Hashtags have permeated our lives. People use them all the time in lots of different situations. Most of the time someone using a hashtag in a personal social media post meant for friends and family don’t have a strategic purpose. They are generally trying to be clever or maybe trendy. Like I said, hashtags are EVERYWHERE so lots of people can’t resist jumping on board.
Working in social media involves using hashtags in a strategic way. Everyone knows they have a purpose, but not everyone knows what that purpose is. Hashtags get more eyes on posts. But how many…and what type? Are some hashtags too long (or too short) and therefore detrimental to post reach? Is there a magic combination or formula for hashtag use that will get us the views and interactions we are all striving for?
I decided to do some research and find out the truth. Well, the truth according to Instagram anyway.
Before there was a search function on Instagram hashtags were essential for getting post views, and the more the better. These days when people have the ability to search Instagram for topics hashtags aren’t really that relevant anymore. According to the Instagram Creator page you should:
Use hashtags that are relevant to the theme of your content
Research which hashtags your fans use and follow
Mix well-known and niche hashtags to broaden your discoverability
Use specific hashtags so your fans can easily search your content. You can even create your own personal hashtag, maybe named after yourself or your business
Keep the number of hashtags between 3-5
The bottom line is that there is no magic combination of hashtags that will make your post go viral. I’m sorry to say, but all the social media managers out there who are spending their time (and your money) making spreadsheets full of hashtags with a breakdown by numbers of followers and then using the magic formula of 2 hashtags of 700,000 to 1 million followers, 8 hashtags with 100,000 to 500,000 followers and so forth, are wasting both their time and your money.
Also, no matter the hashtag strategy, you won’t get any engagement on your posts unless your content is good.
The takeaway? There is no magic in good marketing. A great strategy with a reputable marketing firm who is aligned with your business and works hard for you is always the best way to go.