With over 800 million monthly active users, Instagram is a powerful platform for businesses and marketers. And one of the best ways to reach your target audience on Instagram is by using hashtags.
Hashtags are like keywords on Instagram. When you use them in your posts, you make your content more discoverable to people who are searching for those terms. But with over 100 million photos and videos posted to Instagram every day, how do you make sure your content is being seen by the right people?
In this article, we’ll show you how to use Instagram hashtags for business so you can reach your target audience and grow your following.
What are Instagram Hashtags?
An Instagram hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by a “#” sign. When you use a hashtag in your post, anyone who searches for that term will see your content in their search results.
You can use hashtags to reach new people who are interested in the same thing as you or to start a conversation about a specific topic.
For example, let’s say you own a clothing store and you want to reach people who are interested in fashion. You could use hashtags like #fashion, #style, or #ootd (outfit of the day) in your posts.
When someone searches for those terms, they’ll see your content in the search results. And if you use popular hashtags, your content has a chance of being featured in the top posts for that hashtag.
How to Use Instagram Hashtags for Business
Now that you know what Instagram hashtags are and how they work, let’s take a look at how you can use them for your business.
1. Do Your Research
Before you start using hashtags, it’s important to do your research and find the right ones for your business.
When you’re looking for the right hashtags, don’t just go for the most popular ones. Yes, they’ll help you reach a wider audience, but they’re also very competitive.
Instead, focus on finding niche hashtags that will help you reach your target audience. For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, you could use hashtags like #handmadejewelry or #uniquejewelry.
2. Use Niche Hashtags
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to start using hashtags in your posts. When you’re choosing which hashtags to use, it’s important to use a mix of popular and niche ones.
Popular hashtags will help you reach a wider audience, while niche hashtags will help you reach your target audience. For example, if you post a photo of a piece of jewelry you made, you could use the hashtag #handmadejewelry as well as a popular fashion hashtag like #ootd.
3. Use Relevant Hashtags
When you’re using hashtags, make sure they’re relevant to the content of your post. If you use irrelevant hashtags, people who see your content in the search results may not be interested in what you have to say.
For example, if you’re a travel blogger and you post a photo of yourself in Paris, don’t use the hashtag #foodporn. While it’s a popular hashtag, it’s not relevant to your content and it won’t help you reach your target audience.
4. Use Hashtags in Your Bio
In addition to using hashtags in your posts, you can also use them in your bio. This is a great way to make sure people who are interested in your content can easily find it.
For example, if you’re a fashion blogger, you could use the hashtag #fashionblogger in your bio. When people search for that term, they’ll see your account in the search results.
5. Keep Your Hashtags Organized
If you use a lot of hashtags in your posts, it can be helpful to keep them organized. This way, you can easily find and use the hashtags you want.
There are a few different ways you can do this – A notepad or spreadsheet helps to keep track of your hashtags. Save your favorite hashtags in the notes app on your phone. Use a hashtag management tool like Hootsuite or Sprout Social.
Conclusion:
Instagram hashtags are a great way to reach new people and start conversations about your business. By doing your research and using relevant hashtags, you can make sure you’re using them effectively. Now that you know what Instagram hashtags are and how they work, put them to use for your business!
