How to use hashtags right on Instagram

Hashtags on Instagram help with reach: people search by hashtag, and the algorithm surfaces content by topic. Using them well – reasonable amount, relevance and placement – can bring new viewers and followers. This guide shows you how.

When it's useful

• On every post and Reel where you want reach beyond your followers.
• When you're looking for an audience by topic (food, beauty, fitness, lifestyle, etc.).
• When promoting an event, campaign or specific topic.

Steps for using hashtags right

1. Choose hashtags relevant to the content – Each hashtag should fit what's in the image/Reel. Irrelevant hashtags look like spam and can hurt reach.

2. Mix large, medium and small – Hashtags with millions of posts are crowded; hashtags with only thousands limit reach. A mix of 3–5 large, 5–7 medium and 2–3 small gives balance.

3. Amount – 5–15 hashtags – Instagram allows up to 30. Most creators use 5–15 relevant ones. Too many looks like spam.

4. Where to put them – In posts: caption or first comment. In Reels: caption/hashtag field. In Stories: hashtag sticker or # text.

5. Check that the hashtag is active – Search for the hashtag. If it's banned or marked inactive – pick another. Avoid hashtags with content warnings unless they fit.

6. Vary by content – Don't use the same list of 30 hashtags in every post. Match each post/Reel to its topic.

Common mistakes

• Irrelevant hashtags – #love on a food post doesn't help and feels like spam. Only hashtags that fit the content.
• Only huge hashtags – #instagram and #love are crowded. Without medium and small ones it's hard to stand out.
• Same list in every post – The algorithm may detect a repeating pattern. Vary by content.
• Banned or spam hashtags – Check that the hashtag is active and has no warning. Fake "growth" hashtags can hurt your account.

Summary

Use hashtags right on Instagram: choose 5–15 relevant hashtags, mix large, medium and small, place them in posts/Reels/Stories as appropriate, and check that hashtags are active. Varying by content beats one fixed list.

Next steps

• How to make a viral Reel on Instagram – more reach
• How to get more followers – growth
• How the Instagram algorithm works – how reach works