To effectively get more likes on Instagram using hashtags, you need a strategic approach that blends popular appeal with niche relevance. It’s not just about throwing a bunch of tags at your post. it’s about smart curation. Here’s a quick guide: start by mixing highly popular, broad hashtags like #instadaily, #photooftheday with more specific, niche-focused ones relevant to your content e.g., #muslimfashionblogger for modest wear, #halalfoodie for culinary posts. Research your audience’s interests and what tags they actually follow or search. Don’t forget to explore related hashtags Instagram suggests when you type in a tag. A balanced strategy often involves using a few mega-popular tags over 500K posts, several medium-sized tags 50K-500K posts, and a handful of smaller, highly targeted tags under 50K posts to improve visibility. Remember, the goal is to reach interested eyes, not just any eyes. For an incredible edge in identifying top-performing hashtags and optimizing your content, you should check out this 👉 Free Growth Marketing Tool. This tool can analyze what hashtags get most likes on Instagram and help you discover the best hashtags to get more followers on Instagram, giving you a competitive advantage on how to get more likes with hashtags on Instagram. By understanding which hashtag gives more likes on Instagram for your specific content, you can significantly boost your engagement and presence.

Table of Contents

The Science of Instagram Hashtags: Beyond Just Tagging

Hashtags are more than just metadata. they are Instagram’s primary indexing tool. Think of them as keywords for a search engine.

When you use the best hashtags to get more likes on Instagram, you’re essentially telling the platform who should see your content. It’s about discoverability.

A well-chosen hashtag can expose your post to thousands, if not millions, of potential viewers who are actively looking for content like yours. It’s not just about getting eyeballs.

It’s about getting relevant eyeballs, leading to higher engagement rates, more saves, and ultimately, more likes.

According to a study by TrackMaven, Instagram posts with at least one hashtag receive 12.6% more engagement than those without. This isn’t random.

It’s a direct result of increased visibility and proper categorization within Instagram’s algorithm.

Why Hashtags Are Critical for Engagement

Hashtags are the lifeblood of discoverability on Instagram. Without them, your content primarily reaches your existing followers, limiting organic growth. When you use relevant hashtags, your post becomes discoverable by anyone searching or following that specific hashtag. This opens up your content to a much broader audience beyond your immediate network. For instance, if you post a picture of a unique halal dish and use #halalfoodie, anyone following or searching for that tag might see your post. This targeted exposure is crucial for driving engagement. Data shows that accounts that consistently use a robust hashtag strategy see a significant uptick in impressions and reach. In fact, reports indicate that posts with 9-11 hashtags tend to perform the best, with average engagement rates soaring. It’s not just about quantity, but the strategic selection of which hashtag gives more likes on Instagram.

Understanding Instagram’s Algorithm and Hashtag Impact

Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content that is relevant and engaging.

Hashtags play a direct role in how the algorithm categorizes your content.

When you use specific hashtags, you’re providing crucial cues to Instagram about the topic and niche of your post. Best hashtags for instagram followers and likes

The algorithm then shows your content to users who have shown interest in similar topics, either by interacting with similar content or by following those very hashtags.

This precise targeting increases the likelihood of users liking, commenting, and saving your post, which in turn signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable.

This positive feedback loop can lead to your post being featured on the Explore page, dramatically boosting your reach and potential for even more likes.

Think of it as a domino effect, where proper hashtag usage is the first domino.

The Role of Niche vs. Popular Hashtags

A common mistake is solely relying on mega-popular hashtags like #love or #instagood. While these offer massive potential reach, the competition is fierce. Your post can quickly get lost in the sea of new content. This is where a balanced approach comes in. Niche hashtags, though they have a smaller audience, often lead to higher engagement because the audience is highly targeted and interested. For example, using #muslimfashionblogger might reach fewer people than #fashion, but those who see it are far more likely to engage because they are specifically looking for that type of content. A good strategy mixes a few most popular hashtags to get likes on Instagram with a higher number of medium-sized and niche-specific tags. Aim for a ratio where 1-3 are very broad, 5-7 are moderately popular, and 3-5 are highly specific. This combination gives you broad visibility while also targeting highly engaged audiences.

Devising Your Hashtag Strategy for Maximum Likes

Crafting an effective hashtag strategy requires research, experimentation, and consistent analysis. It’s not a one-time setup. it’s an ongoing process.

The goal is to identify what hashtags get most likes Instagram in your specific niche and then integrate them naturally into your content.

This involves looking at what your competitors are using, what your audience is searching for, and what’s trending.

Moreover, it’s crucial to understand the different types of hashtags and how to leverage them.

Researching the Best Hashtags for Your Niche

To find the best hashtags to get more likes on Instagram, deep research is key. Best hashtags for instagram to increase followers

Analyze Competitors and Influencers: Look at accounts in your niche with high engagement. What hashtags are they using consistently? Pay attention to posts that perform particularly well for them. Use tools like Instagram’s “Related Hashtags” feature when you search for a tag.
Utilize Instagram’s Search Bar: Start typing a keyword in the Instagram search bar under the “Tags” tab. Instagram will suggest popular hashtags related to that keyword, along with the number of posts associated with them. This gives you an idea of their popularity and reach.
Explore Hashtag Trends: Keep an eye on current events, holidays, and cultural movements relevant to your content. Trending hashtags can provide a temporary but significant boost in visibility. For example, during Eid, #eidmubarak or #eidcelebration would be highly relevant.
Dedicated Hashtag Research Tools: There are numerous third-party tools some free, some paid that can help you discover relevant hashtags, analyze their performance, and suggest combinations. Many of these tools provide data on average likes, comments, and reach for specific hashtags, helping you identify which hashtag gives more likes on Instagram.

Categorizing Hashtags: Broad, Niche, and Hyper-Specific

A well-rounded hashtag strategy involves categorizing hashtags to ensure diverse reach.

Broad Hashtags: These are general, high-volume tags e.g., #photography, #travel, #food. They expose your content to a vast audience but come with high competition. Use 1-3 of these per post. Example: #instadaily, #photooftheday, #picoftheday.
Niche Hashtags: These are more specific to your content and target audience e.g., #halalfood, #modestfashion, #islamicart. They have lower volume but much higher relevance, leading to better engagement. Use 5-7 of these. Example: #halalrecipes, #muslimahfashion, #islamicquotes.
Hyper-Specific/Branded Hashtags: These are highly unique, often long-tail hashtags or tags related to your brand or a specific campaign e.g., #MyHalalKitchen, #IslamicArtistry. They have the lowest volume but attract the most engaged and loyal followers. Use 3-5 of these. Example: #MyHomePrayerSpace, #EcoFriendlyMuslim.

How Many Hashtags to Use for Optimal Engagement

The general consensus, supported by various studies, suggests that using a good number of hashtags is beneficial.

While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, many analyses indicate that the sweet spot for engagement often falls between 9 and 15 hashtags.

9-11 Hashtags: This range often yields the highest engagement rates. It allows for a good mix of broad, niche, and hyper-specific tags without appearing spammy.
12-15 Hashtags: Also highly effective, providing even more room for diverse hashtag types.
Beyond 15: While you can use up to 30, going too high can sometimes dilute your reach or even make your post look like spam to the algorithm, potentially reducing its visibility.
The key is quality over quantity. Focus on relevant and diverse hashtags rather than just filling up the allowance. Consistently experimenting with different counts within this optimal range for your specific content will help you pinpoint how to get more likes with hashtags on Instagram.

Advanced Hashtag Techniques to Boost Your Likes

Moving beyond the basics, there are several advanced techniques that can significantly amplify your hashtag strategy and help you get more likes on Instagram.

These methods leverage Instagram’s features and user behavior patterns to maximize your content’s reach.

Using Hashtags in Your Instagram Stories

Hashtags aren’t just for feed posts. they are equally powerful in Instagram Stories.

When you add hashtags to your Stories, they become discoverable on the hashtag’s Story feed.

This provides an additional avenue for new audiences to find your content.

Visibility: Stories with hashtags can appear on the Explore page or when users tap on a hashtag.
Placement: You can either use the hashtag sticker which allows for only one hashtag or type out multiple hashtags in the text tool. If you type them out, you can strategically place them to be less intrusive, even shrinking them or hiding them behind GIFs or other stickers to maintain aesthetic appeal while still gaining the discovery benefit.
Relevance: Just like with feed posts, ensure the hashtags you use in Stories are relevant to the content you’re sharing. This boosts the chances of people who find your Story through the hashtag engaging with it.

Creating and Leveraging Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags are unique to your business, brand, or campaign.

They are excellent for fostering community, tracking user-generated content, and building brand recognition. Best hashtags for more likes

Community Building: Encourage your audience to use your branded hashtag when they share content related to you. For example, a modest fashion brand might use #MyModestyJourney. This creates a searchable feed of user-generated content, showcasing real customers and building a strong sense of community.
Campaign Tracking: For specific campaigns or promotions, create a unique hashtag. This allows you to easily track the performance of your campaign and see all related content in one place.
Increased Engagement: When users consistently use your branded hashtag, it not only increases visibility for your content but also turns your followers into advocates, which can significantly boost your overall likes and reach. Brands like Nike use #JustDoIt, and many smaller businesses successfully adopt similar strategies.

Analyzing Hashtag Performance and Iterating

Data is king.

To truly optimize your hashtag strategy, you need to track what’s working and what’s not.

Instagram’s Insights provide valuable data on how your posts are performing.

Instagram Insights: For business and creator accounts, Instagram Insights shows you “Impressions from Hashtags.” This metric tells you how many people discovered your post specifically through the hashtags you used. Pay close attention to this.
Identify Top Performers: Regularly review which posts received the most “Impressions from Hashtags.” This will help you identify what hashtags get most likes Instagram for your specific content.
A/B Testing: Experiment with different sets of hashtags on similar content. For example, post two similar photos with different hashtag combinations and compare their “Impressions from Hashtags” and overall engagement.
Adjust and Refine: Based on your analysis, refine your hashtag lists. Remove underperforming tags and incorporate more of the ones that consistently drive results. This iterative process is crucial for continuous improvement. By consistently analyzing your data, you can continually refine which hashtag gives more likes on Instagram for your content, ensuring your strategy remains effective and dynamic.

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

While hashtags are powerful, misusing them can hinder your reach and even lead to penalties from Instagram’s algorithm.

Avoiding these common pitfalls is as important as implementing best practices when aiming for the best hashtags to get more likes on Instagram.

Overusing Popular, Irrelevant Hashtags

One of the biggest mistakes users make is stuffing their posts with highly popular hashtags that have no relevance to their content. For example, adding #love or #fashion to every post, regardless of its theme, can backfire.

Algorithm Penalties: Instagram’s algorithm is smart. It can detect irrelevant hashtag usage and may penalize your content by reducing its visibility. This is often seen as an attempt to game the system rather than genuinely categorize content.
Low Engagement: Users searching for a specific hashtag expect relevant content. If your post appears in their feed but isn’t relevant, they’ll likely scroll past it, leading to low engagement metrics likes, comments, saves. This signals to the algorithm that your content isn’t valuable, further reducing its reach.
“Shadowbanning”: While Instagram denies officially “shadowbanning,” many users report a significant drop in reach when using irrelevant or broken hashtags. It’s better to use fewer, highly relevant hashtags than many irrelevant ones.

Using Banned or Broken Hashtags

Certain hashtags are banned by Instagram due to their association with inappropriate content or community guideline violations.

Using these can severely impact your account’s visibility.

Automatic Suppression: If you use a banned hashtag, your post may automatically be hidden from that hashtag’s feed, and potentially from the Explore page. This effectively renders your hashtag strategy useless for that post.
Checking for Banned Hashtags: Before using a hashtag, search for it on Instagram. If you see a message like “Recent posts from # hashtag are currently hidden because the community has reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s community guidelines,” avoid using it.
Broken Hashtags: Sometimes, hashtags simply don’t work due to typos or technical glitches. Always double-check your spelling. A simple typo can make a perfectly good hashtag ineffective.

Neglecting Hashtag Placement and Readability

Where and how you place your hashtags can impact the user experience and, indirectly, your engagement.

In the Caption: Placing hashtags directly in the caption can sometimes look messy, especially if you use the maximum number allowed. This can make your caption difficult to read and deter users from engaging with your actual text.
In the First Comment: A popular and cleaner approach is to post your hashtags in the first comment immediately after publishing your post. This keeps your caption clean and focused on your message while still allowing your content to be discoverable via the hashtags. Instagram’s algorithm still indexes hashtags in the first comment for discovery purposes.
Formatting for Readability: If you choose to put hashtags in the caption, consider using line breaks to separate them from your main text. This can be done by typing your caption, then pressing “Enter” or “Return” multiple times, then adding a few dots ., ., . on separate lines before listing your hashtags. This pushes the hashtags down, making the caption more readable.
Don’t Forget to Add Value: While hashtags are for discoverability, your caption is for connection. Ensure your caption is engaging and provides value, complementing your visual content. A strong caption encourages users who find your post via hashtags to linger, read, and engage.

Hashtags for Specific Content Types and Goals

The “best” hashtags aren’t static. Best hashtags for instagram post likes

They adapt based on your content, your target audience, and your specific goals.

Tailoring your hashtag strategy for different content types and objectives can significantly enhance your results, helping you discover what hashtags get most likes Instagram for various scenarios.

Hashtags for Lifestyle and Personal Brands

For lifestyle and personal brand accounts, hashtags should reflect personal values, daily life, and areas of interest.

Authenticity: Use hashtags that genuinely reflect your content and personality. If you share your modest lifestyle, use #ModestLiving, #IslamicLifestyle, or #MuslimCreator.
Community Focus: Engage with niche communities. For instance, if you focus on sustainable living, use #EcoFriendlyMuslim, #ZeroWasteLifestyle. These foster a sense of belonging and attract like-minded individuals.
Daily Life & Moments: Hashtags like #DailyMuslimLife, #MyFaithJourney, #GoodVibes are excellent for everyday posts, helping others connect with relatable content.
Inspiration & Motivation: If your brand offers motivation, tags like #InspirationalQuotes, #Mindfulness, #PositiveVibes can resonate deeply.
Location-Based Tags: If your content has a strong geographical component e.g., local events, reviews of local halal restaurants, use #CityNameLife, #LocalMuslimCommunity.

Hashtags for Business and Product Promotion

Businesses need hashtags that drive conversions, build brand recognition, and target potential customers.

Product-Specific: Use hashtags directly related to your products or services. For a modest apparel brand, #ModestDresses, #HijabStyle, #IslamicFashion would be essential.
Industry-Specific: Tags that categorize your business within your industry e.g., #HalalCosmetics, #IslamicBooks, #EthicalECommerce.
Branded Hashtags: As discussed, create and promote your unique brand hashtag e.g., #MyBrandNameCollection to encourage user-generated content and build loyalty.
Call-to-Action Hashtags: While not direct CTAs, some hashtags can imply action, like #ShopNow, #LinkInBio though less direct, it suggests further action.
Solution-Oriented: If your product solves a problem, use hashtags that reflect that solution e.g., for ethical finance, #HalalInvestments, #InterestFreeBanking.

Hashtags for Educational and Informative Content

Content creators focused on education, information, or da’wah inviting to Islam can use hashtags to reach specific learners and truth-seekers.

Topic-Specific: Be very precise with your topics. For Islamic knowledge, use #QuranStudy, #HadithOfTheDay, #IslamicHistory, #FiqhLessons.
Audience-Specific: Target those seeking knowledge, e.g., #MuslimStudents, #IslamicEducation, #KnowledgeSeekers.
Question-Based: Sometimes, using hashtags that mimic common questions can be effective, e.g., #AskAboutIslam, #UnderstandingIslam.
Concept-Based: Tags that describe core concepts, like #Tawhid, #PropheticGuidance, #IslamicPrinciples.
Event/Series Specific: If you run a series or event, use a dedicated hashtag like #RamadanReminders, #JummahKhutbah.

Keeping Up with Hashtag Trends and Best Practices

To ensure your strategy remains effective and helps you consistently get more likes on Instagram, staying informed and adaptable is paramount.

Leveraging Trending Hashtags Wisely

Trending hashtags can offer massive temporary visibility, but they require careful and timely usage.

Relevance is Key: Only use trending hashtags if they are genuinely relevant to your content. Forcing an irrelevant trending hashtag into your post can lead to a negative impact on your reach and credibility. For instance, if #WinterFashion is trending, but your content is about summer wear, avoid using it.
Timeliness: Trending hashtags often have a short lifespan. Act fast when a relevant trend emerges. For example, if a major global event related to your niche occurs, a well-timed, relevant hashtag can give your post a significant boost.
Don’t Overdo It: While a trending hashtag can be powerful, don’t rely solely on them. Mix them with your evergreen, niche-specific hashtags for a balanced strategy. Maybe one trending tag per relevant post.
Example: During Ramadan, #RamadanKareem, #IftarIdeas, #SuhurRecipes would trend. If you have content related to these, jump on them.

Best Practices for Long-Term Hashtag Success

Beyond trends, certain foundational practices contribute to sustained hashtag performance.

Consistency: Regularly analyze your hashtag performance and adjust your strategy. Don’t set it and forget it. What works today might not work tomorrow.
Diverse Hashtag Sets: Don’t use the exact same 30 hashtags on every post. Create several different sets of hashtags relevant to different content themes you cover. Rotate these sets to avoid appearing spammy and to reach different segments of your audience.
Combine Popular and Niche: Always maintain a healthy mix of broad, medium, and highly specific hashtags. This ensures broad reach while also targeting highly engaged audiences.
Engage with Hashtags: Don’t just use hashtags. engage with them. Explore content under the hashtags you use and interact with other users’ posts. This builds community and makes your presence more visible within those hashtag communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hashtags to get more likes on Instagram?

The best hashtags are a mix of highly popular, medium-sized, and niche-specific tags relevant to your content. There’s no single “best” list as it varies by niche, but combining broad appeal e.g., #instadaily with specific relevance e.g., #halalfoodie is key.

How do I find the most popular hashtags to get likes on Instagram?

You can find them by using Instagram’s search bar under the “Tags” tab, observing what top accounts in your niche use, and utilizing third-party hashtag research tools. Best free instagram scheduler 2021

What hashtags get most likes Instagram?

Hashtags that are highly relevant to popular, engaging content generally get the most likes.

This often includes trending topics, visually appealing themes, and universally relatable concepts within your niche, combined with a strategic mix of broad and specific tags.

Which hashtag gives more likes on Instagram?

There isn’t one single hashtag that guarantees more likes.

The hashtag that gives more likes is one that is perfectly aligned with highly engaging content, reaches a relevant audience, and leverages a balanced mix of popularity and niche appeal.

How to get more likes with hashtags on Instagram?

To get more likes with hashtags, you should:

Research relevant hashtags for your niche.
Use a mix of broad, medium, and niche-specific tags.
Place hashtags in the first comment for a cleaner look.
Use between 9-15 hashtags per post.
Analyze your hashtag performance using Instagram Insights. Best hashtags for instagram to increase followers and likes
Avoid banned or irrelevant hashtags.

Should I use 30 hashtags on every post?

While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, studies suggest that 9-15 hashtags often yield the highest engagement.

Using too many can sometimes make your post appear spammy or dilute your reach.

Do hashtags in comments work as well as in captions?

Yes, Instagram’s algorithm indexes hashtags placed in the first comment just as effectively as those in the caption for discoverability.

Many users prefer this method to keep their captions clean.

How can I find trending hashtags?

You can find trending hashtags by checking Instagram’s Explore page, monitoring current events, and using third-party social media trend tools.

Ensure they are relevant to your content before using them.

Are location-based hashtags effective for getting likes?

Yes, location-based hashtags are highly effective, especially for local businesses or content relevant to specific geographical areas.

They help you reach a hyper-local and engaged audience.

Should I create my own branded hashtag?

Absolutely. Best hashtags for instagram post likes and followers

Creating a branded hashtag is excellent for building community, encouraging user-generated content, and tracking specific campaigns.

It helps foster loyalty and makes your brand discoverable.

How often should I change my hashtag strategy?

You should regularly review and iterate on your hashtag strategy based on performance data from Instagram Insights.

What works today might not work tomorrow, so consistent analysis is key.

Can using irrelevant hashtags hurt my reach?

Yes, using irrelevant hashtags can hurt your reach.

Instagram’s algorithm can detect misuse and may penalize your content by reducing its visibility, as it appears you are trying to game the system.

What is “shadowbanning” related to hashtags?

While Instagram denies the term, many users report a significant drop in their posts’ visibility not appearing in hashtag feeds or Explore page when using broken, inappropriate, or excessively irrelevant hashtags.

How do I check if a hashtag is banned on Instagram?

Search for the hashtag on Instagram. If you see a message stating that “Recent posts from # hashtag are currently hidden because the community has reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s community guidelines,” then it is a banned hashtag.

Should I use popular broad hashtags like #love or #instagood?

You can use 1-3 highly popular, broad hashtags to maximize potential reach, but always combine them with more specific, niche-relevant tags to ensure you attract a genuinely interested audience.

Do hashtags help with getting more followers too?

Yes, by increasing the discoverability of your content to a wider, relevant audience, hashtags directly contribute to attracting new followers who are interested in what you share. Aspect ratios for instagram

Is it better to use English hashtags only, or multiple languages?

If your target audience is multilingual, using hashtags in multiple languages relevant to your content can broaden your reach.

However, if your primary audience is English-speaking, stick to English hashtags.

Can I put hashtags in my Instagram bio?

Yes, you can put clickable hashtags in your Instagram bio.

While they don’t directly make your bio discoverable via those tags, they can direct users to a feed of content related to that tag, especially useful for branded hashtags.

Should my hashtags be single words or phrases?

A mix of both is ideal. Single words e.g., #fashion offer broad appeal, while phrases e.g., #modestfashiontips are more specific and can attract a highly targeted audience.

How can I make my hashtags look cleaner in the caption?

You can create line breaks by typing your caption, then pressing “Enter” or “Return” multiple times, then adding a few dots ., ., . on separate lines before listing your hashtags.

This pushes the hashtags down, making the main caption more readable.

Best hashtags to get more likes on instagram