Hashtag Strategies: The Ultimate Guide for Social Media Success

Updated On: August 24, 2025 by     Aaron Connolly  

Understanding Hashtag Strategies

Hashtags act as searchable labels, grouping content by topic. They help your posts reach the right audience on every social media platform.

If you use hashtags well, blending different tag types and following each platform’s rules, you’ll boost your visibility and engagement. It’s honestly a bit of an art.

What Are Hashtags and How Do They Work

Hashtags show up as clickable labels with the # symbol. They categorize content on social media.

When you add hashtags to your posts, you make them searchable. People interested in those topics can find you more easily.

Each platform plays by its own rules. Instagram lets you search and follow hashtags, turning them into powerful discovery tools.

On TikTok, hashtags feed content right into the For You Page algorithm. It’s wild how fast you can go viral there.

LinkedIn uses hashtags to mark professional topics. Users follow industry-specific tags to stay updated.

On Twitter, hashtags drive real-time conversations and trending topics.

How hashtags work:

• Group similar content
• Make posts searchable by keyword
• Connect content to trending conversations
• Help algorithms figure out your post’s context
• Enable community building around topics

Think of hashtags like social media SEO. They tell platforms what your content’s about and who should see it.

Benefits of Effective Hashtag Use

If you use hashtags strategically, you’ll see real results. Relevant, well-researched tags that match your audience’s interests improve content visibility.

Main benefits:

• Better discoverability: Posts show up in hashtag searches and feeds
• Targeted reach: You connect with specific communities and niches
• More engagement: The right hashtags attract people who care
• Brand building: Custom hashtags help campaigns stick in people’s minds
• Cost-effective marketing: Hashtags are free but expand your organic reach

When you categorize posts with the right hashtags, your content marketing gets a boost. A fitness coach using #HomeWorkouts reaches people searching for workouts, not just anyone.

Hashtags also help you join bigger conversations. If you use #MondayMotivation, you tap into a weekly trend that millions join in on.

Data backs this up. Posts with smart hashtags get 12-70% more engagement, depending on platform and audience.

Types of Hashtags in Social Media

Different hashtag types serve their own purpose in your social media plan. Knowing these categories lets you mix tags for maximum reach and engagement.

Branded hashtags represent your company or campaign. Things like #ShareACoke or #JustDoIt. You create these to build brand recognition and encourage people to share their own content.

Niche hashtags target specific communities or interests. Tags like #VeganRecipes or #DigitalNomadLife connect you with the right crowd.

Trending hashtags ride the wave of current events or viral topics. Stuff like #MondayMotivation or #SummerVibes. These give you a quick burst of visibility if you use them at the right time.

Location hashtags help local businesses and events. Using #LondonFoodie or #ManchesterEvents targets people in those areas.

Community hashtags build connections within groups. Tags like #SmallBusiness or #FitnessMotivation foster networking and engagement between people with similar interests.

The best approach? Mix 2-3 different hashtag types per post. That way, you reach both wide and targeted audiences and keep things relevant.

Core Principles of a Winning Hashtag Strategy

You need a clear hashtag strategy to get results. Set clear goals, align with your brand, and blend popular and niche tags. These basics help you reach the right people and build real engagement—especially in esports.

Establishing Goals and Objectives

Before picking any hashtags, decide what you want to achieve. Different goals need different tags and ways to measure success.

Common hashtag goals:

• Boost brand awareness
• Grow your followers
• Increase engagement rates
• Drive website traffic
• Build a community around certain topics

Set measurable targets for each goal. Maybe you want to increase reach by 25% in three months, or get 50 new followers a week through hashtags.

Track these metrics:

• Impressions from hashtags
• Engagement rates on posts with hashtags
• Follower growth from hashtag discovery
• Click-through rates to your content

Each platform has its own focus. Instagram is great for discovery and engagement, while LinkedIn is all about professional reach.

Aligning Hashtags with Brand Identity

Your hashtags should reflect your brand and values. Consistent tags build recognition and trust with your audience.

Brand-aligned hashtags:

• Branded hashtags (your company or campaign names)
• Industry-specific terms that match your expertise
• Values-based tags that show your mission
• Content themes that pop up in your posts regularly

For esports, you might use hashtags like #UKEsports, #CompetitiveGaming, or #EsportsEducation across your posts.

Create hashtag sets for different content. Educational posts could use #EsportsExplained, while tournament coverage might include #EsportsTournaments or #ProGaming.

Skip hashtags that:

• Go against your brand values
• Target people outside your niche
• Feel forced or off-topic
• Clash with other brand messages

Balancing Popular and Niche Hashtags

Mixing popular and niche tags works best. You get broad reach and still target your ideal audience.

Popular hashtags (over 100k posts) give you big exposure, but competition is tough. Your post can disappear in a sea of #Gaming or #Esports content.

Niche hashtags (under 50k posts) face less competition and attract specific groups. Tags like #EsportsCoaching or #UKGaming put you in front of the right people.

Suggested hashtag mix:

Hashtag Type	Quantity per Post	Purpose
Popular	2-3	Maximum reach
Niche	4-6	Targeted audience
Branded	1-2	Brand recognition
Location-based	1	Local discovery

Check competition levels with Instagram’s search tool. If a hashtag has millions of posts, your content will get lost fast.

Test different mixes and track which types bring the best results for your content and audience.

Researching and Selecting Relevant Hashtags

Finding the right hashtags takes research and a bit of trial and error. Check what your competitors use, spot trends, and pick tags that fit your goals.

Conducting Hashtag Research

Start with your main topics. Type your core keywords into the search bars on each platform. Instagram and TikTok suggest related hashtags as you search.

Use free tools. Instagram’s search shows hashtag popularity and related tags. TikTok’s discover page highlights trending hashtags in real time.

Pay attention to hashtag size. If a tag has millions of posts, your content will get buried. Look for hashtags with 10,000-100,000 posts for better odds.

Make hashtag lists:

• Broad tags (#gaming, #esports) – high competition
• Niche tags (#mobilelegends, #valoranttips) – lower competition
• Branded tags (#teamliquid, #g2esports) – community focused

Test combos. Save 3-5 hashtag sets for different kinds of content. Track which ones do best over a couple of weeks.

Mix high- and low-competition tags in every set. That way, you get both reach and engagement.

Analysing Competitors’ Hashtag Use

Find 5-10 similar accounts. Look for ones with similar follower counts and content. Check their posts for hashtag patterns.

Watch their best content. See which hashtag combos get the most likes and comments. Notice which tags they use again and again.

Spot missed opportunities. If they’re not using certain relevant hashtags, you can jump in and reach new audiences.

Build a competitor hashtag spreadsheet:

Account	Post Type	Top Hashtags	Engagement Rate
@esportsteam1	Tournament clips	#csgo #clutch #gaming	4.2%
@progamer2	Training tips	#valorant #aim #improvement	3.8%

Don’t copy exactly. Use their tags for inspiration, but add your own twist. That helps you stand out.

Spotting Trending and Seasonal Hashtags

Check trending sections daily. Most platforms have a trending area. Jump on trends within 24-48 hours for the best results.

Plan for seasonal stuff. Big gaming events like The International or League Worlds spark hashtag opportunities. Prep your content for major tournaments.

Be careful with trends. Only use trending hashtags if they really fit your content. Otherwise, it looks off and confuses your audience.

Track gaming events:

• Major tournaments – #Worlds2025, #TI13
• Game updates – #Season14, #NewPatch
• Gaming holidays – #NationalVideoGamesDay

Set up trend alerts. Follow gaming news and tournament organizers. They often start hashtag trends before they go mainstream.

Post at the right time. Share trending content when your audience is online. Check your analytics for the best hours.

Optimising Hashtag Performance with Analytics

To succeed with hashtags, keep measuring what works and tweak what doesn’t. Track key performance metrics to see which tags drive engagement. Analytics tools help you sharpen your strategy.

Tracking Hashtag Performance Metrics

The most useful metrics show how well your hashtags connect with people. Reach tells you how many saw your content through a hashtag.

Engagement rate tracks likes, comments, and shares per hashtag. High engagement means your hashtags are hitting the mark.

Impression data shows how often your content pops up in hashtag feeds. Instagram Insights gives you this under each business post.

Track hashtag popularity to balance competition and visibility. Popular tags like #esports reach millions, but niche tags like #UKesports connect you with a smaller, more focused crowd.

User sentiment matters too. Positive conversations build your brand, while negative ones mean you should rethink your tags.

Brand24 and Keyhole are great for tracking these metrics across platforms.

Refining Strategies with Analytics Tools

Analytics tools turn your data into real improvements. RiteTag suggests the best hashtags as you type, showing popularity and competition live.

Keyhole tracks hashtag performance on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. It shows which tags get you the most reach and engagement.

Try A/B testing with Instagram Insights. Post similar content with different hashtags, then compare the numbers after a day.

Brand24 tracks brand mentions and hashtag sentiment. You can spot trends in your community before others do.

If you analyze regularly, you’ll see patterns. Maybe location-based tags work better on weekends, or gaming hashtags take off at night.

Review your hashtag strategy every month. Drop tags that don’t perform and try new ones based on what’s trending in your space.

Platform-Specific Hashtag Strategies

Every social media platform treats hashtags differently, and honestly, the algorithms keep everyone guessing. Instagram loves a mix, Twitter’s all about what’s trending right now, TikTok rewards folks who jump on trends early, and LinkedIn? It sticks to those classic industry terms.

Instagram Hashtag Best Practices

Instagram’s still the top choice for using hashtags to boost reach and engagement. You’ll get the best results with 5-10 well-chosen hashtags per post. Don’t bother filling all 30 slots—it just looks spammy.

Try mixing hashtags from four main types:

• Niche hashtags (10k-100k posts) to reach a specific audience
• Trending hashtags tied to current events or seasons
• Branded hashtags unique to your brand or campaign
• Community hashtags that connect you with certain groups

Posts with 5-9 hashtags usually see the most engagement. Drop your hashtags in the first comment instead of the caption if you want to keep things tidy.

Stories offer even more room. You can add up to 10 hashtags per story without making it look desperate.

Before posting, use Instagram’s search to check if your hashtags actually see fresh, real content—not just spammy junk.

Twitter and Twitter Trends

Twitter moves fast and works best with 1-2 sharp hashtags per tweet. More than that just eats up space and can hurt engagement.

Check the trending section often—trends shift by the hour and by location. If you spot something relevant, jump in and add your voice.

Join hashtag chats in your industry. These weekly chats help you build real connections with others who care about the same stuff.

Create event-specific hashtags for launches or conferences. Short and catchy ones work best since people like to retweet and add their own take.

Use Twitter Analytics to see which hashtags bring in profile visits and new followers.

Jumping on trending hashtags only works if you actually contribute to the conversation—not just drop a promo.

TikTok Hashtag Tactics

TikTok’s algorithm seriously pays attention to hashtags for discovery. Aim for 3-5 hashtags—mix up trending tags and ones specific to your niche.

Trending hashtags change fast on TikTok. Check the Discover page daily to catch new trends that fit your content.

Get involved with hashtag challenges when they make sense for your brand. Sometimes these challenges just blow up and get your stuff in front of tons of people.

Try mixing:

• Broad trending tags (#fyp, #viral)
• Content-specific tags (#cookingtips, #guitarlessons)
• Niche community tags (#smallbusiness, #ukcreators)

If you spot a new trend, jump in quickly—TikTok rewards early adopters.

Keep an eye on what works for your competitors. Sometimes their hashtag combos are worth borrowing or tweaking.

LinkedIn Approaches to Hashtags

LinkedIn treats hashtags like a professional handshake. Stick with 3-5 industry-specific hashtags that actually add something to the conversation.

Follow hashtags in your field to stay on top of industry talk. It’s better to join in than just shout into the void.

Focus on:

• Industry terms (#marketingstrategy, #leadership)
• Professional skills (#projectmanagement, #datascience)
• Business trends (#remotework, #sustainability)

Leave the casual or personal hashtags for other platforms. LinkedIn users expect thoughtful, professional posts.

Create company-specific hashtags for your own campaigns or events. This helps people rally around your brand.

Hashtags can boost engagement by 12.6% on LinkedIn, but honestly, one good tag beats a dozen random ones.

Developing Branded and Campaign Hashtags

Strong branded hashtags stick in people’s minds and keep your brand top of mind. Campaign hashtags, meanwhile, get everyone excited about a specific event or launch. Both take some planning if you want people to actually use them.

Creating Memorable Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags act as your digital signature across platforms. Keep them short, unique, and obviously tied to your brand or message.

The best ones are simple. Under 15 characters is ideal. Make sure people can spell and say it easily. Always check if someone else already uses it before you commit.

What makes a branded hashtag work:

• Brand tie-in – Use your company name or core value
• Memorable – Simple and easy to recall
• Unique – Avoid anything that’s already crowded
• Consistent – Stick with the same hashtag everywhere

Test it out. Ask a few folks to spell it after hearing it once. Search it on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to see what’s already out there.

Some brands use a few different hashtags for different things. One for general posts, one for customer stories, maybe another for behind-the-scenes stuff.

Launching Effective Hashtag Campaigns

A hashtag campaign needs a clear goal and a strong idea. Figure out what success means for you—more followers, more user posts, or maybe more sales.

Campaign hashtags work best when they push people to do something. Use action words or challenges, like #ShowUs or #MyJourney. Get people to share stories or moments that matter.

How to structure a campaign hashtag:

• Clear call-to-action – Tell people exactly what you want them to do
• Reward participation – Give prizes, shoutouts, or recognition
• Set a time frame – Deadlines create urgency
• Encourage visuals – Photos and videos work way better than plain text

Push your campaign hashtag everywhere—emails, your website, paid ads, you name it. Team up with influencers who fit your vibe.

Keep an eye on how things are going. Watch for new posts, track reach, and see what people are saying. Jump in and reply to keep the momentum up.

Leveraging User-Generated Content and Social Proof

When we launch community hashtags for esports content, the real magic happens when fans use them to share their own moments. This genuine content creates social proof that draws in new followers and builds trust in our gaming circles.

Encouraging Audience Participation

We want to make it super easy for our community to use our hashtags. The best way? Run campaigns that give gamers a reason to join in.

Contests work great in esports. Ask followers to post their best gaming moments using your branded hashtag for a shot at prizes like gear or tickets. For example, #MyEpicPlay2025 lets players show off their skills.

Photo challenges are another hit. Create a tag like #MyGamingRig and invite followers to share pics of their setups. These real photos turn into user-generated content you can reshare.

Achievement posts naturally get people involved. Encourage followers to share victories with something like #VictoryRoyaleUK and you’ll collect authentic moments that resonate with others.

Always give credit when you reshare someone’s post. Recognition keeps people coming back and helps you build stronger ties with your audience.

Building Trust through Social Proof

User-generated content gives you the strongest social proof around. When people see real gameplay or honest reviews tied to your hashtags, they’re way more likely to trust you.

Reviews and testimonials using your hashtags build credibility. Invite players to share their thoughts about games or gear with tags like #HonestReview or #PlayerExperience.

Gameplay clips let people see authentic experiences. When followers post their real sessions, it shows your community is active and genuine.

Community celebrations highlight the good stuff. Feature user content showing players at tournaments or celebrating wins. This tells newcomers your esports scene is fun and welcoming.

Visual proof always wins on Instagram and TikTok. When you showcase user photos and videos, you’re showing everyone that real people are involved.

Reshare quality user content often and always tag the creator. This keeps participation high and builds a steady stream of social proof.

Strategic Hashtag Combinations and Placement

The right hashtag mix can triple your visibility, and where you put them matters just as much. Smart esports creators blend branded tags with community hashtags to reach both the big gaming crowd and those niche scenes.

Creating Effective Hashtag Combinations

If you want your esports content to travel, combine different types of hashtags. Use 2-3 branded tags with 3-5 community-specific ones for the sweet spot.

A good combo might look like:

• Branded tags: #YourTeamName, #YourChannel
• Game tags: #CSGO, #LeagueOfLegends, #ValorantClips
• Community tags: #EsportsUK, #ProGaming, #CompetitiveGaming
• Content-type tags: #GameplayHighlights, #TournamentClips

For Instagram, stick to 8-12 hashtags per post. TikTok feels right with 4-6. On LinkedIn, 3-4 professional gaming hashtags get the job done.

Quick tip: Make sets of hashtags for different content types. Save one for match highlights, another for training, and a third for tournaments.

Change up your sets now and then. If you use the same ones every time, your reach can drop.

Placing Hashtags for Maximum Reach

Where you put hashtags affects how many people see your posts. Each platform has its quirks, so you’ll want to adapt.

Instagram: Drop hashtags in the first comment to keep captions clean. For Stories and Reels, hashtags in the caption work great.

TikTok: Work hashtags naturally into your caption. Mix trending and niche esports tags for best results.

Twitter/X: Use 1-2 hashtags, tops. Put them at the end or weave them into your tweet. Too many just looks spammy.

LinkedIn: Blend hashtags into the post text. Hashtags feel more natural that way, and professional content performs better.

Heads up: Don’t dump a block of hashtags at the end on LinkedIn or Twitter—it looks messy and people tune out.

Utilising Specialised Hashtags

Specialised hashtags help your esports content get in front of the right crowd. These targeted tags work way better than generic ones because they connect you with people who already care about your scene or event.

Location-Based Hashtags

Location hashtags plug your esports posts into local gaming communities and regional tournaments. They’re perfect for announcing events or growing a local fanbase.

Some popular UK location hashtags:

• #UKEsports
• #LondonGaming
• #ManchesterEsports
• #ScotlandGaming

Combine city names with game titles for even better targeting. Tags like #LondonCSGO or #BirminghamFIFA reach local gamers who care about specific games.

Local gaming cafés and tournament hosts often create their own tags. Follow these to find nearby events and connect with others.

Quick tip: Check which location hashtags top UK esports accounts use. They usually mix broad ones (#UKGaming) with specific ones (#CambridgeUniEsports) to reach both wide and local audiences.

Event and Seasonal Hashtags

Event hashtags grab attention fast during big tournaments and gaming seasons. These temporary tags can spark massive engagement, but timing really makes or breaks their impact.

Major tournament hashtags:

• #Worlds2025
• #ESLOne
• #BlastPremier
• #LeagueOfLegends Worlds

Seasonal hashtags stick around all year for different gaming moments. In summer, you’ll see #SummerSplit, while winter brings out #WinterChampionships and a flood of holiday gaming content.

We recommend prepping event hashtags a few weeks before major tournaments hit. Check what tags organizers plan to use, then build your content calendar around them.

Heads up: Event hashtags get crowded quickly. If you want your posts to stand out, try mixing popular tournament tags with more specific ones like #UKCS2023 or #LOLRegionals.

You can even make your own event hashtags for local tournaments or watch parties. Tags like #ManchesterWorldsWatch help your community rally around your content.

Industry and Community Hashtags

Industry hashtags connect you straight to gaming communities and pro networks. These tags reach folks who are really invested in certain games or esports careers.

Game-specific community tags:

• #CSGOCommunity
• #LeagueOfLegendsUK
• #FIFAEsports
• #ValorantUK

If you’re focused on esports careers, try #EsportsJobs, #GameDev, or #EsportsCoach. Content creators often use #StreamerLife and #ContentCreator to find others in the same boat.

Niche community examples:

Community Type	Example Hashtags
Female gamers	#GirlGamer, #WomenInEsports
University teams	#UniversityEsports, #StudentGaming
Casual players	#CasualGaming, #WeekendWarriors

Check what hashtags top accounts in your niche use regularly. Community hashtags usually build stronger engagement over time because they connect with dedicated fans.

Mix broad industry tags with specific community ones. Pairing #Esports with #WomenInGaming, for example, helps you reach both wide and focused audiences.

The Role of Influencers and Partnerships

Influencers bridge the gap between brands and gaming communities. They use specific hashtag tactics to boost campaign reach and combine authentic content creation with smart tagging to shape brand identity in esports.

Influencer Collaboration Strategies

We’ve noticed that strong influencer partnerships start with clear hashtag guidelines that fit both the brand’s goals and the creator’s style. The best collaborations roll out custom branded hashtags alongside popular gaming tags.

Macro-influencers usually go with 3-5 branded hashtags mixed with 10-15 community tags for each post. This approach maximizes visibility but still feels authentic.

Micro-influencers tend to do better with niche hashtag combos. They’ll use specific game tags like #ApexLegendsUK or #FIFA25Pro along with brand identifiers.

Here’s a structure we like for influencer hashtag requirements:

Partnership Type	Branded Tags	Community Tags	Performance Tags
Sponsored Posts	2-3 required	8-12 suggested	3-5 trending
Brand Ambassador	1-2 consistent	10-15 varied	5-8 rotating
Event Coverage	3-4 campaign	5-8 event-specific	2-3 location

Successful campaigns often create unique hashtags for each phase of collaboration. This lets you track engagement across different content types and over time.

Boosting Campaigns with Influencer Hashtags

Smart hashtag strategies with influencers multiply campaign impact by tapping into their built-in networks. We’ve seen campaigns shine when influencers stick to core tags but tweak supporting hashtags to fit their own content.

The best results come from blending brand identity hashtags with trending gaming chatter. For example, an esports energy drink might use #FuelYourGame plus timely tags like #Worlds2025 or #UKEsports.

Cross-platform coordination really boosts engagement. When influencers use matching hashtags on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, we often see engagement rates jump by 40-60%.

Here’s a real-world example: An esports gear brand partners with five streamers. Each streamer uses #GameWithPrecision (branded), #StreamerLife, #EsportsGear (community), and #TwitchStreamer (platform-specific).

The trick is to evolve hashtags throughout the campaign. The best partnerships update tags weekly based on:

• What’s trending in gaming
• Tournament schedules
• Community conversations
• Performance analytics

This keeps content fresh and the brand message consistent across every piece.

Adapting Hashtag Strategies for Algorithm Changes

Social media algorithms shift all the time, so hashtag performance can swing wildly from month to month. Marketers need to stay on their toes, tracking trends and tweaking hashtag strategies as platforms change their discovery systems.

Tracking Social Media Trends

We keep a close eye on hashtag performance to catch algorithm changes early. Platforms rarely announce updates, so you have to dig into the data yourself.

Check your hashtag analytics every week to spot sudden drops in reach or engagement. Use built-in insights on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to see which hashtags bring in the most views.

Key metrics to watch:

• Reach per hashtag
• Engagement rates for tagged posts
• Week-over-week impression changes
• Click-through rates from hashtag searches

Join marketing groups on Reddit or Facebook. Other creators often spot algorithm shifts before anyone else.

Set up Google Alerts for terms like “Instagram algorithm update” or “TikTok hashtag changes” to catch news fast. Keep an eye on official platform blogs and creator accounts for updates.

Don’t panic over one bad post. Look for trends across several posts before overhauling your hashtag approach.

Updating Your Approach for New Algorithms

When algorithms hit hashtag performance, you’ve got to adapt within days. Social media moves fast—there’s no time to wait.

Focus more on niche hashtags than on the biggest ones. Lately, algorithms reward targeted content for specific audiences over broad reach.

Try using smaller sets of hashtags instead of maxing out the limit. Platforms now prefer quality over sheer quantity.

Modern hashtag moves:

• Blend trending tags with evergreen industry terms
• Use location hashtags for local reach
• Create branded hashtags for your community
• Check what competitors use every month

Switch to keyword-focused hashtags that match how people search. More users now find content through search, not just by browsing hashtags.

Review your top-performing hashtags every month and swap out the ones that stop working. Keep what’s driving results, but rotate 20-30% of your tags to stay fresh.

Quick tip: Tools like Hashtagify or RiteTag help you find new, algorithm-friendly hashtags when your old ones lose steam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hashtag strategies can feel like a maze when you’re trying to grow your following and get more engagement. Let’s tackle some of the most common questions about using hashtags well—like how to find the right ones, how many to use, and whether they’ll still matter in 2025.

What’s the best way to use hashtags to increase my Instagram following?

Mix it up—don’t just use the most popular hashtags. We suggest 7-10 niche hashtags (under 50,000 posts), 7-10 moderately popular ones (50,000-500,000 posts), and 3-5 broad hashtags (over 500,000 posts).

This “hashtag ladder” method helps your content get noticed. Small hashtags make it easier to land in top posts.

Build different hashtag sets for your main content types. Avoid pasting the same 30 hashtags on every post, since Instagram’s algorithm can flag that as spammy.

You can drop hashtags in your caption or the first comment. Both work just fine for reach, so just pick whichever you like for your post’s look.

How can I find trending Instagram hashtags for my content?

Start with Instagram’s own search. Type your topic in the search bar, tap “Tags,” and check out related hashtags and their post counts.

Click on hashtags that look promising to see their pages. Instagram usually shows “Related” hashtags at the top, which is handy for finding new niche options.

See what hashtags top accounts in your industry use, especially on their best-performing posts. Don’t just copy their whole list—pick what fits.

Use 5-10 “seed” keywords that relate to your brand. If you’re a fitness coach, try #workoutmotivation, #fitnessmyths, or #homeworkouts to start.

Why should I incorporate hashtags into my Instagram posts?

Hashtags work like keywords—they help Instagram figure out what your content is about and who should see it. They’re essential for Instagram SEO in 2025.

If you use a specific hashtag like #logodesigninspiration, you signal to Instagram that your post fits that topic. The algorithm then shows it to people interested in logo design.

Smart hashtag research brings in better followers who actually care about your content. That means higher engagement and more genuine interactions.

Without hashtags, your posts mostly reach your current followers. Hashtags open up your content to new people searching for what you offer.

Could you suggest some examples of effective hashtag use in social media marketing?

A coffee shop should skip generic tags like #coffee (400M+ posts) and use community tags like #specialtycoffeeroaster (200k+ posts) or #coffeeculture (7M+ posts).

Local shops do well with location hashtags like #manchestercafe or #londonfoodie. These connect you with nearby folks looking for local spots.

Personal finance coaches can blend niche tags like #budgetingforbeginners (under 50k posts) with moderate ones like #budgetingtips (50k-500k posts) and broad ones like #personalfinance (500k+ posts).

Always add your branded hashtag to collect user-generated content. Nike uses #Nike, but smaller brands might go with #YourBrandName or campaign-specific tags.

What’s the optimal number of hashtags to use in my Instagram posts in 2025?

Instagram lets you use up to 30 hashtags per post. We find that 20-30 relevant hashtags usually gives you the best shot at discovery.

Don’t stress about looking “spammy” if your hashtags fit your content. The algorithm cares way more about relevance than about the number.

Quality beats quantity. It’s better to use 15 spot-on hashtags than 30 random ones.

Rotate your hashtag sets instead of repeating the same block. This keeps your strategy fresh and helps avoid any algorithm penalties.

Are hashtags still an effective way to enhance visibility on Instagram?

Absolutely—hashtags still play a big role in Instagram growth for 2025. They aren’t just random discovery tools anymore; these days, they’re right at the heart of Instagram SEO.

You can actually see how well your hashtags perform by checking Instagram’s built-in analytics. Just head to any post, tap “View Insights,” and look for the “From Hashtags” section under impressions.

If you notice higher impressions from hashtags, that’s a sign your tags are working. But if that number never really goes up, maybe it’s time to dig around and try out some different hashtag combos.

The biggest shift? It’s all about being precise, not just popular. Picking hashtags that really fit your niche beats chasing after those viral tags with millions of posts.