Think hashtags are dead in 2025? Think again. They’re not just alive, they’re working harder than ever.
In today’s search-first social media landscape, Instagram hashtags are doing more than just boosting likes. They’re helping creators and brands get discovered, stay relevant, and reach the right audiences, organically.
Thanks to recent updates, Instagram’s algorithm favours content that’s searchable and categorised, and hashtags play a key role in that equation. Whether you’re sharing a Reel, carousel, or story, the right tags can increase your visibility, engagement, and long-term reach.
And it’s not just about trends inside the app. Users are actively looking up trending hashtags on Instagram today to stay in the loop, and now, even Google is indexing public Instagram content.
In short, hashtags are no longer optional. If you’re trying to grow on Instagram in 2025, using the right hashtags could be the difference between going viral and going unseen.
What Are Instagram Hashtags & How Do They Work?
A hashtag on Instagram is more than just a trendy label — it’s a tool that helps the platform understand, categorise, and surface your content. Think of it as a keyword that tells Instagram, “Hey, this post belongs in the fitness/fashion/food convo.”
A hashtag for an Instagram post starts with the # symbol followed by a word or phrase, like #DigitalMarketing, #OOTD, or #TravelReels. When used strategically, hashtags act like magnets, attracting users who are searching for content in that niche or following the hashtag directly.
Here’s how it works: when you add a hashtag to an Instagram post, it becomes discoverable on that hashtag’s feed. If your post performs well early on (in terms of likes, saves, or shares), Instagram’s algorithm may boost it even further, landing it on the Explore page or at the top of that hashtag’s search results.
Compare this:
- A post without hashtags may only reach your current followers.
- A post with 5–10 relevant hashtags could reach thousands of new users who follow or search those tags.
Whether you’re aiming for viral reach or niche community engagement, using the right hashtag on Instagram makes your content easier to find — and harder to ignore.
Why Instagram Hashtags Still Matter in 2025
- Hashtags = Discovery Engine
Instagram still uses hashtags to recommend content on Reels and the Explore page — helping you reach users who don’t follow you yet. - Boost Niche Targeting
Using specific, popular Instagram hashtags lets you connect with tight-knit communities and target high-intent audiences. - Drive Follower Growth & Brand Visibility
More reach = more potential followers. Hashtags increase the odds of your content getting seen, shared, and followed. - Fuel for Viral Content
Instagram viral hashtags can amplify engagement, especially for trending topics, formats, or seasonal campaigns. - New in 2025: Google Indexing
As of July 2025, Google now indexes public Instagram posts.
Your hashtags now influence how your content shows up in search results outside the app. - SEO + Social Merge
Using the right hashtags means you’re not just discoverable on Instagram — you’re also boosting your content’s long-term visibility on Google.
Types of Instagram Hashtags (and When to Use Them)
Using the best hashtags for Instagram isn’t just about picking the most popular ones — it’s about knowing which types serve different goals. Here’s a quick guide to the major hashtag categories you should be using:
1.Branded Hashtags
These are unique to your brand and help organise all your content under one tag. Use for brand recognition, UGC campaigns, or customer highlights.
Examples: #AdHookMedia, #NikeRunClub
2.Niche Hashtags
Perfect for targeting a specific audience or industry segment. These help you show up in less crowded but highly relevant feeds.
Examples: #B2BMarketingTips, #CleanSkincare
3.Trending Hashtags
These are time-sensitive and tied to viral content or current events. Using trending hashtags on Instagram gives your content a chance to ride the wave of attention.
Examples: #MondayMotivation, #WorldEmojiDay, #InstagramReels
4.Community Hashtags
Used by specific groups to connect and share interests. Great for engagement and finding like-minded users.
Examples: #WomenInMarketing, #PetParentsOfInstagram
5.Campaign Hashtags
Created for a specific promotion or event. They’re ideal for tracking performance and creating buzz.
Examples: #12DaysOfDeals, #ShareACoke
6.Location-Based Hashtags
Help users find content relevant to a city, event, or neighborhood. Use these to boost discoverability in local search.
Examples: #MumbaiFoodie, #NYCFashionWeek
How to Find the Right Hashtags for Your Content
Choosing the right hashtags can make or break your Instagram reach. It’s not just about using what’s trending — it’s about finding tags that are relevant, targeted, and discoverable. Here are the most effective ways to find the perfect hashtags for your next post:
1.Manual Search on IG Explore
Head to the Explore tab and type in your niche. Look at high-performing posts and note the hashtags they use, especially ones with moderate competition.
2.Use Hashtag Autocomplete
When you type a hashtag into the caption box, Instagram shows related tags along with usage volume. Use this to discover viral hashtags for Instagram that still align with your content.
3.Try an Instagram Hashtag Generator
Tools like Flick, Hashtagify, and All Hashtag can generate hashtag sets based on keywords or image context. An Instagram hashtag generator can save time while revealing fresh ideas.
4.Do Competitive Research
Check what hashtags your competitors or industry leaders use. Look for patterns in posts with high engagement.
5.Avoid Banned or Spammy Hashtags
Using irrelevant or banned tags (like #follow4follow) can hurt reach or even shadowban your content. Always double-check before posting.
With the right mix of strategy and tools, finding smart hashtags becomes less of a guessing game and more of a growth engine.
Do’s & Don’ts of Using Instagram Hashtags in 2025
Using hashtags is more strategic than ever, and a few small changes can make a big difference in your reach. Here’s what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to hashtagging in 2025:
DO:
Use a mix of broad + niche hashtags
This balances reach and relevance. Example: #travelreels + #hiddenplaces
Customise for every post
Repeating the same hashtags can reduce effectiveness. Tailor your tags to the content.
Keep hashtags contextually relevant
Instagram’s algorithm is smart — use hashtags that truly match your post’s theme.
DON’T:
Copy-paste the same 30 hashtags
This looks spammy and reduces performance over time.
Use banned or irrelevant hashtags
These can get your content shadowbanned or buried. Always double-check before posting.
Overload high-volume tags
Tags like #love or #instagood are too saturated to drive meaningful visibility alone.
Want to play the hashtag game right in 2025? Focus on quality, relevance, and variation — not just volume.
Final Tips Before You Post
The secret to successful hashtag use? Don’t set it and forget it. Even the best hashtags for Instagram need testing. Monitor which ones drive reach, saves, or engagement, and which fall flat. Use Instagram Insights to track how your posts are performing, especially under the “Reach from Hashtags” metric.
Over time, refine your strategy:
- Swap out underperforming tags
- Double down on niche hashtags that deliver
- Keep experimenting with trending hashtags on Instagram today
Hashtags are no longer just a visibility tool — they’re part of your long-term growth strategy.
Instagram Hashtags FAQs
How many hashtags should I use on Instagram?
Instagram lets you add up to 30 hashtags per post, but in 2025, the sweet spot is between 5 and 11 hashtags per Instagram post. Mixing popular, niche, and location-specific tags delivers better results than stuffing a post with random or irrelevant ones.
How do I use hashtags effectively on Instagram?
If you’re wondering how to use hashtags on Instagram, the key is relevance and intent. Hashtags help the platform categorise your content and connect it with people interested in those topics. Use hashtags that reflect your post’s theme, audience, and goal — whether it’s reach, engagement, or niche discovery.
How to add hashtags on Instagram posts?
There are a few ways to add hashtags:
- Directly in the caption
- In a comment immediately after posting
- Integrated naturally into your sentence (e.g., “Loving this #sunset view!”)
No matter how you do it, each hashtag for your Instagram post should be thoughtful, specific, and aligned with your brand.
How to check trending hashtags on Instagram?
To find out what’s hot right now, search keywords in the Instagram Explore bar — the autocomplete feature shows trending hashtags on Instagram with their usage count. You can also browse viral Reels, Stories, or use third-party tools.
How to find trending hashtags for your content?
Use platforms like Flick, RiteTag, or any Instagram hashtag generator to pull up real-time insights. Combine that with manual research: check competitors’ hashtags, explore your niche, and save lists of high-performing tags.
Do hashtags work on Instagram in 2025?
Yes — Instagram hashtags still work, and now they do even more. With Google indexing Instagram content as of July 2025, using the right hashtags can boost both in-app discoverability and search engine visibility. Want to show up in both Explore and Google? Hashtags help get you there.
