Instagram Hashtag Strategy
I hardly came across any post on Instagram or Twitter without hashtags. Did you find any?
Probably NO! Social media marketing can do wonders. All you need is the right strategy. Using relevant hashtags is an important part of Instagram marketing strategy.
Originally called the pound sign has become an effective tool of promotion for marketers. Finding and using hashtags is simple, but using the relevant hashtag is the task.
In this blog, we have covered the best Instagram hashtag strategy that could yield extraordinary results. Also, if you are not aware of the superpowers of a hashtag, we have covered the benefits of using hashtags in Instagram marketing.
Why hashtags are important?
Hashtags have become an integral part of social media marketing. This has become a trend. Whenever we like the content of a particular category, we simply look for hashtags and follow them.
You can also create a hashtag to promote your brand.
We have brought a list of benefits of using Instagram. You will also get an answer to why a sound Instagram hashtag strategy is necessary.
- Hashtags allows you to come across your competitors. For example, you are a make-up artist and you are looking for your competition on Instagram. You will simply type #makeupartist or other relevant keyword to look for your competition.
Also, you have to remain updated with the trend. An XYZ hashtag that is popular today may lose its popularity next week.
- The most important reason behind using the relevant hashtag is improving the visibility of your brand. All you need to do is aggressively promote your brand. This can help you in gaining new followers.
- I have started a promotion campaign on Instagram. I talked to my friend about it. The first thing she uttered was: Use the right hashtag to promote your brand and make yours as well.
People have become aware of how this small sign can add value to their promotion campaigns. You find the right audience using the right hashtag.
Also, blind use of hashtag is a bad idea. That’s why you need to have an Instagram hashtag strategy to perform better than the best.
Use these tips to build a top-notch Instagram hashtag strategy.
Manage the amount and placement of hashtags
One of the most confusing questions every marketer come across is: How many hashtags I should use in a post?
Ideally, you should use 1-3 hashtags in an Instagram post. But if you enter more hashtags as the first comment, the maximum number of hashtags you can use is 30.
It nowhere means that you have to use 30 hashtags for every post. Along with the amount, you should mind the relevancy of the hashtag you are using in the post.
Another important factor is the placement of your hashtags.
Use hashtags in the first comment. Do not suffuse your caption with hashtags. Use 1-3 hashtags, place them in the first comment and that is it.
How to find the most relevant hashtags for your industry?
The next question is: how can I find the most relevant hashtag for my industry?
Before we begin with the steps, the first thing you should keep in mind while choosing the relevant hashtags for your industry, have an in-depth knowledge of your industry.
This is going to help you in selecting the right hashtags for your business.
Using these steps can take you to the answer to this question.
Step 1- The first step is to check your competitors or other influencers. Stalk their account (not to kill time) to know what kind of hashtags they are using. Are they getting fruitful results out of this strategy or not?
Do not limit yourself to one or two accounts. Run the most effective search campaign and observe the strategy of the most popular influencer.
Step 2- Now you found your top competitors. Rank their position and start using the strategy you find the best.
If not, you can brainstorm and look for hashtags you feel are right for your business.
Step 3- Try to find the more targeted hashtags. Do not just stick to general hashtags. You can always build your hashtag and promote it.
Following these steps are more than important if you want to develop an extraordinary Instagram hashtag strategy.
While choosing the most relevant hashtags for your business, make sure you are choosing something that is liked by your audience.
Yes, this would require thorough research. But it is worth every second you are using in the research. This is going to shape your Instagram hashtag strategy effectively.
Find and search the most relevant trending hashtag
Instagram is all about trends. Not just Instagram, Social media is all about trends. Every morning we open Instagram, something new is ruling the feed.
Now that’s the thing you should keep in mind while choosing the hashtags. As we already said, one thing is trending today and is having no existence tomorrow.
This is why you need to be very particular while choosing hashtags for your Instagram marketing strategy.
Also, remain updated with the trend and do not forget to researching and using the right hashtags accordingly.
You can run your trends as well!
This is one of the key points to be considered while making an Instagram Hashtag strategy for your business.
Put the relevant hashtags over the story and IGTV Posts
Your personal account stories or videos must be including hashtags for fun. But when you are running a social media marketing campaign or building an Instagram hashtag strategy, you have to be conscious while choosing and adding hashtags to each of your stories.
Be it an image or a reel, a short video or an IGTV video, a story or a carousel, make sure you have added the most relevant hashtag to it.
This is because your customers or target audience can catch you from anything. They may catch you from organic search or trending reels. That is why you should add relevant hashtags to your Instagram post.
Keep an eye on your analytics
Imagine studying and not bothering for results! Seems ridiculous. The same is the case with the Instagram hashtag strategy. If you want to remain updated with your performance, you should keep an eye on insights.
Check the insights of the post in which you didn’t add the hashtag and the post in which you did. You should also observe the performance of each set of hashtags by keeping a vigilant eye on the insights.
Your future Instagram hashtag strategy can be based on previous performance.
Hold on! I remember I said- stay updated with trends. That is valid but checking the previous pattern is also important.
It is all about hit and trial. You may face difficulty in the beginning but once you become used to it, this is going to be the easiest thing for you.
Try implementing a hybrid hashtag strategy
You must have come across this term for the first time. Using a hybrid hashtag strategy means using small and lesser-used hashtags to promote your post or account.
This may or may not work. You don’t have to jump straight away on this strategy. Check your insights first, if things are going well you don’t have to resort to this Instagram hashtag strategy.
But if you love experimenting with new things you can give it a try.
If it runs well, then you can continue using it. If it didn’t perform well, you can drop this strategy.
Keep making the most probably used strategies to find the best
As we already said, it is all about hit and trial. You can either use existing hashtag strategies or make a new one. You can follow other influencers or come up with something new.
The main purpose of building an Instagram hashtag strategy is that it should promote your brand, improve your visibility and help you in gaining new followers. It should attract your target audience.
Keep making a new Instagram hashtag strategy after analysing your insights. Your goal should be the growth of your business and make sure you are putting the right step in the right direction to attain your goal.
Final Words
If you have just established your brand and you are building your social media marketing strategy, add this to your list. You have gone through the benefits of adding relevant hashtags to your post.
It works and the best part is free of cost. You don’t have to spend a single penny and you are going to reach the right audience. All you need is a top-notch strategy and uncompromised implementation.
Tell us why you are going to use hashtags for your business in the comment section.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly are Instagram hashtags?
A hashtag is a string of letters, numbers, and/or emoji preceded by the symbol (for example, #NoFilter). They are used to categorize content and make it easier to find.
- Why should you use Instagram hashtags?
Hashtags are a crucial tool for growing your Instagram followers and increasing your reach. When you use a hashtag, your post will display on the hashtag’s page. If you include a hashtag in your Story, it may be included in the related hashtag Story, which is also displayed on the hashtag page.
- On Instagram, how many hashtags should you use?
A standard post can have up to 30 hashtags while a Story can have up to 10 hashtags. If you try to include further information, your remark or caption will not be posted.
- What is the best way to hide captions on Instagram Stories?
You may also hide hashtags on Instagram Stories. One way is to just reduce the size of your hashtags by pinching and shrinking them until they are very small. You may also alter the background of the hashtag sticker from white to semi-transparent by tapping it.
- How can I find trendy Instagram hashtags?
Instagram, unlike Twitter, does not provide a list of hot hashtags. If you search for a hashtag on Instagram, you’ll see how many posts contain that hashtag. You’ll also get a list of additional popular Instagram hashtags with similar terms, as well as post counts.
