra Clicks: Users don’t need to tap “view all comments” to see the hashtags, which can sometimes be overlooked. This direct visibility ensures the hashtags are readily available for users to click and explore.
Direct Link to Hashtag Feeds: When users see a relevant hashtag in your caption, they can instantly click it to explore more content related to that topic, potentially extending their time on your post or discovering other related content.
Branding Consistency: For many brands, a consistent posting strategy includes a set number of hashtags always present in the caption, reinforcing their niche and brand identity. This consistency can be beneficial for audience recognition.

SEO Benefits within Instagram

Think of Instagram’s search and discovery features as its own mini-SEO engine. Best instagram tags for likes and followers

Placing hashtags in the caption optimizes your post for this internal search.

Improved Search Ranking: Just like Google, Instagram’s search bar prioritizes content that is clearly categorized. Hashtags in the caption act as strong signals, helping your content rank higher for specific keyword searches within the app.
Explore Page Potential: Instagram’s Explore page is heavily influenced by hashtags. When your content is accurately tagged in the caption, it increases the likelihood of Instagram’s algorithm pushing it to users who have shown interest in similar content or engaged with those hashtags before.
Cross-Pollination of Audiences: By using a mix of broad and niche hashtags in your caption, you can attract users from various interest groups, expanding your potential audience beyond your existing followers.

The Argument for Hashtags in the First Comment

While placing hashtags in the caption is popular, many Instagram users and businesses opt for the first comment to maintain a cleaner aesthetic.

This approach has its own set of advantages and is particularly favored by those who prioritize visual appeal.

Cleaner Caption Aesthetic

One of the primary reasons to put hashtags in the first comment is to keep your main caption streamlined and focused on the message.

Uncluttered Visuals: A long string of hashtags can visually clutter a caption, potentially distracting from the main text or image. By moving them to the first comment, the caption remains concise and aesthetically pleasing.
Enhanced Readability: A clean caption allows your audience to absorb your message without visual distractions. This can improve engagement with your core content.
Professional Appearance: For many brands and individuals, a tidy caption presents a more professional and polished image, which can be crucial for brand perception.

Maintaining Storytelling Flow

If your caption is designed to tell a story or deliver a powerful message, interrupting it with hashtags can break the flow. Best hashtags to increase reach on instagram

Seamless Narrative: When hashtags are in the first comment, your caption can flow uninterrupted, allowing you to fully engage your audience with your storytelling. This is particularly important for educational, inspirational, or long-form captions.
Focus on the Message: The main goal of your caption should be to convey your message effectively. By separating hashtags, you ensure that the emphasis remains on your content rather than the discovery tools.
Less Distraction for Call-to-Actions CTAs: If your caption includes a call-to-action e.g., “Link in bio,” “Shop now”, keeping it free from hashtags helps to highlight the CTA and guide user behavior more effectively.

Algorithm Considerations and Timing

While immediate indexing is a benefit of caption placement, Instagram’s algorithm is sophisticated enough to pick up hashtags from the first comment very quickly.

Rapid Indexing: Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that Instagram’s algorithm indexes hashtags in the first comment almost as quickly as those in the caption. The key is to post the comment immediately after the main post goes live.
Engagement Signals: For the algorithm, the presence of hashtags—whether in the caption or first comment—is a signal. What matters more is the relevance and performance of those hashtags in driving engagement.
Testing and Optimization: Many experts recommend testing both methods to see which performs better for a specific account. What works for one niche or audience might not work for another. Consistent monitoring of analytics is key to figuring out where should you put hashtags on Instagram.

Strategic Placement: Leveraging Both Methods

Instead of a rigid “either/or” approach, a more nuanced strategy involves understanding when and how to leverage both caption and first-comment placements.

The “best place for hashtags on Instagram” isn’t static.

It’s dynamic and responsive to your content and audience.

The Hybrid Approach

For some content creators, a combination of both methods can offer the best of both worlds. Best hashtags today instagram

Caption for Core Keywords: Place 2-3 highly relevant, core keywords directly in your caption, perhaps at the very end or integrated naturally within the text. This ensures immediate indexing for your most important terms.
First Comment for Niche/Long-Tail: Use the first comment for the bulk of your hashtags up to 27-28, focusing on a mix of broader, medium-sized, and niche-specific long-tail hashtags. This maintains caption cleanliness while still maximizing discoverability.
Brand-Specific Hashtags: Always include your unique brand hashtag in the caption for brand recognition and to encourage user-generated content.
Storytelling First, Discovery Second: This approach prioritizes clear communication and storytelling in the caption, with the heavy lifting of discovery handled by the first comment.

When to Prioritize Caption Placement

Certain types of content or objectives lend themselves better to having hashtags directly in the caption.

News-Related or Trending Content: For content tied to trending topics or breaking news, immediate visibility is paramount. Hashtags in the caption can help your post get seen faster in rapidly moving feeds.
Short, Punchy Captions: If your caption is already very brief, adding a few relevant hashtags at the end won’t significantly detract from its aesthetic.
Posts Aiming for Viral Reach: For content you hope will spread widely, having hashtags in the caption ensures maximum initial discoverability across various feeds.
Brand Awareness Campaigns: When the primary goal is to increase brand awareness, ensuring your brand hashtags and core keywords are immediately visible in the caption can be highly effective.

When to Prioritize First Comment Placement

Conversely, some scenarios benefit more from the cleaner aesthetic provided by first-comment hashtags.

Long-Form Educational Content: If your caption is packed with valuable information, tips, or a detailed story, you want to ensure it’s easy to read without visual clutter.
Visually Driven Accounts: For accounts where aesthetics are paramount e.g., photography, art, fashion, a clean caption often aligns better with the overall brand image.
Influencer Marketing: Influencers often prioritize a natural, authentic feel. A caption that looks too “SEO’d” with many hashtags can come across as less genuine.
Content with Strong Calls-to-Action: If your caption includes a clear call-to-action, keeping it free from distracting hashtags can improve conversion rates.

Optimizing Your Hashtag Strategy Beyond Placement

Knowing where to put hashtags on an Instagram post is only half the battle.

The real magic happens when you understand “where to find the best hashtags for Instagram” and how to use them effectively to get “what hashtags get most likes Instagram” users are looking for.

Researching Effective Hashtags

Finding the right hashtags requires diligent research and a clear understanding of your audience and niche. Best hashtags for followers on instagram

Analyze Competitors: See what hashtags successful accounts in your niche are using. Tools can help you identify their top-performing hashtags.
Utilize Instagram’s Search Bar: Start typing keywords into Instagram’s search bar, and it will suggest related hashtags along with their post counts. This helps you find relevant and popular options.
Explore Related Hashtags: Once you click on a hashtag, Instagram often suggests “Related” hashtags at the top of the feed. This is a goldmine for discovering new, relevant terms.
Audience Research: Understand what terms your target audience is using when they search for content like yours. What problems are they trying to solve? What interests do they have?
Hashtag Generator Tools: Various online tools and apps like the 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool mentioned earlier can help you generate relevant hashtags based on keywords or images. These tools often provide data on hashtag popularity and performance.

The Right Mix of Hashtag Sizes

A common mistake is only using very popular hashtags.

A balanced strategy includes a mix of different sizes.

Broad/High-Volume Hashtags 100K+ posts: These offer high visibility but also high competition. Use a few 1-3 to get your content in front of a large audience. Example: #Travel, #Foodie.
Medium-Volume Hashtags 10K – 100K posts: These are often the sweet spot, offering a good balance of reach and discoverability without being overly competitive. Aim for 5-7 of these. Example: #TravelGram, #FoodBloggers.
Niche/Low-Volume Hashtags Under 10K posts: These are highly specific and attract a dedicated, engaged audience. While they have less reach, they often lead to higher engagement and more qualified leads. Use 10-15 of these. Example: #VeganFoodInspiration, #SoloFemaleTraveler.
Branded Hashtags: Create unique hashtags for your brand, campaigns, or community. Encourage your followers to use them to foster user-generated content. Example: #MyBrandAdventures, #ShopMyBrand.

Hashtag Quantity: More Isn’t Always Better But It Can Be

Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, and while some suggest using fewer, data often supports using a higher number of relevant hashtags.

Maximize Discoverability: Using all or most of the allowed 30 hashtags, when they are relevant and well-researched, can significantly increase your post’s discoverability. Studies by companies like Sprout Social have shown that posts with 11+ hashtags tend to perform better in terms of reach.
Relevance Over Quantity: The caveat is relevance. Using 30 irrelevant hashtags will harm your reach and engagement. Focus on high-quality, niche-specific, and audience-relevant terms.
Test and Iterate: Monitor your analytics. See which posts performed best and identify the hashtag strategies employed. This data-driven approach will help you refine your optimal hashtag quantity and selection. Some accounts find success with 5-10 highly targeted hashtags, while others thrive using the full 30.

Avoiding Common Hashtag Mistakes

While optimizing for “best place for hashtags on Instagram” is important, understanding common pitfalls can prevent your efforts from falling flat. Best hashtags now

Many errors can inadvertently reduce your reach and engagement, or worse, get your content flagged.

Using Banned or Broken Hashtags

Instagram regularly updates its list of banned hashtags, often due to misuse or association with inappropriate content. Using these can severely penalize your post.

Check Before You Post: Before using a new hashtag, search it on Instagram. If you see a message like “Recent posts from # hashtag are currently hidden because the community has reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s community guidelines,” avoid it.
Impact on Visibility: Posts containing banned hashtags may have their reach significantly limited, or they might not appear in any hashtag feeds at all. In extreme cases, repeated use can lead to shadowbanning or account suspension.
Stay Updated: Hashtag statuses can change. What was permissible last month might be banned today. Regularly review your common hashtag sets.

Over-Reliance on Generic, High-Volume Hashtags

While broad hashtags offer massive reach, they also come with immense competition.

Your post can quickly get buried in a flood of content.

Too Much Noise: Hashtags like #love, #instadaily, or #picoftheday have millions of posts associated with them. Your content will appear for a fleeting moment before being pushed down by thousands of new uploads.
Irrelevant Audience: Users searching these broad terms are often just browsing, not actively looking for specific content or solutions. This means lower engagement and less qualified traffic.
Focus on Niche: Prioritize niche-specific hashtags that directly relate to your content and target audience. These attract users who are genuinely interested and more likely to engage. For example, instead of just #food, try #plantbasedrecipes or #glutenfreeeats.

Sticking to the Same Hashtags Every Time

Copying and pasting the same set of 30 hashtags for every single post is a common, yet detrimental, practice. Best hashtags for today on instagram

Instagram’s algorithm can detect repetitive behavior.

Algorithm Detection: Using identical hashtag sets consistently can be flagged as spammy behavior by Instagram’s algorithm. This can reduce your content’s discoverability and limit your reach.
Missed Opportunities: Each post is unique and might relate to different sub-topics. Reusing the same hashtags means you’re missing opportunities to target highly specific audiences for individual pieces of content.
Content-Specific Hashtags: Tailor your hashtags to the specific image or video you’re sharing. If you post a travel photo one day and a recipe the next, their ideal hashtags will be very different.
Maintain a “Bank” of Hashtags: Instead of one fixed set, create several lists of hashtags e.g., 5-7 different groups of 30 relevant to your various content pillars. Rotate these lists or mix and match from them for each post.

Not Monitoring Hashtag Performance

Publishing content with hashtags without analyzing their impact is like throwing darts in the dark. Data is crucial for optimization.

Instagram Insights: Utilize Instagram’s native insights for Business or Creator accounts to see how many impressions your posts received from hashtags. This is a direct indicator of their effectiveness.
Third-Party Analytics Tools: Tools like the 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool provide deeper insights into hashtag performance, showing you which hashtags are driving the most reach, engagement, and even follower growth.
A/B Testing: Experiment with different hashtag quantities, types broad vs. niche, and even placement caption vs. first comment. Monitor which combinations lead to the best results for your specific content and audience.
Refine and Adapt: Based on your performance data, continually refine your hashtag strategy. Remove underperforming hashtags, incorporate new trending ones, and adjust your mix.

Hashtag Best Practices for Maximum Impact

Beyond placement, a solid hashtag strategy hinges on several best practices that enhance discoverability, engagement, and overall Instagram growth.

Understanding these principles will significantly impact “what hashtags get most likes Instagram” users are looking for. Best hashtags for instagram to increase likes

Using the Right Number of Hashtags

While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, the optimal number often sparks debate.

However, data suggests a sweet spot for maximizing reach.

Aim for 11-30: Many studies, including those by industry leaders like Later and Sprout Social, have consistently shown that posts using 11 or more relevant hashtags tend to perform best in terms of reach and engagement. Some power users even advocate for using all 30 permissible hashtags.
Quality Over Quantity within reason: While using more relevant hashtags is beneficial, using 30 irrelevant ones will backfire. Focus on ensuring each hashtag genuinely describes your content or target audience.
Test and Refine: Your specific audience might respond differently. Experiment with using 10-15, 20-25, or the full 30, and monitor your Instagram Insights to see which quantity consistently delivers the best reach from hashtags.

Mixing Broad, Niche, and Branded Hashtags

A diverse hashtag portfolio is crucial for reaching different segments of your audience and maximizing discoverability.

Broad Hashtags e.g., #Travel, #Foodie: Use 1-3 of these high-volume hashtags to tap into massive audiences. Be aware of high competition and quick decay in feeds.
Medium Niche Hashtags e.g., #SoloTravel, #PlantBasedDiet: Incorporate 5-10 of these. They offer a good balance of reach and relevance, attracting more engaged users than broad terms.
Hyper-Niche/Long-Tail Hashtags e.g., #BudgetTravelTips, #VeganMealPrepIdeas: These are highly specific, often with lower post counts under 50k or even 10k. Use 10-15 of these. They attract highly targeted, engaged users who are often further along the buyer’s journey.
Branded Hashtags e.g., #YourBrandName, #YourCampaign: Essential for building community, tracking user-generated content, and strengthening brand identity. Include 1-2.

Researching Trending Hashtags Wisely

Leveraging trending hashtags can provide a temporary boost in visibility, but it requires careful consideration.

Relevance is Key: Only use trending hashtags if they are genuinely relevant to your content. Forcing an unrelated trend into your post can be perceived as spammy and harm your credibility.
Monitor News and Culture: Stay updated on current events, holidays, and cultural moments. Apps like Hashtagify or even just Instagram’s Explore page can show you what’s gaining traction.
Timeliness: Trending hashtags have a short shelf life. Post content related to a trend quickly to capitalize on its momentum.
Avoid Sensitive Trends: Be mindful of trending hashtags tied to sensitive or controversial topics. Unless your brand is directly involved in the discourse and has a clear stance, it’s often best to avoid them.

Hiding Hashtags for a Cleaner Look

Whether in the caption or first comment, there are visual tricks to make your hashtags less obtrusive. Best hashtags for growth

In the Caption Line Breaks: To create space between your caption and hashtags, use line breaks. Type your caption, then press ‘Return’ or ‘Enter’ five times, placing a single dot or emoji on each line. Then, paste your hashtags. This pushes them below the “more” fold, keeping your main caption clean.
```
Your amazing caption goes here.
.
#hashtagone #hashtagtwo #hashtagthree #etc
```
In the First Comment Immediate Post: Post your content, then immediately go to the comments section and paste your full block of hashtags. For this to be effective, you need to be quick. Tools that allow for scheduled first comments can automate this process, ensuring no delay.
Strategic Placement within Caption: Instead of a block at the end, sometimes integrating 1-2 highly relevant hashtags naturally within your caption’s text can work, blending them seamlessly with your message.

Understanding Instagram’s Algorithm and Hashtag Impact

The “best place for hashtags on Instagram” is intrinsically linked to how Instagram’s algorithm operates.

A deeper understanding of this complex system can help you optimize your hashtag strategy for maximum reach and engagement.

How the Algorithm Uses Hashtags

Instagram’s algorithm primarily aims to show users content they are most likely to engage with. Hashtags are a fundamental signal in this process.

Content Classification: When you use a hashtag, you’re essentially telling Instagram, “My content is about X topic.” The algorithm uses this to categorize your post and match it with users who have shown interest in X.
Discoverability in Feeds: Hashtags determine whether your post appears in specific hashtag feeds e.g., when someone follows #travelphotography and potentially on the Explore page for users interested in related themes.
Relevance Scoring: Instagram evaluates the relevance of your content to a hashtag. If users engaging with a specific hashtag also engage with your post, it signals to the algorithm that your content is relevant, potentially boosting its visibility.
Engagement Signals: Beyond hashtags, the algorithm heavily weighs engagement likes, comments, shares, saves, time spent on post. Hashtags are the gateway to attracting users, but the content itself must drive the engagement.

Hashtags and the Explore Page

The Explore page is a powerful discovery engine, and hashtags play a significant role in getting your content featured there.

Personalized Feeds: The Explore page is highly personalized. Instagram analyzes a user’s past interactions likes, saves, comments, accounts followed, hashtags followed to curate a feed of relevant content.
Hashtag Connection: If a user frequently interacts with posts containing certain hashtags, the algorithm is more likely to show them content using those same hashtags, even if they don’t follow your account directly.
Quality Content is King: While hashtags open the door to the Explore page, the content itself needs to be high quality, engaging, and perform well with a small test audience to be pushed to a broader audience on Explore. Posts with higher engagement rates are more likely to be featured.
Diverse Hashtag Strategy: Using a mix of broad, medium, and niche hashtags increases your chances of appearing on various users’ Explore pages, catering to different levels of interest in your content.

Impact of Engagement on Hashtag Performance

Ultimately, the performance of your hashtags is tied to the engagement your post receives. It’s a symbiotic relationship. Best hashtags for business on instagram

Initial Engagement Boost: When a post receives strong initial engagement likes, comments, shares, saves shortly after being published, it signals to Instagram that the content is valuable. This can lead to increased reach through hashtags.
“Sticky” Content: Posts that keep users on Instagram longer e.g., carousels, videos watched to completion, long captions read are favored. Hashtags bring users to the content, but the content itself must be “sticky” enough to encourage engagement.
Audience Response: If your chosen hashtags consistently lead to low engagement for your posts, it’s a sign that either the hashtags are not attracting the right audience, or your content isn’t resonating with them. This is where analytics and A/B testing become crucial.
Algorithm Feedback Loop: Positive engagement signals a successful match between your content, your chosen hashtags, and the audience. This feedback loop can lead to future posts with similar hashtag strategies being given more algorithmic favor.

Leveraging Analytics and Tools for Hashtag Success

To truly master the “best place for hashtags on Instagram” and ensure you’re using “what hashtags get most likes Instagram” users are engaging with, you need to lean on data and the right tools.

Utilizing Instagram Insights

Instagram’s native analytics tool is your first stop for understanding hashtag performance, especially for Business or Creator accounts.

Post-Level Performance: After a post has been live for a while give it at least 24-48 hours, go to the specific post and tap “View Insights.”
Discovery Section: Look for the “Discovery” section. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of how people found your content.
Impressions from Hashtags: Crucially, Instagram Insights will show you how many impressions your post received from hashtags. This metric directly indicates how effective your chosen hashtags were in bringing new eyes to your content.
Reach from Other Sources: Compare hashtag impressions to other sources like Home, Explore, and Profile. This helps you understand the relative contribution of hashtags to your overall reach. If your hashtag impressions are consistently low, it’s a clear signal to refine your hashtag strategy.

Third-Party Analytics and Hashtag Tools

While Instagram Insights provides a good overview, dedicated third-party tools offer deeper analysis and features that can significantly enhance your hashtag research and strategy.

Advanced Performance Tracking: Tools like Sprout Social, Later, or the 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool provide more granular data on which specific hashtags are driving the most impressions, reach, engagement, and even follower growth. They can also track the performance of your entire hashtag strategy over time.
Hashtag Research and Discovery: These tools often come with robust hashtag research features. You can input a keyword, and they’ll suggest related hashtags, categorize them by popularity, and even show you the optimal mix of broad, medium, and niche terms. Some can analyze your competitors’ hashtag performance.
Competitor Analysis: Many tools allow you to monitor the hashtag strategies of your competitors, identifying which hashtags are working for them and giving you ideas for your own content.
Audience Insights: Beyond hashtags, these tools often provide deeper insights into your audience demographics, peak activity times, and content preferences, which can indirectly inform your hashtag choices.

A/B Testing Your Hashtag Strategy

The best way to refine your strategy is through continuous experimentation and data-driven adjustments.

Best free hashtag generator instagram

Vary Hashtag Quantity: Test posts with 10-15 hashtags, then posts with 20-25, and then posts with the full 30 all relevant, of course. Monitor the hashtag impressions for each.
Experiment with Mixes: Try different ratios of broad, medium, and niche hashtags. For example, one week focus more on niche, the next on a balanced mix, and observe the results.
Test Placement: Consistently post hashtags in the caption for a period, then consistently in the first comment for another period. Compare the hashtag impressions from each period to see which performs better for your specific audience.
Analyze Content Types: Do certain types of content e.g., Reels vs. photos perform better with different hashtag strategies? Analyze this in your insights.
Track Trends: Keep an eye on trending hashtags in your niche and experiment with incorporating them when relevant. See if they provide a noticeable boost.
Document and Review: Keep a log of your experiments, the hashtags used, and the resulting performance data. Regularly review this log to identify patterns and refine your strategy. This systematic approach will ensure you’re always adapting to what works best for your content and audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best place to put hashtags on Instagram?

The best place to put hashtags on Instagram is either directly in your post caption or immediately in the first comment.

Both methods are effective, but placing them in the caption ensures immediate indexing, while the first comment keeps your caption clean.

Should I put hashtags in my caption or first comment?

You should put hashtags in your caption if you prioritize immediate indexing and don’t mind a slightly cluttered caption.

Opt for the first comment if you prefer a cleaner caption aesthetic, but ensure you post the comment immediately after your main post.

How many hashtags should I use on Instagram?

You should use between 11 and 30 hashtags on Instagram for optimal reach and discoverability. Best hashtags for more followers

Many studies show that using 11 or more relevant hashtags tends to yield the best results.

Do hashtags in the first comment work as well as in the caption?

Yes, hashtags in the first comment generally work just as well as those in the caption, provided they are posted immediately.

Instagram’s algorithm is sophisticated enough to index them rapidly.

What are the best types of hashtags to use?

The best types of hashtags to use are a mix of broad, medium, and niche-specific hashtags, along with 1-2 branded hashtags.

This strategy maximizes reach across different audience segments. Best hashtags for instagram reach

How do I find the best hashtags for my content?

You can find the best hashtags for your content by using Instagram’s search bar, exploring related hashtags, analyzing competitor strategies, and utilizing third-party hashtag research tools.

What hashtags get most likes on Instagram?

Hashtags that get the most likes on Instagram are those that are highly relevant to your content and attract a genuinely engaged audience.

Niche-specific hashtags often lead to higher engagement from qualified users.

Should I use trending hashtags?

You should use trending hashtags only if they are genuinely relevant to your content.

Using irrelevant trending hashtags can be perceived as spammy and may harm your post’s performance.

Can using too many hashtags get me shadowbanned?

Using too many irrelevant or banned hashtags, or repeatedly copying and pasting the exact same set, can potentially lead to reduced reach or even a shadowban. Focus on relevance and variety.

How can I hide hashtags in my caption?

You can hide hashtags in your caption by adding 5 dot-filled line breaks or emojis between your main caption text and the block of hashtags. This pushes the hashtags below the “more” fold.

Is it better to use popular or niche hashtags?

It is better to use a mix of both popular broad and niche hashtags.

Popular hashtags offer wide reach, while niche hashtags attract highly engaged and relevant audiences.

How often should I change my hashtags?

You should change your hashtags for every post, or at least rotate through several different sets of relevant hashtags.

Avoid using the exact same set repeatedly to prevent appearing spammy.

How can I track the performance of my hashtags?

You can track the performance of your hashtags using Instagram Insights for Business/Creator accounts to see “Impressions from Hashtags” or through more detailed third-party analytics tools.

Do hashtags work on Instagram Reels?

Yes, hashtags work on Instagram Reels just like they do on regular posts, helping to categorize your video and increase its discoverability within the Reels feed and on the Explore page.

Should I include a branded hashtag in every post?

Yes, you should include a branded hashtag in every relevant post.

This helps build brand recognition, encourages user-generated content, and allows you to track content related to your brand.

What is a banned hashtag and how do I avoid it?

A banned hashtag is a hashtag that Instagram has restricted due to misuse or association with inappropriate content.

You can avoid them by searching for the hashtag on Instagram and checking if a warning message appears.

Does the order of hashtags matter?

No, the order of hashtags in your caption or first comment generally does not matter for algorithmic purposes.

Focus on the relevance and mix of the hashtags themselves.

Can I use hashtags in Instagram Stories?

Yes, you can use hashtags in Instagram Stories by adding a hashtag sticker or typing them directly into the text.

This can increase the discoverability of your story by users following those hashtags.

What is the “explore page” and how do hashtags help get on it?

The Explore page is a personalized feed of content Instagram thinks a user will like, based on their past activity.

Hashtags help by signaling to the algorithm what your content is about, making it easier to match it with interested users’ Explore feeds.

Do hashtags increase followers?

Yes, using relevant and effective hashtags can increase followers by making your content discoverable to new audiences who are interested in the topics you cover.

When they find your content through hashtags and find it valuable, they are likely to follow you.

Best place for hashtags on instagram