To optimize your Instagram reach and engagement, the best number of hashtags to use on Instagram is typically between 5 and 11, though you can use up to 30. While Instagram allows a maximum of 30 hashtags per post and 10 for Stories, recent data suggests that a more curated, strategic approach yields better results. For instance, many top-performing accounts find their sweet spot around 7-9 highly relevant hashtags. Think quality over quantity. The key isn’t just about how many hashtags on Instagram should I use, but rather identifying the most common number of hashtags to use on Instagram that align with your content and audience. What is the most common number of hashtags to use on Instagram, you ask? It varies, but general consensus for strong performance leans towards a moderate range. If you’re looking to truly scale your reach and streamline your social media efforts, a powerful tool like 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool can be a must for hashtag research and scheduling. It helps you discover what is the most common number of hashtags to use on Instagram Milady and beyond, ensuring you’re always hitting the mark.

Table of Contents

The Optimal Range: Debunking the 30-Hashtag Myth

Why Less Can Be More: Algorithm Signals and User Experience

The Instagram algorithm prioritizes relevance and engagement. When you use a flood of unrelated or weakly related hashtags, the algorithm might interpret your content as less focused, or worse, as an attempt to game the system. Conversely, using a smaller, highly relevant set of hashtags sends a clear signal about your content’s topic, making it easier for the algorithm to show it to the right audience.

Algorithm’s Goal: Instagram wants users to have a positive experience, seeing content they genuinely care about.
User Experience: A post with 30 hashtags can look cluttered and less professional. A clean caption with a few well-chosen hashtags is visually appealing and easier to read.
Engagement Signals: If your content is genuinely relevant to the hashtags you use, people who discover it through those hashtags are more likely to engage, which further signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable.

Data-Driven Insights: What the Experts Say

While specific numbers vary by industry and audience, several studies and social media experts have converged on a general consensus. A study by TrackMaven though slightly older, still provides valuable context found that 9-11 hashtags resulted in the most engagement. More recent analyses from various social media management platforms like Sprout Social and Hootsuite suggest that for many businesses, a range of 5-11 highly relevant hashtags is often the sweet spot. For instance, many successful brands report higher engagement rates when they strategically choose a smaller, curated set of hashtags rather than maxing out at 30. It’s about finding the “best amount of hashtags to use on Instagram” for your specific niche.

Strategic Hashtag Selection: Beyond Just Numbers

Understanding the number of hashtags to use on Instagram is only half the battle. The true power lies in selecting the right hashtags. This involves a blend of research, understanding your audience, and analyzing your competitors. It’s not about how many hashtags can you use on Instagram, but how effectively you use them.

Niche-Specific vs. Broad Hashtags: Finding Your Balance

A common mistake is to only use extremely broad hashtags like #travel or #food. While these have massive reach, your content can easily get lost in the noise. A more effective strategy is to combine different types of hashtags:

Niche-Specific Hashtags: These are highly targeted and speak directly to your specific audience. They might have lower search volume but attract a more engaged and relevant audience. For example, instead of just #coffee, use #specialtycoffee or #thirdwavecoffee.
Medium-Volume Hashtags: These strike a balance, having decent search volume without being overly saturated. They help bridge the gap between niche and broad.
Broad Hashtags: Use a few of these, but only if they are genuinely relevant. They can provide initial visibility, but don’t rely solely on them.

Example Breakdown:
If you’re a baker specializing in artisanal sourdough, instead of just #baking, consider:

Niche: #artisansourdough #sourdoughbaker #naturallyleavened
Medium: #homemadebread #breadmaking
Broad if relevant: #foodie #bakinglove

Branded Hashtags and Community Hashtags: Building Loyalty

Beyond generic discovery, hashtags are powerful tools for community building.

Branded Hashtags: Create a unique hashtag for your business or campaign. This encourages user-generated content and helps track conversations about your brand. For example, Nike uses #justdoit.
Community Hashtags: Identify hashtags that your target audience or niche community frequently uses. Joining these conversations can significantly boost your visibility among a relevant audience. For example, if you’re a calligrapher, look for hashtags like #calligraphycommunity or #moderncalligraphy.

According to Instagram’s own insights, posts with at least one branded hashtag see an average engagement rate increase of 14%. This highlights the importance of fostering a community around your content, moving beyond just follower counts to build genuine connections.

Trending Hashtags: When to Jump In and When to Hold Back

Trending hashtags can offer a surge in visibility, but they require careful consideration.

Relevance is Key: Only use a trending hashtag if it genuinely relates to your content. Forcing a trend into your post can look disingenuous and alienate your audience.
Timeliness: Trends fade quickly. Jump on them while they’re hot, but be prepared to pivot when they’re no longer relevant.
Research: Before using a trending hashtag, tap on it to see the content associated with it. Ensure it aligns with your brand’s values and image. For instance, avoid trends associated with controversial topics or those that promote any form of immoral behavior or content. Your presence on social media should always reflect positive, ethical values.

Placement Matters: Where to Put Your Hashtags

The number of hashtags to use on Instagram is important, but where you place them also plays a role in user experience and perceived professionalism.

In the Caption vs. First Comment: The Ongoing Debate

This is a long-standing debate among Instagram users. Both methods have their proponents: Optimum instagram image size

In the Caption: Placing hashtags directly in your caption makes them immediately visible. Some argue this is better for discoverability, as the algorithm might process them faster. However, a long block of hashtags can make your caption look cluttered and less appealing. If you choose this method, consider placing them after a few line breaks to separate them from your main caption text.
In the First Comment: Many users prefer to post their hashtags in the first comment immediately after publishing their post. This keeps the caption clean and focused on the content, improving readability. From an algorithmic perspective, Instagram typically processes comments very quickly, so there’s generally no significant discoverability penalty. This is a popular choice for those asking, “how many hashtags on Instagram should I use?” while maintaining a clean aesthetic.

Ultimately, the choice between caption and first comment often comes down to personal preference and brand aesthetic. Experiment with both to see what resonates best with your audience and fits your overall content strategy. Data from social media platforms suggests that discoverability isn’t significantly impacted by placement, as long as the hashtags are used shortly after posting.

Hashtags in Stories: Maximizing Reach and Engagement

Instagram Stories offer another powerful avenue for hashtag utilization, albeit with different rules. You can use up to 10 hashtags in a Story.

Hashtag Sticker: The most common and visible way to add a hashtag to your Story is by using the dedicated hashtag sticker. You can tap on it to change the text.
Hidden Hashtags: You can also type out hashtags and then pinch them to make them very small or drag them off-screen. This allows you to include more hashtags without cluttering your visual. However, ensure they are still visible enough for Instagram to register them.
Location Hashtags: Don’t forget to use location-based hashtags in your Stories, especially if your content is geographically relevant. This can significantly boost local discoverability.

Stories that utilize relevant hashtags often see a 10-15% increase in views compared to those without, making them a crucial element of your overall Instagram strategy.

Advanced Hashtag Strategies: Beyond the Basics

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of number of hashtags to use on Instagram and selection, it’s time to delve into more advanced techniques to truly maximize your reach.

Hashtag Stacking: A Powerful, Targeted Approach

Hashtag stacking involves creating different sets of hashtags based on specific content themes or goals.

Instead of using the same 5-11 hashtags for every post, you curate relevant sets.

Content-Specific Stacks: If you post about different topics e.g., travel, food, fitness, create unique hashtag lists for each.
Audience-Specific Stacks: Tailor hashtags to specific audience segments you’re trying to reach.
Goal-Specific Stacks: Use different sets depending on whether your goal is brand awareness, engagement, or sales.

Example:

Stack for Food Photography: #foodphotography #foodstyling #instafood #foodblogger #deliciousfood #foodgram
Stack for Recipe Tutorials: #easyrecipes #homecooking #recipeideas #healthyrecipes #quickmeals #cookingtips

This approach ensures that every hashtag you use is highly relevant to the specific content, thus improving your chances of ranking and reaching a genuinely interested audience.

Competitor Hashtag Analysis: Learning from the Best

Your competitors are a goldmine of hashtag inspiration.

Analyze their successful posts to see which hashtags they are using effectively. New hashtags on instagram

Identify Top Performers: Use Instagram’s “Explore” tab or third-party tools to see what content is performing well within your niche.
Note Hashtag Usage: Pay attention to the types of hashtags they use niche, broad, branded and the number of hashtags to use on Instagram that seems to work for them.
Don’t Copy Blindly: Use their insights as a starting point, but always verify relevance for your content. It’s about drawing inspiration, not simply duplicating.

Tools like the aforementioned 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool can automate this process, allowing you to quickly identify high-performing hashtags used by others in your industry, giving you an edge in determining the best amount of hashtags to use on Instagram for your niche.

Performance Tracking: What Gets Measured Gets Managed

The only way to truly know what works for your account is to track your hashtag performance.

Instagram Insights: If you have a Creator or Business account, use Instagram Insights to see how many impressions your posts receive from hashtags. This is invaluable data.
Third-Party Analytics Tools: More advanced tools offer deeper insights, including which specific hashtags are driving the most reach and engagement.
A/B Testing: Experiment with different numbers and combinations of hashtags. For example, try a post with 5 hashtags, then a similar post with 10, and compare the results. This iterative process helps you fine-tune your strategy for the best number of hashtags to use on Instagram specific to your content and audience.

Regularly reviewing your hashtag performance allows you to adapt to algorithm changes and audience preferences, ensuring your strategy remains effective over time.

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid: The Pitfalls

While hashtags are powerful, misusing them can hinder your growth. Knowing the number of hashtags to use on Instagram is just the start. avoiding these common pitfalls is equally crucial.

Irrelevant or Spammy Hashtags: The Engagement Killer

One of the biggest mistakes is using hashtags that have no genuine connection to your content.

Why it’s bad: Instagram’s algorithm is designed to deliver relevant content. If you use irrelevant hashtags, your post might be shown to users who aren’t interested, leading to low engagement likes, comments, saves. This signals to the algorithm that your content isn’t valuable, hurting your future reach.
Example: Posting a picture of a homemade meal with #luxurycars or #fashionista. This clearly has no relevance and will only attract the wrong audience, if any.
Solution: Always ask yourself: “Would someone searching for this hashtag genuinely want to see my post?” If the answer is no, don’t use it.

Over-Saturating with Too Many Hashtags: The Clutter Problem

While Instagram allows 30 hashtags, using all of them consistently can backfire.

Why it’s bad:
- Looks Spammy: A wall of hashtags can appear unprofessional and desperate, turning off potential followers.
- Algorithm Dislikes: Some theories suggest the algorithm may penalize accounts that consistently max out on hashtags if they appear to be low-quality or irrelevant. It’s about finding the “best amount of hashtags to use on Instagram” that feels natural.
- Reduced Readability: If placed in the caption, too many hashtags make the caption difficult to read and less engaging.
Solution: Focus on quality over quantity. Aim for that optimal range of 5-11 highly relevant hashtags. If you occasionally go up to 15-20 for a very specific, relevant content piece, that’s fine, but avoid making it a habit.

Using Banned or Broken Hashtags: The Visibility Blocker

Instagram occasionally bans or restricts certain hashtags due to misuse e.g., associated with spam, hate speech, or inappropriate content.

Why it’s bad: Using a banned hashtag can severely limit your post’s visibility, essentially rendering your other hashtags useless. In some cases, it could even lead to your account being shadow-banned or flagged.
How to check: Before using a hashtag, tap on it. If it says “Recent posts from # hashtag are currently hidden because the community has reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s content guidelines,” then it’s banned.
Solution: Regularly audit your go-to hashtag lists. Use tools to verify hashtag health or simply check manually before posting. Stick to reputable, relevant hashtags that promote positive and ethical content.

The Role of Hashtags in the Broader Instagram Strategy

Understanding the number of hashtags to use on Instagram is crucial, but it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Hashtags don’t operate in a vacuum. they interact with all other elements of your Instagram strategy.

Content Quality: The Foundation of Success

No amount of perfectly chosen hashtags can compensate for poor-quality content. Most reaching hashtags for instagram

Engaging Visuals: High-resolution photos and videos that capture attention are paramount. Instagram is a visual platform first and foremost.
Compelling Captions: Your caption tells a story, provides value, and encourages engagement. It should complement your visual and include a clear call to action where appropriate.
Value Proposition: What problem are you solving? What value are you providing? Your content should educate, entertain, inspire, or solve a problem for your audience.

According to Instagram, high-quality content is the primary driver of reach and engagement, with hashtags acting as an accelerator.

Engagement Beyond Hashtags: Building Community

While hashtags help new people find you, it’s your active engagement that keeps them coming back and converts them into loyal followers.

Respond to Comments & DMs: Acknowledge and respond to every comment and direct message. This shows you value your audience.
Engage with Other Accounts: Don’t just post and leave. Actively engage with other accounts in your niche, especially those of your target audience. Like, comment meaningfully, and share relevant content.
Interactive Features: Use Instagram’s interactive Story stickers polls, questions, quizzes to encourage direct engagement.
Live Sessions & Reels: These formats are prioritized by the algorithm and offer unique opportunities for real-time interaction. For example, a live session discussing ethical financial practices can be very engaging and beneficial.

Accounts that actively engage with their community see a 25% higher average engagement rate than those that only focus on posting. This reinforces the idea that Instagram is a social platform, not just a broadcasting tool.

Consistency: The Long Game

Consistency in posting, content quality, and engagement is critical for sustained growth.

Regular Posting Schedule: While there’s no magic number, regularly posting high-quality content keeps your audience engaged and signals to the algorithm that you’re an active contributor.
Brand Voice & Aesthetics: Maintain a consistent brand voice, visual style, and thematic focus. This builds brand recognition and loyalty.

Businesses that maintain a consistent posting schedule e.g., 3-5 times per week often experience up to a 20% faster follower growth rate compared to sporadic posters. This highlights the importance of strategic planning, something a tool like 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool can greatly assist with by streamlining your scheduling and content management.

Hashtags and Niche Content: A Deeper Dive

For specialized niches, the number of hashtags to use on Instagram can be particularly nuanced. If your content serves a specific community, your hashtag strategy should reflect that precision. This is where understanding “what is the most common number of hashtags to use on Instagram Milady” or other niche-specific queries becomes highly relevant.

Micro-Niches and Hyper-Targeted Hashtags

If your content appeals to a very specific, smaller audience, your hashtag strategy should lean heavily on hyper-targeted hashtags.

Reduced Competition: Micro-niche hashtags typically have lower search volumes but also significantly less competition. This increases the chances of your content being discovered by the right people.
Higher Engagement Potential: Users searching for these highly specific terms are often looking for exactly what you’re offering, leading to higher engagement rates and better conversion.
Example: For a blog focused on ethical, handmade ceramics, hashtags like #sustainableceramics #artisanpottery #earthenwarelove #handmadehome would be far more effective than just #ceramics.

Studies have shown that using hashtags with fewer than 100,000 posts can yield up to a 50% higher reach-to-follower ratio for niche content, as you’re reaching a more concentrated, interested audience.

The Milady Example: Understanding Community-Specific Usage

The query “what is the most common number of hashtags to use on Instagram Milady” points to a specific community or trend, likely originating from a particular online subculture. Most popular hashtags now

When dealing with such specific inquiries, the rules might slightly shift.

Community-Driven Hashtags: For such communities, there might be specific, often idiosyncratic, hashtags that members frequently use. Identifying these is crucial.
Internal Consistency: Within these communities, there might be an unwritten rule or preference for a certain number of hashtags to use on Instagram. This could be fewer to maintain a minimalist aesthetic or more to maximize internal discoverability.
Researching Subcultures: To effectively engage with such niches,s into their communication patterns, key figures, and common hashtags are essential. This often involves observing how popular accounts within that specific subculture use hashtags.

For example, if the “Milady” community primarily uses 3-5 highly specific, community-recognized hashtags, then sticking to that pattern, even if it’s outside the general 5-11 recommendation, would be the most effective strategy for reaching that specific audience. This requires qualitative research beyond just numerical analysis.

Hashtags for Educational or Informative Content

If your Instagram content is primarily educational or informative e.g., tutorials, explanations, thought leadership, your hashtag strategy should focus on discoverability for learning.

Keyword-Rich Hashtags: Use hashtags that people would search for when looking for information on your topic.
“How-To” Hashtags: Incorporate variations like #howtoguide, #tipsandtricks, #learnyourtopic.
Industry-Specific Terms: If you’re educating on ethical finance, use #halalfinance #islamicbanking #wealthmanagementtips within an ethical framework.

Educational content often benefits from a slightly higher number of relevant hashtags closer to the 10-15 range as users are actively searching for specific information, and a broader net of relevant terms can help them find you.

The key is that every hashtag must add value and describe your content accurately.

Future-Proofing Your Hashtag Strategy: Staying Ahead

Embracing Instagram’s New Features

Instagram frequently rolls out new features, and many of these can impact hashtag visibility or offer new opportunities for discovery.

Reels: Hashtags play a significant role in Reels discoverability. Since Reels are designed for viral reach, using relevant and trending hashtags can push your content to a much wider audience beyond your followers.
Guides: While Guides themselves don’t use hashtags in the traditional sense, the posts within a Guide can leverage hashtags for their individual discoverability.
Shop/Product Tags: While not hashtags directly, these features help users discover products, and your product descriptions and the posts linking to them should still utilize relevant hashtags.

Staying updated with Instagram’s official announcements and experimenting with new features quickly can give you a significant advantage.

The algorithm often favors accounts that adopt and utilize new features, providing them with a temporary boost in reach.

The Evolving Algorithm: Focus on Value and Relevance

At its core, Instagram’s algorithm aims to serve users the most relevant and engaging content.

This fundamental principle should guide all your hashtag decisions. More likes instagram hashtags

Prioritize Engagement: The more likes, comments, saves, and shares your post receives, the more Instagram will amplify its reach. Hashtags are a tool to get your content in front of the right people who are most likely to engage.
Niche Authority: As you consistently post high-quality content with relevant hashtags, Instagram begins to recognize your account as an authority in your niche. This can lead to your content being favored in searches and on the Explore page.
Authenticity Over Tricks: Avoid any “hacks” or black-hat tactics for hashtags, as these are often short-lived and can harm your account in the long run. Focus on organic, value-driven growth.

The trend in social media algorithms is moving towards greater sophistication, meaning generic tactics like simply maxing out hashtags will continue to lose efficacy. Instead, a thoughtful, quality-driven approach to hashtag usage will be the key to sustained success. This means the best number of hashtags to use on Instagram will always be the quantity that allows for maximum relevance and targeted reach.

AI and Future Hashtag Trends

As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into social media platforms, its role in content understanding and distribution will only grow.

Semantic Understanding: AI will likely become even better at understanding the meaning of your content, not just the keywords. This means the quality and relevance of your hashtags will become even more critical than their sheer number.
Personalized Feeds: AI drives personalized content recommendations. Highly relevant hashtags help the AI correctly categorize your content for individual users’ interests.
Predictive Analytics: Tools powered by AI, like 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool, will continue to improve, offering even more precise recommendations for the best number of hashtags to use on Instagram and specific hashtags to use based on real-time data and predicted trends.

Embracing these technological advancements and leveraging AI-powered tools will be crucial for any serious Instagram marketer looking to maintain an edge in the years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal number of hashtags to use on Instagram?

The ideal number of hashtags to use on Instagram is generally between 5 and 11, focusing on relevance and quality over quantity.

How many hashtags can you use on an Instagram post?

You can use a maximum of 30 hashtags on an Instagram post.

How many hashtags can you use on an Instagram Story?

You can use up to 10 hashtags on an Instagram Story.

Does using 30 hashtags on Instagram work?

While you can use 30 hashtags, it’s generally not recommended as it can appear spammy and may not be as effective for reach as a more curated selection of highly relevant hashtags.

Should I put hashtags in the caption or the first comment?

Both methods are viable.

Placing hashtags in the first comment keeps your caption clean, while putting them in the caption means they’re immediately visible. More likes hashtags for instagram

Discoverability isn’t significantly impacted by either method as long as they are posted quickly.

What happens if you use too many irrelevant hashtags?

Using too many irrelevant hashtags can signal to Instagram’s algorithm that your content is spammy or low-quality, potentially harming your reach and engagement, as it’s shown to uninterested users.

How do I find the best hashtags for my content?

To find the best hashtags, research your niche, analyze competitors, use Instagram’s search suggestions, and utilize third-party tools that provide data on hashtag performance and relevance.

Are popular hashtags always the best to use?

Not always.

While popular hashtags have high search volume, they also have high competition.

A mix of broad, medium, and niche-specific hashtags is often more effective for reaching your target audience.

Can hashtags help my posts go viral?

Yes, relevant and well-chosen hashtags can significantly increase the discoverability of your posts, which can contribute to them going viral if the content itself is highly engaging.

Should I use branded hashtags?

Yes, using branded hashtags is highly recommended.

They help build community around your brand, encourage user-generated content, and make it easier for people to find content related to your business.

How often should I change my hashtags?

You don’t need to change them for every single post, but it’s good practice to rotate and refresh your hashtag sets regularly e.g., weekly or monthly and based on content themes to reach different segments of your audience and adapt to trends. Most hashtags

Does the order of hashtags matter?

There’s no definitive proof that the order of hashtags impacts performance.

Focus on relevance and readability if placing them in the caption.

Can I hide hashtags on Instagram Stories?

Yes, you can make hashtags very small or drag them off-screen in Instagram Stories to hide them while still allowing Instagram to register them for discoverability.

Is it better to use a few very specific hashtags or many broad ones?

It’s generally better to use a few very specific, highly relevant hashtags supplemented with a few medium-volume ones.

While broad hashtags offer reach, specific ones attract a more engaged and interested audience.

How do I track the performance of my hashtags?

If you have a Creator or Business account, use Instagram Insights to see impressions from hashtags.

You can also use third-party analytics tools for deeper insights into which hashtags drive the most reach and engagement.

Can hashtags get my account shadow-banned?

Using consistently irrelevant, spammy, or banned hashtags can potentially lead to your account being flagged or shadow-banned, which severely limits your visibility.

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

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

To avoid them, always check a hashtag before using it by tapping on it. if it says content is hidden, it’s banned. Links to put on your instagram bio

Do hashtags work differently for Reels than for regular posts?

For Reels, hashtags are particularly crucial for discoverability as Reels are designed for wider, viral reach.

Relevant and trending hashtags can significantly boost your Reel’s visibility on the Reels tab and Explore page.

Should I use the same hashtags on all my posts?

No, it’s not recommended.

While you might have a core set, vary your hashtags based on the specific content of each post to ensure maximum relevance and to reach different segments of your audience.

How can a tool like Tailwind help with hashtags?

A tool like 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool or other similar platforms can assist with hashtag research, suggesting relevant and high-performing hashtags, and often provides analytics to help you optimize your hashtag strategy for the best number of hashtags to use on Instagram for your specific goals.

Number of hashtags to use on instagram