In the ever-evolving world of Instagram, hashtags remain a powerful tool to grow your audience and increase post visibility — but only if used strategically. Many creators and entrepreneurs struggle with hashtags, spending lots of time researching them but seeing little return in engagement or reach. If you’ve felt this way, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hashtags in 2023 so you can finally make them work to boost your Instagram presence.
What is the Role of Hashtags on Instagram?
At their core, hashtags help categorize content, making it easier for Instagram users to discover posts relevant to their interests. When someone searches for or follows a hashtag, content tagged with it can show up in their feed—even if they don’t follow you personally.
Beyond helping users discover posts, hashtags also serve a vital role in signaling Instagram’s algorithm about your content’s niche and relevance. This categorization helps the platform push your posts to the right audience, increasing the likelihood of engagement and growth.
Why Should You Still Use Hashtags in 2023?
Despite rumors that hashtags no longer work, they absolutely do—and for most creators, they are crucial. Large accounts with highly engaged audiences might rely less on hashtags because their posts are frequently reshared or appear via other channels like the Explore page. However, if you aren’t already a big account with tons of organic engagement, hashtags should be part of your daily strategy.
Keep in mind that Instagram is evolving into a more SEO-focused platform, meaning keywords and hashtags will continue to guide content discovery. Hashtags complement other growth methods such as creating valuable content, engaging with your community, and using Reels effectively.
Also, understand that hashtags don’t guarantee success every time—growth comes through ongoing testing, analysis, and optimization. If certain hashtags don’t work, experiment with new ones rather than reusing ineffective sets.
Why Aren’t Hashtags Working for You?
If you feel like hashtags aren’t helping your growth, the issue usually lies elsewhere. Hashtags alone won’t make a post go viral or build your ideal audience. Some common reasons include:
- Content quality: If your content isn’t valuable, engaging, or targeted to your ideal followers, hashtags won’t magically fix that.
- Audience connection: Direct engagement and relationship-building matter more than hashtags alone.
- Relying only on hashtags: They are one growth tactic among many; do not treat them as the sole method.
- Poor hashtag selection or misuse: Using inappropriate or ineffective hashtags reduces your chances of discovery.
Common Mistakes That Hinder Hashtag Performance
1. Not Using Enough Hashtags
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, so why limit yourself arbitrarily? Using fewer hashtags means fewer opportunities to be discovered. That said, only use as many relevant hashtags as you can find; quality over quantity wins.
2. Using Hashtags That Are Too Large
Using extremely popular hashtags like #love (2.1 billion posts) or #valentinesday (22.8 million posts) is counterproductive—your post will get buried quickly because new posts flood in constantly. Avoid overly broad hashtags and focus on niche or community-specific tags instead.
3. Using Hashtags That Are Too Small or Dead
On the other hand, hashtags with very few posts (under 10k or even fewer) often have little to no activity. Unless you’re building your own branded hashtag or running a challenge, these micro-hashtags won’t provide traction since few people follow or browse them.
4. Using Banned Hashtags
Some hashtags become banned or restricted due to spam or inappropriate content, even if they seem innocent (such as #valentinesday at times). Posts tagged with banned hashtags are hidden and won’t show up in searches or the Explore page. Always check hashtags for bans regularly.
5. Using the Same Hashtags in the Same Order Every Time
Repeating identical hashtags in the same sequence can trigger Instagram’s spam filters, limiting your reach. Vary your hashtag sets and rotate their order to avoid this.
6. Using Irrelevant Hashtags
If there’s a mismatch between your photo, caption, and hashtags, Instagram’s algorithm can detect this and reduce your visibility. Always ensure your hashtags are relevant to the specific content you’re posting.
Best Hashtag Strategies for 2023
Organize Your Hashtags by Content Pillars and Subtopics
Create collections of hashtags tailored to your core content categories. For example, a language teacher might have pillars such as Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Culture, and Mindset.
Within each pillar, develop sub-collections for specific themes—like “Food,” “Holidays,” or “Interesting Places” under Culture. This approach allows you to swap out a few hashtags per post to maintain relevance and keep your hashtag game fresh.
Keep a Hashtag Database
Use a spreadsheet, Notion page, or any tool you prefer to compile and regularly update your hashtag lists. Track performance and tweak your collections based on what works best.
Aim for a Mix of Hashtag Sizes
Choose a balanced mix of medium-sized hashtags (not too broad, not too niche) to maximize discoverability. Examples might be hashtags with tens of thousands to a few million posts—not billions or just a few hundred.
Monitor and Update Your Hashtags Regularly
Hashtag popularity and status can change. Check often to remove banned, inactive, or ineffective tags and replace them with better options.
Final Thoughts
Hashtags in 2023 remain a valuable albeit nuanced tool in your Instagram growth toolkit. They help categorize content, reach new audiences, and feed the algorithm important contextual clues. Used properly alongside great content and community engagement, hashtags can significantly boost your reach and post performance.
Remember to:
- Use a variety of relevant hashtags up to Instagram’s allowed maximum
- Avoid banned, overly huge, or inactive hashtags
- Rotate your hashtag sets and keep them tightly related to your content
- Incorporate hashtags as part of a broader content and engagement strategy
With these tips, you can master Instagram hashtags in 2023, accelerate your discovery, and grow an engaged following genuinely interested in what you offer.
Happy hashtagging!
—————————————————-
Are you tired of the 9-to-5 grind? Unlock the secrets to online income generation. GetIncomeNow.com is your roadmap to financial freedom. We reveal proven methods, insider tips, and cutting-edge strategies to help you achieve your income goals. Start your journey to financial independence today!