Best Instagram Hashtags for Likes: Your 2023 Guide

By: Val Razo

Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by Val Razo

Instagram hashtags are a powerful tool that can help you reach a wider audience, increase engagement, and grow your Instagram user base. They are a way to categorize and link your content with others in the same or similar categories. This makes your posts more discoverable to users who are interested in those specific topics. But it’s not just about using any hashtag; it’s about using the best Instagram hashtags that are relevant and beneficial to your content.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Instagram Hashtags

When it comes to Instagram marketing, hashtags play a crucial role. They are not just trendy add-ons, but strategic tools that can significantly enhance your Instagram strategy. Using relevant and popular hashtags can increase your content’s visibility, reach a broader audience, and attract more followers. This can ultimately lead to higher engagement rates and more opportunities for your Instagram for business.

According to a 2023 study, posts with at least one Instagram hashtag average 12.6% more engagement than posts without a hashtag. This statistic alone highlights the importance of using hashtags in your posts. It’s clear that as an Instagram user, using hashtags can significantly boost your engagement and visibility.

Best instagram hashtags

Changes in Instagram Hashtag Rules in 2023

Instagram has implemented some changes in its hashtag rules. The Instagram app now has stricter policies on the use of repetitive and irrelevant hashtags, often referred to as “banned hashtags”. These changes aim to provide a better user experience and prevent spammy behavior. It’s crucial to stay updated with these changes to ensure your hashtags are compliant and effective.

Strategies for Using Instagram Hashtags

Knowing how to use hashtags on Instagram effectively is key to maximizing their potential. It’s not just about adding a bunch of popular hashtags to your Instagram post. It’s about choosing the right ones that align with your content, your brand, and your target audience.

Keeping Your Instagram Hashtags Relevant

Using relevant hashtags is crucial in reaching your target audience. These are hashtags that are closely related to your content, industry, or niche. By using niche hashtags, you can reach a more targeted audience who are more likely to be interested in your content. This can lead to higher engagement rates and more genuine followers for your Instagram account.

Avoiding Spammy Behavior with Instagram Hashtags

Instagram has been cracking down on spammy behavior, and this includes the misuse of hashtags. Using banned hashtags, repeating the same hashtags in multiple posts, or using irrelevant hashtags to gain visibility can lead to penalties. Using hashtags responsibly and in line with your Instagram strategy is important to avoid any potential issues.

Using a Third-Party Tool to Find the Right Hashtags

Finding the right hashtags can be a challenge, but there are tools out there that can help. An Instagram hashtag generator can suggest relevant hashtags based on your content, making it easier for you to find the best Instagram hashtags. These tools can also help you find relevant hashtags that you might not have thought of, giving you more opportunities to reach your target audience.

In my journey of mastering Instagram marketing, I’ve had my fair share of trial and error. I’ve learned that the key to a successful Instagram strategy is not just about posting attractive photos, but also about using hashtags effectively. I’ve seen firsthand how using the right hashtags can significantly increase engagement and attract more followers. It’s been a game-changer for my Instagram for business.

One of my most memorable experiences was when I used a trending hashtag in one of my posts. The post received double the likes and comments I usually get, and I gained a significant number of new followers. It was a clear testament to the power of using the right hashtags.

Trending and top Instagram hashtags for 2023

New Instagram Hashtag Strategies for 2023

As we move into 2023, the strategies for using Instagram hashtags are evolving. It’s not just about using the most popular hashtags anymore. Instead, it’s about finding the trending and top Instagram hashtags for 2023 that are most relevant to your content and audience.

Going Viral on Instagram with Hashtags

One of the biggest goals for many Instagram users is to go viral. Using the right hashtags can significantly increase your chances of achieving this. By using popular Instagram hashtags, you can increase your visibility and potentially get more likes and followers. But remember, it’s not just about using any popular hashtags. It’s about using the relevant and engaging ones to your target audience.

Increasing Your Reach on Instagram Reels with Hashtags

Instagram Reels is a relatively new feature that has quickly gained popularity. Using hashtags effectively can significantly increase your reach on Instagram stories and Reels. Just like with your regular Instagram post, using relevant and popular hashtags in your Reels can help you reach a wider audience and boost your Instagram marketing efforts.

Optimizing Your Instagram Hashtags

Once you’ve found the right hashtags, using them effectively is important. This means optimizing your hashtags to ensure they are working to your advantage. Whether you’re trying to use Instagram hashtags to get more likes or to reach a wider audience, there are several strategies you can use.

Determining the Right Amount of Instagram Hashtags

The optimal number of hashtags to use on Instagram is not necessarily the maximum of 30 allowed by the platform. Studies have shown that posts with around 9 to 11 hashtags receive the most engagement. However, the effectiveness of the number of hashtags can vary depending on your audience, the nature of your post, and your overall Instagram strategy. It’s all about finding what many hashtags work best for you and your content.

Hiding Hashtags on Instagram

You can hide your hashtags if you want to use multiple hashtags but don’t want to clutter your caption. This can be done by adding them in the comments section or by using line breaks and punctuation in your caption to hide them from immediate view. This keeps your Instagram post clean and aesthetically pleasing while still benefiting from the hashtags.

Tracking Instagram Hashtag Success with Post Insights

Finally, it’s important to track the success of your hashtags. This can be done through Instagram’s Post Insights feature, which provides data on your hashtags’ performance. By tracking your hashtag performance, you can adjust your Instagram marketing strategy and continue to improve your Instagram strategy. This will help you understand which hashtags are driving the most engagement and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Thracking your Instagram marketing strategy success

Expanding Your Reach with Instagram Hashtags

Using hashtags is more than just a trend; it’s a strategy that can significantly boost your visibility and engagement. But how you use hashtags on Instagram can greatly affect their effectiveness. It’s not just about using the most popular hashtags, but using the ones that are most relevant to your content and audience.

Instagram hashtags are a powerful tool for expanding your reach and growing your audience. They can help you attract new followers, increase engagement, and drive website traffic. Using the right hashtags can enhance your Instagram marketing efforts and grow your Instagram following.

Following Hashtags on Instagram

One of the features of Instagram is the ability to follow hashtags. This allows you to keep up with trending topics and discover new content related to your interests. As an Instagram user, following relevant hashtags can help you stay connected with your community and discover new accounts to follow. Plus, it can give you ideas for hashtags to use in your own posts.

Adding Instagram Hashtags to Your Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a great way to engage with your audience more casually and immediately. And just like with regular posts, you can use hashtags in your Instagram stories to increase their visibility. When you add a hashtag to your story, it can be discovered by users who are exploring that hashtag. This can help you reach a wider audience and attract more followers to your Instagram post.

Adding Instagram Hashtags to Your Instagram Bio

Your Instagram bio is one of the first things users see when they visit your Instagram account, so why not make the most of it? Adding relevant hashtags to your bio can make your profile more discoverable and attract more like-minded followers. Plus, it’s a great way to showcase your interests or the main themes of your content. So, whether you’re using Instagram for personal use or for Instagram for business, adding hashtags to your bio can be a great strategy.

Finding the best hashtags to use

Types of Instagram Hashtags 

Instagram hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing your visibility and engagement on the platform. But not all hashtags are created equal. There are several types of hashtags that you can use to target different audiences and achieve different goals. Let’s dive into the different types of Instagram hashtags and how you can use them effectively.

Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags are unique to your business or campaign. They can be as simple as your company name, tagline, or the name of one of your products or services. For example, if you run a travel agency, you might use a branded hashtag like #YourCompanyNameTravels. These hashtags are a great way to encourage your followers to share content related to your brand and to increase your brand’s visibility on Instagram.

7 out of 10 Instagram hashtags are branded. This shows that businesses are leveraging hashtags to promote their brand and products. It clearly indicates that if you’re not using hashtags in your Instagram app, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to increase your brand awareness and reach.

Community Hashtags

Community hashtags are used to connect like-minded users around a specific subject. They are a great way to connect with others, improve the searchability of your posts, gain followers, and grow your own community. For example, if you’re a fitness enthusiast, you might use community hashtags like #FitnessLovers or #GymLife.

Niche Hashtags

Niche hashtags are highly specific to your audience and offer a great way to reach a targeted audience. For example, if you’re a vegan food blogger, you might use niche hashtags like #VeganFoodShare or #PlantBasedEating. These hashtags can help you reach a highly engaged audience and increase your post’s visibility.

Location Hashtags

Location hashtags are great for businesses with a physical location or operating in a specific geographical area. These hashtags can help you increase visibility in your local area and attract local followers. For example, if you’re a restaurant in New York, you might use location hashtags like #NYCEats or #NewYorkFoodie.

Event Hashtags

Event hashtags are used for specific events like conferences, festivals, or online events. They are a great way to connect with others at the event, increase your visibility, and even attract new followers. For example, if you’re attending a marketing conference, you might use an event hashtag like #MarketingExpo2023.

Trending Hashtags

Trending hashtags are popular hashtags that are currently getting a lot of attention. Using trending hashtags can help increase your post’s visibility and attract more followers. However, it’s important to only use trending hashtags that are relevant to your post and audience.

Content Hashtags

Content hashtags are hashtags you use in your everyday post. They are not branded, they aren’t necessarily trending, they’re just common hashtags people use to describe the content of their picture. For example, if you have a fitness brand, you might use content hashtags like #FitLife, #FitnessAddict, or #GymTime.

Industry Hashtags

Industry hashtags are a great way to connect with like-minded businesses and professionals in your industry. They can help you gain visibility among your peers and potential business partners. For example, if you’re a digital marketer, you might use industry hashtags like #SEO or #ContentMarketing.

Remember, the best hashtags to use are the ones that are most relevant to your content and audience. It’s also important to mix up the types of hashtags you use to reach a wider audience and increase your engagement. So, whether you’re using Instagram for business or personal use, understanding and using different types of hashtags can help you achieve your Instagram goals.

Top Instagram Hashtags

Instagram hashtags are a crucial part of your Instagram strategy. They can help you reach a wider audience, increase your engagement, and even attract new followers. But with millions of hashtags being used on Instagram every day, how do you know which ones to use? Let’s explore some of the top Instagram hashtags and how to use them effectively.

Some hashtags are universally popular and are used across a wide range of posts and content. These include hashtags like #love, #instagood, #photooftheday, and #fashion. These hashtags can help increase your post’s visibility, but they’re also highly competitive. To stand out, combining these popular hashtags with more specific ones relevant to your content and audience is important.

Best Instagram Hashtags for Likes

If your goal is to increase your likes, certain hashtags can help. These include hashtags like #like4like, #instalike, and #follow4follow. However, while these hashtags can help increase your likes in the short term, they may not attract the most engaged or relevant audience. It’s always best to use hashtags that are relevant to your content and audience.

Instagram Hashtags by Category

Depending on your niche or industry, certain hashtags can be particularly effective. For example, hashtags like #fitlife, #fitnessmotivation, and #gymlife can be effective if you’re in the fitness industry. If you’re in the food industry, hashtags like #foodie, #instafood, and #yummy can work well. Using hashtags that are relevant to your industry can help you reach a more targeted audience.

Instagram Hashtags for Travel

If you’re in the travel industry or you’re sharing travel-related content, there are a number of hashtags that can help you reach a wider audience. These include hashtags like #travel, #wanderlust, and #adventure. You can also use location-specific hashtags to reach people interested in a particular destination.

Instagram Hashtags for Business

If you’re using Instagram for business, there are a number of hashtags that can help you connect with your audience and promote your products or services. These include hashtags like #entrepreneur, #business, and #success. You can also create a branded hashtag that is unique to your business.

Finding the best hashtags with the Instagram Hashtag Tool

Finding the Best Hashtags

Finding the best hashtags for your content can take some time and research. Start by looking at what hashtags other people in your industry are using. You can also use an Instagram hashtag tool to find top hashtags for your posts. Remember, the best hashtags are the ones that are relevant to your content and audience.

Using Hashtags Effectively

It’s not just about using the most popular hashtags but also the right ones for your content. Be sure to mix up your hashtags and use a variety of different types to reach a wider audience. 

In the world of Instagram, hashtags are your best friends. They’re the signposts that guide users to your content, the threads that weave your posts into the broader tapestry of the platform. But like any tool, they need to be used correctly to be effective.

Use hashtags for every post that relate to your brand or niche. These could include the name of your business, the industry you’re in, or the type of products or services you offer. This can help establish a consistent brand identity on Instagram and make your posts more recognizable.

But it’s not just about the hashtags you’re using – it’s also about the hashtags they’re using. Pay attention to your target audience, competitors, and industry leaders’ hashtags. This can give you valuable insights into the latest trends and conversations in your niche, and help you to identify new hashtags to add to your repertoire.

Remember, Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but that doesn’t mean you should use that many. In fact, research suggests that posts with around 9 hashtags tend to get the most engagement. So don’t feel like you have to use every hashtag under the sun – instead, focus on choosing the ones that are most relevant and likely to attract your target audience.

Use Relevant Hashtags

One of the most important things to remember is that hashtags for Instagram should be relevant to your content. It’s tempting to slap on the most popular or trending Instagram hashtags to reach a wider audience, but if they’re irrelevant to your post, they won’t attract the right kind of engagement.

Instead, think about the hashtags you’re using as a way to describe and categorize your content. For example, hashtags like #sunset, #nature, and #beautiful would be appropriate if you’re posting a photo of a sunset. On the other hand, if you’re posting about your latest business venture, you might use hashtags like #entrepreneur, #business, and #success.

The Power of Niche-Specific Hashtags

One way to do this is to use a mix of popular and niche hashtags. Popular hashtags can help to get your content in front of a large audience, while niche hashtags can help to reach a more targeted group of users who are likely to be interested in your content.

While popular hashtags can help to get your content in front of a large audience, niche-specific hashtags can help you to reach a more targeted group of users. These are hashtags that are specific to a certain topic, industry, or community. By using niche-specific hashtags, you can attract users who are likely to be interested in your content and more likely to engage with it.

For example, if you’re a travel blogger, you might use popular hashtags like #travel and #wanderlust, along with more niche hashtags like #solotravel or #budgettravel. This can help increase your posts’ visibility and attract more followers on Instagram.

Let’s take a look at a case study that perfectly illustrates the power of Instagram hashtags. A small business owner decided to revamp their Instagram marketing strategy by incorporating more relevant and trending hashtags into their posts. They also started using Instagram’s hashtag follow feature to stay updated with the latest trends in their industry. Within a few months, they saw a significant increase in their engagement rates and follower count. Their posts started appearing in the top posts section for several relevant hashtags, which greatly increased their visibility. This case study clearly shows that hashtags can be a powerful tool for growing your Instagram for business with the right Instagram strategy.

Keep Your Followers Engaged

Finally, don’t forget to keep an eye on your engagement on your Instagram posts. This can help you to see which hashtags are working best for your brand, and which ones might need to be tweaked or replaced. Remember, the world of Instagram is always evolving, so it’s important to stay adaptable and keep learning.

Monitoring Your Instagram Engagement

Keeping a close eye on your engagement on your Instagram posts is crucial to mastering the hashtag game. It’s not enough to use hashtags related to your content; you need to understand how these hashtags perform. Are they attracting the right audience? Are they sparking conversations and interactions? Or are they falling flat, failing to draw the attention you’re aiming for?

Creating a List of Hashtags

To make your hashtag strategy more efficient, creating a list of hashtags you regularly use can be helpful. This can include a mix of popular, niche-specific, and related hashtags. Having this list on hand can save you time when you’re crafting your posts and ensure that you’re consistently using the hashtags that work best for your brand.

Making Every Post Count

Remember, every post on Instagram is an opportunity to reach new users and engage your existing followers. Using the right hashtags can make your posts more discoverable and attract more likes and comments. But it’s not just about the hashtags you use – it’s also about the quality of your content. Even the best hashtags can’t save a boring or irrelevant post. So ensure your content is always top-notch and offers value to your audience.

Grouping Your Hashtags

Another strategy to consider is grouping your hashtags. This involves using several hashtags that are closely related to each other in your posts. For example, if you’re a fashion brand, you might use a group of hashtags like #ootd, #fashionista, #styleinspo, and #streetstyle. This can help to create a cohesive theme for your posts and make them more discoverable to users who are interested in these topics.

Using Instagram’s FAQ

If you’re new to Instagram or need a refresher, Instagram’s FAQ section can be a great resource. Here, you can find answers to common questions about hashtags, including how to use them, how many to use, and what kind of hashtags are most effective. So if you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to check out the Instagram hashtags FAQ.

Understanding the Number of Likes

One metric to pay attention to is the number of likes your posts receive. This can give you an idea of how well your hashtags are working. If a post with certain hashtags receives a lot of likes,it’s a good indication that those hashtags are effective. On the other hand, if a post doesn’t receive as many likes as you expected, it might be time to reevaluate the hashtags you’re using.

PayING attention to the number of likes your posts receive

Tailoring Hashtags to Your Business

Remember, the best hashtags for another brand might not be the best for yours. It’s important to tailor your hashtags to your specific business and audience. What keywords and phrases best describe your brand, products, or services? These can be a good starting point for finding the Instagram hashtags for your business.

Looking Ahead: Instagram Hashtags for the Year

As we move forward, it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends and changes in the world of Instagram. This includes keeping an eye on the Instagram hashtags for the year. These are the hashtags that are predicted to be popular in the coming year, based on current trends and data. By incorporating these hashtags into your strategy, you can stay ahead of the curve and reach a wider audience.

Using Hashtags in Your Social Strategy

Hashtags aren’t just for Instagram – they can be a powerful tool in your overall social media strategy. You can use the same hashtags across different platforms to create a consistent brand message. Or, you can use platform-specific hashtags to tailor your content to each platform. Either way, hashtags for your social media strategy can help to boost your visibility and engagement.

Using Instagram Hashtags to Help Your Content Stand Out

In a sea of content, it can be hard to stand out. But with the right hashtags, you can make your posts more discoverable and attract more attention. Instagram hashtags to help your content stand out might include unique or branded hashtags, hashtags that tap into trending topics, or hashtags that encourage user interaction, like #photooftheday or #instagood.

Knowing Which Instagram Hashtags to Use

Finally, knowing which hashtags to use is key to a successful hashtag strategy. This involves understanding your audience, your brand, and your goals. It also involves staying adaptable and willing to experiment. So don’t be afraid to try out different hashtags, monitor your results, and tweak your strategy as needed. Remember, the world of Instagram is always evolving, and so should your hashtag strategy.

In conclusion, hashtags are a powerful tool for boosting your visibility and engagement on Instagram. By using them effectively, you can reach a wider audience, attract more likes and follows, and grow your brand. So start experimenting with these strategies today, and watch your Instagram presence soar.

In conclusion, using hashtags effectively is a key part of Instagram success. By choosing the right hashtags, mixing popular and niche tags, and continually monitoring your engagement, you can increase the visibility of your posts, attract more followers, and grow your brand on Instagram. So start experimenting with these strategies today, and watch your Instagram presence soar.

They are a powerful tool that can help you reach a wider audience on Instagram. Understanding the top Instagram hashtags and how to use them effectively can increase your engagement and grow your following. So start exploring different hashtags and see what works best for your content and audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use hashtags on Instagram?

You can add hashtags to your Instagram posts by simply including the # symbol followed by a relevant keyword or phrase.

How do I find the best Instagram hashtags?

You can use Instagram’s search function to find popular hashtags related to your post or use a third-party tool like Hashtagify or RiteTag to discover trending hashtags.

What are some popular Instagram hashtags for 2023?

Some popular hashtags for 2023 might include #futuristic, #futuretech, #innovation, and #technology.

What are the top Instagram hashtags for 2023?

The top Instagram hashtags for 2023 may vary, but some popular options could be #2023, #newyear, #futureisnow, and #nextgeneration.

How do I find related hashtags?

You can use Instagram’s related hashtags feature or a third-party tool like Keyword Tool or All Hashtag to find related hashtags for your post.

What are some trending hashtags?

Some trending Instagram hashtags may include #instagood, #tbt, #photooftheday, and #nofilter.

How do hashtags work to get more likes and follows on Instagram?

Using the most popular Instagram hashtags for your posts can increase visibility and potentially lead to more likes and follows, but engagement also depends on the quality of the content you’re sharing.

What are the best Instagram hashtags for my business?

The best Instagram hashtags for your business will depend on your industry, target audience, and brand identity. You can research hashtags that work best for your brand and incorporate them into your social media strategy.

Which Instagram hashtags get the most likes?

When it comes to Instagram hashtags, some are more popular than others. The top 10 hashtags that have the most potential to generate likes from Instagram users include #love, #instagood, #photooftheday, #art, #beautiful, #photography, #fashion, and #happy.

How do you know if a hashtag is good?

To determine if a hashtag is good, check if it’s a good match for your profile and post. Look for post count, popularity, trending, and recent hashtags on each social media platform. You can also use hashtag generator tools like Hashtag Expert, which provides in-app features to track hashtag performance and create a personalized list of hashtags for your posts.

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.