Best Hashtags for Content Creators: Supercharge Your Social Posts

Admittedly, hashtags can look a little messy in your captions. And figuring out which ones to use takes time and energy. So, it’s completely normal to wonder if they’re even worth it. Are they really going to grow your account, or are they just an extra step that doesn’t matter much?

The short and powerful answer is yes, hashtags are certainly effective. They can make a big difference in how many people see your posts, how many interact with you, and even how many people become your followers. Want to know how? Let’s find out.

We’ve talked about how hashtags can be a powerful tool, but why exactly should you bother with them? What’s in it for your business? Let’s break down the top 3 benefits of using hashtags the right way:

1. Increased Impressions

Think of hashtags as keywords for your Instagram posts. You use keywords to help people find your blogs through search engines. Well, hashtags help people find your Instagram content.

Instagram uses hashtags to sort and organize all its content. When someone searches for a hashtag, Instagram shows them posts with that same hashtag.

For example, if someone searches for #books, they’ll see recent and popular posts that all include the #books hashtag. Want your posts to show up here? Then you need to use the right hashtags.

2. Boosted Engagement

Getting your posts seen by more people is great. 

But the main goal isn’t just to have eyes on your content. The real magic happens when people interact with it. That means likes, comments, shares — all the good stuff.

Here’s where hashtags shine again. Studies have shown that posts with hashtags get way more engagement. Their experiment proved it — posts with hashtags had 70% more likes and a whopping 392% more comments than ones without.

3. More Followers

We’ve talked about how hashtags get you more views and boost likes and comments. But can they actually help you get more followers?

The answer depends on you. If you only use hashtags to get more eyes on your posts, you might not see many new followers. Pair the right hashtags with awesome content, however, and you’ve got a recipe for growth.

Remember, people follow accounts they find valuable and interesting. Hashtags get them to your page, but it’s your killer content that makes them want to stick around.

Using hashtags that are super specific to your niche or industry is important. But there’s another type of hashtag that’s just as valuable: the popular ones.

While these might not target your exact audience at first, they can add some fun and variety to your posts. They can even help people who don’t know you yet discover your amazing content.

Here are 25 popular hashtags on Instagram, along with some tips for using them. Whether you’re an influencer or small business owner, there’s something here to help boost your brand:

• #love: This one works for almost anything. Share love for your products, customers, or even just a sunny day.
• #instagood: Perfect for your most awesome photos and positive posts.
• #me: Don’t be afraid of the occasional selfie, even on a business account.
• tbt: Short for “Throwback Thursday,” post an old photo of your business, a past product, or just something fun with a vintage vibe.
• #cute: Got a cute company mascot? Adorable customer photos? Share them with this hashtag.
• #family: Share photos of your work team or highlight the community around your brand.
• #travel: Showcase customer photos from around the world or highlight your own business travels.
• #photooftheday: For your absolute best shots. This is a great way to spotlight user-submitted photos, too.
• #happy: Share happy customer stories, positive news, or anything that makes people smile.
• #style: Great for showing off your style, whether that’s in fashion, design, or something else entirely.
• #beautiful: Use it for stunning visuals, inspirational ideas, and anything else you find beautiful.
• #girl: If your photo features a woman or girl, add this one to the mix.
• #life: Go behind the scenes and let people see the real-life side of your business.
• #selfie: Selfies can be great for engagement. Don’t be afraid to show your face sometimes.
• #nature: Beautiful scenery shots are always popular. Post nature photos that relate to your business or location.
• #summer: Perfect for seasonal posts, especially if your products or services are summer-related.
• #fun: Show your playful side. Share fun moments from work or highlight customers having fun with your products.
• #smile: Smiling faces are always a hit. Got happy customer photos? Add this hashtag.
• #friends: Celebrate the great relationships within your business and with customers.
• #motivation: Share inspiring content—quotes, stories, or advice that motivates your audience is perfect for this tag.
• #instadaily: Use this one for any standout photos or posts you’re particularly proud of.
• #fashion: If you’re in the fashion world, this one’s a no-brainer.
• #igers: This stands for “Instagramers,” and it works on almost anything.
• #fitness: Share motivational workout tips, customer transformations, or active lifestyle photos.
• #food: Food photos are still a favorite on Instagram. Even if you don’t sell food, this can work for company lunches or fun food-related moments.
• #digitalmarketing: Perfect if you offer marketing services or share related tips.
• #socialmediamarketing: Another useful one if your business focuses on social media.
• #explorepage: Aim to get your content featured on Instagram’s Explore page with this hashtag.
• #contentmarketing: Ideal if you help others with their content creation.
• #contentstrategy: Share content planning tips and resources. Or promote your services with this one.
• #fashionblogger: A must for anyone in the fashion blogging world.
• #ootd: Short for “Outfit of the Day,” this is popular with fashion-related accounts.
• #reels: Promote your Instagram Reels and get them discovered with this hashtag.

Remember, these popular hashtags are just the beginning. Experiment with different ones. Mix and match them with industry-specific hashtags.

Keep an eye on what works best for your business. The key is to have fun with it and see how these hashtags can help you connect with a wider audience.

For B2B and B2C businesses, hashtags help target your dream customers directly. Here are 25 content creator hashtags and tips for when to use them:

• #fashion: Clearly identify as a fashion brand with this.
• #beauty: Ideal for anything related to beauty products or services.
• #fitness: Perfect for fitness brands, gyms, trainers, or inspirational fitness content.
• #travel: Reach people who love to travel and showcase your travel-related products or services.
• #lifestyle: Share content that reflects a particular lifestyle you represent or target.
• #homedecor: Great for interior design stores, homeware brands, or sharing home decor inspiration.
• #food: A classic tag for food brands, restaurants, or sharing delicious-looking dishes.
• #momlife: Connect with moms and showcase products or services relevant to them.
• #dadlife: Similar to #momlife, but targeted towards dads.
• #photography: Use this for photography-centric brands or stunning photos that grab attention.
• #happy: Share content that makes people smile and promotes a positive brand image.
• #sale: Announce sales, discounts, or special promotions.
• #giveaway: Run contests or giveaways to attract new customers.
• #newarrivals: Showcase new products, collections, or limited-edition items.
• #fun: Show off your playful side and connect with customers on an emotional level.
• #instagood: Highlight your most awesome photos and positive posts.
• #photooftheday: For your absolute best shots.
• #love: This one works for almost anything. Share love for your products, customers, or your brand values.
• #family: Share photos or stories that resonate with families.
• #friends: Celebrate the bonds of friendship and connect with customers on that level.
• #trending: Use trending hashtags (research them) to get your content seen by a wider audience.
• #explorepage: Aim to get featured on Instagram’s Explore page with this hashtag.
• #customerlove: Share positive customer reviews or testimonials.
• #instadaily: Use this for any standout photos or posts you’re particularly proud of.
• #behindthescenes: Give your audience a peek into the world of your brand.

Over time, you’ll discover which hashtags bring you the most success. Don’t be afraid to try new ones, remove ones that aren’t working, and constantly test what helps you reach your perfect audience.

Picking the right hashtags is almost like a science. Here’s how you can become a hashtag expert and find ones that really work for your business:

Know Your Audience

The best hashtags are the ones your ideal customers are already using. Think about these questions:

• What are your ideal customers interested in?
• What kinds of problems do you help them solve?
• What other brands or accounts do they likely follow?

Once you’ve got a good grasp of your audience, you can start brainstorming hashtags they might be searching for or using themselves.

Use Hashtag Research Tools

There are awesome tools online that can help you find the perfect hashtags. They can show you how popular certain hashtags are, and they even suggest related hashtags you might not have thought of. Some popular options include Hootsuite and Flick. Hootsuite, for instance, has a hashtag generator. That can really speed up your progress.

These tools help you discover hidden gems. Bottom line, you’ll be able to make sure you’re using hashtags that actually get your content seen.

Analyze Competitors

Check out what hashtags successful accounts similar to yours are using. Don’t just copy them, but use their posts as inspiration. Take note of what works well for them, and test those hashtags with your own content. 

You’ve got to put in some detective work. Find clues from other successful businesses can help you discover even better hashtags. It takes a little effort on your part, but the end result is worth the time and energy. You get out what you put in.

Track Your Results

The most important step is paying attention to how well your hashtags are performing. Many SEO and social media management tools will track hashtag metrics.

Over time, you’ll be able to tell which hashtags are bringing in the most engagement and new followers to your page. Keep track of this information so you can choose the best hashtags that really deliver results for your business.

Hashtags are a powerful way to get your content in front of more people who are interested in what you have to offer. They can help you gain more followers and get more likes and comments. Ultimately, you’ll grow your business.

Start with a mix of popular hashtags, some that are specific to your industry and a few niche ones that really fit your unique brand. Don’t forget to keep track of your results and see which hashtags bring you the best engagement.

Ready to take your social media to the next level and grow your business even faster? Founder OS has everything you need to become a social media expert and reach new customers.

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