The best way to use Instagram Hashtags
What are hashtags and why bother with them?
Instagram hashtags were first introduced in 2007 and you can recognise them by words or phrases which are preceded by the characteristic # symbol (hash). They are used to organise content, i.e. grouping into appropriate categories. Each hashtag has 3 sections; Top, Recent and Reels. Your goal when using any hashtag is to rank on the Top section of any hashtags you use.
The correct use of hashtags allows you to reach new users with your content and consequently, effectively build your Instagram profile.
Hashtags are present on all social platforms, incl. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube. However, on Instagram they play a key role. They are one of the key elements in building your profile. The appropriate selection of hashtags allows you to reach the right people. Using them is one of the main ways to build your profile's organic reach.
Following Hashtags
From 2019, Instagram has allowed you to track selected hashtags. Thanks to this, you can follow the content marked with the selected hashtag that interests you.
How many hashtags should you use per post?
Hashtags makes your content visible to others, however that doesn't mean you should use any hashtag you come across. Instagram allows you to use a maximum of 30 hashtags in the description of one post. Exceeding this number for one post will make all the hashtags in the post invisible (your post will not appear under these hashtags either).
How many hashtags should you use when posting on Instagram?
According to our research, posts containing at least 11 hashtags generate the highest engagement. We recommended to use anywhere between 20-25 hashtags in any post. However, it is worth remembering that the optimal number of hashtags under posts depends on many factors, including your audience and type of content. One thing is certain - you should test different hashtag configurations and choose the ones that work best for your profile in terms of reach and engagement.
What is the best way to structure your hashtags?
A three-level hashtag pyramid
When posting on Instagram, you should make sure to use relevant hashtags and rotate them every post. In your posts, you should create a three-level hashtag pyramid, which consists of 10-15 small hashtags with a range of 5k-50k posts, 5-10 medium hashtags with a range of 50k-100k posts and 1-5 large hashtags with a range of 100k-300k posts. You shouldn't be using hashtags with millions of posts as you will not get any new reach from them.
Depending on your average number of likes, the first level hashtags should allow you to get in the TOP section of these small hashtags, and by being in the top section, your post can get more organic likes. This increases the likelihood of getting to the TOP section of the medium hashtags. Furthermore, there is a chance to get on to the TOP section of the large hashtags - if your post gains sufficiently high engagement from the medium hashtags. In addition, carefully selected hashtags will help your hashtag to be included in the explore section.
The first 60 minutes after posting is crucial, therefore it is worth making sure you're posting at the most optimal time. Via our analytics dashboard, our clients are able to see when is the best time to post for their account specifically. To boost your engagement you can also post the same post on your story or promote it using Instagram Ads.
Thanks to the domino effect, using a hashtag pyramid along with boosting your post in the first 60 minutes; this is one of the most effective forms of increasing your organic reach on Instagram.
Would you like us to choose your optimal hashtags and create a sample pyramid? We can create an excel sheet that with every refresh generates a new set of 25 hashtags (tailored to your industry/account) for you to easily copy and paste onto your post. You can purchase our hashtag report via the following link www.owskimedia.co.uk/hashtag-report or if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail us at customerservices@owskimedia.com
Why are my posts not visible under hashtags? - Shadowban
If you frequently post on Instagram, make sure to change the hashtags used in your descriptions - you should ensure that you rotate them. Use different hashtags under each photo, even if you publish similar topics every day.
If you put the same hashtags under your posts or use one of the banned hashtags (e.g. #instamood #instagirl, #woman) - Instagram will consider your content as SPAM and will place a shadowban on your account. If you're shadowbanned then your posts will not be visible under any hashtags you use. A shadowban usually lasts between 7 to 14 days, but in exceptional cases it may even last for several weeks! During this time please make sure not to use anymore banned hashtags and rotate the hashtags the best that you can.
Summary
A hashtag gives your post a subject. It is a kind of clickable link that takes you to all the content related to the hashtag you have chosen.
Hashtags are extremely important in digital marketing - primarily for companies and personal brands. They give the opportunity to reach new recipients and potential customers. You cannot forget about niche hashtags, thanks to which you will reach the selected audience more precisely and gain quality fans.
