In Instagram, hashtags are a must-have. The effective use of hashtags has led to the expansion of many pages. However, how should one go about utilizing hashtags to expand one’s audience and fortify one’s page?
A comprehensive guide to using hashtags correctly across all social media platforms is provided here.
How are they used?
We need to define hashtags first. Hashtags are a form of metadata used to organise content into specific groups. Hashtags play a pivotal role on Instagram because they allow users to more easily locate specific posts. For instance, the hashtag #CoatForWinter can be used to find a new winter coat. Then, you can view all the images that have been tagged with the word “winter coat” on Instagram. Hashtags, on Instagram, are thus groups of posts that share some common characteristics.
The significance of hashtags and why they’re used
Using trending hashtags can help you connect with a wider audience. When people look for a specific hashtag, and your post comes up first, you’ll be exposed to a whole new audience. This means that every time you publish an update using a hashtag, you’re expanding your potential audience. But how do you make sure your hashtags are trending? To begin with, hashtags can be explored in one of two ways: the most recent posts or the top posts. These most recent posts contain the most up-to-date examples of a specified hashtag. You can use the “#” symbol to see all the photos that have been tagged with that word, ordered by when they were posted. A compilation of the best posts using that hashtag can be found in the top post. The best photos posted with that hashtag over the past few days are displayed here. To ensure that your post is seen by the most people, you should aim to have it rank among the top posts for the relevant hashtags. To boost this chance you have to take a variety of factors into account.
A good hashtag strategy in 3 steps
1. Make sure it’s relevant
There are thousands of hashtags on Instagram. Because of this, it’s crucial to pick the appropriate hashtags that go along with your media. For example, refrain from using #WinterCoat with a picture of a car. If you post a photo of your car in a thread tagged #WinterCoat, no one will ever click on it because they aren’t interested in seeing a photo of a coat. Instagram uses computer algorithms to evaluate each photo’s significance. Low probability of being among the top posts if your hashtag is irrelevant. Therefore, always choose only relevant hashtags. Watch each photo cautiously and add relevant hashtags. So don’t blindly replicate your hashtag list, since this decreases the opportunities of ranking high inside of hashtags.
2. Employ branded hashtags
If you’re a business, you should create and use your own unique hashtag. When you use your own hashtag, people will immediately think of your company whenever they see that hashtag. In addition, it also ensures recognition and is an extra ‘interaction’ with your brand name. In this way, people are more likely to remember your brand. Having your own hashtag also guarantees that all of your posts will be aggregated. Not only the pictures that you post yourself as well as the photos of clients who use your hashtag. Prospective buyers can find images of your product by searching the branded hashtag you’ve created for it.
3. Don’t use oversized hashtags
Knowing how many photos and videos are associated with a hashtag can help you determine its level of popularity. You can’t compare a hashtag with 1,000 photos to one with 10 million. If you use a huge number of hashtags, your photos will get lost in the sea of others. There are so many new posts under that hashtag every second that yours will likely be buried. Additionally, there is a lot more competition for popular posts when using popular hashtags. If possible, use hashtags with fewer than five million photos. The most effective tactic is to classify hashtags into three sizes: small, medium, and large. If your photo is particularly impressive right now, don’t pass up the chance to rise to the position of “top post” within a large hashtag. The following timetable is available for your use:
- Tweet with just three hashtags 0-50,000 posts
- Three moderate hashtags 50,000 – 500,000 posts
- Big Three Hashtags 500,000 – 5,000,000 posts
- Two Hashtags for Branding
Using this method, your hashtags will gradually grow in size as they are shared. More specifically, your post will have a better chance of ranking higher in the next category if it does well in the smaller hashtags.