Imagine you’ve just crafted the perfect Instagram post in the Lifestyle niche. Everything is perfect this time, from the content to the caption.
But still, your post is not getting any reach. Unpleasant, right? There’s a simple yet often overlooked way to improve your post’s visibility and engagement: Hashtags.
Hashtags are a powerful tool that can significantly boost your presence and engagement on Instagram. They help you enhance visibility and organic engagement on your IG account.
Many influencers and businesses opt to buy Instagram followers using captivating hashtags to grow their audience.
In this blog, we will help you master the art of adopting hashtags as a more effective and authentic strategy. Let’s dive in to explore each and every aspect of hashtags.
What Are Hashtags?
Hashtags are words preceded by the “#” symbol used to categorize content on social media platforms. Though they were initially discovered on Twitter, Instagram really took them to the next level.
A lot of businesses and brands use hashtags to expand their audience and reach on the platform. They further play an important role in your Instagram’s SEO and content strategy.
When used strategically, Hashtags can help drive traffic, boost engagement, and increase your online visibility. They are basically like keywords that optimize your content for visibility.
When someone searches or clicks on a hashtag, they see a feed of all the posts tagged with that hashtag. This categorization helps your content reach users who are interested in that specific topic.
What Is The Impact Of Hashtags On Your IG Account?
According to a study, posts and reels with hashtags in their captions saw about 12.6% engagement growth. Additionally, Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes relevant and engaging content.
Thus, using relevant hashtags increases the likelihood that your post will be seen by users interested in that topic, which can lead to higher engagement rates.
The algorithm also considers the post interactions shortly after it’s published. If your post gains traction through hashtag discovery, it’s more likely to be featured on the Explore page, further enhancing its visibility.
How To Effectively Choose the Right Hashtags For Your IG?
There are many ways to decide which hashtags you must use for your posts and reels on Instagram. We will explore the two main strategies you can adopt seamlessly to choose the right hashtags:
- Trending V/S Niche-Specific Hashtags
If you wish to choose the right hashtags, you must be able to balance between trending and niche-specific tags.
Trending hashtags have a high search volume and can provide a quick boost in visibility. However, they also come with high competition. For example, #Instalife has been tagged and mentioned in over 26 million posts.
Niche-specific hashtags, on the other hand, cater to a smaller, more targeted audience, which can lead to more meaningful interactions and engagement. For example, if you are a chef, you can use hashtags like #FoodPorn to make it more specific for foodies.
- Research Tools and Techniques
To find the best hashtags for your content using research techniques, you can just use Instagram’s Search Function. Type in a hashtag to see its popularity and related tags. Moreover, tools like All Hashtag, Hashtagify, and RiteTag can suggest popular and relevant hashtags.
You must conduct a thorough competitor analysis to see which hashtags successful accounts in your niche use and how they perform. Additionally, to track the performance, you can utilize tools like Iconosquare or Sprout Social.
6 Best Practices For Using Hashtags
Since you have learnt basic aspects and importance of hashtags for your Instagram lifestyle brand and profile, it is time to know the best, proven practices to adopt for hashtag strategy.
- Optimal Number of Hashtags
While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, it does not mean you should use all 30. It is suggested that using three to six hashtags can maximize engagement. Experiment with different numbers to see what works best for your audience.
- Placement of Hashtags
There’s an ongoing debate about whether hashtags should be placed in the caption or the comments. Both methods are effective! But placing hashtags in the comments allows you to keep your caption clean and focused.
On the other hand, as per the study conducted on 650,000 Instagram accounts, accounts with less than 5,000 followers saw 37% more reach when hashtags were placed in the caption. So, you can experiment with hashtags on your profile and see what works best for you.
- Create & Promote Your Branded Hashtags
Creating a unique branded hashtag does sound bold, but it can also help build community and brand recognition. Encourage your followers to use the hashtags you started. This makes it easier to track user-generated content and engage with your audience.
- Participate in Hashtag Challenges
Hashtag challenges are a fun way to increase your visibility and engagement. These challenges often go viral, allowing your content to be seen by a larger audience. Participate in popular challenges or create your own to engage your followers.
- Monitor Your Hashtag Strategy
To expand your reach, you must regularly review the performance of your hashtags using software and tools. You can also utilize Instagram Insights to see which hashtags drive the most engagement. This will help you adjust your strategy based on what’s working and what’s not.
- Stay Updated
Hashtag trends can change quickly. Stay updated on current trends and adapt your strategy accordingly. Follow industry news, participate in social media forums, and watch what’s trending on Instagram.
Top Hashtags For Lifestyle Instagram Accounts
Here are some of the top hashtags for lifestyle Instagram accounts to help you get started:
- #love (2.1B)
- #instagood (1.6B)
- #instagram (1.1B)
- #art (1B)
- #photooftheday (1B)
- #photography (1B)
- #picoftheday (720M)
- #instadaily (639M)
- #tbt (583M)
- #like4like (514M)
- #reels (509M)
- #instalike (502M)
- #photo (488M)
- #me (454M)
- #selfie (451M)
- #music (441M)
- #friends (438M)
- #life (436M)
- #smile (435M)
- #family (435M)
- #girl (426M)
- #trending (372M)
- #model (358M)
- #design (353M)
- #motivation (351M)
- #handmade (345M)
- #lifestyle (343M)
- #likeforlike (328M)
- #dogsofinstagram (307M)
- #beach (294M)
Conclusion
When you use hashtags strategically, organically and effectively, you improve your Instagram presence. But to make it grow tenfold and pace up your reach, you can also choose to buy instagram growth services from a reputable provider like BuyReviewz along with using hashtags.
Start experimenting with these tips today, and don’t forget to share your experience with us!
