Using “#”'s to search for posts is becoming less and less prevalent. Today, over half of Instagram users do not actively search hashtags to find new content or people to follow. Some still do, but the hashtag's function has shifted over to the social media algorithm.
If you've noticed that more and more of the accounts you follow on social media are no longer making use of hashtags—and that your posts with hashtags aren't as effective as they used to be—well, it's not a coincidence. The thing is… people just aren't using hashtags anymore.
Yes! There's never been a better time to put some relevant hashtags in your social media posts. Whether it's LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, hashtags play an important role in connecting potential customers with your business.
The effect of using banned hashtags
If you include one of these in your posts, it won't appear in other people's feeds. And you're going to have a hard time getting engagements on a post that other people can't see.
Simply put, no, hashtags are not a waste of time, but it depends on how you use them. Many people use irritating hashtags such as: #photooftheday, #followforfollow, #food, #love, #girl, #blue.
It's not about getting seen by a lot of people, it's about getting seen by the right people. That's how hashtags lead to higher engagement and more followers. Pick and choose the right keywords for each post individually.
Today, hashtags are still used to catagorise content, but the way the algorithm picks up content has matured greatly. Now, social media channels can see what the photo, video, PDF, etc. is all about and the accompanying text. Of course, there are some instances where it gets it wrong, but it's surprisingly effective.
So, how many hashtags should you use on Instagram? For now, using more hashtags is still the best strategy for increasing your reach and engagement on Instagram feed posts. However, as Instagram introduces more “suggested” content feeds, focusing on fewer, hyper-relevant hashtags could be a tactic worth testing.
The short answer is yes. While younger social media users may argue that usage of hashtags is perhaps not as "cool" as earlier generations who embraced them, they still are highly effective social media tools. In fact, Instagram is continually optimizing how hashtags are used for improved user experience.
Hashtags help you reach more people in your target audience and ultimately get more likes on Instagram.
When you stop using hashtags, you're left with only one way to improve your Instagram traction — you have to actually produce great content. Because without the “magic” of hashtags, your content has to actually earn its engagement.
The use of hashtags is in fact a trend than is becoming a megatrend. Especially because the world is discovering how quickly it can see specific topics and specific webpages.
We recommend that you put this to the test on your own account. Share a few Reels with 3-5 hashtags, a few Reels with 5+, and take note of which group performed better. We've personally found that Reels with fewer hashtags perform the best on our account.
Con: You Can Turn Away Followers by Using Too Many Hashtags
Hashtags are great for boosting your Instagram engagement, but too many hashtags can sometimes turn away users. Your followers want to read a caption that is thoughtful and entertaining, not a jumble of hashtags.
They found that posts using 20-30 hashtags received the best reach and engagement rates.
Instagram is slowly dying. A 2021 survey from financial services firm Piper Sandler found that only 22 percent of teenagers said Instagram was their favorite social media platform, coming in third after Snapchat and TikTok.
? Do hashtags increase followers? No, hashtags don't directly increase your followers. But they help you expand your reach and get more engagement on your posts, increasing your followers more than often. Using brand-relevant hashtags make you more visible among your niche audiences, who are more likely to follow you.
Instagram hashtags are powerful. They can help your posts reach a target audience, attract followers in your niche, increase engagement, and develop a more positive and recognizable brand image.
In addition, the study found that the number of hashtags in a post doesn't have a measurable impact on views. No matter how many hashtags a post has, the average engagement rate by impressions falls within the same range.
If you've used any social media platform in the past 5 to 10 years, you must know about hashtags. And if you want your content to be seen and hopefully go viral, you will have to learn more about trending hashtags on TikTok.
The truth is, hashtags are not completely dead – yet. The purpose of hashtags, and the way that we use them, has evolved. If you refocus your efforts to gain the attention of the algorithms, you can have much more success in building your following within your target audience and increase your engagements.
Social media will see a rise in the adoption of technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). As these platforms grow, users will demand better and more engaging experiences, and these technologies can make that happen.