INSTAGRAM HASHTAGS CAN help your posts reach a target audience, attract new followers in your niche, increase engagement, and develop a more positive and recognizable brand image. But if they’re used too frequently or without a clear strategy in mind, they become pointless and inefficient.
With that in mind, here are four tips for making the most of Instagram hashtags.
1. Narrow your hashtags
More specific, smaller-volume hashtags are better for your brand. Some hashtags may be too broad. You want to compete in a smaller pool of content. For example, if a user is searching for #jewelry, pictures of influencers, clothing, or even memes can be found. Using hashtags close to the interests of your brand and tailored for specific topics allows your content to have a better chance of being seen by your target audience.
2. Figure out your magic number
You can’t know how many hashtags work best for you until you test it. Top brands use seven or fewer hashtags per post, but that might not be the magic number for your brand. Too many hashtags can distract the user from finding your content online, seeing as your post can get lost in Instagram’s algorithm. Give yourself some flexibility for trial and error.
3. Test out related hashtags
Instagram shows you related hashtags in the scroll-down menu when you type a hashtag into the search bar. It also delivers related hashtags on the next page after you click on a hashtag. This allows you to develop a longer list of hashtags to try out.
4. Create a brand campaign hashtag
Creating a funny, clever, or memorable brand hashtag to use on all your posts is a good way to attract new and existing followers. These hashtags are useful in promoting your products, services and upcoming events. Brand hashtags will leave an impression on your followers and be easily recognizable as being linked to your social media accounts. For example, Fruchtman Marketing may use the hashtags “#JewelryExperts #FruchtmanMarketing #TuesdayTipsAndTricks” on every post to ensure that our content is differentiated and reaches our target audience.
Don’t be afraid to test out new hashtags on your Instagram posts in 2022. Trial and error is the only way to figure out what combination of hashtags will reach your target audience, increase engagement, and promote a recognizable brand image.