Are you an Instagram enthusiast who needs help to get your posts noticed?
Using hashtags is crucial for expanding your reach, but you must figure out how many are too many. Don’t worry; you’re not alone!
The hashtag game on Instagram can be confusing, and using the wrong number of hashtags can significantly impact your visibility.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the topic of the number of hashtags you should use on Instagram and provide you with some tips and tricks to help you maximize your exposure and engagement.
So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to answer the question How many hashtags should I use on Instagram for business?
How many hashtags should I use on Instagram Reels?
If you’re looking to optimize your reach and engagement on Instagram Reels, it’s essential to consider how many hashtags you use.
While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, it’s essential to balance using enough to reach a wider audience and not so many that appear spammy or overwhelming.
Using 3-10 relevant and targeted hashtags on your Reels helps increase visibility and attract followers who are interested in your content.
Remember that the specific number and combination of best hashtags may vary depending on your niche, goals, and target audience.
What does Instagram say about hashtags?
Instagram’s official guidelines on hashtag use have been a shock to many marketers.
The social media platform’s @creators account posted advice in September 2021, in which they recommended only using 3 to 5 hashtags per post, a far cry from their previous suggestion of using between 8-15 or adding up to 30.
It’s important to note that as of June 2024, Instagram has yet to provide any official updates on this advice.
Aside from the recommended number of hashtags, Instagram’s post also provides marketers tips on hashtag usage for optimal performance.
Use relevant and specific hashtags for your content to reach your target audience. Use a mix of community and niche hashtags; create your branded hashtag to promote campaigns and special events.
It is essential to avoid certain hashtag practices that have been proven ineffective, if not detrimental to your post’s performance.
One of these is using hashtags with zero relevance to your content or overly generic hashtags that will result in your content getting lost among millions of other posts.
Lastly, Instagram recommends against adding 10-20 more hashtags, believing focusing on fewer but more relevant and targeted hashtags is the more innovative approach.
As such, it’s always best to tailor your hashtag approach to the specific nature of your content and goals and keep up-to-date with Instagram’s official recommendations on hashtag usage to obtain the best possible results.
But is this statement accurate? We can verify this by exploring other sources.
ALSO SEE: How To Use Instagram For Business
What do studies say about hashtags?
Different sources have done many studies and experiments to find the optimal number of hashtags on Instagram.
The results vary depending on the sample size, the industry, the type of content, and other factors.
However, most studies agree that using more hashtags typically yields better results in terms of reach and engagement. For example:
- Later analyzed over 18 million Instagram feed posts (excluding Instagram Videos, Reels, and Stories) and found that using 20-30 hashtags per feed post results in the highest average reach and engagement rates.
- Louise Myers analyzed over 60 thousand posts from different accounts and found that using 11 or more hashtags per post leads to higher engagement than using fewer than 10.
- Straight Up Social tested different numbers of hashtags on their account and found that using 30 hashtags per post resulted in more impressions, likes, comments, saves, and profile visits than using fewer.
These studies suggest that using more hashtags can help you get more exposure and interaction on your posts.
However, they also emphasize the importance of using relevant and targeted hashtags that match your content and audience.
How to find the right Hashtags for your brand?
So, how do you find the best hashtags for your brand? Here are some tips:
1. Use hashtag research tools
There are many tools available online that can help you find popular and relevant hashtags for your niche.
Some examples are Later’s Hashtag Suggestions tool, Tailwind’s Hashtag Finder tool, and Display Purposes.
2. Analyze your competitors
To gain a competitive edge on Instagram, it’s essential to regularly monitor and analyze the performance of your hashtags in comparison to your competitors.
By studying their use of hashtags, you can identify which ones are most effective and determine if similar ones could be implemented in your posts.
Additionally, you can use various analytical tools like Social Blade or Iconosquare to gain insights into their hashtag performance, powered by complex algorithms that provide comprehensive data on your competitors’ strategies, follower demographics, and more.
This knowledge can enable you to refine your hashtag strategy and optimize your posts to reach a wider audience and achieve your brand’s goals.
3. Analyze your performance
Track and measure how your hashtags are performing on your Instagram posts.
You can use Instagram’s native analytics or third-party tools like Later’s Analytics tool or Sprout Social’s Hashtag Analytics tool to see which hashtags generate the most impressions, reach, engagement, and clicks.
4. Experiment & test
As an Instagram user, you must experiment with different numbers and combinations of hashtags on your posts, regardless of apprehensions.
The key is determining which ones work best for your brand and align with your goals.
To conclude
In conclusion, the answer to how many hashtags on Instagram posts ultimately depends on your goals and audience.
While there is no magic number, it’s essential to balance using enough hashtags to increase visibility and engagement but not so many that it distracts from the content.
Experiment with different numbers and track your results to see what works best for your brand.
Remember to use relevant and specific hashtags to reach your target audience and avoid using banned or irrelevant tags.
With the right approach, hashtags can be a powerful tool to grow your Instagram presence and connect with your followers.
What is your idea about the number of Instagram hashtags?
How do you find your relevant hashtags?
Share your ideas in the comment section.
