Are you struggling to reach a new audience on Instagram? Are your posts not getting the engagement that you want? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you need to start using hashtags in your Instagram posts. Hashtags are a powerful tool that can help you reach a wider audience and increase engagement on your posts. In this article, we will show you how to use Instagram hashtags to reach a new audience.
What are Hashtags?
Hashtags are words or phrases that are used to categorize content on social media platforms like Instagram. They are indicated by the pound sign (#) and are used to group similar content together. For example, if you use the hashtag #foodie in your Instagram post, then anyone searching for that hashtag will see your post along with other posts that use the same hashtag.
Why Use Hashtags?
Hashtags are a powerful tool that can help you reach a wider audience on Instagram. When you use hashtags in your posts, your content becomes discoverable to people who are searching for those specific hashtags. This means that your posts have the potential to reach a wider audience than just your followers. Additionally, using hashtags can increase engagement on your posts. According to a study by Simply Measured, posts with at least one hashtag have 12.6% more engagement than posts without hashtags.
How to Use Hashtags
Now that you understand the importance of hashtags, let’s talk about how to use them effectively. The first step is to do some research and find the hashtags that are relevant to your content. You can use tools like Hashtagify or Instagram’s search feature to find popular hashtags.
Once you have a list of relevant hashtags, it’s important to use them strategically. You should aim to use a mix of popular and niche hashtags. Popular hashtags can help you reach a wider audience, but they also have a lot of competition. Niche hashtags, on the other hand, have less competition but may not reach as many people. By using a mix of both types of hashtags, you can increase your chances of reaching a new audience.
It’s also important to use hashtags that are specific to your niche. For example, if you’re a food blogger, you should use hashtags like #foodie, #foodblog, and #foodphotography. These hashtags are specific to your niche and will help you reach people who are interested in your content.
Finally, it’s important to use hashtags that are relevant to your post. Don’t just use hashtags for the sake of using them. Make sure that the hashtags you use are relevant to the content in your post.
How Many Hashtags to Use
One of the most common questions about hashtags is how many to use. Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags per post, but that doesn’t mean you should use all 30. In fact, using too many hashtags can come across as spammy and turn people off from your content.
So, how many hashtags should you use? It really depends on your niche and the content in your post. As a general rule, we recommend using 10-15 relevant hashtags per post. This gives you a good mix of popular and niche hashtags without coming across as spammy.
Where to Put Hashtags
When it comes to where to put your hashtags, there are two options: in the caption or in the comments. Both options have their pros and cons.
If you put your hashtags in the caption, they will be visible to anyone who sees your post. This can be a good thing because it increases the chances of your post being discovered by new people. However, it can also make your caption look cluttered and unappealing.
If you put your hashtags in the comments, they will be hidden from view unless someone clicks on the comments. This can make your caption look cleaner and more appealing, but it also decreases the chances of your post being discovered by new people.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide where to put your hashtags. Some people prefer to put them in the caption, while others prefer to put them in the comments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hashtags are a powerful tool that can help you reach a new audience on Instagram. By using a mix of popular and niche hashtags that are specific to your niche, you can increase your chances of reaching people who are interested in your content. Remember to use hashtags strategically and not just for the sake of using them. By following these tips, you can use hashtags to increase engagement on your posts and grow your Instagram following.
