Instagram hashtag trends to get more likes and followers
A small business owner used to sell demi-fine jewellery. They started their Instagram page two years ago, but likes and followers were a distant dream. Their posts barely got engagement, and they felt invisible.
This sad but determined business owner then discovered the power of hashtags. Instead of using random tags, they researched trending hashtags. They combined popular and niche ones to experiment with different strategies. Within three months, their posts entered the Explore section of their target audience. Engagement in their account grew by 120%, so 10,000 new followers joined the family with this small jewellery business.
A small business owner with some pieces of handmade jewellery can do this, and then anyone can. Learn the latest Instagram hashtag trends to enjoy the showers of likes and follows.
What are Instagram hashtags?
Hashtags words are written with a # symbol before them. Instagram bots use this symbol to categorize user content. Anyone can find posts they are interested in by searching for words with this # symbol.
For example, you post a picture of your morning coffee with #CoffeeLover. This post can appear in searches related to coffee lovers.
Why are hashtags important?
- They help people discover your posts.
- They increase likes, comments, and shares.
- They boost your chances of appearing on the Explore page.
- They help Instagram understand what your content is about.
Instagram Hashtag Trends
Nothing is constant. We all change, and so do your choices and dislikes. The same goes for Instagram user preferences, which change every year. Here are the biggest hashtag trends for this year:
1. Hyper-specific niche hashtags are winning
Broad hashtags like #Love or #Fashion are too competitive, so you should not aim for these. Instead, go for smaller niche hashtags. They will perform better.
Instead of #Fitness, you can use #HomeWorkoutTips or #BusyMomFitness
Instead of #Food, you can try #VeganMealIdeas or #QuickDinnerRecipes
Pro tip: Use hashtags with fewer than 500K posts. This way, you can ensure that your post is not lost in the crowd.
2. Location-based hashtags make you visible
Use location-specific hashtags to attract followers from your local area. These are the most important tools for businesses, travel bloggers, and influencers.
If you need more help with location-based hashtags, then the best place is Instagram’s search bar. Experiment in the search bar, and you will see all the trendy hashtags appearing in the suggested results.
3. Branded Hashtags are easy to find
More businesses and influencers are creating their own branded hashtags. Try this to build a community and make your posts easy to find.
#NikeRunClub is a popular hashtag used by Nike for running events. Similarly, the Coca-Cola campaign used this trending hashtag to create enough buzz- #ShareACoke.
#MyAirbnb is another popular hashtag that travellers are sharing for Airbnb stays.
These brand hashtags easily become a trend. If you own a business, then try to create your own unique hashtag. You should encourage your audience to use it, and soon, your post will go viral.
4. Use Emojis in Hashtags
Hashtags with emojis attract more users. These tiny signs make posts fun and engaging. For instance, instead of writing #sunset, you can put a picture (emoji) of the sun to connect with the audience. #Sunset🌅 looks more appealing than simple #Sunset.
A coffee lover can use a mug of coffee to bring more fun to the post. Use #Coffee☕Lover instead of #CoffeeLover. The idea is to make your hashtag stand out by adding one emoji to it.
5.AI-generated hashtags are surely beneficial
Do you think you are not smart enough to pick the best hashtags for your content? Take help from AI tools and make your life easier. You can use tools like Hashtagify or Inflact to suggest the best-performing hashtags for your post.
Even the auto-suggest feature on Instagram is useful for finding trending hashtags. Use these AI tools to find good hashtag suggestions with no extra effort.
How many hashtags are enough for your posts?
Instagram guidelines allow the use of 30 hashtags on one post. But using all 30 in one post is not a good idea. It will surely look cluttered, and instead of performing well, your posts will become obscure when your audience keeps ignoring them.
- Feed Posts: Use five or a maximum of 10 hashtags for your feed posts. You should mix trending tags with location-based tags.
- Reels: 3 to 5 hashtags are enough for reels because Instagram favors short and specific hashtags for Reels.
- Stories: Only one hashtag with an interactive sticker is enough to make your stories appealing. If you need more visibility, then do not go above 3 hashtags.
Resist the urge to copy-paste the same hashtags on every post. Instagram will consider it spam, and you will be left worried about why your posts are not performing.
trending Instagram hashtags
Who does not like shortcuts when swamped with work? So, here is a list of ready-to-use hashtags for you.
Trending General Hashtags
#TrendingNow
#ViralPosts
#IGTrends
#SocialMediaGrowth
Photography & Travel
#TravelDiaries
#ExploreWithMe
#CityViews
#HiddenGems
Fitness & Health
#HomeWorkoutTips
#HealthyLiving
#YogaVibes
#NoExcuses
Fashion & Beauty
#SkincareLover
#MakeupInspo
#StreetStyle
#SustainableFashion
Food & Drinks
#FoodieAdventures
#VeganMealIdeas
#BakingLove
#CoffeeAddict
#HomeChef
Business & Entrepreneurship
#SmallBizLife
#HustleSmart
#StartupMindset
#BrandGrowth
#SuccessTips
Save these hashtags and be creative with rotating. Do not use them all at once, but keep rotating them for different posts to avoid making your posts spammy.
Hashtag mistakes that can hurt your Instagram reach
You put in the effort with great photos and catchy captions. You end up with a set of hashtags, thinking it will boost your reach, but your engagement drops. Instead of the well-deserved likes and followers, your posts get buried. Worst of all, Instagram might even shadowban you. This nightmare has turned true for many brands, but it is not a problem with Instagram. The real issue lies in the way you use hashtags. So avoid these mistakes to protect your Instagram reach.
- Using Banned Hashtags– Instagram regularly bans certain hashtags that are overused or misused. Even an innocent hashtag like #BeautyBlogger or simple #Instagram can put your post in danger. Make sure to check the list of banned hashtags before using them. Check the search bar on Instagram to see if the hashtag you are using is safe or not. If it does not show on the list or a popular hashtag shows limited posts, then it can be banned.
- Do not think beyond popular hashtags – Hashtagslike #Love or #Fashion have millions of posts. Your content gets lost within seconds. So be on the safe side and mix in niche hashtags with fewer than 500K posts.
- Not Changing Hashtags– Do not repeat the same hashtags on every post because it signals Instagram that you are spamming. Rotate your hashtags every few posts.
- Exceeding the hashtags limit–Instagram permits thirty hashtags, but it is a mistake to use them all. Do some research and pick the five best hashtags or ten if you are too excited. Stay within the limit to get better results.
Top 30 Instagram Hashtags to get you good results
#love
#instagood
#fashion
#photooftheday
#photography
#art
#beautiful
#nature
#travel
#follow
#picoftheday
#happy
#instadaily
#cute
#style
#trending
#tbt
#summer
#followme
#beauty
#instalike
#fitness
#food
#photo
#music
#amazing
#life
#new
#fun
#motivation
Some banned Instagram hashtags to avoid
#alone
#always
#bbc
#beautyblogger
#besties
#boho
#books
#customers
#costumes
Banned hashtags on a post will make it less visible. Secondly, there is also the risk of account suspension. So stay updated on Instagram guidelines and regularly review the hashtags to comply with current standards.
Tricks to find the best hashtags for your account
Beginners on Instagram are often confused about which hashtags to use these days. Take our suggestions to gain the much-deserved reach of all your marketing efforts this year.
You should check Instagram’s Explore page to see what successful accounts in your niche are using. Another easy option is to use hashtag tools, which are free to use. For instance, you do not have to pay an amount on websites like Hashtagify, RiteTag, or Inflact to find some of the best hashtags. Experiment with different hashtags for a month and see which ones work best.
Lastly, make sure you track your performance regularly. Use Instagram Insights to pick the most performing hashtags on your post.
Bottom line
Hashtags are powerful only when used the right way. These days, niche and location-based hashtags are trending. Brands are not putting much effort. They are simply relying on tools to find AI-generated hashtags. Use a limited number of smart hashtags per post, and make sure you avoid the banned ones. With this simple strategy, you can boost your likes, followers, and engagement.
So take action now. Pick 10 hashtags from the list above and use them in your next post. Want more Instagram growth tips? Follow this guide and start using hashtags that actually work!
