Hashtag Strategy on Instagram: Finding the Sweet Spot and Avoiding Bans

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Published by Aleksandar Janceski at May 8, 2023

How Many Hashtags Should I Use on Instagram

Finding the right balance of hashtags can be a bit tricky, as using too few may hinder your content's visibility, while using too many may come across as spammy. So, how many hashtags should you use on Instagram? Let's break it down.

Understanding the Hashtag Limit

Instagram allows users to include up to 30 hashtags in a single post. While it may be tempting to use all 30 to maximize visibility, overloading your post with hashtags can appear cluttered and may even hurt your engagement.

The Sweet Spot for Hashtags

Research suggests that the optimal number of hashtags to use is between 5 and 11, and posts with this range of hashtags tend to receive the highest levels of engagement. However, the most suitable number for your account may vary depending on various factors, such as your niche, target audience, and content type.

Tailoring Your Hashtags to Your Content

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to hashtags. Additionally, using relevant hashtags for your content and audience is essential to make the most out of them. Instead of copying and pasting popular hashtags, take the time to create a custom set of hashtags that truly represent your post's message and resonate with your audience.

Experimentation Is Key

As with any social media strategy, it's crucial to experiment and analyze the results. Try different combinations of hashtags, varying both in number and type, to see what works best for your account. Monitor your engagement rates, impressions, and reach to refine your strategy over time.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how many hashtags you should use on Instagram. It's essential to strike a balance that works for your specific account and content.

By understanding the hashtag limit, finding your sweet spot, tailoring your hashtags, and experimenting with different combinations, you can optimize your hashtag strategy and boost your Instagram success.

Tips for Creating an Effective Hashtag Strategy

Developing a strong hashtag strategy is crucial to attract more followers on Instagram and increase your visibility. To help you create a plan that works for your brand, follow these tips:

Research your niche: Understanding your niche is vital in finding relevant hashtags that resonate with your target audience. Analyze the content of industry leaders, competitors, and influencers to identify popular and effective hashtags. This will help you discover the most suitable tags for your content and audience.

Use a mix of hashtags: Mix popular, niche-specific, and branded hashtags to maximize your reach. Popular hashtags can help you gain visibility, while niche-specific ones will connect you with a more targeted audience. Furthermore, branded hashtags, unique to your business, will encourage user-generated content and foster a sense of community among your followers.

Test and measure: Regularly test different hashtags to discover which ones work best for your content. Track your engagement levels, such as likes, comments, and shares, to gauge the effectiveness of your chosen hashtags. By analyzing the data, you can refine your strategy and focus on the hashtags that deliver the best results.

Use hashtags in stories: In addition to regular posts, incorporate hashtags into your Instagram Stories. This can boost your discoverability and help you reach a wider audience. Just like with regular posts, use a mix of popular, niche-specific, and branded hashtags to maximize your impact.

Keep it relevant: Ensure your hashtags are relevant to your content and brand. Irrelevant hashtags may attract users who are not genuinely interested in your content, leading to lower engagement and a less authentic following. Stick to hashtags that accurately represent your content and values to maintain a genuine connection with your audience.

Stay updated on hashtag trends: Stay informed about trending hashtags, which can provide opportunities for increased visibility. However, only jump on trends that align with your brand, as using unrelated hashtags can appear spammy and damage your credibility.

Monitoring Hashtag Performance

If you want to optimize your hashtag strategy and ensure its effectiveness, it's crucial to monitor your hashtag performance consistently. Here are some essential steps to help you keep track of your hashtags and improve your overall approach:

Use Instagram Insights: Instagram Insights, the platform's native analytics tool, offers valuable data on your content's performance. Track your posts' reach, impressions, and engagement to see how well your chosen hashtags are working. This information will help you make informed decisions and refine your hashtag strategy.

Third-party analytics tools: Several third-party analytics tools can provide additional insights into your hashtag performance. There are various tools available, such as Iconosquare, Sprout Social, and Keyhole, that provide detailed analytics.

They offer features such as tracking hashtags, analyzing competitors, and providing historical data. These insights can help you identify trends and make data-driven decisions to improve your hashtag strategy.

Track user-generated content: User-generated content (UGC) is an excellent indicator of the success of your branded hashtags. Monitor the number of posts and engagements that include your branded hashtags to gauge their effectiveness in fostering a sense of community and generating buzz around your brand.

Compare hashtags: When you've collected data on the performance of various hashtags, compare them to determine which ones are most effective for your brand. Focus on the hashtags that consistently drive engagement, reach, and impressions, and experiment with new ones to keep your strategy fresh and relevant.

Set benchmarks:

Establish benchmarks for your hashtag performance to measure your success and identify areas for improvement.
Use industry standards, competitor analysis, and historical data to set realistic goals for reach, engagement, and impressions.
Continually evaluate your performance against these benchmarks and adjust your strategy as needed.

Banned Instagram Hashtags You Shouldn't Use

Instagram prioritizes a safe and respectful environment for users, which is why some hashtags are banned. Using these can negatively affect your account's visibility and risk penalties.

Banned hashtags violate Instagram's community guidelines and can involve spam, nudity, harassment, or other inappropriate content. Moreover, it's important to stay informed and regularly check your hashtags since Instagram's list of banned hashtags constantly evolves.

Even seemingly innocent hashtags, such as #beautyblogger, #desk, and #elevator, can be banned. Always double-check your hashtags and be cautious when using popular or generic ones.

Also, to maintain a successful Instagram hashtag strategy, focus on using niche-specific and relevant hashtags. Research your industry, competitors, and influencers for popular and compliant tags. You can keep your content visible and engaging by avoiding banned hashtags and staying informed about Instagram's guidelines.

List of Banned Instagram Hashtags

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of banned Instagram hashtags can be challenging. To help you stay compliant and protect your account, here's a list of currently banned hashtags you should avoid using:

A

#abdl
#adulting
#addmysc
#always
#alone
#americangirl
#asiangirl
#armparty
#attractive
#ass
#assday
#assworship

B

#bbc
#babe
#beautydirectory
#beautyblogger ([NOTE]: using #beautybloggers is acceptable and works).
#besties
#brain
#bikinibody
#books
#boho

C

#costumes
#curvygirls
#curvy
#cpr
#customers

D

#dating
#date
#desk
#dm
#direct
#dogsofinstagram
#daddylove

E

#edm
#easter
#elevator
#eggplant
#eggplantparm

F

#followforfollow
#fishnets
#fitnessgirls

G

#gloves
#girlsonly
#graffitiigers
#goddess

H

#happythanksgiving
#hawks
#hardworkpaysoff ([NOTE]: using #hardworkpaysoff💪 is acceptable and works).
#hotweather
#hustler
#humpday

I

#ig
#ice
#instababy
#ilovemyinstagram
#instasport
#instamood
#italiano
#iphonegraphy

K

#kissing
#kickoff
#kansas ([NOTE]: using #kansascity is acceptable and works.)
#killingit

L

#l4l
#lulu
#like
#likeback
#likeforlike
#lean
#livinforalivin
#lingerie
#loseweight

M

#mileycyrus
#master
#mustfollow
#milf
#models
#mirrorphoto

N

#nudity
#nasty
#newyearsday
#newyears

O

#overnight

P

#petite
#parties
#pornfood
#publicrelations
#prettygirl
#pushups
#puppydogmondays

R

#ravens
#rate

S

#samelove
#selfharm
#saltwater
#single
#singlelife
#sexworker
#skype
#skateboarding
#snap
#snapchat
#sopretty
#stranger
#snowstorm
#shit
#stud
#sunbathing
#streetphoto
#swole
#shower

T

#tanlines
#tag4like
#tagsforlikes
#treasurethesemoments
#teens
#teen
#todayimwearing
#tgif
#thought

U

#undies
#underage

V

#valentinesday

W

#women
#woman
#womancrushwednesday
#wtf
#workflow

Y

#youngmodel

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Staying Up-to-date with Hashtag Trends

In the ever-changing world of social media, it's crucial to stay informed about the latest hashtag trends to ensure your Instagram strategy remains relevant and effective. Here are some tips for staying up-to-date with hashtag trends and incorporating them into your approach:

Follow industry influencers: Keep an eye on popular influencers and thought leaders in your industry to stay informed about trending hashtags. Influencers often set trends, so incorporating relevant hashtags they use can help increase your content's visibility and engagement.
Monitor trending hashtags: Regularly check the list of trending hashtags on Instagram and other social media platforms. While not all trending hashtags will be relevant to your brand, incorporating those that align with your content can boost your Instagram views and help you reach a broader audience.
Use hashtag research tools: Hashtag research tools, such as Hashtagify, RiteTag, and Display Purposes, can help you discover trending hashtags in your niche. These tools offer insights into popular hashtags and their performance, making identifying and incorporating relevant trends into your strategy easier.
Participate in hashtag challenges and campaigns: Joining in on popular hashtag challenges and campaigns can be a fun and effective way to boost your brand's visibility and engagement. Keep an eye on popular challenges related to your industry and participate when it's a good fit for your brand.
Stay informed about algorithm changes: Social media platforms, including Instagram, regularly update their algorithms to improve user experience. Stay informed about these changes and adapt your hashtag strategy accordingly to ensure your content continues to reach your target audience effectively.

The Bottom Line

Mastering your hashtag strategy on Instagram is crucial for increasing engagement and visibility for your content. You can significantly impact your Instagram success by understanding the optimal number of hashtags to use, avoiding banned hashtags, creating an effective hashtag strategy, monitoring performance, and staying up-to-date with trends.

Remember, the key to an efficient hashtag strategy is striking the right balance between relevance, popularity, and niche-specific hashtags. Continuously track your hashtag performance and adjust your approach as needed. By doing so, you'll remain a step ahead of the competition and create memorable content that resonates with your target audience. Happy hashtagging!