Make The Best Use Of Instagram Hashtags

Using the most relevant Instagram Hashtags helps the algorithm to categorize your content effectively. It makes it easier for Instagram to show your content to the right audience. In simple words, Hashtags work as a categorization tool to specify your content for that specific audience which boost engagements and views.

Your Instagram marketing can be optimized with the right hashtags. But how do you determine if a hashtag is right for your brand? Or do you know how many to include?

Don’t Worry! You will find the best answers to these questions along with the right tips, strategies and categorized list of trending instagram hashtags of 2025 in this article.

What are Instagram hashtags?

Hashtags are created with simply putting the symbol “#” before the small piece of text which could be a word. Like when you about to share your health routine through a instagram post, adding hashtag #fitness in caption, automatically connect your post with all similar post using the same hashtags.

Hence, just putting “#” in the front of any word or phrase can convert it into a functional hashtag. You can add numbers but adding space, numbers or special characters (@,^,*,(,) in hashtags are not accepted. Majority of Instagram creators use hashtags to join trends and increase their exposure to get Instagram followers. Along with the right hashtags, Buy Instagram Likes to perform better in the algorithm and boost exposure.

Are Instagram hashtags still useful?

Ofcourse, they are still useful. Along with the newly introduced instagram features e.g. Channels, Discover more, Conversional DMs and more, Instagram Hashtags still plays its part in the algorithm strategy. Instagram Meta AI uses the hashtags to determine what your post is about and which audience should be the best to target. 

Furthermore, Instagram hashtags provide a great way to track user generated content. So, you should ask your customers or business affiliates to use these specific hashtags to track all user generated content while talking about you. 

Although, Instagram Hashtag is not a magic trick that automatically boosts your content and makes you viral overnight. The thing is, it will direct you in the right direction. This will help you to target the right audience and get more likes for your instagram videos.

How hashtags work on Instagram?

Depending on the type of content on Instagram, hashtags function differently. Let’s take a closer look of each type of content:

Hashtags on Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories launch a modern and more interactive version of hashtag, a Hashtag Sticker. By clicking on these stickers lead users to the hashtag’s feed, just like clicking on a post.

Hashtags on Instagram posts

For a public post, Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags to add on your post’s caption or in the first comment. But if you have added privacy on your account, there will be no chance that your hashtagged posts will pop up on the Discovery page.

In previous updates, Instagram allowed users to follow each hashtags in term to get the relevant content to that hashtags in their feed but this feature is no longer active. Now users can click the hashtag and it takes you to the Discover Feed like a hyperlink. You can also search the hashtags in the search bar to find latest or relevant trending content to get more ideas for new content creation.

Hashtags on Instagram Reels

Hashtags on Instagram Reels work similar to the post’s hashtags. You can add them on your Reel’s caption or in the first comment to help Instagram algorithm to direct your content to the target audience of hashtag’s niche. Also provide you an opportunity to appear in Explore feed and get more likes on your instagram reels.

Easy Steps To Build Your Instagram Hashtag Strategy

Trending Instagram hashtags are always prompting a temporary or an occasional news topic which is popular during that period. LIke #clothingboutique is a trending hashtag in the fashion niche along with two million posts on Instagram. 

But how to find out which hashtags will be better to use? How to use them? Now we have made it easy for you. By following 2 easy steps mentioned below, you can find the best use of Instagram hashtags for your content. 

Identify Which Hashtags To Use With Which Instagram Posts

The most important step for your Instagram hashtag strategy is to select the most appropriate Instagram hashtags. Instagram has divided hashtags into 9 categories. 

Service or Product Hashtags 

Using hashtags like #businessowner which tells all about you. You can use them in your business post to highlight your ownership as many business owners do that. 

Niche Hashtags

Using hashtags like #mechanic tells the audience what you do for a living. You can use them to place your post in the relevant community who is living in the same world.

Community Driven Hashtags 

Using hashtags like #artist will bring your post to the relevant communities based on your niche. Prompting similar results to associate your post with the competitor on the platform.

Event Related Hashtags 

Using hashtags like #wedding will relate your post with the people enjoying similar events.You can use them to prompt the seasonal occasion contant. 

Location Hashtags 

Using hashtags like #Tokyo expresses your current position or about a specific place you are discussing in that post. You can use them while travelling to that place or to drive the attention of the audience about that particular place.

Daily Hashtags 

Using hashtags like #Fridaymornings attract the users who are experiencing the same situations as we all experience Friday in a week. You can use them to reflect your specific day activity through such hashtags.

How-To Hashtags

Using hashtags like #howtodorunning will tell audience the how to do a particular task in a right way. You can share tips, strategies and methods relevant to that particular task.

Acronym Hashtags 

Using hashtags like #DIY reflects the short form of popular phrases as here DIY stands Do It Yourself. You can use them to post in the popular niches.

Emoji Hashtags

Using hashtags like #😇 reflect the sensation behind the emoji as in this case it is reflect that you have been blessed with something or joy.

You also see many brand use their brand name or their slogan in hashtags to make them business specific and it is a good branding strategy as well like #Nike.

Analyze Which Suits Your Account

Every hashtag is not equally performing. Analyze the use of which hashtag performs better in a single niche, giving maximum exposure to the new audience. Don’t be afraid to double down on hashtags that work well for you.

Top 50 Instagram hashtags for 2025

If you want to contribute meaningfully to the conversation, avoid adding as many high-volume hashtags as possible in your captions. Let’s take a look at the most popular Instagram hashtags in 2025:

1. #love (Over 2 billion posts)
2. #instagood (Around 1.8 billion posts)
3. #instagram (Approximately 1.4 billion posts)
4. #fashion (Surpassing 1.1 billion posts)
5. #photography (More than 1.1 billion posts)
6. #photooftheday (Close to 1 billion posts)
7. #art (Roughly 1 billion posts)
8. #reels (Estimated 860 million posts)
9. #beautiful (Crossing 850 million posts)
10. #nature (Around 830 million posts)
11. #viral (Roughly 775 million posts)
12. #travel (Hovering near 760 million posts)
13. #picoftheday (More than 735 million posts)
14. #happy (Surpassing 720 million posts)
15. #instadaily (Estimated 718 million posts)
16. #explore (Reaching 700 million posts)
17. #cute (Approximately 685 million posts)
18. #style (Nearly 680 million posts)
19. #tbt (Crossing 590 million posts)
20. #summer (Over 570 million posts)
21. #repost (Estimated 568 million posts)
22. #instalike (More than 560 million posts)
23. #beauty (Surpassing 558 million posts)
24. #followme (Close to 557 million posts)
25. #fitness (Roughly 552 million posts)
26. #food (Near 532 million posts)
27. #photo (Estimated 516 million posts)
28. #music (Hovering at 480 million posts)
29. #like4like (Reaching 478 million posts)
30. #life (Around 465 million posts)
31. #me (Close to 460 million posts)
32. #family (Approximately 456 million posts)
33. #friends (Near 455 million posts)
34. #fun (Crossing 450 million posts)
35. #selfie (Around 450 million posts)
36. #ootd (Estimated 446 million posts)
37. #smile (Surpassing 445 million posts)
38. #girl (Hovering at 431 million posts)
39. #makeup (Near 416 million posts)
40. #motivation (Around 406 million posts)
41. #likeforlikes (Estimated 396 million posts)
42. #dog (Close to 386 million posts)
43. #design (Surpassing 385 million posts)
44. #model (Hovering near 380 million posts)
45. #handmade (Close to 375 million posts)
46. #lifestyle (More than 370 million posts)
47. #artist (Estimated 345 million posts)
48. #sunset (Around 338 million posts)
49. #dogsofinstagram (Crossing 326 million posts)
50. #likeforlike (Reaching 325 million posts)

Top Instagram hashtags by category for 2025

Do you want to know which hashtags brands and creators are currently using on Instagram? Look at the Top Instagram Hashtags by Category for 2025 to maximize engagement across different niches:

1. Travel & Adventure 🌍✈️

1. #travelgram
2. #wanderlust
3. #exploremore
4. #adventuretime
5. #vacationmode
6. #passportready
7. #naturelover
8. #roamtheplanet
9. #globetrotter
10. #hikingadventures

2. Fitness & Health 🏋️‍♂️💪

1. #fitnessmotivation
2. #workouttime
3. #healthylifestyle
4. #fitfam
5. #strongertogether
6. #nopainnogain
7. #activewear
8. #gymlife
9. #mindandbody
10. #fitspo

3. Food & Cooking 🍔🍕

1. #foodiegram
2. #deliciousfood
3. #homecooking
4. #eatgoodfeelgood
5. #foodphotography
6. #yummylicious
7. #instafoodie
8. #chefstagram
9. #veganrecipes
10. #comfortfood

4. Fashion & Style 👗👠

1. #fashionista
2. #ootdfashion
3. #trendylooks
4. #streetwearstyle
5. #styleinspo
6. #luxuryfashion
7. #chicstyle
8. #highfashion
9. #dressupdaily
10. #effortlessstyle

5. Beauty & Makeup 💄✨

1. #makeupaddict
2. #beautyinspo
3. #skincarefirst
4. #glowupchallenge
5. #muaapproved
6. #selfcarematters
7. #cosmeticsjunkie
8. #flawlessfinish
9. #naturalbeauty
10. #lipsticklover

6. Motivation & Self-Improvement 🌟🔥

1. #selfgrowth
2. #dailyinspiration
3. #youcandoit
4. #mindsetshift
5. #goalcrusher
6. #staymotivated
7. #positivethoughts
8. #hustlemode
9. #successmindset
10. #believeinyourself

7. Technology & AI 🤖📱

1. #techlife
2. #artificialintelligence
3. #futuretech
4. #innovativethinking
5. #smartgadgets
6. #aiinbusiness
7. #digitalfuture
8. #techsavvy
9. #machinelearning
10. #cyberworld

8. Pets & Animals 🐶🐱

1. #petstagram
2. #dogloversclub
3. #catsoftiktok
4. #pawfectmoment
5. #furfriends
6. #adoptdontshop
7. #dogsofig
8. #purrfection
9. #cutepetsdaily
10. #puppylife

FAQs about Instagram Hashtags

Do hashtags really work?

Yes they work, Hashtags drive Instagram engagement and visibility. You can target the users interested in your niche, topic, products or services with hashtags by strategically using them across your reels and posts. Your content can also be categorized and contextualized using them.

Which hashtags are best for reels?

If you want to get the most out of your Instagram Reels, you should choose hashtags that are relevant to your target audience. In addition to using trending and popular hashtags, you should also use niche hashtags that align with your customers interests and demographics.

Do hashtags work on Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are just like regular Instagram posts in terms of hashtags. By using relevant hashtags in your Reel captions, you can increase views, likes, comments and shares.

How many hashtags should I use on Instagram?

Although Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, it’s recommended that you use a maximum of 5-10 targeted hashtags. This allows your content to be found by users interested in specific topics without looking spammy. For broader exposure, use a mix of popular and niche hashtags.