Did you know that using the right hashtags can increase your Instagram engagement by up to 12.6%? – by TrackMaven
Trending hashtags are essential for anyone looking to grow their Instagram presence. They help users discover content related to current trends, making it easier for posts to gain visibility. When used effectively, trending hashtags can increase engagement, attract more followers, and even improve brand awareness.
How Hashtags Boost Visibility, Reach, and Engagement
Hashtags categorize content, making it searchable for users interested in specific topics. When a hashtag gains popularity, Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes posts using that tag, showing them on the Explore page and in hashtag search results. This leads to:
- Higher Visibility: Posts appear in hashtag feeds, making them accessible to a larger audience.
- Greater Reach: Hashtags help content go beyond existing followers and reach new users interested in similar topics.
- More Engagement: When people find content through hashtags, they are more likely to like, comment, and share, boosting overall interaction.
Types of Hashtags
Branded Hashtags – Custom hashtags created by companies or influencers to promote a campaign, product, or brand (e.g., #NikeRunClub).
Industry-Specific Hashtags – Tags that relate to a particular field or niche, helping brands connect with their target audience (e.g., #FoodPhotography for food bloggers).
Seasonal or Event Hashtags – Hashtags related to holidays, festivals, or events that gain traction during specific periods (e.g., #BlackFridayDeals, #WorldCup2024).
Community Hashtags – Created by users to engage with a specific group or interest (e.g., #InstaTravel for travel enthusiasts).
Trending Challenge Hashtags – Viral challenges that prompt user participation (e.g., #IceBucketChallenge).
How to Find Trending Hashtags and Boost Your Social Media Reach
Hashtags are a powerful way to increase your visibility on social media. But how do you find trending hashtags that will get your content noticed? Here’s a simple guide to help you discover them quickly.
1. Check Social Media Trending Sections
Most platforms have built-in features to show trending topics:
✅ Instagram Explore Page – Displays popular posts and hashtags based on your interests.
✅ Twitter/X Trends – The “Trending” section lists the most discussed hashtags.
✅ TikTok Discover Page – Highlights trending sounds and hashtags that are gaining traction.
Fact: Twitter reports that trending topics can change every 15-20 minutes, so it’s important to check frequently.
2. Use Hashtag Research Tools
You need to find trending and high-performing hashtags that match your content, several tools can help to find trending hashtags such as Hashtagify, RiteTag, All Hashtag
Stat: Posts with 1-2 hashtags get more engagement than those with too many, according to a study by Social Media Lab.
3. See What Influencers & Competitors Are Using
Influencers and top brands often set trends. Look at their posts to find hashtags with high engagement.
🔎 Search for influencers in your niche.
📌 Note hashtags they use consistently.
📊 Check if those hashtags match your content and audience.
4. Follow Hashtag-Specific Accounts & Communities
Some social media accounts focus on sharing daily or weekly trending hashtags. Examples:
✅ @InstagramCreators – Shares hashtag insights and tips.
✅ @TikTokTrends – Updates users on viral hashtags and challenges.
5. Use Google Trends for Insights
Google Trends shows popular search terms that can be converted into hashtags.
📈 Type in your topic to see its search volume.
📍 Identify related keywords and create hashtags from them.
Example: If “Healthy Recipes” is trending, hashtags like #HealthyEating or #MealPrepIdeas may also be popular.
6. Monitor Industry-Specific Trends
Different industries have unique trending hashtags.
💼 LinkedIn – Check trending hashtags in your professional field.
🎮 Reddit – Explore niche communities for trending topics.
📰 News & Blogs – Follow industry blogs to find popular discussions.
Fact: Studies show that branded hashtags can increase engagement by 50% compared to generic ones.
7. Participate in Viral Challenges & Events
Trending challenges often include viral hashtags.
🔥 TikTok Challenges – Many trends start on TikTok and spread to Instagram Reels.
🌎 Global Events & Awareness Days – Hashtags like #WorldMentalHealthDay or #EarthDay gain traction around their respective dates.
Final Tip: Track Hashtag Performance
Once you start using trending hashtags, track how they perform using:
📊 Instagram Insights – See how hashtags impact reach.
📈 Twitter Analytics – Check engagement on hashtagged tweets.
By consistently using relevant and trending hashtags, you can expand your reach, grow your audience, and increase engagement on your posts.
General Trending Hashtags with Most Searches
Using popular hashtags on Instagram can significantly enhance your content’s visibility and engagement. Here are some of the most widely used hashtags on the platform:
1. #love – 2.1 billion posts, One of the most popular hashtags on Instagram
2. #instagood – 1.8 billion posts
3. #fashion – 1.1 billion posts
4. #photooftheday – 1 billion posts
5. #photography – 1 billion posts
6. #art – 1 billion posts
7. #beautiful – 848 million posts
8. #nature – 826 million posts
9. #travel – 752 million posts
10. #picoftheday – 734 million posts
11. #happy – Over 500 million posts
12. #cute – Over 600 million posts
13. #follow – More than 500 million posts
14. #tbt (Throwback Thursday) – Over 400 million posts
15. #instadaily – Around 400 million posts
16. #style – Over 600 million posts
17. #repost – Over 400 million posts
18. #summer – More than 300 million posts
19. #instalike – Over 200 million posts
20. #selfie – Over 400 million posts
21. #food – Over 600 million posts
22. #friends – More than 300 million posts
23. #fitness – Around 500 million posts
24. #girl – Over 400 million posts
25. #fun – Around 200 million posts
26. #beauty – Over 500 million posts
27. #instamood – More than 200 million posts
28. #family – Around 400 million posts
29. #photo – Over 500 million posts
30. #life – Over 500 million posts
31. #music – Around 500 million posts
Incorporating these hashtags into your posts can help reach a broader audience. However, it’s essential to ensure that the hashtags are relevant to your content to attract genuine engagement. Overusing popular hashtags without context can lead to your posts being overlooked or even marked as spam.
Niche-Specific Hashtags For Instagram
Hashtags For Art & Creativity
#Art #AbstractArt #AcrylicPainting #Artist #Artwork #DigitalArt #OilPainting #Painting #WatercolorArt #CreativeMind #ModernArt #Handmade #Sketching #Illustration #StreetArt #ArtLover #ArtOfTheDay #Creative #Artistic #InstaArt #ArtisticExpression #CreativeLife #ArtCollectors #Drawing #Sketch #ArtCommunity #DigitalArt #MixedMedia #ArtisticSoul #WatercolorArt #PortraitArt #Sculpture #FineArt #ArtGallery #PhotographyArt #ArtStudio
Hashtags For Photography
#Photography #BirdPhotography #BWPhotography #FilmPhotography #FlowerPhotography #LandscapePhotography #MacroPhotography #NaturePhotography #PortraitPhotography #StreetPhotography #WildlifePhotography #PhotographyLover #MinimalPhotography #PhotoGraphyDaily #ShutterBug #VisualStorytelling #PhotoOfTheDay #InstaPhoto #Photographer #PhotoArt #Photogram #CaptureTheMoment #BlackAndWhitePhotography #TravelPhotography #PhotographyLife #PhotographyAddict #InstaPhotographer #Lightroom #PhotoShoot #LensCulture #WeddingPhotography #FoodPhotograph #FashionPhotography NightPhotography #FineArtPhotography #EventPhotography
Hashtags For Fashion & Beauty
#BeautyTrends #BridalMakeup #FashionPhotography #Fashionista #StyleInspo #MenStyle #NailArt #SkincareRoutine #MakeupLover #GlamLook #OOTDStyle #LuxuryFashion #Trendsetter #HairGoals #SelfCareRoutine #Fashion #Style #OOTD #InstaFashion #FashionStyle #Beauty #Makeup #BeautyTips #FashionBlog #FashionAddict #BeautyLovers #Skincare #FashionLook #BeautyProducts #StreetStyle #BeautyCommunity #FashionPhotography #BeautyInfluencer #FashionTrends #FashionDesigner #BeautyRoutine #Fashiongram #BeautyInspo #MakeupArtist #BeautyJunkie #FashionLife #LuxuryFashion #BeautyObsessed #FashionDaily #MakeupAddict
Hashtags For Fitness & Wellness
#BodybuildingMotivation #CrossFitLife #FitLife #GymAddict #HealthJourney #WellnessCoach #WorkoutDaily #YogaLife #PilatesLove #StrengthTraining #HIITWorkout #HealthyHabits #MindBodySoul #WeightLossTransformation #MeditationTime #Fitness #FitnessMotivation #Workout #HealthyLifestyle #Wellness #FitnessJourney #GymLife #HealthAndWellness #FitFam #Exercise #HealthyLiving #SelfCare #FitnessAddict #Strength #WellnessJourney #GetFit #BodyGoals #Fitspiration #Yoga #MentalHealth #Nutrition #FitnessGoals #Mindfulness #HealthyMind #FitGirl #GymMotivation #HolisticHealth #Wellbeing #WeightLossJourney #ActiveLifestyle #InstaFitness #HealthyEating
Hashtags For Food & Beverage
#BreakfastGoals #CoffeeTime #FoodHeaven #HomeCooking #FoodLover #DessertLover #VeganEats #WineTasting #RecipeShare #BakingLove #SweetTooth #HealthyEating #GourmetFood #CookingAtHome #SnackTime #Food #Foodie #InstaFood #FoodLovers #FoodPorn #Foodstagram #FoodPhotography #Delicious #Yummy #FoodieLife #FoodBlog #Tasty #HealthyFood #FoodBlogger #Cooking #EatClean #Foodgasm #Foodpic #FoodiesOfInstagram #Instagood #FoodPornography #FoodAddict #FoodieFeature #Eats #Beverages #Drinkstagram #Chef #ComfortFood #DrinkUp #HealthyEating #Recipe #Beverage
Hashtags For Travel & Lifestyle
#BeachVibes #FamilyTravel #HikingAdventure #SoloExplorer #BucketListTrips #NomadicLife #VacationTime #WanderlustWednesday #CultureTravel #HiddenGems #RoadTripLife #SunsetViews #Travel #TravelGram #Wanderlust #TravelPhotography #ExploreTheWorld #Adventure #TravelGoals #InstaTravel #TravelAddict #TravelBug #VacationMode #Globetrotter #TravelDiaries #Wanderer #TravelLife #Lifestyle #TravelTheWorld #RoamThePlanet #TravelInspiration #LifeStyleBlogger #Traveling #ExploreMore #TravelPhotography #NomadLife #LivingTheDream #LifestyleInspo #Jetsetter #AdventureAwaits #UrbanExploration #LuxuryTravel #LifestyleGoals
Hashtags For B2B
#B2B #BusinessToBusiness #B2BMarketing #B2BSales #LeadGeneration #Networking #B2BStrategy #B2BLeads #B2BBranding #BusinessNetworking #DigitalMarketing #ContentMarketing #B2BSocialMedia #B2BLeadGen #MarketingStrategy #GrowthMarketing #B2BContent #B2BSuccess #InboundMarketing #SalesAndMarketing #EmailMarketing #B2BConnections #Entrepreneurship #B2BCommerce #BusinessGrowth #B2BInfluencer #B2BStartups #DemandGeneration #MarketingAutomation #B2BExperts
Hashtags For B2C
#B2C #BusinessToConsumer #B2CMarketing #DirectToConsumer #Ecommerce #RetailBusiness #CustomerExperience #SocialMediaMarketing #BrandLoyalty #MarketingStrategy #OnlineShopping #DTC #ShopOnline #CustomerEngagement #DigitalMarketing #ConsumerTrends #B2CSales #ContentMarketing #BrandAwareness #InfluencerMarketing #B2CCommerce #SocialCommerce #CustomerSatisfaction #B2CStrategy #EcommerceMarketing #RetailMarketing #MarketingTips #CustomerFirst #ShoppingAddict #ConsumerGoods #BrandGrowth
Hashtags For Business & Marketing
#BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #MarketingHacks #SmallBizOwner #SocialMediaMarketing #BrandStrategy #EcommerceTips #StartupSuccess #BusinessNetworking #FreelancerLife #OnlineMarketing #SideHustle #ContentCreator #DigitalMarketing #BusinessWomen #Business #Entrepreneur #Marketing #BusinessGrowth #Startup #MarketingStrategy #SmallBusiness #BusinessTips #EntrepreneurLife #ContentMarketing #BusinessOwner #SocialMediaMarketing #Branding #MarketingCampaign #B2B #BusinessDevelopment #MarketingExpert #Ecommerce #SEO #BusinessSuccess #MarketingTools #BusinessIdeas #GrowthHacking #LeadGeneration #MarketingTips #OnlineBusiness #InfluencerMarketing #BusinessStrategy #DigitalMarketingTips #EmailMarketing #BusinessOpportunities
Hashtags For Technology & Design
#Technology #Tech #Innovation #Gadgets #AI #TechNews #FutureTech #TechTrends #SmartTech #TechLife #Coding #ArtificialIntelligence #CyberSecurity #TechWorld #MachineLearning #WebDesign #GraphicDesign #UIUX #DesignInspiration #DigitalDesign #CreativeDesign #UXDesign #WebDevelopment #SoftwareDevelopment #TechLover #MobileTech #Blockchain #DataScience #TechCommunity #Programming #IT #VirtualReality #AppDesign #DesignInspiration #LogoDesign #Typography #Illustration #BrandIdentity #GraphicDesigner #DesignLife #Photoshop #AdobeIllustrator #VisualDesign #ArtDirection #MotionGraphics #VectorArt #UIUX #DesignLovers #PosterDesign #MarketingDesign #GraphicDesignCommunity #PrintDesign #DesignTrends #GraphicDesignDaily #Illustrator #MinimalDesign #GraphicArt #Creativity #UIUX #UserExperience #WebDesigner #WebsiteDesign #ResponsiveDesign #WebDesignTrends #WordPress #Website #MobileDesign #DesignInspiration #EcommerceDesign #CSS #FrontendDevelopment #UXUI #HTML #LandingPage #ModernDesign #MinimalistDesign #UIInspiration #WebDesignCommunity #Dribbble #Figma #VisualDesign #WebDev #Coding #JavaScript #Frontend #Backend #FullStackDeveloper #ReactJS #NodeJS #WebApp #SoftwareDevelopment #HTML #CSS #PHP #WebProgrammer #Programming #DeveloperLife #Python #SoftwareEngineer #WebDevelopmentCommunity #SEO #Ecommerce #UX #APIs #WebDesignAndDevelopment #MobileDevelopment #DevLife #ResponsiveWebDesign #CodeNewbie #CloudComputing
Hashtags For Events & Celebrations
#Event #EventPlanner #EventDecor #Celebration #PartyTime #EventStyling #SpecialOccasion #EventDesign #EventPhotography #LuxuryEvents #EventManagement #EventInspiration #EventPlanning #PartyPlanner #EventDecorations #FestiveVibes #MemorableMoments #LiveEvents #Gala #CorporateEvents #VIPEvent #PartyIdeas #EventProfs #EventTrends #RedCarpet #SocialEvents #EventMarketing #PrivateEvent #EventOrganizer #EventProduction #FestivalVibes
Hashtags For Birthday
#HappyBirthday #BirthdayCelebration #BirthdayParty #BirthdayVibes #BirthdayFun #PartyTime #BirthdayCake #BirthdayBash #BirthdayWish #ItsMyBirthday #BirthdayLove #Bday #BdayGirl #BdayBoy #BirthdayDecor #BirthdayHappiness #BirthdayGifts #SurpriseParty #BirthdaySelfie #CakeLover #PartyDecor #Balloons #BirthdayInspo #BirthdayQueen #BirthdayKing #MilestoneBirthday #BdayWeekend #BirthdayOutfit #TurningYears #BirthdayCheers
Hashtags For Christmas
#Christmas #MerryChristmas #ChristmasTime #ChristmasVibes #HolidaySeason #ChristmasTree #ChristmasDecor #Xmas #FestiveSeason #ChristmasMagic #WinterWonderland #ChristmasCountdown #HappyHolidays #ChristmasLights #ChristmasEve #ChristmasGifts #SantaClaus #JingleBells #HolidayCheer #ChristmasSpirit #TisTheSeason #XmasDecor #ChristmasCookies #ChristmasParty #DeckTheHalls #CozyChristmas #ChristmasJoy #SnowyChristmas #ChristmasTradition #FestiveFun
Hashtags For Wedding
#Wedding #Bride #Groom #WeddingDay #WeddingVibes #HappilyEverAfter #JustMarried #DreamWedding #WeddingDecor #WeddingPhotography #BrideToBe #WeddingPlanner #WeddingVenue #IDo #WeddingIdeas #LuxuryWedding #WeddingCake #WeddingSeason #BridalParty #SayYes #WeddingDress #Marriage #Engaged #LoveStory #WeddingRings #FairyTaleWedding #RomanticWedding #WeddingGoals #ForeverAndAlways #BridalBeauty #WeddingCeremony
Hashtags For New Year
#NewYear #HappyNewYear #NewYearEve #NewYearNewMe #NewYearsParty #CelebrateNewYear #CheersToTheNewYear #NYE #GoodbyeYear #HelloNewYear #NewYearResolution #FreshStart #NewYearGoals #NewYearVibes #PartyTime #CountdownToMidnight #NewYearFireworks #NewYearCelebration #MidnightKiss #NewBeginnings #NewYearNewGoals #NewYearMotivation #FestiveSeason #2025Ready #HolidayVibes #PositiveVibesOnly #JoyfulNewYear #Confetti #ChampagneToasts #NewYearMagic
Hashtags For Thanksgiving
#Thanksgiving #HappyThanksgiving #Gratitude #Thankful #ThanksgivingDinner #Friendsgiving #TurkeyDay #GivingThanks #FallVibes #FamilyGathering #PumpkinPie #Blessed #HarvestSeason #ThanksgivingTable #FeastMode #TurkeyTime #GratefulHeart #AutumnFeast #FestiveVibes #CozyFall #FoodComa #StuffedTurkey #HolidayFeast #ThanksgivingDessert #HomemadeGoodness #HolidayGathering #ThanksgivingTradition #FallHarvest #Cornucopia #PumpkinSpice
Animal Hashtags:
#Animals #Wildlife #AnimalLovers #CuteAnimals #AnimalPhotography #NatureLovers #WildlifePhotography #AnimalKingdom #LoveAnimals #ExoticPets #PetFriendly #SaveTheAnimals #AnimalRescue #ZooLife #PetsOfInstagram #AnimalPlanet #FurryFriends #ProtectWildlife #AnimalPortraits #NaturePhotography #JungleLife #AdoptDontShop #WildAndFree #RareSpecies #AnimalLove #PetLife #FurryLove #AnimalWelfare #Conservation #LoveNature
Car Hashtags:
#Car #CarLovers #CarLife #Supercars #LuxuryCars #CarPhotography #DreamCar #CarCulture #ModifiedCars #CarSpotting #CarShow #FastCars #AutoDetailing #ClassicCars #MuscleCar #CarAddict #JDM #CarEnthusiast #DriftLife #CarPassion #RacingLife #ExoticCars #StreetCars #SportsCar #AutoLove #RideInStyle #TurboLife #Cargram #PerformanceCars #CarGoals
Gardening Hashtags:
#Gardening #GardenLife #GreenThumb #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #GardenLover #GrowYourOwn #Gardener #HomeGarden #OrganicGardening #FlowerGarden #VegetableGarden #IndoorPlants #NatureLover #GardenDesign #SustainableLiving #UrbanGardening #BackyardGarden #Botanical #PlantLover #GardenFresh #PlantParent #GrowYourFood #EcoFriendly #GardeningTips #FloralLove #GardenDecor #OrganicFarming #GardeningLife #SpringBlooms #PerennialPlants
Home Decor Hashtags:
#HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #HomeInspiration #InteriorStyling #DecorLover #HomeStyle #CozyHome #DreamHome #ModernDecor #MinimalistHome #ScandinavianDesign #LivingRoomGoals #HomeVibes #HomeAesthetic #LuxuryInteriors #BohoHome #DIYDecor #ApartmentDecor #RusticStyle #HomeOrganization #HouseGoals #InteriorLovers #FurnitureDesign #StylishLiving #DecorInspo #CozyVibes #ElegantInteriors #DecorTrends #HandmadeDecor #HomeSweetHome
Motivational Hashtags:
#Motivation #Inspiration #Success #Mindset #SelfGrowth #DailyMotivation #YouCanDoIt #PositiveVibes #BelieveInYourself #HardWorkPaysOff #KeepGoing #GoalDigger #StayFocused #DreamBig #Ambition #Hustle #Determination #NeverGiveUp #PersonalDevelopment #PowerOfPositivity #GrowthMindset #PushYourLimits #MotivationMonday #StrengthWithin #ManifestYourDreams #WinningMindset #BeYourBest #WorkForIt #SelfImprovement #DriveForSuccess
Parenting Hashtags:
#Parenting #MomLife #DadLife #Parenthood #FamilyFirst #RaisingKids #ParentingGoals #MomAndDad #HappyFamily #NewParents #ParentTips #KidsLife #ParentingHacks #LifeWithKids #MommyAndMe #Fatherhood #MomsOfInstagram #ParentingLife #GentleParenting #ParentSupport #ToddlerLife #LittleBlessings #ParentingWin #FamilyLove #ParentingHumor #MomAndBaby #DadsOfInstagram #ParentLife #MomHacks #ProudParent
Instagram Hashtags for Pet Lovers:
#PetLovers #FurryFriends #PetsOfInstagram #PetPhotography #AdoptDontShop #PetLove #AnimalLover #HappyPets #PetFriendly #CutePets #PetLife #DogsOfInstagram #CatsOfInstagram #PetOwner #RescuePets #FluffyCompanion #FurryBaby #PetAdventures #LoveMyPet #AnimalKingdom #PetWellness #HappyTails #DogMom #CatLover #PuppyLove #PetCommunity #FourLeggedFriend #BestFurFriend #AnimalHappiness #TailWagging
Instagram Hashtags for Likes and Follows:
#LikeForLike #FollowForFollow #InstaGood #TrendingNow #ExplorePage #EngagementBoost #LikesForLikes #FollowMe #SocialMediaGrowth #IGDaily #LikeAndShare #DoubleTap #CommentForComment #InstaLike #TagYourFriends #InstaGrowth #SocialMediaMarketing #IGFamous #BoostYourPost #InstaFollow #FollowBack #Follow4Follow #SupportMe #GetMoreFollowers #EngagementGoals #GrowYourPage #ViralPost #InstaTrend #ShoutoutForShoutout #FollowToFollow
Instagram Hashtags for Giveaways:
#Giveaway #Freebie #WinIt #ContestAlert #GiveawayTime #Sweepstakes #GiftForYou #LuckyWinner #EnterToWin #Freebies #GiveawayAlert #PrizeDraw #WinThis #TagToWin #InstagramContest #GiftAway #GiveawayContest #WinWinWin #ContestTime #GiveawayDay #LuckyDraw #WinnerTakesAll #FollowToWin #WinSomething #FreeStuff #EnterNow #FreebiesForYou #GiftForFree #WinBig #GiveawayPost
Hashtags for Instagram Reels
#Reels #ReelsInstagram #ReelsDaily #ViralReels #ExploreReels #ReelsTrending #ReelItFeelIt #ShortVideos #TrendingNow #IGReels #ContentCreator #ReelsOfInstagram #FunnyReels #ViralContent #ReelsForDays #EntertainingReels #ExploreMore #ReelLove #CreativeReels #InstaReels #ReelsInspiration #ReelsForyou #ReelsChallenge #WatchMe #ReelLife #MakeItReel #ReelsPage #ReelsEngagement #ReelsViral #ReelsVideo
How to Use Hashtags For Instagram Effectively
Hashtags play a crucial role in improving visibility and engagement on social media. Whether you’re promoting a business, growing your personal brand, or simply sharing content, using hashtags correctly can help you reach the right audience.
1. Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags should be directly related to your content. If you’re posting about fitness, use hashtags like #FitnessMotivation or #WorkoutTips rather than generic tags like #Love or #Happy that don’t add context.
2. Research Trending and Popular Hashtags
Using trending hashtags can increase the chances of your post appearing in search results. However, make sure they are relevant to your post.
3. Mix Popular and Niche Hashtags
While popular hashtags like #Marketing or #Photography have high search volumes, they are also highly competitive. Combining them with niche-specific hashtags like #LocalBusinessMarketing or #PortraitPhotographyTips helps target a more engaged audience.
📌 Tip: A mix of high, medium, and low-competition hashtags increases your chances of ranking in hashtag search results.
4. Keep the Number of Hashtags Balanced
Different platforms have different best practices for hashtag usage.
📌 Fact: Instagram posts with 9 hashtags get 2.5x more engagement than posts with fewer hashtags (Later study).
5. Avoid Banned or Overused Hashtags
Some hashtags are banned or flagged by platforms due to spam or inappropriate content. Using them can reduce your post’s reach. Always check Instagram’s search bar to see if a hashtag is active.
6. Create a Branded Hashtag
Branded hashtags help build a community around your brand. Examples include #JustDoIt (Nike) and #ShareACoke (Coca-Cola). Encourage your audience to use your unique hashtag when sharing content related to your business.
7. Monitor Hashtag Performance
Track which hashtags bring the most engagement using social media analytics tools like Instagram Insights, Twitter Analytics, or Hootsuite. If a hashtag isn’t working, experiment with new ones.
Tools for Finding Trending Hashtags
Hashtags help increase social media visibility, but using the right ones is key. To stay relevant, you need to find trending and high-performing hashtags that match your content. Thankfully, several tools can help with this.
Here are some of the best tools to find trending hashtags:
Instagram Explore Page (Free)
The Instagram Explore Page is an excellent tool for discovering popular hashtags on Instagram. To use it,
- Go to the Explore tab (magnifying glass icon).
- Search for a keyword related to your niche (e.g., “fitness,” “travel”).
- Instagram will suggest top-performing posts and related hashtags.
📌 Tip: Use Instagram’s search bar to check hashtag popularity. Type “#” followed by a word, and Instagram will suggest trending hashtags.
Hashtagify (Free & Paid)
Hashtagify is a powerful tool for analyzing hashtags on Twitter and Instagram. By entering a hashtag, you can view its popularity trends, discover related hashtags, and identify top influencers using it. The tool also tracks real-time hashtag performance, allowing you to use only the most effective ones.
📌 Fact: According to Hashtagify, highly relevant hashtags increase post engagement by up to 50%.
RiteTag (Paid)
RiteTag provides real-time hashtag suggestions based on popularity. Users can upload their posts, and the tool will generate color-coded hashtags to indicate effectiveness. Green hashtags signify high engagement and trending status, blue hashtags are good but provide slower reach, red hashtags are overused and highly competitive, while gray hashtags are ineffective.
📌 Tip: Use green and blue hashtags for better discoverability!
Trendsmap (Free & Paid)
Trendsmap is ideal for tracking real-time trending hashtags by location, primarily on Twitter. The tool provides live hashtag trends based on geographical regions and areas of interest, making it highly useful for event-based marketing, such as conferences or sports events.
📌 Example: If you’re promoting an event in New York, you can find what’s trending in that city and add relevant hashtags.
Keyword Tool (Free & Paid)
Keyword Tool is a great resource for generating hashtag ideas for platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. By entering a topic, such as “fitness,” the tool generates hundreds of related hashtags along with search volume data. This allows users to choose high-impact hashtags for better engagement.
📌 Fact: Posts with niche-specific hashtags get 3x more engagement than generic hashtags (Social Media Examiner).
TikTok Creative Center (Free)
The TikTok Creative Center is a dedicated tool for finding trending hashtags on TikTok. By navigating to the Trending Hashtags section, users can view daily, weekly, and monthly trending hashtags along with their popularity scores.
📌 Tip: Use a mix of trending and evergreen hashtags for better reach on TikTok!
Social Media Analytics (Free & Paid)
Social media platforms provide in-depth analytics for measuring hashtag performance. Instagram Insights displays the reach of hashtags in posts, Twitter Analytics tracks hashtag engagement, and LinkedIn Analytics suggests hashtags based on engagement trends.
📌 Tip: Regularly check your analytics to see which hashtags bring the most engagement!
All-Hashtag (Free)
All-Hashtag is a multi-platform tool designed for generating and analyzing hashtags. Users can generate top, random, or live trending hashtags based on specific keywords. Additionally, the tool provides hashtag analytics to help determine the best-performing ones. It works across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
📌 Tip: Use All-Hashtag’s “Top Hashtags” generator for a list of the most effective hashtags in your niche.
Later (Free & Paid)
Later is a social media scheduling tool that helps optimize hashtags for better reach. It suggests best-performing hashtags based on past engagement, allows users to save hashtag lists for future use, and provides analytics on which hashtags drive the most traffic.
📌 Fact: Later’s studies show that posts with optimized hashtags can increase reach by up to 30%.
Finding the right hashtags is essential for boosting engagement and reach on social media. Using tools like Instagram Explore, Hashtagify, and TikTok Creative Center, you can stay ahead of trends and ensure your content reaches the right audience.
Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid
Hashtags can help boost your social media reach and engagement, but using them incorrectly can hurt your visibility instead of helping it. Many users make common hashtag mistakes that limit their post-performance.
Here are some of the biggest hashtag mistakes to avoid:
Using Too Many Hashtags
While platforms like Instagram allow up to 30 hashtags per post, adding too many can look spammy and reduce engagement.
📌 Fact: Instagram posts with around 9 hashtags get 2.5x more engagement than those with too few or too many (Later study).
Using Irrelevant Hashtags
Hashtags should be related to your post content. If you post about fitness but use #FoodLover, your post will reach the wrong audience, reducing engagement.
📌 Tip: Use a mix of broad and niche hashtags relevant to your topic. Example:
✅ #FitnessTips #WorkoutRoutine #HealthyLiving
❌ #Love #Happy #TBT (too broad and unrelated)
Ignoring Hashtag Research
Using random hashtags without research can limit your post’s reach. Some hashtags are too competitive, while others may be banned or ineffective.
📌 Fact: Research-based hashtags improve engagement by 30% compared to randomly chosen ones (Social Media Examiner).
Using Only Popular Hashtags
Highly popular hashtags like #Love or #InstaGood have millions of posts, making it hard for your content to stand out.
Solution:
Mix high-volume, medium-volume, and niche hashtags for better reach.
📌 Example for a fitness post:
✅ High-volume: #FitnessMotivation (1M+ posts)
✅ Medium-volume: #WorkoutPlan (500K+ posts)
✅ Niche: #HomeWorkoutTips (50K+ posts)
📌 Fact: Posts with a combination of high and low-competition hashtags have a 50% higher chance of appearing in search results (Hootsuite).
Not Creating a Branded Hashtag
If you’re building a brand, using only generic hashtags won’t help you stand out. A branded hashtag encourages your audience to engage with your content.
📌 Examples of branded hashtags:
- Nike → #JustDoIt
- Coca-Cola → #ShareACoke
- Lululemon → #TheSweatLife
📌 Tip: Create a unique hashtag for your business and encourage your followers to use it in their posts.
Not Checking for Banned Hashtags
Some hashtags are banned or restricted by platforms due to spam or inappropriate content. Using them can cause your post to be hidden from search results.
🔹 How to check for banned hashtags:
- Type the hashtag in Instagram’s search bar. If it doesn’t show recent posts, it may be banned.
- Use tools like All-Hashtag to check if a hashtag is active.
📌 Example: #BeautyBlogger and #Adulting were temporarily banned on Instagram due to spam.
Not Placing Hashtags Correctly
Placing hashtags randomly in your caption can make your post look messy. Instead:
- Add them at the end of your caption or
- Place them in the first comment (Instagram best practice)
📌 Fact: Posts with well-placed hashtags (in the first comment) often get higher engagement than those with hashtags in the caption (Later study).
Using the Same Hashtags in Every Post
Repeating the same hashtags in every post can signal spam to social media algorithms, reducing your reach.
🔹 Solution: Rotate different hashtag sets based on post topics.
📌 Tip: Create different hashtag lists for different types of posts and alternate between them.
Ignoring Hashtag Analytics
If you’re not tracking hashtag performance, you won’t know which ones work best.
📌 Fact: Brands that analyze their hashtag performance see a 40% improvement in engagement (Hootsuite study).
Hashtags can boost your reach, but only when used strategically. Avoid common mistakes like using too many or irrelevant hashtags, relying only on popular ones, or ignoring analytics. By researching, rotating, and placing hashtags correctly, you can maximize your social media success!
Why Are Hashtags For Instagram So Important?
Hashtags are a powerful tool to boost visibility, engagement, and growth on Instagram. Whether you’re an influencer, business, or casual user, using them effectively can expand your reach.
Here’s why hashtags are so important on Instagram:
Increase Discoverability
Hashtags help your content reach users who don’t follow you but are interested in similar topics. A relevant hashtag makes your post part of a broader conversation, increasing visibility.
🔹 Example: Posting a workout with #FitnessGoals makes it discoverable to fitness enthusiasts.
📌 Fact: With over 1 billion Instagram users, hashtags help break through the noise.
Boost Engagement
Hashtags increase the chances of likes, comments, shares, and saves, improving post visibility.
📌 Fact: Hashtags can boost engagement by up to 30% (Later study).
Join Trending Conversations
Using trending hashtags helps your post gain exposure and connect with like-minded users.
🔹 Example: Hashtags like #ThrowbackThursday (#TBT) or #MotivationMonday consistently attract engagement.
Target a Specific Audience
Niche hashtags attract a more engaged audience.
🔹 Example: Instead of #Fashion, using #StreetStyle or #SustainableFashion helps reach users with specific interests.
📌 Fact: Niche hashtags perform better than broad ones by targeting the right audience.
Improve Content Reach
More engagement from hashtags increases your chances of appearing in the Explore tab and suggested feeds.
🔹 Tip: Use a mix of trending, high-volume, and niche hashtags for maximum reach.
Build a Community & Brand Identity
Branded hashtags create a sense of connection and encourage interaction.
🔹 Example: A fitness brand using #FitWith[BrandName] can engage customers and track user-generated content.
📌 Fact: Branded hashtags help businesses boost engagement and monitor conversations.
Stay Relevant
Using trending or seasonal hashtags keeps your content in sync with what’s popular.
🔹 Example: Hashtags like #WinterFashion or #HolidayVibes attract users searching for seasonal content.
📌 Tip: Keep an eye on trending hashtags in your niche to stay up-to-date.
Platform-Specific Hashtag Strategies
Using hashtags effectively can vary depending on the platform you’re posting on. Each social media platform has its own best practices for hashtags. Here’s a quick guide on how to use hashtags effectively for different platforms:
Instagram Hashtag Strategy
Best Practices:
- Use 5-10 relevant hashtags (up to 30 allowed, but avoid overloading).
- Mix popular, medium-volume, and niche hashtags.
- Use branded hashtags to promote your business and encourage audience engagement.
- Add hashtags in the first comment (less clutter in the caption).
- Track hashtag performance with Instagram Insights.
📌 Fact: Posts with 9 hashtags receive 2.5x more engagement than those with too few or too many (Later study).
Twitter (X) Hashtag Strategy
Best Practices:
- Use 1-2 hashtags per tweet.
- Focus on trending hashtags relevant to your topic.
- Use hashtags to join conversations or participate in Twitter chats.
- Keep hashtags short and simple to make them more memorable.
📌 Tip: Trending hashtags on Twitter change quickly, so keep an eye on what’s popular and join in with relevant content.
TikTok Hashtag Strategy
Best Practices:
- Use 3-5 hashtags to avoid overloading your post.
- Include a mix of trending and niche hashtags.
- Use TikTok’s Hashtag Challenge feature to join viral trends.
- Try incorporating branded hashtags to build your community.
📌 Fact: TikTok’s algorithm favors posts with hashtags that match trending topics and keywords.
LinkedIn Hashtag Strategy
Best Practices:
- Use 3-5 hashtags per post.
- Focus on professional and industry-related hashtags.
- Leverage branded hashtags to connect with your company or niche.
- Use hashtags related to current events or discussions in your industry.
📌 Tip: Avoid overly broad hashtags like #Leadership. Instead, opt for more specific ones like #DigitalTransformation.
Facebook Hashtag Strategy
Best Practices:
- Use 1-2 hashtags per post.
- Use hashtags to join trending conversations, but don’t overuse them.
- Focus on brand and niche-related hashtags.
- Hashtags on Facebook are less critical than on Instagram, so focus on engaging content.
📌 Tip: Use event or campaign hashtags to engage followers on Facebook.
YouTube Hashtag Strategy
Best Practices:
- Add hashtags in the video description and title (up to 15 characters).
- Use relevant, specific hashtags related to your video topic.
- Focus on searchable keywords like “How-to,” “Tutorial,” or “Review” combined with your niche.
📌 Fact: Hashtags on YouTube help videos appear in relevant search results and can boost discoverability.
Pinterest Hashtag Strategy
Best Practices:
- Use 3-5 hashtags per pin.
- Focus on niche-specific and long-tail keywords that relate to your content.
- Add hashtags in the pin description to boost searchability.
📌 Tip: Use hashtags related to specific boards or seasonal trends to target niche audiences on Pinterest.
Conclusion
Trending hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing Instagram engagement and staying relevant in a competitive social media landscape. By using the right hashtags, brands and individuals can enhance their visibility, expand their reach, and boost audience engagement. Keeping an eye on current trends and strategically incorporating relevant hashtags can significantly impact the success of Instagram content.
Start using these hashtags today and watch your Instagram grow! Don’t forget to follow us for more social media tips.
