Instagram is one of the most vibrant platforms out there. Whether you’re a business owner, an aspiring influencer, or just love sharing your daily life, hashtags are a major key to getting noticed. But how do you know which ones are hot and happening?
TL;DR
To find popular hashtags on Instagram, start by checking what’s trending in your niche. Use tools like Instagram search, third-party apps, and analytics platforms. Keep a list of hashtags that perform well and rotate them. Just remember—not all popular hashtags work for every post, so always stay relevant!
Why Hashtags Matter on Instagram
Hashtags are like search engines. They help people find your content. The right hashtag can boost your reach and engagement dramatically.
Using popular yet relevant hashtags makes your post visible to a wider audience. It’s like putting your content on a billboard where the right crowd hangs out.
1. Start with Instagram Itself
Let’s begin with the obvious choice—Instagram’s own search bar. Type in a word related to your post (like coffee or fitness) and watch the suggestions roll in.
- Instagram suggests hashtags based on popularity.
- Look for the ones with millions of posts first.
- Then, narrow down to more niche hashtags with tens or hundreds of thousands—these can give you better engagement.
Example: #coffee has over 100 million posts, while #coffeetime might have 2 million. Mix both!
2. Use Third-Party Tools
If you want to dig deeper, use apps and websites designed for this. Here are a few to try:
- Display Purposes – Filters spammy tags and shows related, popular ones.
- All Hashtag – Generates tags based on a keyword.
- RiteTag – Gives instant feedback on which tags are hot now.
- Hashtagify – Great for seeing trends and related tags.
These tools let you find hashtags that are not only popular but also strategic. Meaning, they have high engagement but less competition. Boom!
3. Spy on the Competition
Don’t be shy—go check out accounts similar to yours. What hashtags are they using?
- Visit popular accounts in your niche.
- Scroll through their recent posts.
- Make note of frequently used hashtags that get lots of likes and comments.
If it works for them, it might work for you. But make sure you don’t copy blindly—stay authentic to your content.
4. Check the Hashtag Page
Each hashtag on Instagram has its own page. Click on a tag and see:
- Top posts using that hashtag
- Recent posts
- Related hashtags (Gold!)
This gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s trending and what kind of content is getting traction.
5. Use Instagram Insights (for Business Accounts)
If you have a business or creator profile (and if you don’t, switch now—it’s free!), Instagram gives you some magic tools called Insights.
These show you how your hashtags are performing:
- How many impressions came from hashtags
- Which posts did well with certain tags
This is valuable info! Stop guessing and start knowing what actually works.
6. Keep a Hashtag List
Be organized. Create a few lists of hashtags based on different content types you post.
Example categories might be:
- Food photography
- Fitness videos
- Travel vlogs
Make a list of 20-30 hashtags for each. Rotate the combinations to avoid being spammy and to reach different audiences.
7. Combine Popular + Niche Tags
This is a pro strategy. Don’t just go with tags like #love or #instagood that have 1 billion posts each. Your post could get lost in 2 seconds.
Instead, combine:
- Super popular hashtags (millions of posts)
- Mid-range hashtags (100k – 1 million posts)
- Low competition niche hashtags (less than 100k)
This way, you increase your chances of getting seen in multiple communities.
8. Stay Fresh and Relevant
Hashtags trends change fast. What’s hot today may be old news tomorrow. Keep refreshing your list regularly.
Here’s how to stay in the loop:
- Follow trending topics and holidays
- Use hashtags like #MondayMotivation, #ThrowbackThursday
- Be timely! Post in sync with events or viral challenges
Instagram rewards relevance. Don’t just use popular tags—use the right popular tags.
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9. Avoid Banned or Spammy Hashtags
Yes, banned hashtags are a thing! Using them can seriously hurt your post’s reach—or worse, get your account shadowbanned.
Examples? Tags like #beautyblogger or #pushups are sometimes blocked due to overuse or spam.
To check, search a hashtag on Instagram. If the page is empty or shows a warning, stay away!
10. Test, Track, and Tweak
At the end of the day, no list is perfect. Testing is key.
- Post with different hashtag combos
- Check performance with Instagram Insights
- Track which tags bring more likes, comments, and follows
This way, you’re always improving and staying ahead of the game.
Final Thoughts
Finding popular hashtags on Instagram doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about being curious, a little sneaky, and a lot strategic.
Start paying attention to what tags others use. Try tools. Experiment with combos. And most of all—keep it fun!
Happy hashtagging 🎉
