Do hashtags still work on Instagram in 2021?
There’s a lot of discourse going on at the moment about whether it’s worth using hashtags on Instagram anymore. It’s actually a conversation that comes up so much, I can almost time it, that’s how cyclical this discussion is. There are seasons of time when people get so frustrated with Instagram—and hashtags in particular—and it’s often because there’s so much conflicting advice out there.
Let me tell you this…
Hashtags are not dead
You just need to make sure that you’re using them correctly. I’ve written posts about common mistakes people make when using hashtags on Instagram that you can check out. As long as you’re not using the most popular hashtags out there (because they’re oversaturated and you’ll drown amongst the noise), hashtags are a great way to connect with new people. The algorithm may change, but the basics of finding content through hashtags certainly will not. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and all that.
Hashtags are your best chance of getting noticed
Unless your content gets shared by a lot of people immediately and you go viral off the bat, hashtags are often your best chance of getting your posts seen by new eyes. Particularly if you’re a newer account with not many followers, you can create the best content in the world, but not many will see it if you don’t add hashtags. So you may as well get your posts off to the best start by using hashtags, because people do use them to seek out new content and new accounts to follow.
Instagram hashtag strategy isn’t as complicated as some make out
As long as you’re clear on who you are, what kind of content you create, and who your ideal audience is, picking out good hashtags to use is as easy as pie. It also doesn’t matter if you’re posting your hashtags in the caption or in the first comment of your post — your posts will be found either way.
Where can I find the perfect Instagram hashtags for me?
It takes a little bit of trial and error to find hashtags that vibe with you. You look at what your peers, competitors, and ideal audience are using, or you can use research tools like Meta Hashtags to find new hashtags. But, if your content goes against the grain or you’re from a marginalised community, where do you find the hashtags that are inhabited by your people?
This is where the Inclusive Hashtag Collection comes in—a database of 2500+ Instagram hashtags that I’ve put together to take the guesswork out of finding the good good hashtags. The different categories include (but are not limited to): Art, Style, Motherhood, Small Business, Mental Health, LGBTQ+, Sustainability, Spirituality, Fitness, and so so much more. I update the hashtags once a month, so you always have access to the best hashtags around, without spending hours a month on research!
You can find out more about the Inclusive Hashtag Collection here.
