Instagram hashtags. Either you love ‘em, or you hate ‘em. While some don’t see their use, I think they hold tremendous value in both inbound and outbound marketing strategies. Regardless of what you may think, it is undeniable that they have the power to connect your social media account with other profiles, whether it’s leaders in the industry or potential customers! So if you’re interested in learning how to utilize Instagram hashtags properly, here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know to choose the best hashtags for your posts.
1.Review your audience
When choosing hashtags, keeping your ideal audience in mind is key. To determine who your perfect customer is, Instagram Insights can help target what demographics are most interested in your business! After determining your target audience, research what kind of words or language they use. It’s important to understand your community and the terms associated with it.
- Popularity
When entering a hashtag in the Instagram search bar, you can see how many times it’s been used. A hashtag with millions of tags will probably not be beneficial because the Instagram hashtag is far too saturated. Ideally, you want a hashtag with traction, but not too much, where your content will get lost amongst millions of other posts. I use Instagram hashtags with less than 100k tags as a general rule of thumb. For smaller, more niche, and/or local brands, it may be best to use hashtags with a few hundred or thousand tags. The best hashtag strategy is a mix of large, medium, and small hashtags. This strategy will give you the best chance at connecting with other businesses, creators, or potential customers!
- Large – 100k
- Medium – 10k
- Small – Less than 1k
- Relevance
Effective hashtags should be a balance of relevance and popularity. Start with researching keywords you use in your day-to-day business. Beyond basic keywords, research wider categories, information, or tips relative to your brand. Hashtags should be simple but also not too broad. In addition, if you have a product or service relevant to a certain region, using local hashtags is a great opportunity to establish your business in that area. PRO TIP: Generalized hashtags connect with an industry, while localized hashtags connect with real-life people in your area.
- Choose your hashtags
Now that you know what kind of words to use, it’s time to choose a set of Instagram hashtags! I like to use a mix of general and specific/local hashtags depending on the type of post using these guidelines:
- 1-2 branded hashtags (your brand name)
- 5-10 category hashtags (think general)
- 2-3 content and/or product-specific hashtags
- 1-2 relevant trending hashtags
- 1-2 location-specific hashtags
- 1-2 time-specific hashtags (holidays, seasons, etc.)
Not every hashtag listed will apply to every post and/or business, but that’s okay! It’s all about finding what your audience is looking for + what’s relevant to your content.
In conclusion, Instagram hashtags are a powerful tool when used correctly. By following this breakdown, you can effectively connect with your target audience and attract new customers. Harness the power of hashtags and take your online presence to new heights today!
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