Using hashtags on Instagram is definitely not new, but are you using hashtags correctly? If used well, hashtags have great potential to increase the visibility of your publications, further enhancing results. But for that, you need planning and understanding of how the hashtags universe works.

In this post by storiesdown.com you will learn more about a hashtag, the advantages of using it, and professional tips on how to use hashtags on Instagram. Read on to the end to be a hashtag expert!

What is a hashtag?

Starting with the basic concept, after all, what is a hashtag? The hashtag is a way to categorize content related to the same topic. They serve as tags that contextualize your content posted on Instagram for the user. If you visit the Instagram search field on your cell phone, for example, you will see a "tags" tab where you can search for any topic you want.

When searching for hashtags, all content that used the hashtag appears in a special feed for you. And how to use it? This is where the famous hashtag symbol # comes in! Whenever you are going to use a hashtag on Instagram, you must use the character "#" and write a straight sentence without spaces or accents. In addition, it is important to write short sentences so that a hashtag is not too long and difficult to use in other content on the same topic.

Here's an example of using mlabs itself, with the hashtags #softskills and #SMW2020, to increase the visibility of your post in categories relevant to the topic covered in the post:

Why use hashtags on Instagram?

Hashtags on Instagram make other people who don't follow you find your posts. In addition to attracting followers, they help to increase the visibility of the content and attract people who are interested in your topic, that is, your target audience. Users have the option to follow hashtags, which can significantly increase engagement with posts that use the right hashtags, getting almost "indirect followers" for certain types of content.

Hashtags can also be used to build campaigns or be associated with a particular topic, such as coverage of the #Oscars example.

The use of the # in a post makes the social network search engine understand that that content refers to a particular topic, event, campaign, or debate and allows the marked post to be delivered to everyone who searches for the hashtag.

In addition, we have the Instagram explorer, a place present in search of the network, which is widely used for those who want to explore new content with an affinity with their profile. In explore, suggestions for content based on hashtags related to the user's profile are displayed, being a great opportunity to achieve even more visibility with your publications.

Tips for using hashtags on Instagram

Knowing how to use hashtags on Instagram is very important to your strategy.

Although there are a number of treatises on the subject on the Internet, many professionals still make basic mistakes such as choosing the wrong hashtags, random ones, exaggerating quantity, among others.

So you don't go wrong when applying hashtags to your posts, check out the tips!

1 – Don't pollute your caption with #'s

What do we mean by "do not pollute the legend"? There are two main points:

#No #Separate #Sentences!

If your theme is made up of one sentence, don't use a # to separate the words.

If you say that, in addition to leaving the look polluted and making it difficult to read, the term loses meaning and makes it impossible for your audience to find you.

An example: #socialnetworks is one thing; #networks can be linked to a subject in the IT area, for example, and #social can only be related to Social Sciences.

To solve the reading problem, you can use uppercase and lowercase letters—# BemAssimO.

2 – Be consistent

One of the main tips on using hashtags on Instagram is to look for topics related to the brand and the post being published.

It's no use to insert one of the most used hashtags on Instagram if their theme doesn't fit your content.

Think about it: if your post is about Front End Programming and you use #Love, what is the chance of a programmer searching for #Love to find content about codes and trends in the area?

See how it doesn't make sense?

That way, instead of promoting your work efficiently and positively, you attract the wrong audience. Of course, you can also search for popular hashtags (which have approximately between 500,000 and one million posts). But they still need to be related to the subject discussed in that post. But remember not to overdo the hashtags! The content looks visually ugly and can still attract the wrong audience.

3 – Use the Instagram search engine

Before filling your post with the # that you think is ideal for the content theme, do a simple search on Instagram, the magnifying glass in the app, or the website. Put yourself in your audience's shoes and search for the topic as usual. Several hashtags related to the word you searched will appear. See if the terms match what you thought of and if the results are good. If yes, good! If not, just adapt.

4 – Use tools for hashtag ideas

There are some tools that can help you when you run out of idea what to put as # in the post.

Hashtag Generator is one of them. Searching for a specific keyword gives you several other options for similar hashtags related to the term.

Also, Lee tags is a very useful app for generating optimized hashtags on your Instagram.

We also have Display Purposes, a great tool for finding hashtag ideas and getting insights into your profile on the network. Combine these features with Instagram's search and improve your strategy even further!

5 – Create your own hashtag

Do you remember that one of the functions of hashtags is to organize and catalog content? Well then! Try to create your brand or editorial hashtag, and start spreading it on all your social networks. That way, you encourage your audience to look for you more directly. Also, you can launch a campaign with a # to go viral. Or ask your followers to take a picture and post it with the hashtag. An example of this was the hashtag: #boravender released at an event hosted by Vtex to increase engagement and visibility of the brand's event.

6 – Beware of generic hashtags

One of the mistakes when using hashtags on Instagram is choosing too generic terms for post #. Even if it's a very popular #, you can run the risk of attracting only disqualified likes to your post or even followers with fake accounts. Which is not your goal, right? After all, you want to attract engaged followers that are all about your brand!

7 – Look at what the competition is wearing

Do not copy! But the study of competition is fundamental in a marketing strategy. The use of hashtags is part of it! So, be sure to also check out what competitors are doing and what is working.

8 – Use hashtags in your bio

By creating a hashtag in the Instagram bio, you can contextualize your entire profile on the social network, increasing the assertiveness of your performance. The hashtags in the bio need to be more strategic and related to the brand's field of activity, but they don't need to be very specific; you can leave these for the publications! See an example on the mLabs profile, which uses #socialmedia and #digital marketing, two hashtags that sum up its segment very well: how to use the hashtag on Instagram: mLab's biography image on an Instagram profile indicating the hashtags used: #socialmedia #marketingdigital

9 – Don't overdo the number of hashtags

It is important to use hashtags sparingly on Instagram. We already have evidence that using too many hashtags in Instagram feed posts does not increase engagement; on the contrary. The Instagram post by our big boss, Rafael Kiso, represents this issue very well. In it, he shared a graph from a survey by Mention that shows the drop in engagement when using too many hashtags. We can see that the "limit" number of hashtag usage on Instagram is 5, so your profile doesn't get an exaggerated amount and decrease engagement.

10 – Use hashtags in your Stories

Don't forget to use hashtags in Stories too! In addition to the feed with posts of the respective hashtag, Instagram stories are also displayed for those who view a hashtag. To add your hashtag is very simple, just put the #hashtag Sticker and type the one you want. At mLabs, you have this functionality in a practical way, being possible to schedule posts in Stories and already insert the # feature. advertising banner on dash good reporting by means

11 – Create groups of most used hashtags

Hashtag groups serve as a guide for you to have more consistency in the hashtags you use and compatibility with the post category. To group hashtags, you need to understand the categories of your posts and when each type of hashtag would fit in the post. See an example of the most common categories on Instagram profiles and how you can apply grouping to your profile!

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HOW TO USE A HASHTAG ON INSTAGRAM PRACTICAL TIPS