Hashtags remain an essential component of Instagram growth, especially for new coaches, content creators, and entrepreneurs aiming to expand their reach and attract new followers. However, many users find themselves frustrated when their hashtag strategy doesn’t yield the expected results. Understanding and avoiding common hashtag pitfalls can change the game and help you optimize your Instagram growth effectively.
Here’s an insightful breakdown of two critical hashtag mistakes to avoid and how to design a winning hashtag strategy in 2022. —
Mistake #1: Hashtags That Don’t Match Your Content
One of the most frequent—and crucial—mistakes Instagram users make is using hashtags that don’t align with their actual content. This disconnect can drastically limit your content’s reach, even if your hashtags are well thought out and follow best practices.
Why Does This Happen?
People find new content via hashtags based primarily on the visual appeal of your posts. Instagram is a visual platform, so users are drawn to posts that immediately “speak” to the hashtag they searched for.
For example, imagine you’re a career coach and are using hashtags like #CareerTips or #WomenInTech. If your Instagram feed contains mostly personal photos—such as images from your wedding or vacations—then a user searching these hashtags will likely scroll past your posts. The content they see doesn’t visually communicate the career advice or tech focus they expect.
How To Fix This?
- Align your visual content with your hashtag themes. If you use career-related hashtags, your posts should visually reflect career topics—charts, professional headshots, infographic tips, or relevant workspace images.
- Audit your Instagram feed without the bio. Temporarily cover your Instagram bio and look at your feed from a stranger’s perspective. Would someone get a clear sense of what you offer and want to follow you based on your photos alone?
- Brand consistency is key. Use a consistent aesthetic, colors, and style that reinforce your niche and message.
This strategic consistency gives a clear signal to people browsing hashtags that your content matches what they’re looking for and boosts the likelihood of gaining followers.
Mistake #2: Lack of Hashtag Diversification
Using the same set of hashtags day after day—or picking only super broad or too niche hashtags—can also hurt your growth.
The Problem with Too Much Similarity
- Using overly broad hashtags like #Entrepreneur or #Fitness means your posts enter a massive pool of content. You’ll compete with thousands or millions of posts, making it almost impossible to stand out or rank high for those tags.
- Using only very niche hashtags with a tiny pool of posts may mean your content doesn’t get any visibility because few people search for those very specific tags.
- Repeatedly using the same hashtag group can also trigger Instagram’s spam detection, potentially limiting your content’s reach.
How To Fix This?
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Diversify your hashtag sizes: Use a mix of large, medium, and small hashtag groups in your posts. For instance:
- Big hashtags with millions of posts (for reach potential but lower ranking chances)
- Medium-sized hashtags with hundreds of thousands of posts (better chance to stand out)
- Small hashtags under 100,000 posts that are niche but still relevant (to capture targeted viewers)
This mix maximizes your chances of ranking and exposing your content to the right audiences.
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Rotate your hashtag groups: Avoid copy-pasting the same 30 hashtags in every post. Instead, create several groups based on themes or campaigns and rotate them. This prevents Instagram from flagging your posts and keeps your reach fresh.
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Use fewer than 30 hashtags per post: Some account growth experts suggest using 25 or fewer hashtags to stay “under the radar” and avoid any negative algorithm impacts related to bots.
Bonus Tip: Audit and Adapt Regularly
Instagram’s algorithm and user preferences evolve over time, so it’s a good idea to regularly check the performance of your hashtags and content alignment:
- Track which hashtags drive engagement and follower growth.
- Monitor your post visuals—do they still reflect your niche and hashtag themes?
- Be ready to tweak your hashtag strategy based on what’s working.
Final Thoughts
Hashtags are a powerful tool when used strategically, but they can also hold you back if misused. Aligning your visual content with your hashtags and diversifying your hashtag groups are two foundational moves that will help you optimize your Instagram growth.
By focusing on these strategies, coaches, creators, and entrepreneurs can step up their hashtag game in 2022, increase reach, attract relevant followers, and ultimately build stronger, more engaged communities on Instagram.
Remember, successful Instagram growth is about authentic content and smart optimization. Avoid mismatched hashtags, diversify your approach, rotate your groups, and watch your Instagram presence flourish!
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