- There’s always the slight pause before posting something on Instagram, “Do I use more hashtags? Or do I just post now?” And yes, this question makes complete sense since Instagram does not give its users any specific guidelines on how they should use hashtags.
- On one hand, some artists are tempted to add all 30 hashtags just for the sake of having higher engagement, while others opt for fewer hashtags for the sake of looking elite. However, when you analyze the psychology of the users along with the algorithm, the truth lies somewhere in between. The purpose of hashtags is not to become a viral post; rather, it is a signal for Instagram to know what type of content you create and send it to your target audience.
- So, the true art doesn’t lie in using hashtags, but rather, it lies in using the right amount of hashtags at the right places with intention. In terms of practice and proven experience, the majority of creators use between 8-12 hashtags as this number provides sufficient information for the algorithm while still avoiding any kind of hashtag spamming.
- When one scrolls through Instagram, one is definitely not going to engage with a post that looks like pure spam. On the other hand, by not adding hashtags, one leaves his/her content open only to one’s followers, thus limiting his/her audience growth rate.
- Thus, instead of trying to hit the maximum number of 30 hashtags, try thinking strategically: every single hashtag must be treated as an entry door for the correct target audience. Once you see that your hashtags attract the wrong target audience, your engagement will be negatively affected, and Instagram will automatically lower your reach level.
- In today's highly competitive Instagram community, where attention spans have been shortened and everyone aims at achieving fast growth, hashtags are supposed to complement your content rather than compensate for it. If your content is good, then hashtags may even work better if there are only 8 of them, whereas poor-quality content cannot succeed with the help of hashtags regardless of their quality.
Key Take aways:
- Optimal number of hashtags is 8-12.
- You shouldn't use all 30 unless every hashtag is relevant.
- Balance between big (over 1 million), medium (100k – 1 million), and small (under 100k) hashtags.
- Hashtags must be relevant; never use irrelevant trending hashtags.
- Never use the same hashtags in all of your posts.
- Excessive use of hashtags makes you look like spam (low credibility + low engagement).
- Lack of hashtags limits your reach (difficult to grow).
- Quality content trumps hashtags.
- Think like your audience, not the algorithm.
- Hashtags increase visibility but won’t make your content go viral.
Conclusion:
In summary, hashtags may not be the silver bullet, but only a tool whose effectiveness is based on the way it’s used. The best content makers are not those with the most hashtags; they are simply those using the most appropriate hashtags. If one sticks to the aspects discussed above and uses appropriate hashtags for their content, one will benefit from hash tagging without necessarily appearing to be trying too hard. Thus, rather than posing the question, “How many hashtags should I use?”, the more appropriate question would be, “Am I really benefiting from the use of my hashtags?”
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