When you’re in dire need of Instagram followers for your new design portfolio, there’s nothing you wouldn’t try. But of all the strategies one can use to attract new followers, only a few are as effective as hashtagging. Hashtagging works like a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it pierces the deepest corners of the platform seeking out posts that are relevant to what Instagrammers are searching for. And on the other hand, it exposes account owners to audiences that would otherwise not have heard about them.
How does hashtagging really work?
Once you create a word or phrase and you attach the “#” symbol to it, it becomes a hashtag. Now, when someone searches for anything relating to this word or phrase, they get taken to its discover feed, wherein all the public posts that are relevant to it are displayed, yours inclusive.
Since hashtags are used with an intent to discover content, the right hashtags can put you in front of your target audience, even if they don’t follow your account.
Where can you place your hashtags?
In order to be discoverable to people that haven’t connected with your account before, you can place hashtags strategically in the captions of your posts or use them as the first comment on posts. Alternatively, you can add clickable hashtags to the profile section of your Instagram bio.
Oh, and lest I forget, you can add them in your stories too!
Thanks to the advent of the Instagram Stories feature, brands can now add working hashtag stickers on their stories. These hashtag stickers work just like normal hashtags. They expose you to people searching for words relevant to them.
Benefits of hashtags
- Hashtags expose your post to newer audiences
- They give your post greater reach into the Instagram feeds of people that don’t even know about you.
- They bring more engagements to your post. Do you want more likes, comments, or views on your post? If so, you can trust hashtagging to bring quite a good number of them. However, there is a limit to the number of engagements hashtagging can bring you. But if you have a special need for stats like IG likes – maybe for business marketing purposes – you may want to buy likes on Instagram.
- They help Instagram algorithms categorize your posts.
- Attract more followers
- Strengthen brand image
The most popular hashtags in different niches
In order to get the best results from your hashtagging efforts, you need to be using those hashtags that are relevant to what people in your niche are searching for.
Read also: How to Use Instagram To Grow Your Web Design Business
Below, you’ll find the top hashtags sorted by categories like industry or event that you can use to start the process of fleshing out your hashtag strategy.
Best general Instagram hashtags
- #photooftheday
- #instagood
- #nofilter
- #tbt
- #igers
- #picoftheday
- #love
- #nature
- #swag
- #lifeisgood
- #caseofthemondays
- #instapic
- #instadaily
- #selfie
- #instamood
- #bestoftheday
Best hashtags for inviting likes and follows
- #followme
- #likeforlike
- #like4like
- #follow4follow
- #followforfollow
- #f4f
Note: No promises made on the quality of the followers or likes you’ll receive, as these and other related hashtags are typically based on new Instagram users trading likes and follows.
Best fashion hashtags
- #styleinspo
- #ootd
- #outfitoftheday
- #whatiwore
- #shoppingaddict
- #beautydoesnthavetobepain
- #currentlywearing
- #instastyle
- #lookgoodfeelgood
Best food and beverage hashtags
- #instafood
- #omnomnom
- #foodporn
- #food
- #foodie
- #organic
- #healthyeats
- #goodeats
- #vegetarian
- #vegan
- #glutenfree
- #hungry
- #homemade
- #madefromscratch
Best travel hashtags
- #travel
- #staycation
- #vacation
- #sunsout
- #resortwear
- #tourist
- #travelbug
- #solotravel
- #honeymoon
- #traveltuesday
- #wanderlust
- #wanderlustwednesday
- #travelgram
- #sun
Best pet care hashtags
- #puppylove
- #mansbestfriend
- #womansbestfriend
- #catsofinstagram
- #dogsofinstagram
- #dogstagram
- #doglife
- #catlife
- #instapet
Best tech and gadgets hashtags
- #techie
- #latesttech
- #ilovemygadgets
- #gadgetsgalore
- #apple
- #android
- #applevsandroid
- #wearabletech
- #VR
- #mobile
- #makinglifeeasier
- #innovation
Best wedding hashtags
- #ido
- #tyingtheknot
- #shesaidyes
- #heasked
- #fallwedding
- #rusticwedding
- #summerwedding
- #weddingfavors
- #centerpieces
- #sayyestothedress
- #bohowedding
- #weddinghair
- #weddingstyle
- #loveislove
Best athletic and workout gear hashtags
- #lookgoodfeelgood
- #feeltheburn
- #nopainnogain
- #workingonabetterme
- #cardio
- #fitfam
- #yogafordays
- #fitlife
- #trainhard
- #noexcuses
Best holiday hashtags
- #stockingstuffers
- #christmasdecor
- #spookyhalloween
- #happyhalloween
- #thanksgivingtable
- #turkeyorham
- #valentineformyvalentine
- #happyfourth
- #newyearseve
- #newyearsresolution
- #holidaycrazy
- #holidayspirit
- #kwanza
- #hanukkahgift
- #underthetree
Best hashtags for Instagram contests
- #instacontest
- #instagiveaway
- #giveaway
- #sweepstakes
- #contestalert
- #contestentry
- #winit
- #freebie
- #winitwednesday
Conclusion
Although all the hashtags listed above have the potential to expose your brand to larger audiences, they’re not the only ones that are there. Check out what your competitors and other businesses relevant to your brand are using and get your hashtagging game started today.
Author: Richie KS
Love playing video games when alone, day and night thinking about how to out run the ever changing mood of Google algorithm. Self proclaimed SEO expert but sleep all day dreaming…zZzZ. :)