I think there is a misconception among some bloggers that using hashtags is not cool and can seem spammy. If you think this, then you’re wrong. If you have a massive following, then your fans will see your images in your feed and you will get likes from these fans. However, if you’re looking to build your likes and followers using hashtags enables people who don’t already follow you to see, and perhaps like, your images; you never know they might even then go on to follow you.
If people love Instagram they will probably spend time looking at the images within various hashtag streams and if you haven’t used a hashtag, then your image (however wonderful) isn’t being seen by these potential new followers. Speaking personally, I do this A LOT, I love finding new accounts to follow and looking at beautiful images. I spend some time every day scrolling through various hashtags streams, liking and following the ones I love.
So are we on the same page? Do you now realise what a difference it could make to your Instagram if you use hasthtags? Yes?, Great!
I’m now going to share some of my favourite hashtags and others that might work for your feeds. Bear in mind that the highest engagement is seen on images with 11 or more hashtags. Top tip – put all your hashtags (you can use up to 30) in the first comment box (not the main comment box). This means they will be hidden when more people comment on your image, and so it will look cleaner. Also they won’t then show if you share this image on Facebook or Twitter.
Hashtags to use
It can be hard to decide which to use and to some degree it is trial and error; obviously the decision depends on the subject of your picture. Some big hashtags regram images, which would obviously help your likes and follower numbers, but they will only do this if appropriate pictures are hashtagged. Using a generic tag like #love is probably not going to do you much good. There are 893,705,172 images with this hashtag, so chances are yours will be lost. Also I don’t think anyone would search this hashtag, it’s just too vast. You need to chose wisely and think which will give you the best exposure for your picture.
There are hashtags with a large amount of users and there are smaller ones; both have their strengths and weaknesses. Large accounts, if they feature you, can then share your image/account with a huge amount of followers, but it is harder to stand out. Smaller hashtags, like Mr and Mrs T Plus Three and my, #LittleFierceOnes have a smaller number of users, but in some respects a bigger sense of community, with lots of likes from community members and being features on Instagram and also our top 50 ranked parenting blogs. So it’s swings and roundabouts, trial and error is probably the way to go to find out what works best for your images. I will start with the ones more focus to the parenting niche, then will share some popular general ones.
Child Focused Hashtags
#LittleFierceOnes
Creators: @youbabymemummy & @amytreasureblog almost 100k posts
We feature daily on our feeds
Images to tag: Pictures that sum up your little fierce children
#pixel_kids
Creator: @pixel_kids 20.7k followers 72,712 posts
They feature images on their feed.
Images to tag: beautiful kids shots
#clickinmoms
Creator: @clickinmoms www.clickinmoms.com 48.9k followers 313,419 posts
Feature images in roundup posts on Instagram
Images to tag: Gorgeous images of children. They also do daily challenges.
#childhoodunplugged
Creator: @childhoodunplugged www.childhoodunplugged.com 77.9k followers 772, 019 posts
Feature images.
Images to tag: Pictures which show children to get back to the art of play.
#momswithcameras
Creator: @momswithcameras 15.7k followers 323,494 posts
They feature images.
Images to tag: Lovely shots of kids
Others:
#letthembelittle
#oureverydaymoments
#childofig
#uniteinmotherhood
#candidchildhood
#momtogs
#simplychildren
I could go on! However, I will stop there for the specific child/motherhood tags. Obviously, you will be able to use more general hashtags too, even if your image is of a child.
Here are some others to consider;
#thatsdarling #darlingweekend #darlingmovement
Creator: Darling Magazine @darling – 210k followers
They will regram some appropriate images.
Images to tag: Arty, styled shots of anything.
#LiveAuthentic
Creator: www.liveauthentic.net 8,196,254 images
Images to tag: Promoting active and authentic lifestyles in the great outdoors, and having adventures.
#LiveFolk
Creator: Folk Magazine 5,600,243 images
They will regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Anything to do with the outdoors.
#wandeleurspark
Creator: @wandeleur Blog: Wandeleur 39,086 images
They will regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Cocktails, Home, Travel, Flowers, Architecture. Inspiration for a creative life.
#prettylittlething
Creator: @officialplt Pretty Little Thing 323k followers 71,680 posts.
They regram images
Images to tag: design, girly, feminine, travel, colorful, feminine, pretty, home, patterns.
#pursuepretty
Creator: @jemmacraig Rusty Break 111k followers 412,686 posts.
Images to tag: Anything pretty, feminine, beautiful.
#TheHappyNow
Creator: The Happy Hunters @thehappyhunters 10.9k followers 462,710 images
They will regram appropriate images.
Photo categories: Anything that makes you happy, puppies, kids, drinks, foods.
#FlashesofDelight
Creator: The Glitter Guide @glitterguide 430k followers 539,634 images
They will regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Anything with great colour or an attachments, i.e. kids, food, pets, travel, flowers, beaches, interiors.
#ABMlifeissweet #ABMhappylife #ABMlifeiscolorful #ABMathome #ABMhappyhour
Creator: A Beautiful Mess 361k followers
They will regram appropriate pictures.
Images to tag: Various within each hashtag, just make sure you tailor which tags you use for each picture.
#Livethelittlethings
Creator: @runstylerun Run Style Run 14.3k followers 817,517 images
Images to tag: Anything colourful, friends, beaches, flowers, food, cocktails, pets, home, pretty.
#RSroadtrip #RSlove #RSblooms #HowIsSummer
Creator: Real Simple Magazine 8,386 / 48,923 / 8119 / 15,747
They regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Self explanatory!
#KeepItWild
Creator: @campbrandgoods 140k followers Camp Brand Goods 563, 957 posts.
They regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Anything to do with being outdoors.
#morningslikethese
Creator: @morningslikethese Mornings Like These 45.3k followers 365,959 posts.
They will regram images.
Images to tag: Those which represent finding a moment each morning to be present and thankful.
#dametraveler
Creator: @dametraveler Dame Traveler 152k followers 200,571 posts.
They regram images
Images to tag: Unique ones. Non-filter images of your travels from different angles.
#finditliveit
#DScolor #DSpattern #DSrainbow #DStexture #DSwallpaper #DSlettering
Creator: Design Sponge 653k followers They regram appropriate images. Photo categories: Pretty self explanatory.
#myunicornlife
#LiveColorfully
Creator: @katespadenyKate Spade 1.5m followers 149,486 posts. Images to tag: feminine, pretty, travel, cocktails, colourful, design, home.
#nothingisordinary
Creator: @nothingisordinary 73.5k followers 1,025,802 posts
They do regram images.
Images to tag: Anything creative, beautiful, colorful.
#howyouglow
#makeyousmilestyle
Hashtag top tips
- Make sure the ones you use are relevant to each picture.
- Keep a note of the ones you usually use on your laptop and phone to make copy and pasting easier.
- Use hashtags you enjoy to help you find other accounts you will love. I do this A LOT and have found some amazing accounts this way.
- Remember you can schedule your Instagram. Most programmes I have found have had issues. I recently found GRUM which schedules, actually uploads to Instgram without you having to press anything and also puts your hashtags in the first comment box. It’s literally schedule and forget!
- Use 30 hashtags, you are allowed them, so why not sure them and give your image the best possible exposure.
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Comments 63
I must admit that I don’t use hashtags that often just because I forget to definitely need to start using them more.
love these! I use hashtags for exactly this reason but I haven’t heard of some of these! will definitely look at using some of them 🙂 will be bookmarking for later! I like the idea of putting them in the comments though because on facebook it looks a bit spammy and annoying!
Thanks for sharing hon, I will have to use some of these babies! xx
I love using hashtags I think they are a great way of getting to know new users and it gets your photos out there too!
This is super helpful!!! I’m always unsure on what I should be doing with hashtags on Instagram. It’s by far my favorite social media tool, as I love making a visual diary of the girls! I’ve been really enjoying being part of the #LittleFierceOnes community and it would be so lovely to get featured at some point. Another totally amazing helpful post. They are like gold dust for someone like me who loves to write but is a total novice at everything else! Love Mummy B xxx
What great tips! We’ve been a bit hit and miss with Instagram and didn’t really know what hashtags to use! Now we know 🙂 thanks for doing all the research for us!
Author
Glad to help x
Thank you so much for this! I’ve recently started using hashtags but had no idea which ones would be popular. This is super helpful!
Instagram is my least used SM. I’m not a great photographer so I don’t really bother with it. At the moment it’s also a closed account which I think puts people off.
There are so many hashtags to consider when posting anything, there is usually a way to spot a trend and the most popular x
Really helpful post! Always love your tips and think you are so wonderful helping others, you’ll have some awesome karma! Much love x
I am new to all this and didn’t realise there were so many #! definitely need to start including some of these. Thanks for the tips
I have to admit I am one of those who thinks hashtags are spammy but I should try it to see if they help
This is great! I use hashtags, but not to this level and will definitely be making better use of them. Thanks Aby x
Oh there are so many here I haven’t heard of – great post, thank you for sharing. Kaz x
This post is EPIC! You know I like me some hashtags 😉 This is such a resourceful post and going on my next BM round up pronto. xxxxx
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Brilliantly timed, thanks lovely – I really struggle with hashtags – I end up posting something on Instagram and then having a major panic and mind blank because I can’t think of any to add! This will help a LOT! x x #TheList
Such a brilliant and comprehensive list, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I’ve only just joined Instagram and it’s a little overwhelming, soooo much content. It’s great to be able to narrow down to specfic audiences. Thanks again. xx #TheList
Really have got to get better at using hashtags, especially on Instagram! I’ll use some of these although your post suggests us dads really have got to get some of our own sorted out! Thanks for hosting #TheList
Love this post. So useful and great tips on what hashtags to use. #thelist
You give such brilliant advice Aby. I have already started using some of these. Thank you so much. I can see that I have more followers already! #thelist
These are really useful, I always add hashtags and it makes a real difference to engagement and it definitely encourages followers, but I don’t think I have tried any of these. I have to rectify that! #thelist
Great hashtagging tips here Aby. I really need to start using them to grow my instagram. I love just browsing through photos as well, I find it very relaxing.zx #TheList
Thank you for such a detailed, useful post! I’m just starting to up my instagram game, and have just opened an account for my blog as well as my business, so this list of hashtags to use is really helpful! x
This is a great list, I have been using hashtags like “love” and can now see why thats not such a good idea! Thankyou #thelist
So useful. Pinning for future reference because I’ll never remember them when I need them
Every time I read one of your blog club posts I change something about what I do with my blog, great tips, I don’t use enough hashtags, I need to make a list of appropriate tags on my phone.
Thanks for explaining #hashtags in a simple and easy way. I will be using them as much as possible from now on 🙂 #Thelistb
So useful! So eager to grow my following and this will help loads
#thelist
I use hashtags a lot on Twitter but not much on Instagram so this is very useful. Thank you, I’ll be saving this page for future use. #TheList
I’ve been meaning to up my instagram game so this post is so useful. I’ve pinned for future reference. x #thelist
Thanks for sharing this Aby – I’m never very sure which hashtags I could be using on Instagram so this is helpful. Have pinned and will be referring back for future reference.
On dear, currently don’t Instagram. Would you say something similar for Twitter or not do you think?
This is so helpful! Bookmarking it for future use, thank you. Been trying to use hashtags more but it can feel a bit daunting, but you’ve really helped! x
I do use #s on IG but I tend to just use descriptive words with a # in front, I’ve never really looked into using official ones. It’s something to go on my to-do list 🙂 Thanks for hosting #TheList
Debbie
This is brilliant Aby. I love using hashtags on Instagram but I’m always a little unsure of which ones to use. I like the hashtags that are more community like than a theme. I’ll be using some of these ones for sure xx
Amazing tips, thank you Aby! I’m going to need to read this a few times to really figure out what I should be doing. I’m obviously missing these major hashtags and getting my head around them is something I now need to do. #thelist
I’ve recently discovered the importance of hashtags on Instagram & using as many as possible Choosing the right ones is the key – thank you for providing such a great list! I’m pinning this. x
Thanks Aby. this week I’ve started putting together a list of hashtags for IG to get better views. This has just allowed me to complete it x
Thank you for sharing this tip. Although I do use hashtags I hadn’t realised quite how useful they can be, or which ones are good to use. I’ll definitely be using some of these hashtags in the future, and your tip about putting them in the first comment line on IG!! #TheList
These are great, thank you! Could these work for Twitter too? Or are they mainly just good for Instagram? #thelist
This is a fantastic post Aby and so helpful. My instagram is something that I’m trying to work on at the moment as well as networking for my blog. This is such an amazing round up and one I need printed out and stuck on my office wall me thinks xxx thanks for posting
Fab list. I am going to save this to refer to later on! xx #thelist
such a great tip to put the hashtags in the first comment, never thought about doing that before!
I don’t use instagram, but I definitely think some hashtags (though not all) are really useful when used for blog posts on twitter. This explains why there are often so many hashtags when I see instagram pictures – always wondered about that! #thelist
This is really helpful. I love your blog for helping us newbies. I am just getting used to hash tags so these are good tips #TheList
Thank you. This is such a helpful post. I don’t use hashtags much, but now I get why it might be a good move.
Wow this is a real eye opener to how useful hashtags are! thank you for sharing 🙂 #thelist
Very insightful and defiantly food for thought. Never heard of mist bur defiantly inspired to use more hastags. Thanks for sharing X #thelist
Such a useful post. You are always so generous with your knowledge. I am new to IG, but love it already. I find new people to follow by checking out my favourite hashtags. Does anyone know why 11+ is the optimum amount of hashtags to use?
Thank you for this great compact training exercise! I am on the steepest of learning curves as I only started blogging last month but Instagram is the platform that I feel most connected to. You have taught me how to get the most out of it! Thank you 🙂
I loved this post. I’ve just started using Instagram and knew about hashtags but didn’t really understand which to use for which photos. I’ve bookmarked this post as I’m sure I’ll be coming back to it time after time!
Wow, so many hashtags!! I’ve started my own #HighlightsofHappy community and it’s thriving. I love it and am very proud of it. Like you, I often search on hashtags and can spend far too long instagramming!
I’m a bit obsessive about finding new hashtags, and like to mix them up a lot. As you say I can totally lose myself in them finding new accounts.
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This is super useful thank you… I use most of these at times but found some great new ones to use! <3 #thelistlinky
This is great, thank you Aby! I’ve added some into my lists #TheListLinky
I’ve noticed an improvement in engagement since I’ve started using more hashtags. This list is really helpful – thanks for all that you do Aby! X
Great post – thanks for the tips!
These are Fantastic! As always, your writing is superb. I will give these a go 🙂 x
Loved it. I actually use hashtags, but I had no clue about the enormous importance they have.
Thank you so very much.
Claudia Nugent
Really great article! Thanks for providing this useful information. Instagram is most preferred social media platform to promote the business of this generation. It provides easy access to potential & grow your business. Hashtags are easy and most powerful way to expand your business within a matter of seconds. Instagram hashtags are the best stratagies to gain more followers and likes.