Popular hashtag instagram 2021

To effectively leverage popular hashtags on Instagram in 2021 and maximize your content’s reach and engagement, the key is to understand what truly resonated with audiences that year.

While 2021 has passed, the principles of hashtag strategy remain evergreen, and analyzing past trends offers invaluable insights for future growth.

Think of it as a into the playbook of past successes to inform your current strategy.

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Explore features that can amplify your reach and engagement right here: 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool. We’ll break down the categories that saw the most traction, including lifestyle, travel, fashion, food, and community-driven movements, providing specific examples that were prominent.

This isn’t just about throwing random tags on your posts.

It’s about strategic placement to connect with the right audience and truly expand your digital footprint.

Decoding Instagram Hashtag Dynamics in 2021

Understanding the mechanics of Instagram hashtags in 2021 was crucial for content creators looking to maximize their reach. It wasn’t just about using popular terms. Pixel instagram feed

It was about integrating them strategically into a broader content plan.

The platform’s algorithm favored relevance and engagement, meaning a well-chosen hashtag could significantly amplify a post’s visibility.

The Algorithm’s Role in Hashtag Visibility

In 2021, Instagram’s algorithm continuously evolved, prioritizing content that generated high engagement.

This meant that hashtags weren’t just about discovery.

They also influenced how widely a post was distributed within the algorithm. Pinterest tribes

Posts with highly relevant and engaged hashtags often appeared on the Explore page, exposing them to a vast new audience.

Data from Instagram’s own insights showed that posts using 5-9 relevant hashtags performed significantly better in terms of reach compared to those with no hashtags or an excessive number.

Hashtag Categories and Their Impact

The effectiveness of hashtags in 2021 largely depended on their categorization.

Broad, generic hashtags often led to content getting lost in the noise, while niche, specific hashtags targeted a more engaged audience.

• Broad Hashtags: #love, #fashion, #travel – These had massive volume but low conversion for specific niches.
• Niche Hashtags: #sustainablefashiontips, #veganfoodieadventures, #travelphotographyideas – These yielded higher engagement rates from targeted audiences.
• Community Hashtags: #supportsmallbusiness, #blackownedbusiness, #communitylove – These fostered connections and often led to direct engagement and shares.

Top-Performing Hashtag Categories of 2021

In 2021, certain content categories consistently drove higher engagement and reach on Instagram. These weren’t just fleeting trends. Most popular instagram hashtags to get followers

They represented core interests and values that resonated deeply with the platform’s user base.

Content creators who tapped into these categories saw significant growth.

Lifestyle and Wellness

The pandemic years amplified the focus on personal well-being, mental health, and home-centric living.

Hashtags reflecting these themes saw immense popularity.

• #SelfCare: With over 50 million posts, this hashtag reflected a growing emphasis on mental and emotional well-being. People shared routines, tips, and personal journeys.
• #HomeDecor: As people spent more time indoors, interest in improving living spaces soared. This hashtag, with over 150 million posts, became a hub for interior design inspiration.
• #HealthyLiving: This broad category encompassed fitness, nutrition, and holistic health. Posts under this tag, exceeding 100 million, often included workout routines, meal prep ideas, and wellness advice. According to a 2021 study by Statista, health and wellness content saw a 30% increase in engagement rates on Instagram.
• #Mindfulness: Over 25 million posts showcased a growing interest in meditation, spiritual practices, and living in the present moment, reflecting a societal shift towards conscious living.

Travel and Adventure Despite Restrictions

Even with ongoing travel restrictions, the desire for exploration remained strong, manifesting in aspirational content and memories of past trips. Perfect hashtags for instagram

• #TravelGram: This evergreen hashtag continued its dominance, with over 600 million posts, representing a global community of travel enthusiasts. Users often shared dream destinations or nostalgic throwbacks.
• #Wanderlust: Nearing 200 million posts, this tag encapsulated the enduring human desire for discovery and adventure, even if it was from the comfort of one’s home.
• #BucketList: People actively shared and planned future trips, keeping the dream of travel alive. This hashtag accumulated over 70 million posts in 2021.
• #Staycation: A pragmatic response to travel limitations, this hashtag over 15 million posts highlighted local adventures and unique experiences closer to home, often featuring hidden gems in one’s own city.

Fashion and Beauty

Always a cornerstone of Instagram, 2021 saw a shift towards more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive trends.

• #OOTD Outfit Of The Day: This staple hashtag remained incredibly popular, with over 300 million posts, as users showcased their daily styles.
• #BeautyTips: Beyond just makeup, this tag over 80 million posts saw a rise in skincare routines, natural beauty, and holistic approaches to personal grooming.
• #SustainableFashion: Reflecting a growing eco-consciousness, this hashtag garnered over 15 million posts, indicating a significant consumer shift towards ethical and environmentally friendly choices. A report by McKinsey & Company in 2021 noted that sustainable fashion searches increased by 65% year-over-year.
• #HairGoals: With over 50 million posts, users shared inspiration and transformations related to hairstyles, colors, and hair care.

Food and Culinary Experiences

From elaborate home-cooked meals to professional foodie reviews, food content continued to tantalize Instagram users.

• #Foodie: An all-encompassing hashtag for food enthusiasts, accumulating over 250 million posts, featuring everything from gourmet dishes to street food.
• #HomeCooking: The pandemic saw a resurgence in home culinary skills. This hashtag, with over 70 million posts, became a hub for recipes, meal inspirations, and cooking challenges.
• #Dessert: Sweet treats always perform well. This hashtag, with over 100 million posts, was a visual feast of cakes, pastries, and confections.
• #VeganFood: Reflecting a significant dietary trend, this hashtag saw over 60 million posts, showcasing plant-based meals and recipes. Data from a 2021 global food trend report indicated a 40% increase in vegan-related searches on social platforms.

Community and Causes

2021 was a year of heightened social awareness.

Hashtags that promoted community, support, and social justice saw significant traction.

• #SupportSmallBusiness: A powerful movement to aid local enterprises, this hashtag over 50 million posts galvanized consumers to shop small.
• #BlackLivesMatter: This continued to be a pivotal hashtag, driving discussions and awareness around racial justice, with millions of posts dedicated to the cause.
• #CommunityLove: Highlighting local initiatives, volunteer efforts, and neighborly support, this hashtag fostered a sense of unity, reaching over 10 million posts.
• #MentalHealthAwareness: This crucial hashtag saw significant engagement, promoting open dialogue and resources for mental well-being, with over 30 million posts.

Leveraging Niche Hashtags for Targeted Engagement

While broad categories offer wide visibility, niche hashtags are the secret sauce for reaching a highly engaged and specific audience. Most useful hashtags on instagram

In 2021, content creators increasingly understood that a smaller, more relevant audience often translated to higher conversion rates and stronger community building.

Identifying Your Niche Audience

Before into niche hashtags, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand your target audience.

Who are you trying to reach? What are their specific interests, pain points, and aspirations?

• Demographics: Age, location, gender, income bracket.
• Psychographics: Hobbies, values, lifestyle choices, behaviors online.
• Engagement Patterns: What types of content do they interact with most? Which accounts do they follow?
  A comprehensive understanding allows you to tailor your hashtags precisely, ensuring your content lands in front of those who are most likely to convert into followers or customers. For example, if you’re a modest fashion brand, simply using #fashion isn’t enough. you’d want #modestfashion, #muslimfashion, or #hijabstyle.

Researching Effective Niche Hashtags

The process of finding effective niche hashtags goes beyond simple brainstorming. It requires diligent research and analysis.

• Competitor Analysis: Look at what hashtags successful accounts in your niche are using. What are their top-performing posts?
• Instagram’s Suggested Hashtags: When you start typing a hashtag in the search bar or under a post, Instagram often suggests related hashtags and their post counts. This is a goldmine for discovering relevant, slightly less saturated tags.
• Third-Party Tools: Tools like Tailwind for social media management and scheduling often provide hashtag suggestions and analytics, helping you identify trending and effective niche tags. Don’t forget that 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool could be invaluable here for exploring new hashtag opportunities.
• Audience Insights: Pay attention to comments and DMs from your existing audience. What language do they use? What specific topics do they discuss? These can often reveal organic niche hashtag opportunities.

Best Practices for Niche Hashtag Implementation

Once you have your list of niche hashtags, implement them strategically for maximum impact.

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• Mix and Match: Don’t just use one type. Combine broader niche hashtags e.g., #sustainableliving with super-specific ones e.g., #zerowastekitchen.
• Vary Hashtag Count: While 5-9 relevant hashtags often yielded the best results in 2021, experiment to see what works best for your audience. Some creators found success with a mix of 3-5 very specific tags and a few broader ones.
• Location-Specific Hashtags: If your business or content is location-dependent, always include location-specific hashtags e.g., #LondonFoodie, #NYClifestyle.
• Hashtags in Stories and Reels: Don’t limit hashtags to just feed posts. Use them in Instagram Stories and Reels to extend your reach, especially with location tags or trending audio hashtags.

Leveraging Branded Hashtags for Community Building

In 2021, savvy businesses and creators understood that hashtags weren’t just for discovery.

They were powerful tools for building a loyal community.

Branded hashtags became essential for fostering user-generated content UGC, creating campaigns, and strengthening brand identity.

What are Branded Hashtags?

A branded hashtag is unique to your brand, campaign, or community. Photo size instagram feed

It can be your business name, a tagline, a specific product name, or a campaign slogan.

• Examples: #Nike, #JustDoIt, #ShareACoke, #GoPro used by their community to share content.
• Purpose: To encourage followers and customers to use a specific hashtag when sharing content related to your brand, thereby creating a centralized hub for all user-generated content. A strong branded hashtag acts as a digital storefront for your community’s creations.

Strategies for Promoting Your Branded Hashtag

Simply creating a branded hashtag isn’t enough.

You need to actively promote it across all your touchpoints.

• Prominently Display on Your Profile: Include your branded hashtag in your Instagram bio. This is prime real estate for directing users.
• Call to Action in Captions: Regularly encourage your followers to use your branded hashtag in their posts. For example: “Share your culinary creations using #MyHalalKitchen!”
• Run Contests and Campaigns: Launching a contest where users submit content using your branded hashtag is a highly effective way to generate UGC. Offer incentives like features on your page or product giveaways.
• Cross-Promote on Other Platforms: Share your branded hashtag on your website, email newsletters, other social media channels Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and even in your physical store.
• Engage with UGC: When users post using your branded hashtag, acknowledge and interact with their content. Like, comment, and re-share their posts with permission to show appreciation and encourage more participation.

Benefits of a Strong Branded Hashtag

The impact of a well-executed branded hashtag strategy extends far beyond simple vanity metrics.

• Increased Brand Visibility: Every time a user posts with your hashtag, they expose your brand to their network, acting as organic ambassadors.
• Authentic User-Generated Content UGC: UGC is incredibly powerful. According to a 2021 study by Stackla, 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions, more than brand-produced content. It provides social proof and builds trust.
• Community Building: A branded hashtag creates a shared space for your audience, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty. It turns followers into advocates.
• Content Curation: It makes it easy to find and curate content related to your brand, which can then be repurposed for your own marketing efforts with proper attribution.
• Market Research: Analyzing the content shared under your branded hashtag can provide valuable insights into how customers are using your products, what they love, and what improvements could be made.

Analyzing Hashtag Performance and Adapting Your Strategy

The world of Instagram is dynamic, and what worked last month might not work today. Most popular trending hashtags on instagram

In 2021, successful creators and marketers understood the importance of continuously monitoring hashtag performance and being agile enough to adapt their strategies based on real data. This isn’t a one-time setup. it’s an ongoing process of optimization.

Utilizing Instagram Insights for Hashtag Performance

Instagram provides native analytics Insights that offer valuable data on your posts’ reach and performance, including how many impressions came from hashtags.

• Accessing Insights: Go to your profile, tap the “Insights” button, and then navigate to “Content You Shared.”
• Post-Level Data: Click on individual posts and then “View Insights” to see metrics like “Impressions from Hashtags.” This tells you directly how many people saw your post because of the hashtags you used.
• Identifying Top Performers: Look for posts where the “Impressions from Hashtags” metric is significantly high. Analyze the specific hashtags used in those posts. Are there patterns? Are certain types of hashtags consistently driving more reach?
• Audience Activity: Insights also show when your audience is most active. Posting when your followers are online can significantly boost initial engagement, which the algorithm rewards, giving your hashtags a better chance to perform.

A/B Testing Hashtag Sets

Just like you test different ad creatives, you should A/B test different sets of hashtags to see what resonates most with your audience and the algorithm.

• Create Batches: Prepare several distinct groups of hashtags. For example, Set A might be all broad niche tags, Set B a mix of niche and specific tags, and Set C location-specific tags.
• Consistent Content, Varied Hashtags: Post similar content e.g., two different photos of a modest dress but with different hashtag sets.
• Monitor and Compare: Over a few weeks, track the “Impressions from Hashtags” for each post. Identify which sets consistently perform better.
• Iterate: Refine your hashtag sets based on your findings. Remove underperforming tags and double down on those that bring in the most reach and engagement.

Staying Updated with Trending Hashtags

Trends on Instagram can emerge and fade rapidly.

Staying on top of them can give your content a timely boost. More likes hashtags instagram

• Instagram Explore Page: Regularly browse the Explore page. What themes and content types are prevalent? Which hashtags are associated with them?
• News and Current Events: Relate your content to current events or popular culture if appropriate for your brand. Relevant hashtags often emerge from these discussions. However, always exercise caution and sensitivity when aligning with sensitive topics.
• Industry News: Follow industry leaders and news sources to identify emerging trends in your niche. Are there new buzzwords or movements gaining traction?
• Don’t Overuse Trending Hashtags: While tempting, simply jumping on every trending hashtag can make your content seem inauthentic. Only use them if they are genuinely relevant to your post and brand. Forcing a trend can backfire and reduce credibility. For instance, using a podcast trend’s hashtag on a serious Islamic finance post would be counterproductive.

Hashtag Best Practices for Maximizing Reach in 2021 and Beyond

Beyond simply knowing which hashtags were popular, mastering the art of hashtag strategy involves a set of best practices that remained crucial in 2021 and continue to hold true.

These practices help ensure your hashtags are not just present but actively contributing to your content’s success.

Relevancy is King

The most critical rule for hashtags is relevance.

Using irrelevant but popular hashtags will not only fail to attract the right audience but can also signal to the Instagram algorithm that your content is misleading.

• Align with Content: Every hashtag should directly relate to the visual content or the caption of your post. If you’re sharing a picture of a halal meal, use #halalfoodie, not #travelphotography unless the food was specifically from a travel experience.
• Audience Expectation: Think about what a user searching for a particular hashtag would expect to see. Does your content meet that expectation? This ensures higher engagement rates and reduced bounce rates users quickly leaving your post.

Mixing Hashtag Sizes

A common mistake is to only use mega-popular hashtags. Most popular hashtags on instagram for likes

A balanced approach combining various sizes often yields the best results.

• High-Volume Hashtags 1M+ posts: These offer massive potential reach but also intense competition. Use 1-3 of these, carefully selected for high relevance e.g., #instafashion.
• Medium-Volume Hashtags 100K-1M posts: These are the sweet spot for many, offering good reach without overwhelming competition. Aim for 3-5 of these e.g., #modestdresses.
• Low-Volume/Niche Hashtags 1K-100K posts: These connect you with highly specific, engaged communities. Use 3-5 of these to target your ideal audience e.g., #muslimahfashionista.
• Hyper-Niche/Branded Hashtags <1K posts, or unique to you: Essential for building community and tracking brand-specific content e.g., #YourBrandNameStyle.

Placement Matters: Caption vs. First Comment

While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, the optimal placement for visibility and aesthetics was a hot topic in 2021.

• Caption Placement: Directly in the caption, either at the end or integrated naturally within the text. This is often the most straightforward approach.
• First Comment Placement: Posting your hashtags as the very first comment immediately after publishing your post. Many creators prefer this for a cleaner caption, as it doesn’t clutter the main text. Both methods were observed to perform well, with the choice often coming down to personal preference or brand aesthetic. There’s no definitive algorithmic preference between the two, so test what works for your content.

Avoiding Banned Hashtags

Instagram periodically bans or restricts hashtags that are associated with inappropriate, spammy, or harmful content.

Using a banned hashtag can severely limit your post’s visibility or even lead to a shadowban.

• Check Before Using: A quick way to check is to search for the hashtag on Instagram. If you see a message like “Recent posts from # hashtag are currently hidden because the community has reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s community guidelines,” avoid it.
• Stay Updated: Regularly review your go-to hashtag list to ensure none have been recently banned. Several online resources track banned Instagram hashtags.

Ethical Considerations for Content Creation and Hashtags on Instagram

As Muslim professionals, our approach to any digital platform, including Instagram, must be guided by Islamic principles. Make a hashtag

While Instagram can be a powerful tool for da’wah, education, and ethical commerce, it also presents challenges regarding content integrity, modesty, and the avoidance of what is impermissible in Islam.

Our focus should always be on beneficial knowledge, wholesome content, and encouraging positive, community-building interactions.

Promoting Wholesome and Beneficial Content

Our primary aim on Instagram should be to share content that is beneficial nafi’ and does not lead to sin or promotes what is impermissible.

• Islamic Guidance: Adhere to principles of modesty hijab for women, appropriate attire for men, truthfulness, and integrity in all content. Avoid anything that promotes nudity, excessive beautification tabarruj, or ostentation riya’.
• Avoid Forbidden Topics: Actively steer clear of content related to alcohol, gambling, riba interest-based finance, illicit relationships dating, sexuality outside of marriage, podcast especially that which distracts from remembrance of Allah, excessive indulgence in entertainment, or anything that encourages arrogance or materialism e.g., flaunting excessive jewelry or wealth.
• Positive Alternatives: Instead of promoting trends that conflict with Islamic values, focus on promoting:
  • Halal Lifestyles: Healthy eating, natural remedies, wholesome family activities.
  • Islamic Knowledge: Sharing Quranic verses, Hadith, lessons from the Prophet’s PBUH life, insights from Islamic scholars.
  • Community Building: Supporting halal businesses, charitable initiatives, community service.
  • Modest Fashion: Showcasing stylish and contemporary modest wear that adheres to Islamic guidelines.
  • Halal Travel: Highlighting Muslim-friendly destinations, historical Islamic sites, and family-oriented travel.
  • Ethical Finance: Discussing halal investment, zakat, sadaqah, and honest business practices.
• Hashtag Selection: Be mindful of the hashtags you use. Ensure they align with your ethical content. For example, instead of #party, use #familygathering or #communityevent. Instead of #hottrends, use #modeststyle or #islamicinsights.

The Dangers of Excessive Materialism and Ostentation

Instagram can inadvertently foster a culture of materialism, comparison, and ostentation.

As Muslims, we are encouraged to live simply and humbly, avoiding excessive display of wealth or beauty. Like trending hashtags

• Riya’ Showing Off: Be conscious of the intention behind your posts. Is it to genuinely benefit others or to seek praise and admiration for worldly possessions or appearance? The Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, “Indeed, Allah loves to see the effects of His blessings upon His slave.” Tirmidhi but this is balanced with humility and avoiding excessive pride.
• Comparison and Envy: Excessive focus on materialistic content can lead to unhealthy comparison and envy among followers, which is detrimental to spiritual well-being.
• Better Alternatives:
  • Focus on blessings, not just possessions: Share gratitude for simple blessings rather than flaunting luxury items.
  • Promote contentment qana’ah: Encourage appreciation for what one has rather than constant desire for more.
  • Highlight spiritual growth: Share journeys of spiritual development, acts of worship, and good deeds.
  • Showcase simplicity: Demonstrate that a fulfilling life doesn’t require extravagant material possessions.

Responsible Use of Influencer Marketing and Partnerships

If engaging in influencer marketing, ensure partnerships align with Islamic ethics.

• Ethical Brands: Only collaborate with brands that offer halal products or services and operate ethically. Avoid brands involved in riba, alcohol, gambling, or anything forbidden.
• Modest Representation: Ensure the content and presentation are modest and do not promote immoral behavior or immodesty.
• Authenticity and Transparency: Always disclose sponsored content clearly, as honesty is a core Islamic value.

By consciously applying these ethical considerations, Muslim professionals can transform Instagram from a potential source of distraction or sin into a powerful platform for positive influence, da’wah, and community empowerment, all while adhering to the beautiful teachings of Islam.

Future-Proofing Your Hashtag Strategy Beyond 2021

The principles that made hashtags successful in 2021 continue to form the bedrock of good practice, but anticipating future trends is key to sustained growth.

Anticipating Algorithm Shifts

Instagram’s algorithm is constantly being refined.

While specific details are rarely disclosed, understanding general directions can help. Landscape instagram dimensions

• Engagement is Key: The algorithm consistently prioritizes content that generates meaningful engagement saves, shares, comments, longer watch times. Hashtags that drive relevant audiences are more likely to lead to this.
• Authenticity Over Volume: Instagram is increasingly prioritizing authentic connections over sheer volume. This means genuine, niche hashtags might continue to outperform generic, high-volume ones.
• Video Content Dominance: Reels and video content continue to be heavily promoted. Incorporating hashtags relevant to your video content is crucial for discoverability in this format.

The Rise of AI-Driven Hashtag Tools

Expect more sophisticated AI tools to emerge, offering deeper insights into hashtag performance and prediction.

• Predictive Analytics: Tools that can predict which hashtags are likely to trend based on current data.
• Personalized Suggestions: More tailored hashtag recommendations based on your specific content, audience, and past performance.
• Automated Optimization: Features that automatically suggest or even implement optimal hashtag sets for your posts. Staying informed about these tools and integrating them where permissible and beneficial can provide a competitive edge.

Adapting to New Instagram Features

Instagram consistently rolls out new features.

Savvy content creators integrate hashtags into these new formats.

• Reels Hashtags: Using relevant, trending audio hashtags and content-specific hashtags in Reels is paramount for discoverability on the Reels tab.
• Shopping Hashtags: For e-commerce, incorporating relevant shopping hashtags can improve product discoverability.
• Collaborative Posts Collabs: When using the Collabs feature, ensure both accounts use a synergistic hashtag strategy to maximize combined reach.

Focus on Evergreen and Seasonal Hashtags

Beyond chasing daily trends, build a strong foundation of evergreen and seasonal hashtags.

• Evergreen Hashtags: These are consistently relevant to your niche regardless of the time of year e.g., #sustainablefashion, #halalfood, #islamicquotes. They provide consistent, long-term discoverability.
• Seasonal Hashtags: Plan for major holidays, seasons, or events e.g., #RamadanMubarak, #EidCelebrations, #WinterStyle. Integrate these strategically during their relevant periods.

A well-rounded hashtag strategy in the years beyond 2021 will be one that is data-driven, adaptable, ethically sound, and always focused on delivering value to a clearly defined audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the most popular hashtags on Instagram in 2021?

In 2021, the most popular hashtags were often broad and widely used, including #love, #instagood, #fashion, #photooftheday, #art, #beautiful, #photography, #happy, #picoftheday, and #cute. However, highly engaged categories included #selfcare, #homedecor, #travelgram, #foodie, and #supportsmallbusiness.

How many hashtags should I use on Instagram posts?

In 2021, and continuing to be a good practice, using between 5 to 9 relevant hashtags was often cited as the optimal range for maximizing reach and engagement.

While Instagram allows up to 30, quality and relevance consistently trump quantity.

Did hashtag popularity change in 2021 due to the pandemic?

Yes, the pandemic significantly influenced hashtag popularity in 2021. There was a notable increase in hashtags related to home life #HomeDecor, #HomeCooking, wellness #SelfCare, #Mindfulness, and community support #SupportSmallBusiness, #CommunityLove as people spent more time indoors and focused on well-being and local initiatives.

What types of hashtags perform best for small businesses in 2021?

For small businesses in 2021, a mix of niche-specific hashtags e.g., #HandmadeJewelryStore, location-specific hashtags e.g., #LondonCoffeeShop, and branded hashtags e.g., #YourBrandNameCreations performed best for reaching targeted local audiences and building community.

Should I put hashtags in the caption or first comment?

In 2021, both methods hashtags in the caption or in the first comment were equally effective in terms of algorithmic reach.

Many creators opted for the first comment for a cleaner aesthetic, but there was no proven performance difference.

How do I find trending hashtags on Instagram?

You can find trending hashtags by exploring Instagram’s Explore page, checking the “Trends” section in some third-party scheduling tools, observing what popular accounts in your niche are using, and staying updated on current events and popular culture.

Are banned hashtags still a concern?

Yes, banned hashtags remain a significant concern.

Using a banned hashtag in 2021 could severely limit your post’s visibility or even lead to a shadowban.

Always check if a hashtag is banned before using it by searching for it on Instagram.

What is a branded hashtag and why is it important?

A branded hashtag is unique to your brand, product, or campaign e.g., #YourBrandName. In 2021, it was crucial for fostering user-generated content, building a loyal community around your brand, and centralizing content related to your business.

How do I track the performance of my hashtags?

You can track hashtag performance using Instagram’s native Insights feature.

For each post, you can view “Impressions from Hashtags” to see how many people discovered your content via the tags you used.

Is it better to use popular or niche hashtags?

A balanced approach is best.

Popular hashtags offer wide reach, while niche hashtags connect you with a highly engaged, specific audience.

In 2021, combining a few high-volume, relevant tags with more specific, lower-volume niche tags was recommended for optimal results.

Can I use the same hashtags for every post?

While convenient, using the exact same set of hashtags for every post can reduce effectiveness and potentially be flagged as spammy by the algorithm.

It’s better to curate a diverse list of relevant hashtags and rotate them, tailoring them to each specific post’s content.

What is the purpose of hashtags on Instagram?

The primary purposes of hashtags on Instagram in 2021 were to increase content discoverability, reach new audiences, categorize content, and facilitate community building around specific topics or brands.

How often should I update my hashtag strategy?

It’s advisable to review and potentially update your hashtag strategy every few months, or whenever you notice a decline in performance or a significant shift in audience trends. Continuously testing and refining is key.

Are location-specific hashtags effective?

Yes, location-specific hashtags were very effective in 2021, especially for local businesses or content creators targeting a specific geographic area.

They help your content appear in searches for that location, attracting local engagement.

Should I use hashtags in Instagram Stories?

Yes, using relevant hashtags in Instagram Stories either visible or hidden can increase their discoverability, potentially placing them on the Explore page or within relevant hashtag stories, especially with location tags.

What are some common mistakes to avoid with hashtags?

Common mistakes include using irrelevant hashtags, using only extremely popular hashtags, using banned hashtags, spamming too many irrelevant tags, or not using any hashtags at all.

How did Reels impact hashtag strategy in 2021?

Reels significantly emphasized the importance of using relevant and trending audio hashtags, in addition to content-specific hashtags, to increase discoverability on the Reels tab and reach a wider audience seeking short-form video content.

Do emojis count as hashtags?

No, emojis themselves do not count as hashtags unless they are explicitly preceded by a ‘#’ symbol. For example, #❤️ hashtag heart emoji can function as a hashtag if popular and used by others.

Is it worth creating unique hashtags for campaigns?

Yes, creating unique hashtags for specific campaigns e.g., a contest, product launch was highly effective in 2021. It helps organize campaign-related content, track participation, and measure the campaign’s overall reach and engagement.

How can I make my hashtags stand out?

To make your hashtags stand out, focus on specificity and niche relevance. Instead of just #food, try #halalhomecooking or #muslimchefs. Use a mix of common and unique tags, and ensure they truly represent your content and target audience.