Last Updated on March 19, 2025 by Val Razo
Hashtags are one of the most effective ways to increase visibility on Instagram. By using relevant hashtags, brands and creators can reach their target audience and boost engagement on Instagram. With the introduction of Instagram’s auto-generated hashtag themes, it has become easier than ever to find the right hashtags for your Instagram post. These suggested tags help users leverage hashtags effectively by providing a curated list of hashtags tailored to their content.
However, simply using many hashtags isn’t enough. To maximize the impact, it’s crucial to follow best practices, such as choosing a set of hashtags that include niche hashtags, branded hashtags, and trending hashtags. Additionally, understanding how the Instagram hashtag generator works can help you create a strong social media strategy.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to use hashtags strategically, how hashtags help with discovery, and the importance of selecting hashtags that are relevant to your niche. Whether you’re looking to improve visibility on Instagram or refine your social media marketing approach, mastering hashtags effectively is key.
Understanding Instagram’s Auto-Generated Hashtag Themes
What Do Auto-Generated Hashtags Mean for Hashtags on Instagram?
Instagram’s auto-generated hashtag themes are designed to help users find hashtags that are relevant to their content. These suggestions are based on trending topics, popular keywords, and engagement patterns across the social media platform. Essentially, Instagram analyzes your Instagram post and offers a list of hashtags that are performing well within your niche.
By using these suggested hashtags for your content, you can tap into hashtags that are currently trending and increase your chances of reaching a wider target audience. However, relying solely on auto-generated suggestions may not be enough. To maximize the impact, it’s essential to combine these with branded hashtags, niche hashtags, and different combinations of hashtags to refine your social media strategy.
How Instagram’s Hashtag Generator Works
The Instagram hashtag generator works by analyzing the keywords, captions, and themes of your content. It then suggests hashtags like those that are trending or frequently used within similar categories. Here’s how you can use it effectively:
- Start with a keyword – Type a relevant term in Instagram’s search bar, and the platform will generate a list of hashtags related to that keyword.
- Look at engagement metrics – Check the number of posts using each suggested hashtag on Instagram to determine its popularity.
- Mix trending and niche hashtags – While hashtags with millions of posts might seem appealing, they can also be highly competitive. Use niche hashtags to target a more specific audience.
- Monitor performance – Track the performance of hashtags you use to see which ones generate the most engagement and increase visibility on Instagram.
Using Instagram’s auto-generated hashtag themes can simplify your hashtag strategy, but it’s crucial to combine them with hashtags that are performing well in your specific industry.
A few months ago, I posted a photo of my handmade jewelry on Instagram, but it barely got any engagement. Then, I switched my strategy. Instead of using broad hashtags like #jewelry or #handmade, I focused on niche hashtags such as #bohojewelry and #handcraftedrings. Within hours, my engagement doubled, and I even received a DM from a boutique owner interested in stocking my pieces. That was my wake-up call—using the right hashtags makes all the difference.
Why You Should Use Instagram Hashtags for Better Visibility
The Role of Hashtags on a Social Media Platform
On social media platforms like Instagram, hashtags serve as a powerful tool for discovery and engagement. When used correctly, they help your Instagram post reach a broader target audience, improve visibility on Insta, and enhance your overall social media strategy.
Here’s why hashtags help boost your content’s reach:
- Increased Discoverability: Posts with hashtags on Instagram appear in hashtag search results, making them more visible to users interested in similar content.
- More Engagement: Studies show that posts with hashtags tend to receive higher likes, comments, and shares compared to those without.
- Reaching the Right Audience: By using hashtags that are relevant to your niche, you ensure that your content reaches people who are genuinely interested in it.
- Staying on Trend: Hashtags that are currently trending allow you to capitalize on hot topics and gain more visibility.
Using a well-planned set of hashtags, including branded hashtags, trending hashtags, and niche hashtags, ensures that your content remains competitive. However, it’s essential to avoid irrelevant hashtags, as they can reduce engagement and make your content appear spammy.
Best Practices for Using Instagram’s Auto-Generated Hashtags
How Many Hashtags Should You Use for Maximum Engagement?
One of the most common questions about hashtags on Instagram is how many hashtags you should use per post. While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, using the maximum number isn’t always the best approach.
Here are some guidelines based on what social media experts recommend:
- Use 10-20 hashtags for each type of content to balance reach and engagement.
- Mix popular and niche hashtags—this helps your Insta post gain visibility without getting lost in oversaturated tags.
- Use the same hashtags strategically—don’t copy and paste the exact list of hashtags on every post. Instead, switch them up based on the content.
- Test different combinations of hashtags to see which ones drive the most engagement.
I used to think that using the maximum number of hashtags (30) on every post would boost my reach, but I wasn’t seeing the results I expected. After experimenting, I found that using 10-20 carefully chosen hashtags performed much better. My engagement increased, and my posts stopped feeling spammy. It turns out that hashtags are still useful, but quality matters more than quantity.
The Impact of Using Too Many Hashtags
While using many hashtags can increase your post’s discoverability, it can also backfire if not done strategically. Here’s why:
- Hashtags can appear spammy if you overload your post with irrelevant or excessive tags.
- Using irrelevant hashtags can hurt engagement, as Instagram’s algorithm may categorize your post incorrectly.
- Performance of hashtags can drop if they’re overused—stick to a mix of fresh, relevant, and trending hashtags.
To optimize your social media marketing, focus on hashtags that are relevant to your content and avoid stuffing your captions with unnecessary tags.
A study by Later in 2023 revealed that Instagram posts with 10-15 hashtags tend to perform better than those with 30 hashtags, as Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes relevance over quantity. (Source: Later)
Finding the Best Hashtags for Your Posts
How to Identify the Best Instagram Hashtags for Your Niche
Choosing the right hashtags is essential for improving visibility and engagement on Instagram. Rather than using random or overly popular hashtags, it’s best to focus on a well-researched set of hashtags that align with your social media strategy.
Here’s how to find the best hashtags for your posts:
- Use the Instagram Hashtag Generator – Tools like Instagram’s built-in suggestions and third-party platforms can help you discover hashtags that are relevant to your content.
- Check Competitor Hashtags – Analyze what hashtags on Instagram your competitors or industry leaders are using. This can help you identify trending hashtags in your niche.
- Search for Specific Hashtags – Use Instagram’s search function to find hashtags related to your niche and see how well they are performing.
- Mix Different Hashtags – Use a combination of branded hashtags, niche hashtags, and trending topics to reach different audience segments.
- Monitor Performance – Regularly check the performance of your hashtags to see which ones bring the most engagement and adjust your strategy accordingly.
By following these steps, you can harness the power of hashtags to improve your social media marketing efforts and attract more of the right followers.
A 2023 report from Socialinsider found that Instagram posts with at least one hashtag see a 12.6% higher engagement rate than those without. (Source: Socialinsider)
Final Thoughts on Leveraging Instagram’s Hashtag System
Using Instagram’s auto-generated hashtag themes can significantly improve your visibility on Instagram when done strategically. By selecting hashtags that are relevant to your niche, mixing branded hashtags with trending hashtags, and avoiding irrelevant hashtags, you can ensure that your content reaches the right target audience.
Remember to test different sets of hashtags, track the performance of your hashtags, and refine your social media strategy over time. By leveraging hashtags effectively, you can maximize engagement, grow your audience, and make the most of Instagram’s powerful hashtag system.
In 2023, a small fitness apparel brand, ActiveFit, revamped its hashtag strategy by moving away from generic hashtags like #fitness and #workoutgear. Instead, they implemented branded hashtags and niche hashtags such as #ActiveFitStyle and #WomensGymWear.
By combining trending hashtags with more specific hashtags related to their audience, the brand saw a 150% increase in sales within six months. Additionally, engagement on their Instagram posts grew by 80%, and they gained 25,000 new followers organically.
🔗 Source: Influencer Marketing Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hashtags should you use per post on Instagram?
While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, using all of them isn’t always necessary. Many social media experts recommend using a mix of 10-20 hashtags to balance reach and engagement. Testing different amounts will help you see which hashtags work best for your audience.
How can hashtags increase engagement on Instagram?
Hashtags help categorize content, making it easier for people on Instagram to discover your posts. Using relevant hashtags based on trending topics and your niche can attract the right audience, leading to more likes, comments, and shares. Additionally, hashtags can give your posts more visibility in Instagram’s Explore section.
Should you use the same hashtags every time?
No, it’s important to use a mix of hashtags and avoid using the exact same ones on every social media post. Instagram’s algorithm may flag repetitive tags as spam. Instead, establish 4-5 hashtags that consistently relate to your brand and rotate in hashtags that are performing well in your industry.
Do hashtags still work in 2024?
Yes, hashtags are still a powerful tool for Instagram growth. While their impact has shifted slightly due to Instagram’s evolving algorithm, using hashtags effectively can still help improve engagement, especially when combined with a strong social media strategy.
How can businesses use hashtags to increase sales on Instagram?
Businesses can leverage hashtags to reach potential customers and boost sales on Instagram by:
- Using hashtags for your audience that align with their interests.
- Adding branded hashtags to encourage user-generated content.
- Tracking which hashtags are performing well and adjusting accordingly.
- Avoiding irrelevant hashtags to ensure content reaches the right audience.
Author Bio
Val Razo
Val Razo is a skilled professional in the field of Instagram Marketing. With over five years of experience as a freelance Social Media Marketing consultant, Val has assisted numerous small and medium-sized businesses in achieving their goals.
