Here is some great advice on the kinds of hashtags you should be using in your Instagram posts:
- Content hashtags should directly relate to the items in the post itself.
- Industry hashtags may not be directly related to what’s in the post but are specific to the industry and clients you serve.
- Niche hashtags are specific to the target audience you’re trying to reach.
- Branded hashtags are hashtags that you and your customers use to showcase and tag your content on Instagram.
(Source: Jenn Herman, Social Media Examiner)
I’ve only been using Instagram strategically for a short time and I will say I am impressed with how much more important hashtags are on this platform than any other.
People do discover your content through the hashtags.
Many of these likes an follows may be looking for follow-backs, but the point is that people are searching for interesting content using hashtags. Plus, you can now follow hashtags as well.
What I find most interesting, however, is a branded hashtag. Basically, this means a hashtag that collects and features a certain kind of content that you create. It can function almost like a category page on a blog.
Instagram experts suggest creating a document with a list of your hashtags. Breaking up this list of hashtags into these four categories could be very helpful in the way you create content and engage with your community.
