Instagram Hashtags: Everything You Should Know in 2024

Instagram hashtags remain a powerful tool for increasing engagement and visibility on your photos. 

But, how many hashtags should you use? What are the many sorts of hashtags? Which are now trending? Should they be in your caption or the comments? 

How Do Instagram Hashtags Work? 

In a nutshell, Instagram hashtags are a technique of labeling and categorizing your material. They then assist Instagram in serving your content to the most relevant users. 

In their most basic form, hashtags you employ fuel the search results on the Instagram Explore page. 

But it doesn't stop there. 

Hashtags are also used as a reference for Instagram's algorithm, which categorizes your material and recommends it to users who are likely to be interested. 

Do Instagram Hashtags Still Work in 2024? 

Yes. 

Hashtags have long been a source of contention, particularly since Instagram's proposal to limit hashtag usage to 3-5 (more on that later).  

However, using relevant, targeted hashtags (and phrases) on posts and Reels remains one of the most effective strategies to reach new Instagram audiences.  

That is why it is critical to have a clear and well-crafted hashtag strategy; without one, you risk missing out on opportunities to optimize your content, increase interaction, and gain followers.  

What Are the Benefits of Using Hashtags on Instagram? 

Using the "right" hashtags can bring you in front of your intended audience, even if they have never interacted with you before.  

This can lead to increased interaction, followers, and sales for your brand or business. 

Hashtags also have plenty of other uses beyond improving your discoverability.  

You can use them for community-building, sourcing user-generated content (UGC), running campaigns, and more. 

The Top 30 Most Popular Instagram Hashtags in 2024 

Only using popular hashtags is not the ideal method for increasing reach and interaction because they are less likely to be spotted.   

1. #interiordesign 
2. #design 
3. #love 
4. #fashion 
5. #realestate 
6. #inspiration 
7. #style 
8. #homedecor 
9. #art 
10. #instagood 
11. #travel 
12. #smallbusiness 
13. #shoplocal 
14. #foodie 
15. #wellness 
16. #selfcare 
17. #photography 
18. #home 
19. #architecture 
20. #food 
21. #health 
22. #beauty 
23. #linkinbio 
24. #motivation 
25. #luxury 
26. #lifestyle 
27. #nature 
28. #ootd 
29. #shopsmall 
30. #skincare 

How Many Instagram Hashtags Should You Use On Your Posts? 

As previously stated, Instagram urged authors to use between 3-5 hashtags in their photos, but allowing up to 30.  

As the platform's discoverability and SEO tools grow, they must be able to appropriately categorize material for the Explore Page and Instagram Reels tab (while also reducing spammy or irrelevant hashtag use). 

What's the theory? Fewer hashtags mean more accurate self-categorization.

To test this, Later analyzed 18M+ Instagram feed posts to see how the number of hashtags impacts reach: 

What was the result? We discovered that utilizing more hashtags usually produces the best results, with 20 hashtags having the highest average reach rate.  

So, how many hashtags should you use for Instagram? For the time being, employing more hashtags remains the greatest method for expanding your reach on feed postings.  

However, it is critical to focus on high-quality, hyper-relevant hashtags; even 5 or 10 hashtags are preferable to zero.  

What Are the Different Types of Instagram Hashtags? 

Before you choose hashtags for your posts, think about the many types of hashtags you can use. 

This will ensure that your hashtag approach is comprehensive.  

There are five major categories of hashtags to consider:  

• Location-based hashtags, such as #BryantPark or #LowerEastSide. 
   
• Branded hashtags are used for advertising, events, or employer branding, such as #LifeAtLater. 
   
• Industry hashtags: That describes your niche, such as #SocialMediaManagers or #WeddingPlanners. 
   
• Community-oriented hashtags: To bring your community together, use hashtags like #VanLifeLiving or #IAmASweatyBetty 
   
• Descriptive hashtags define the substance of your real post, such as #WoodwickCandles or #SheaButterProducts.  

There is no magic formula for how many of each category you should include, but keeping them in mind can help you come up with hashtags and write subtitles. 

How to Find Trending Instagram Hashtags for Your Content Strategy 

Later's hashtag analysis reveals that include 20-30 hashtags in your Instagram posts is the most effective approach to enhance reach and interaction.  

But how do you pick appropriate hashtags for each post? Here are three approaches you can take: 

Tactic #1: Use a Hashtag Suggestion Tool like Later 

Later's Instagram Hashtag Suggestions tool will help you locate hashtags based on the content of your post as well as hashtags related to your industry. 

To use it, tap "Hashtag Suggestions," and you'll see two options for populating hashtags: 

• Auto: Receive automated hashtag ideas based on your caption. 
   
• Search: Enter a hashtag, and it will recommend relevant ones. 

Sign up for a Later account to plan, schedule, and manage your Instagram posts — all in one place. 

Tactic #2: Conduct Research on the Instagram Explore Page 

The Instagram Explore page is an excellent source of inspiration for your Instagram hashtag strategy.  

To get the best results, search for keywords related to your business or content and look at the "Top" results:   

These posts definitely perform well with Instagram's algorithm, so take note of the hashtags used and consider whether they could be useful for your content. 

Tactic #3: Check Instagram Hashtag Volume Using Instagram’s Tag Search Tool 

When it comes to determining the ideal hashtags, post volume is a significant factor. 

If a hashtag has already been used in millions of postings, your post will likely be drowned out by the crowd.  

However, if a hashtag only has a few hundred posts, it is unlikely that anyone is searching for it on the Instagram Explore tab.  

For a safe medium ground, look for hashtags with between 10K and 200K postings. 

To examine a hashtag's post volume, go to Instagram's tag search feature on the Explore Page.  

How Hashtags Can Be Used to Increase Likes On Instagram 

When it comes to determining the ideal hashtags, post volume is a significant factor.  

If a hashtag has already been used in millions of postings, your post will likely be drowned out by the crowd. 

However, if a hashtag only has a few hundred posts, it is unlikely that anyone is searching for it on the Instagram Explore tab.  

For a safe medium ground, look for hashtags with between 10K and 200K postings.  

To examine a hashtag's post volume, go to Instagram's tag search feature on the Explore Page. 

How to Build an Effective Instagram Hashtag Strategy With Analytics 

What is the best way to construct your hashtag strategy? 

Having a firm foundation comes first. 

Once you've decided on the hashtags you want to employ, you should test them and analyze your results.  

Reviewing the performance of your hashtags is an excellent approach to track the effectiveness of your trials and refine your strategy over time.  

Later's Hashtag Analytics tools allow you to track crucial facts about your hashtags, including a breakdown of which ones drive the most likes, comments, saves, and reach on your Instagram posts. 

Hashtags are a strong tool for reaching new audiences and growing your account, but they require time and work to get significant results.  

Whether you utilize 10 or 30, a consistent hashtag approach remains one of the most successful ways to grow on Instagram in 2024.