Choosing effective hashtags for Instagram involves a few key strategies to help increase reach and engagement. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your hashtag strategy:
Research Hashtag Popularity
- Sweet Spot: Aim for hashtags with a search range between 1,000 and 1 million uses. Hashtags that are too popular (over 1 million) can get buried quickly, while too niche (less than 1,000) might not have enough visibility.
- Use the Search bar and choose “tags”: This will tell you how many uses a hashtag has and will auto populate variations on that hashtags to give you ideas on what would be the best version for your audience and post.
- Use the Explore Page: Instagram’s search feature suggests similar or related hashtags as you type, which can help you discover new, relevant options.
Mix Broad and Niche Hashtags
- Broad Hashtags: These are more popular and help with overall exposure, like #smallbusiness or #wellness. They may bring general viewers to your post.
- Niche Hashtags: These target specific interests or communities, like #solopreneursuccess or #mompreneurlife. Niche hashtags help reach a more engaged audience interested in your specific content.
Use Location-Based Hashtags for Local Targeting
- For local businesses or events, using location-based hashtags like #smallbusinessvancouver or #vancouverentrepreneurs can help you reach people nearby who might be more likely to engage.
Avoid Overly Branded or Generic Hashtags
- Branded Hashtags: Unless you’re running a specific series or campaign, avoid using your own brand hashtag, as it may not reach a new audience.
- Generic Hashtags: Hashtags like #fun or #happy are so widely used they offer minimal visibility. Instead, aim for hashtags that fit your niche, audience, and goals.
Tailor the Hashtag Quantity for Different Platforms
- Instagram: While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, consider experimenting with 10-20 quality hashtags. Too many hashtags can look spammy, so prioritize those with strategic value.
- Cross-Platform: Adjust for different platforms if posting elsewhere, like using fewer on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Experiment and Analyze
- Use Instagram Insights to check which hashtags bring engagement and adjust based on your results.
- Try a few different sets of hashtags over time and keep the ones that consistently perform well.
Rotate Hashtags to Avoid Being Flagged as Spam
- Instagram’s algorithm can flag accounts that repeatedly use the same hashtags as spam. Have a few sets of hashtags that you rotate to keep your posts fresh and algorithm-friendly.
Organize your Hashtags for Accessibility.
- Capitalize the first letter of mulit-word hashtags. Eg: #WomenEntrepreneurs. This will help electronic readers speak the hashtags normally for visually impared viewers.
With these strategies, you can refine your hashtag approach for better reach, engagement, and brand visibility on Instagram!
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