Instagram followers increase hashtags 2021

To effectively increase Instagram followers using hashtags in 2021, you needed a strategic approach that blended popular, niche, and branded tags to maximize visibility. While 2021 is in the rearview mirror, the core principles remain remarkably relevant for organic growth on any social platform. Think of it like this: hashtags are your digital breadcrumbs, leading interested users straight to your content. For example, if you’re a modest fashion blogger, a mix of #ModestFashion, #HijabStyle, and #OOTD Outfit Of The Day could have significantly boosted your reach. Identifying the right blend requires a bit of research and understanding your audience. Platforms like Instagram reward authenticity and engagement over cheap tricks. Instead of chasing fleeting trends, focus on building a genuine connection with your audience. This means creating valuable content that resonates, engaging authentically, and maintaining a consistent presence. If you’re looking to supercharge your content strategy and discover effective growth methods, check out this 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool which can help you optimize your approach. Remember, true growth comes from sincerity and providing value, not from shortcuts or tactics that promise instant fame.

Mastering Instagram Hashtags for Organic Growth 2021 Principles Still Apply

While we’re past 2021, the fundamentals of Instagram hashtag strategy remain incredibly powerful for organic growth.

Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes relevance and engagement, and smart hashtag usage is a cornerstone of achieving both. Instagram business tags

It’s not just about slapping on a bunch of popular tags.

It’s about a nuanced approach that tells the algorithm exactly what your content is about and to whom it should be shown.

The Algorithm’s Best Friend: How Hashtags Work

Hashtags act as keywords that categorize your content, making it discoverable to users who follow those specific tags or search for them.

In 2021, Instagram continued to refine its discovery engine, placing even greater emphasis on content that genuinely matched user interests.

• Categorization: Hashtags classify your post. If you’re sharing a photo of a homemade halal meal, #HalalFood and #MuslimFoodie immediately tell Instagram its subject matter.
• Discoverability: Users can follow hashtags. If your content appears on a hashtag feed, you gain exposure to users who aren’t yet following you. Data from HubSpot in 2021 showed that posts with at least one hashtag received 12.6% more engagement than those without.
• Reach Expansion: By tapping into relevant hashtags, your content can reach beyond your immediate follower base, attracting new, interested users. This was a critical component of organic growth in 2021.

The Holy Grail: Finding the Right Hashtags

Identifying the perfect hashtags involves a blend of research, intuition, and experimentation.

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It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a dynamic process that evolves with your content and audience.

• Competitor Analysis: Look at what hashtags successful accounts in your niche are using. What are their top-performing posts using?
• Instagram’s Search Bar: Start typing a keyword related to your post in the Instagram search bar and check the “Tags” section. Instagram will suggest related hashtags along with the number of posts associated with them.
• Related Hashtags: After clicking on a hashtag, Instagram often suggests “Related” hashtags at the top of the feed. These are goldmines for expanding your reach.
• Third-Party Tools: While some tools come with a cost, many offered free trials in 2021 and still do today that could help analyze hashtag performance and suggest optimal tags.

Crafting Your Hashtag Strategy: A Balanced Approach

A balanced hashtag strategy in 2021 typically involved a mix of popular, medium-sized, and niche-specific tags.

Over-reliance on extremely popular tags often meant getting lost in the noise, while too many niche tags might limit your reach.

• Popular Hashtags 100K+ posts: These offer wide visibility but high competition. Use them sparingly and ensure your content is top-tier. Examples: #ExplorePage, #InstaGood, #Photography.
• Medium-Sized Hashtags 10K-100K posts: These strike a balance between reach and discoverability. You have a better chance of appearing on the “Top” section of these tags. Examples: #ModestFashionDaily, #HomeCookingAdventures.
• Niche-Specific Hashtags Under 10K posts: These are crucial for attracting highly engaged and relevant followers. They might have lower volume but higher conversion rates. Examples: #HalalBakes, #IslamicArtistry.
• Branded Hashtags: If you have a business or a unique identity, create your own branded hashtag. This fosters community and allows users to find content related to you specifically. Brands using branded hashtags saw an average of 70% more engagement in 2021, according to studies by Later.com.

Location, Location, Location: Geo-Targeting with Hashtags

For local businesses or content relevant to specific regions, geo-targeted hashtags were and still are incredibly effective in 2021. This narrows down your audience to those most likely to engage with your physical presence or localized content. Ig feed photo size

• City-Specific Tags: #LondonFoodie, #NYCStreetArt.
• Neighborhood Tags: #BrooklynEats, #MaryleboneVillage.
• Event-Specific Geo-Tags: If you were attending a local halal market, #HalalMarketNYC2021 would have been ideal.

The Magic Number: How Many Hashtags to Use?

While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, the optimal number was a subject of much debate in 2021. Research from various social media analytics firms suggested that using 5-11 hashtags yielded the best results for engagement rates.

However, some studies, like those from Sprout Social, indicated that using all 30 could still be beneficial for maximum reach. The key is to ensure every hashtag is relevant.

• Quality over Quantity: Focus on highly relevant hashtags rather than simply stuffing your caption with unrelated tags.
• Test and Learn: Experiment with different numbers and analyze your post insights to see what works best for your audience and content type. Some accounts found success with a mix, like 5-7 core hashtags in the caption and the rest in the first comment.

Beyond Hashtags: Content Quality and Engagement

Even with the best hashtag strategy, your growth will stagnate without high-quality content and genuine engagement.

In 2021, Instagram increasingly prioritized posts that sparked real conversations and connections.

• High-Quality Visuals: Instagram is a visual platform. Clear, well-lit, and aesthetically pleasing photos and videos are non-negotiable.
• Compelling Captions: Your caption is where you tell your story, share value, and encourage interaction. Ask questions, share personal anecdotes, and provide calls to action.
• Authentic Engagement: Respond to comments, engage with other accounts in your niche, and actively participate in conversations. The more you engage, the more visibility you gain.
• Consistency: Regular posting signals to Instagram that you’re an active and valuable contributor to the platform. A consistent schedule in 2021 was vital for maintaining audience interest.

Hashtag Placement: Caption vs. First Comment

In 2021, many Instagram users debated whether to place hashtags in the caption or the first comment. Both methods had their proponents. Ig post measurement

• In the Caption: This is the most straightforward method. Hashtags are immediately visible and associated with your post. Some argue it helps the algorithm process them faster.
• In the First Comment: This keeps your caption clean and focused on your message. Many larger accounts adopted this approach in 2021. Instagram’s algorithm is smart enough to pick up hashtags from the first comment almost instantly. The main benefit is aesthetic.

The choice largely came down to personal preference and what looked best for your content. Both were equally effective for discovery in 2021.

Avoiding the Pitfalls: What Not to Do

Just as important as knowing what to do is understanding what to avoid.

Certain practices can hinder your growth or even lead to penalties from Instagram.

• Banned Hashtags: Instagram maintains a list of banned hashtags often related to spam, explicit content, or hate speech. Using these can shadowban your account, significantly limiting your reach. Always check a hashtag if you’re unsure.
• Irrelevant Hashtags: Using hashtags that have no connection to your content is a surefire way to annoy users and signal to Instagram that your content isn’t relevant, which can hurt your discoverability.
• Repetitive Hashtags: Copy-pasting the exact same set of 30 hashtags on every post is a bad practice. It looks spammy and Instagram’s algorithm can penalize accounts that do this, recognizing it as an attempt to game the system. Diversify your sets.
• Hashtag Stuffing: While 30 is the limit, cramming your post with keywords just for the sake of it can make your caption unreadable and unprofessional. Focus on quality and relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Instagram hashtags to use to get followers in 2021?

The “best” Instagram hashtags in 2021 were highly dependent on your niche and content. They were a mix of popular e.g., #InstaGood, #PhotoOfTheDay, medium-sized e.g., #TravelPhotography, #FoodieLife, and niche-specific tags e.g., #HalalTravel, #MuslimArtists. The strategy was to use highly relevant tags that targeted your ideal audience.

How many hashtags should I use on Instagram in 2021 for maximum reach?

In 2021, a common recommendation was to use between 5 and 11 highly relevant hashtags per post for optimal engagement. Ig post tag

However, some accounts found success by using up to the maximum of 30, provided all were highly relevant and varied.

Experimentation was key to finding what worked best for your specific account.

Does using hashtags in the first comment still work in 2021?

Yes, using hashtags in the first comment was still an effective strategy in 2021. Instagram’s algorithm was capable of recognizing and categorizing content based on hashtags placed in the first comment almost instantly, offering a cleaner look for your main caption.

Are popular hashtags effective for gaining followers in 2021?

Popular hashtags those with millions of posts could offer massive reach in 2021, but they also came with intense competition.

While they could expose your content to a wide audience, getting lost in the noise was common. Ig likes hashtags

They were best used in conjunction with more niche-specific hashtags.

How do I find trending hashtags on Instagram in 2021?

Finding trending hashtags in 2021 involved monitoring popular accounts in your niche, checking Instagram’s Explore page, looking at what was being widely discussed on news or other social media platforms, and using third-party hashtag research tools.

Can I use the same hashtags on every post in 2021?

No, it was not recommended to use the exact same set of hashtags on every post in 2021. Instagram’s algorithm could flag this as spammy behavior, potentially reducing your reach or even shadowbanning your account.

It was best to vary your hashtags to keep them relevant to each specific post.

What is a shadowban on Instagram and how do hashtags relate to it?

A shadowban on Instagram meant your content was hidden from non-followers on hashtag and Explore pages. Ig tools website

In 2021, it was often linked to using banned or broken hashtags, engaging in bot-like activity, or consistently violating Instagram’s community guidelines.

Should I create my own branded hashtag in 2021?

Yes, creating your own branded hashtag in 2021 was a great way to build community, track user-generated content, and foster brand recognition.

It allowed your followers to easily find all content related to your brand or personal identity.

How can I track the performance of my hashtags in 2021?

In 2021, you could track hashtag performance through Instagram’s native Insights for business or creator accounts.

Under “Post Interactions,” you could see “Reach from Hashtags,” which showed how many accounts found your post through hashtags. Hootsuite instagram free

Is it better to use 30 relevant hashtags or fewer, more specific ones in 2021?

The consensus in 2021 leaned towards quality over quantity.

While Instagram allowed 30 hashtags, it was generally more effective to use a smaller number e.g., 5-15 of highly relevant and targeted hashtags that genuinely matched your content.

What types of hashtags should I avoid in 2021?

In 2021, you should have avoided banned hashtags e.g., #porn, #weed, irrelevant hashtags that didn’t match your content, and overly generic hashtags that offered little chance of discoverability for your specific niche.

How do geo-location hashtags help with growth in 2021?

Geo-location hashtags in 2021 helped target local audiences. For businesses or content relevant to a specific area, tags like #LondonFoodie or #NYCPhotography allowed your content to be discovered by users in that geographic region, increasing local engagement.

Should I mix different sizes of hashtags popular, medium, niche in 2021?

Yes, mixing different sizes of hashtags popular, medium-sized, and niche-specific was a highly recommended strategy in 2021. This approach aimed to maximize reach while also targeting highly engaged, specific audiences. Ig feed ratio

How important was hashtag relevance for Instagram’s algorithm in 2021?

Hashtag relevance was paramount for Instagram’s algorithm in 2021. The algorithm prioritized showing users content that genuinely matched their interests, and highly relevant hashtags signaled to Instagram what your content was about and to whom it should be shown.

Can using engagement bait hashtags harm my account in 2021?

Yes, using engagement bait hashtags e.g., #followforfollow, #like4like in 2021 was generally considered a harmful practice. These methods often attracted low-quality, disengaged followers or bots, which could negatively impact your overall engagement rate and long-term organic growth.

Are specific hashtags better for Instagram Reels vs. regular posts in 2021?

While the core principles of hashtag use were the same, for Instagram Reels in 2021, it was often beneficial to include hashtags that indicated the content type e.g., #Reels, #InstaReels, #ShortVideo alongside your niche-specific and popular tags to increase visibility within the Reels section.

How do I find niche-specific hashtags for my content in 2021?

To find niche-specific hashtags in 2021, you needed to think like your target audience.

Use very specific keywords related to your content, explore competitor accounts, and use Instagram’s suggested “Related” hashtags after searching for broader terms. Hashtags on ig

What role did hashtag research tools play in 2021 for growth?

Hashtag research tools played a significant role in 2021 by helping users identify popular, trending, and niche-specific hashtags, analyze their performance, and generate optimal hashtag sets.

These tools saved time and provided data-driven insights for better strategy.

Is there a penalty for using too many hashtags in 2021?

While there wasn’t a direct “penalty” in 2021 for using all 30 allowed hashtags, if those hashtags were irrelevant or repetitive across posts, it could signal spammy behavior to Instagram’s algorithm, potentially leading to reduced reach or lower engagement.

How did Instagram’s algorithm change in 2021 impact hashtag strategy?

In 2021, Instagram’s algorithm continued to prioritize relevance and user engagement.

This meant that hashtag strategy shifted from simply using popular tags to focusing on highly relevant, niche-specific tags that attracted an engaged audience, along with consistent, high-quality content. Hashtags that are trending on instagram