How Many Hashtags Should I Use on Instagram?

Instagram is a powerhouse when it comes to social media marketing, content creation, and personal branding. Whether you’re an influencer, a business owner, or just someone who enjoys sharing moments, you’ve probably asked yourself: How many hashtags should I use on Instagram? It’s a question that stirs debates among marketers, social media strategists, and everyday users alike. Some say, “Use all 30!” while others swear by the magic of just a few well-placed tags. So, what’s the ideal number? Let’s dive deep into this hashtag science and uncover the best approach to maximize engagement, reach, and growth on Instagram.

Understanding Instagram Hashtags: Why They Matter

Before we discuss the numbers, it’s important to understand why hashtags are so powerful on Instagram. Hashtags serve as search tools, categorization labels, and engagement boosters. Here’s why they matter:

• Discoverability – Hashtags help your content reach a broader audience by making it appear in search results and hashtag feeds.
• Engagement Boost – Posts with relevant hashtags tend to receive more likes, comments, and shares.
• Algorithm Influence – Instagram’s algorithm takes hashtags into account when determining content visibility on the Explore page.
• Niche Targeting – Using the right hashtags connects you with a specific community that shares your interests or business niche.

The Big Question: How Many Hashtags Should You Use?

Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but does that mean you should use all 30? Let’s break it down:

1. Instagram’s Official Stance

Instagram hasn’t explicitly stated the exact ideal number of hashtags, but they have hinted that using too many may look spammy and decrease engagement. They recommend keeping hashtags “highly relevant” rather than maxing out the limit.

2. Studies & Insights from Social Media Experts

Recent studies from social media analytics platforms, including Later and Hootsuite, suggest different optimal numbers:

• Later’s 2023 Study: Posts with 20-30 hashtags tend to get the best engagement.
• Hootsuite’s Research: Posts with 5-10 hashtags tend to perform better, as they look more natural and less spammy.
• Instagram Creators’ Guide: Encourages users to use 3-5 highly relevant hashtags to maintain content quality.

3. Different Approaches Based on Account Type

For Small & Growing Accounts (Under 10K Followers)

• Use 20-30 hashtags to maximize discoverability.
• Include a mix of broad, niche, and branded hashtags.

For Mid-Sized Accounts (10K – 100K Followers)

• Aim for 10-20 hashtags.
• Focus on engagement-based hashtags and avoid overly popular ones where competition is high.

For Large & Influencer Accounts (100K+ Followers)

• Stick to 3-10 high-impact hashtags.
• Rely on branded hashtags, trending tags, and community-based hashtags.

Types of Hashtags to Use for Maximum Engagement

Not all hashtags are created equal. Here’s how to categorize them:

1. Broad Hashtags (High Competition)

• Examples: #love, #instagood, #fashion, #photooftheday
• Good for exposure, but hard to rank due to high competition.

2. Niche Hashtags (Targeted Reach)

• Examples: #DigitalMarketingTips, #VeganFoodie, #FitnessJourney
• Helps connect with a specific audience.

3. Brand-Specific Hashtags

• Examples: #NikeRunning, #StarbucksLovers
• Great for brand awareness and user-generated content.

4. Community Hashtags

• Examples: #WomenWhoHustle, #BookLoversUnite
• Helps you engage with like-minded Instagram communities.

5. Location-Based Hashtags

• Examples: #NYCFoodie, #LAStreetArt
• Ideal for local businesses or events.

6. Event & Trend Hashtags

• Examples: #SuperBowl2024, #MetGalaFashion
• Helps you join trending conversations.

The Best Strategy: Quality Over Quantity

Instead of worrying about how many hashtags to use, focus on their relevance and quality. Here’s a practical approach:

1. Test & Analyze – Experiment with different numbers of hashtags and track engagement metrics.
2. Mix It Up – Use a combination of different types of hashtags for better reach.
3. Avoid Banned Hashtags – Some hashtags are flagged by Instagram and using them can hurt your post’s visibility.
4. Change Hashtags Regularly – Using the same ones repeatedly can make your posts look repetitive to Instagram’s algorithm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using only high-competition hashtags – Your post will get buried in seconds.
• Using irrelevant hashtags – This can make your content look spammy.
• Copying and pasting the same hashtags on every post – Instagram might mark your account as spam.
• Not researching banned hashtags – Some seemingly innocent hashtags are banned without obvious reasons.

FAQs

1. Should I use all 30 hashtags on every Instagram post?
It depends. While using 30 hashtags can increase reach, it’s better to prioritize relevance and quality over quantity.

2. Can too many hashtags reduce my engagement?
Yes, if they appear spammy or are irrelevant to your content, they can reduce engagement.

3. Where should I put my hashtags – caption or comments?
Both work, but putting them in the comments keeps your captions looking clean.

4. How do I know if a hashtag is banned?
Check by searching for the hashtag on Instagram. If it doesn’t show recent posts, it might be banned.

5. Do hashtags work for Instagram Stories?
Yes! Adding relevant hashtags to stories can increase their visibility.

6. Can I use the same hashtags in every post?
It’s best to rotate your hashtags to avoid being marked as spam.

7. Do hashtags help in getting more followers?
Yes! Hashtags increase your content’s visibility, which can lead to more followers over time.

8. How do I find the best hashtags for my posts?
Use tools like Hashtagify, AllHashtag, or Instagram’s search feature to find trending hashtags.