Hashtags are not just about using them on posts, you need to have a targeted list that your potential audience uses and interact with those posts and accounts.

Everything you can read about strategies like the one above is out of date since February 2021. And the algorithm has changed twice since then (last time between June and July, the time of impact between the US and the rest of the world) Instagram has gone full throttle in 2020, no mercy. To tell you the truth, since June, I don't put any #s. And I'm getting just as much feedback as usual. You need a social media expert, with a marketing expert. You have to pay for ads (but there are many) or take on an expert in digital or cheat with Growth (BS) hacking (funny word for follow Unfollow low strategy for being unoticed by IG robots) a lot. You're left with "Mêmes" that still work, but do they monetize? And do they enhance your brand? Your best strategy is to choose a good team and do only what is related to your brand...then wait...and wait...forget about influencers (I am one and I ended up setting up a much more efficient consultancy company) unless you know a superstar from the cinema or music...Keep hope :) It is, alone, only much harder than before 2019.

Hi, this is a reminder to not promote your instagram page here, thanks.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

Sorry but none of this works. This is a 2016 strategy ^^

Should i use both # and keywords?

Hi, this is a reminder to not promote your instagram page here, thanks.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

Mosserri basically said they don't matter at all. It's really all about the first three seconds. The rest of the reel won't matter at all if the first three seconds aren't intriguing.

Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content relevance and user engagement, so both hashtags and keywords play distinct roles. Here’s how to optimize:

1. Keywords in Captions:
   • Instagram now indexes captions for search (like Google), so naturally integrate keywords (e.g., “vegan gluten-free birthday cake”) into your captions and alt text.
   • Focus on long-tail phrases your audience actually searches for (use Instagram’s search bar for inspiration).
2. Hashtags:
   • Use 5-8 highly targeted hashtags (mix of niche, mid-size, and location-based). Avoid spammy or overly generic tags (#food vs. #vegancakedesigner).
   • Place hashtags in the first comment to keep captions clean, but test this—some creators report better reach in captions.
3. Combine Both Strategically:
   • Keywords boost search visibility, while hashtags amplify category discoverability. Example: Caption: “How to style a minimalist coffee table [keyword-rich]” Hashtags: #InteriorDesignTips #NeutralHomeDecor #CoffeeTableStyling
4. Track & Iterate:
   • Use Instagram Insights to see which keywords/hashtags drive impressions. Tools like Later or Hashtagify can refine your strategy.

Prioritize Reels and carousels—Instagram’s algorithm heavily favors video and multi-image posts. Pair strong keywords/hashtags with trending audio or templates for maximum reach. Quality content > algorithmic hacks. Engage authentically, and the algorithm will reward you.

please Ignore the extra use. It was typo

Hi, this is a reminder to not promote your instagram page here, thanks.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

Do niche hashtags actually help anymore? I keep seeing mixed advice — some say stick to small hashtags for visibility, others say IG just ignores them now.

I've tried using a mix of broad and niche hashtags on my YouTube channel, and it really helped boost my views. Keeping them relevant to the content is key. I also use YouTube Analytics to see which ones work best. It’s a simple strategy but effective!

According to me, using hashtags on YouTube in the right way increases the reach and engagement of the video. I use 3-5 topic-related hashtags in the title or description, and sometimes I also use trending hashtags. Also, I check YouTube Analytics to see which hashtags are performing the best. All these together help the video to reach more people.

Have you tried a post without hashtags and just using keywords? Genuinely curious if it would make a difference.

I personally follow specific hashtags, as do others I know. To say they don’t work, even by the CEO, is absurd.

First as a consumer of content, hashtags are still relevant for people searching for specific things or following a hashtag. I am very likely to engage with the content that I searched for than rely on the algorithm to put something in front of my face.

So sure, hashtags might not be that powerful for the algorithm. But it is very powerful for search.

He's not always right. I follow and read every story he posts. If you don't use hashtags, your account will suffer in the long term. 

I'm not an IG expert by any means, but I do feel like if hashtags do nothing, why are they still there?

If they truly truly had no impact, wouldn't they just remove them all together? I think they just nerfed the importance of them.

Best strategy I've used is 3 niche + 1 broad + 1 brand or series tag (if you've got one). And honestly? Keep them relevant. I used to throw in trending hashtags just for reach and it did nothing. Once I went cleaner and specific, my views got steadier

Okay so my advice is to first of all look at if your item has anything unique about the material, cut, pattern or anything and you can tag that especially if it’s something that’s popular. But also think as a buyer, like what you would search when looking for the item you’re selling and try to tag those key words. Something very general like 90s can be okay but is tagged so much especially on things that have nothing to do with the 90s so when a buyer searches your item probably won’t be first, even if it’s relevant (depop is annoying when it comes to that)

Originating in Twitter, hashtags are now used across all major social media platforms. When used in the right way, hashtags can help both individuals and brands to gain more visibility and engagement. Here are a few tips on how to use hashtags correctly-

Keep an eye on your competitors

Look around for your competitors and make a note of the hashtags they are using. This will enable you to understand how your competitors are engaging with their audiences and which keywords to target.

Look for related hashtags

Once you know which hashtags are working well for you, try searching for related hashtags. This will filter your reach and help you to connect with a more targeted audience. In case of Instagram you can find the related hashtags just above the ‘Top’ and ‘Recent’ tab in the explore section.

Keep a record of successful hashtags in past posts

Find out which of your posts were popular and go through the hashtags used in them. If you notice a certain trend of hashtags in your popular posts, make sure to use them in your future posts as well.

Use trending hashtags

Search for trending hashtags in your niche. There are also several online tools available for generating trending hashtags appropriate for your content.

Read on: https://www.izmocars.com/article/hashtags-what-how-when-and-why-to-use-them-2326-en-us.htm

The old style of adding 30 hashtags is not an efficient way anymore. As many suggested, try to mix popular ones with topic-related and niche-specific ones, say 5-7 in total. The Hashtag ai search generator is the go-to tool for the 5-7 super-specific hashtags plus related popular ones. It is free to have a try.

Mosserri says they make no difference. Think of it this way when is last time you used hashtags to find content on insta?

Yes . It's worth adding

Honestly, hashtags still have some value, especially for categorizing content and increasing discoverability. A lot of creators say they don’t work anymore, but I think it really depends on your niche and audience. For example, if you're in a super competitive space, using strategic hashtags can help you reach new eyes that are actually interested in what you’re sharing.

But the key is to be smart about it. Instead of just throwing in a bunch of random hashtags, try to mix popular ones with some that are more niche-specific. This way, you can potentially get in front of people who are genuinely interested in your content.