Key Takeaways
- Using 3 to 5 hashtags on Instagram posts optimizes reach without negatively impacting engagement.
- While hashtags are beneficial for reaching different audiences, they do not directly influence engagement levels.
- Maxing out hashtags to the allowed 30 limit does not enhance reach and may even slightly decrease it.
Have you ever wondered how many hashtags are too many on Instagram? Or if using hashtags at all is even worth it? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Instagram hashtags and uncover the optimal number to use for maximum reach.
The Great Hashtag Experiment
To get to the bottom of this, we conducted an experiment using a popular wedding-related Instagram account with over 10,000 followers. We posted 20 photos, 10 with 30 hashtags and 10 with 3 to 5 hashtags. The hashtags were carefully selected using Display Purposes, a tool that generates a list of popular tags related to weddings and location.
The Results: Fewer Hashtags, Better Reach
The results were surprising. Posts with fewer hashtags (3 to 5) got slightly better reach on average compared to posts with 30 hashtags. The average reach for posts with 3-5 hashtags was 462, while the average reach for posts with 30 hashtags was 394.
Engagement: Not Affected by Hashtags
Interestingly, engagement (likes and comments) did not seem to be significantly affected by the number of hashtags. This suggests that while hashtags can help reach different audiences, they don’t directly impact how much people interact with your content. High engagement comes from great content, not just the right number of tags.
Takeaways:
- Using hashtags is still a good idea, as they can help reach different audiences.
- Using 3 to 5 hashtags is sufficient and doesn’t seem to harm reach.
- Maxing out hashtags to 30 does not provide any positive impact and may even slightly hurt reach.
Bonus: Remember, hashtags are just one part of the Instagram puzzle. To truly succeed on the platform, focus on creating engaging content that resonates with your audience. Hashtags can help you reach more people, but they won’t magically make your content go viral.
So, there you have it. The sweet spot for Instagram hashtags is 3 to 5. Use them wisely, and may your posts reach far and wide!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the maximum number of hashtags allowed on Instagram?
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post.
Should I use different hashtags for each post?
Yes, it’s a good idea to vary your hashtags to reach different audiences.
How can I find popular hashtags?
Use tools like Display Purposes or explore the “Explore” page on Instagram to find popular and relevant hashtags.
Leave a Reply