The Do’s and Don’ts of Instagram Hashtags: A Beginner’s Guide
Hashtags are like road signs on Instagram—they guide the right audience to your content. But navigating the world of hashtags can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. Should you use all 30 hashtags? What are banned hashtags? And what exactly is hashtag stuffing?
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the essential do’s and don’ts of Instagram hashtags, so you can boost your reach without falling into common pitfalls.
The Do’s of Instagram Hashtags
Let’s start with what you should be doing to make hashtags work for you.
1. Do Research Your Hashtags
Using the right hashtags is key to reaching your target audience. Spend some time researching hashtags that are relevant to your niche and content.
Use Instagram’s search bar to explore hashtags.
Check what hashtags similar creators or competitors are using.
Use tools like Hashtagify or Display Purposes for more insights.
💡 Pro Tip: Choose a mix of popular, moderately popular, and niche hashtags for maximum reach and engagement.
2. Do Use Relevant Hashtags
Always ensure your hashtags align with your post’s content. Irrelevant hashtags might bring in views, but they’ll likely hurt engagement if your audience doesn’t find your content valuable.
For a fitness post, use hashtags like #WorkoutMotivation or #FitnessJourney.
Avoid generic hashtags like #Love if it doesn’t relate to your post.
💡 Pro Tip: Relevant hashtags lead to meaningful engagement from the right audience.
3. Do Experiment with Placement
Where you put your hashtags matters less than how you use them, but it’s worth experimenting to see what works best for you.
Add hashtags in your caption for immediate visibility.
Place them in the first comment to keep your caption clean.
💡 Pro Tip: Test both methods and analyze which one boosts engagement.
4. Do Use Branded Hashtags
Create a unique hashtag for your brand or campaign to encourage user-generated content and build community.
Examples: #YourBrandName or #MadeWith[YourBrand].
Encourage followers to use your branded hashtag for a chance to be featured.
💡 Pro Tip: Branded hashtags can increase visibility and loyalty among your audience.
5. Do Rotate Your Hashtags
Using the same hashtags repeatedly can make your posts appear spammy and might even limit your reach.
Create several sets of hashtags tailored to different content types.
Rotate them to keep your strategy fresh and effective.
💡 Pro Tip: Save hashtag groups in your Notes app for easy access.
The Don’ts of Instagram Hashtags
Now that we’ve covered the do’s, let’s look at some common mistakes to avoid.
1. Don’t Overuse Hashtags
While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, using all of them isn’t always necessary. Quality matters more than quantity.
Aim for 10-15 well-researched, relevant hashtags per post.
Focus on hashtags that genuinely align with your content.
💡 Pro Tip: Overusing hashtags can make your posts look cluttered and spammy.
2. Don’t Use Banned Hashtags
Banned hashtags can hurt your post’s visibility or even lead to a shadowban. These are hashtags that Instagram has flagged due to misuse or inappropriate content.
Examples of banned hashtags: #LikeForLike, #FollowMe.
Check Instagram’s search bar—if no posts appear under a hashtag, it might be banned.
💡 Pro Tip: Regularly review your hashtag lists to ensure none are banned.
3. Don’t Hashtag Stuff
Hashtag stuffing—using an excessive number of hashtags, especially irrelevant ones—can harm your credibility and engagement.
Avoid adding hashtags that have nothing to do with your post.
Don’t repeat the same hashtags multiple times in a single post.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your hashtags concise and purposeful.
4. Don’t Use Only High-Competition Hashtags
Popular hashtags like #Fitness or #Travel have millions of posts, making it hard for your content to stand out.
Balance high-competition hashtags with niche options like #MorningYogaFlow or #HiddenBeaches.
💡 Pro Tip: Niche hashtags often attract more engaged and relevant followers.
5. Don’t Forget to Analyze Your Results
Using hashtags without tracking their performance is like driving without a map. Regularly analyze which hashtags are working for you.
Use Instagram Insights to see which hashtags are driving engagement.
Drop underperforming hashtags and try new ones.
💡 Pro Tip: Consistent analysis helps you refine your strategy and improve results.
Final Thoughts: Your Hashtag Success Story
Hashtags are a powerful tool when used wisely. By following these do’s and don’ts, you can increase your reach, attract the right audience, and make your Instagram strategy more effective. Remember, it’s not about using the most hashtags—it’s about using the right ones.
What’s your favorite hashtag tip? Share it in the comments and let’s inspire each other to level up our Instagram game!