Finding the best hashtags doesn’t have to feel like a guessing game. When you use the right ones, your posts become easier to find, your audience grows and engagement takes off.

And that’s what we want for you! We’ve put together the following guide to help you navigate the dos and don’ts of hashtags confidently.

1. Insta Hashtag Types

Hashtags are conversation starters. They group your posts with others on the same topic and help you show up in places where your audience is already hanging out.

Here are the types of hashtags you’ll want to know 👇

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Branded Hashtags

These are unique to your business or campaigns (#PlanWithPlanable). They’re great for building brand identity and encouraging user-generated content.

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Campaign-Specific Hashtags

Use these for events, launches, or sales (#BlackFridayDeals2025). They create buzz around something timely.

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Community Hashtags

Perfect for connecting with like-minded people or niche groups (#SocialMediaManagers or #ContentCreators).

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Niche/Industry Hashtags

These help you reach specific audiences in your field (#SaaSTools or #MarketingTips).

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Seasonal/Event-Based Hashtags

Tie into holidays or major events (#ChristmasMarketing or #WorldCup2025).

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2. How to Pick the Right Hashtags

Not all hashtags are created equal. Here’s what helps:

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Stay Relevant: Choose hashtags that make sense for your content and audience. For example, if you’re sharing social media tips, #SocialMediaStrategy is a better fit than something generic like #InstaGood.

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Avoid Spammy Tags: Some hashtags, like #LikeForLike, are banned or so overused they won’t help. Plus, they can actually hurt your reach.

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Mix It Up: Combine trending, niche, and branded hashtags to expand your reach while staying laser-focused on your audience.

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3. Placement and Numbers: What Works Best

Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but more isn’t always better. Here’s how to keep it simple and effective:

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How Many to Use: Most studies suggest 9-12 hashtags are ideal. It’s enough to boost visibility without overwhelming your audience.

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Where to Place Them: You can add hashtags in the caption or the first comment. Test both to see what works better for your account.

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The Size Factor: Smaller, niche hashtags (under 50k posts) often drive better engagement than hashtags with millions of posts. Relevance matters more than size.

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4. Smart Hashtag Research

Here are a few ways to make finding the right hashtags easier: