From Likes to Leads: How to Find Relevant Instagram Hashtags for Your Business
Instagram has become a powerhouse platform for businesses to showcase products or services and connect with target audiences. But with millions of daily posts, how can your content stand out? One of the most effective ways to increase your reach and engagement on the platform is using the right hashtags.
Relevant Instagram hashtags can help you connect with your target audience, discover new potential customers, and showcase your brand to a wider community. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to find the most relevant hashtags to take your business Instagram marketing strategy to the next level.
Understanding Instagram Hashtags
Instagram hashtags, symbolized by the hash symbol (#), aren't just post decorations; they categorize and amplify content visibility, making it easier for potential customers to find you. When used strategically, it can help you reach your target audience, increase engagement, and ultimately drive more traffic to your profile.
Whether you're a content creator sharing coffee-related content, a faceless account focusing on coffee themes, or an entrepreneur with a coffee shop business, hashtags like #coffeelovers, #morningbrew, and #caffeineaddict can connect you with fellow coffee enthusiasts.
They also foster community engagement. Encouraging users to share their experiences and connect with your brand through hashtags like #MyCoffeeMoment or #SipAndChat cultivates a sense of belonging and involvement in your brand's narrative that builds genuine connections with your audience.
How Instagram Hashtags Work?
Think of Instagram hashtags as your virtual storefront signs in the platform—they help categorize and amplify your content, making it easier for potential customers to find you or the product or service you offer. When you use the right hashtags, you can:
Reach a Wider Audience: Hashtags allow your content to be discovered by users who are actively searching for or following specific topics, products, or services.
Increase Engagement: When users engage with your content by liking, commenting, or sharing, it can lead to increased visibility and potential new followers.
Analyze and Optimize: By tracking the performance of your hashtags, you can identify which ones are driving the most engagement and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Remember, it's not just about slapping any old hashtag on your posts—it's about choosing the right ones that resonate with your brand and attract your ideal customers. Engaging content paired with relevant hashtags is the winning combo for success on Instagram.
Identifying Relevant Hashtags for Your Business
Now that you understand the power of Instagram hashtags let's explore the process of finding the most relevant ones for your business.
1. Research Your Industry and Competitors
Start by researching your industry and competitors to identify the hashtags they are using. Look at the hashtags they include in their posts, as well as the ones they follow or engage with. This will give you a good starting point and help you understand the landscape of your industry on Instagram. For example, if you run a spa business, tags like #RelaxationMode, #SpaDay, and #SelfCareSunday can catch the eye of potential clients scrolling for their next pampering session.
2. Utilize Hashtag Research Tools
There are various Instagram hashtag generator tools available that can help you find relevant for your business. Some popular options include:
Instagram's Explore Page: When you start typing a hashtag in the search bar, Instagram will suggest related hashtags to explore.
Hashtag Research Tools: Tools like Hashtagify, RiteTag, All Hashtag, or Sistrix, can provide detailed insights into specific hashtags' performance and popularity.
Competitor Analysis: Use tools like Sprout Social or Hootsuite to analyze your competitors' hashtag usage and identify opportunities for your strategy.
4. Consider Your Target Audience and Brand Messaging
When selecting hashtags, it's important to consider your target audience and the message you want to convey. Think about the keywords, phrases, and topics most relevant to your brand and what your customers love, need, or talk about. Use hashtags that mirror their interests and the language they use.
5. Mix and Match Hashtag Types
Combine hashtags that cover your industry, location, specific services, or any special campaigns you're running. If you're a restaurant in Vancouver, combining VancouverEats with #VeganBurgers might attract locals craving a plant-based meal.
For effective Instagram hashtag strategies, here are the different types of hashtags you can mix and match, including:
Industry-specific hashtags: These are hashtags that are directly related to your industry, such as #OnlineShopping, #spalife, or #hotellife.
Brand or product-specific hashtags: These are more specific hashtags that relate to your products, services, or unique offerings, such as #LuxuryResortRetreat, #AromatherapyMassage, and #FashionFindsOnline. They are excellent for promoting brand identity and encouraging user-generated content (UGC).
Campaign hashtags: These are specific to your business, such as your company name or a campaign-specific that is focused on product launches or events, driving targeted engagement and promotion.
Location Hashtags: Adding a location to your hashtags, like #TorontoSpa or #VancouverHotel, can enhance local visibility, attracting users interested in specific geographical areas such as Canada.
Event Hashtags: These are specific to events or occasions, like #SummerFestival or #HolidaySpecials. These hashtags are designed to create excitement, generate buzz, and encourage participation in time-sensitive promotions or activities related to an event or ongoing celebration within your industry.
Descriptive Hashtags: Add descriptive hashtags highlighting key features or benefits of your offerings, such as #RelaxationRetreat or #GourmetDiningExperience, to attract users searching for specific experiences or services.
6. Continuously Optimize and Analyze
Once you start using hashtags, regularly review and analyze their performance to identify which ones drive the most engagement and results for your business. Adjust your hashtag strategy as needed, and be open to experimenting with new hashtags to keep your content fresh and relevant.
Best Practices for Using Instagram Hashtags
To maximize the effectiveness of your Instagram hashtags, consider the following best practices:
1. Mix It Up: Use a combination of brand, community, campaign, niche, and location hashtags to broaden your reach and appeal to different segments of your audience.
2. Keep It Relevant: Ensure that your hashtags are directly related to your post and audience. Irrelevant hashtags can lead to lower engagement and may even attract spam.
3. Limit Your Hashtags: Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but it's recommended to aim for around 20. According to a study by Later, posts with 20 hashtags receive the highest average reach. However, posts with a maximum of 30 hashtags also perform well, closely following those with 20. Experiment with different numbers to determine what works best for your business and audience.
4. Incorporate Hashtags Into Your Caption: Is it better to put hashtags in comments or captions? While you can place them at the end of your caption or in a comment, integrating them seamlessly into your caption can enhance readability and engagement.
5. Stay Updated: Keep an eye on trending hashtags and Instagram's changing algorithms to adapt your strategy and remain competitive.
How to Track and Analyze the Performance of Your Instagram Hashtags?
To effectively monitor your Instagram hashtags' performance, utilize the Insights feature. Navigate to a highly engaging post, click 'view insights', and scroll to see how many people discovered it through your hashtags. This data reveals if your hashtags are expanding your reach. If not, experiment with different ones.
Additionally, third-party analytics tools like Iconosquare offer deeper insights into hashtag performance, aiding in continuous optimization and growth. Regularly review data to understand which hashtags work best for your strategy.
Top 5 Instagram Hashtags for Hotels & Restaurants
#FoodieDestination 250K
#finedinning 390K
#besthotels 400K
#instafood 57K
#hotelstays 32K
Top 5 Instagram Hashtags for Ecom Brands
#ecommercestore 354K
#ShopNow 23K
#HomeDecorInspo 95K
#EcoFriendlyProducts 100K
#InnovativeRetail 60K
Top 5 Instagram Hashtags for Content Creators
#contentinspiration 24K
#creativecontent 500K
#contentcreatorslife 93K
#contentcreatortips 131K
#creativecollaboration 116K
Remember, the goal is to use Instagram hashtags that speak to your business and connect with the community you want to serve. Whether you're all about eco-friendly wellness products, fancy dinner experiences, or the best staycation spots, choosing the relevant hashtags is like rolling out a welcome red carpet for your future customers.
Ready to amplify your social media presence and drive business growth through strategic Instagram hashtag usage?
Contact Social Bean Creatives today for a free Social Media Audit and let us help you unlock the full potential of your social media strategy!
