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Hashtags 101: The Secret to Maximizing Your Social Reach

Gina Ludwig
6 min read

With so many hacks, trends, and myths floating around about how to “beat the algorithm,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or misled. That’s why I’m cutting through the noise and BS to give you simple, relevant information you can start using right away. This post kicks off a series where I’ll be debunking common social media myths, starting with the truth about hashtags. Let’s leave the guesswork behind and get your social game on point.

 

WHAT IS A HASHTAG?

In simple terms, hashtags are your post’s discovery tool. Think of them as digital labels that help Instagram (or any social platform) understand the topic of your post and connect it with users who are searching for or engaging with similar content.


 

HOW MANY HASHTAGS SHOULD YOU USE?

This has been a highly debated topic. Instagram itself recommends using 3-5 hashtags per post, but some experts suggest filling the full limit of 30 hashtags. That’s quite a discrepancy, and it’s one of the reasons social media can feel so confusing and overwhelming—there’s often so much conflicting advice it's hard to know the right thing to do!


After reviewing several studies and reports from a wide range of sources, the general consensus (which I agree with) is that the sweet spot lies between 5 and 15 hashtags per post. Whether you lean toward 5 or 15 depends on how relevant the hashtags are to your post. So, let’s dive into the importance of relevance next.


 

THE IMPORTANCE OF RELEVANCE

When it comes to hashtags, relevance is everything. Think of hashtags as signposts—they guide people to your content. If your hashtags don't match what your post is actually about, it’s like having a sign that points in the wrong direction. Not only does this confuse potential followers, but Instagram’s algorithm won’t show your post to as many people.


Simply put: always make your hashtags match your content—this will help the right people find and interact with your posts.


 

CAN SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS "SEE" YOUR IMAGE?

YES! Social media platforms like Instagram use AI and image recognition technology to analyze the content of your images and videos. This technology can identify objects, scenes, and even people within the image, such as wedding dresses, bouquets, or landscapes. The algorithm then cross-references this information with the hashtags and captions you've used to ensure that your content is relevant.


 

UNDERSTANDING HASHTAG CATEGORIES

Not all hashtags are created equal, and choosing the right ones depends on more than just adding a random list to your post. Hashtags can be grouped into different categories based on their popularity and how widely they’re used. Understanding these categories—popular, moderately popular, niche, and very niche—will help you make smarter decisions about which ones to use for your business, ensuring you get the best possible reach and engagement.


Popular Hashtags (Over 1 Million Posts)

Examples:


Moderately Popular Hashtags (100K to 1 Million Posts)

Examples:


Niche Hashtags (Under 100K Posts)

Examples:


Very Niche Hashtags (Under 10K Posts)

Examples:

 

CHOOSING HASHTAGS BASED ON ACCOUNT SIZE

Now that you understand how to categorize hashtags, the next step is deciding which ones to use for your business. This choice largely depends on your follower count and engagement level. Why? Because the size of your audience influences how much visibility you can achieve using popular or niche hashtags.


For smaller accounts, it’s harder to stand out with broad, popular hashtags because your posts will be competing with millions of others. As your account grows, you can safely start using a mix of popular, moderately popular, and niche hashtags to reach both broader audiences and specific, engaged groups.


Here’s a simple breakdown to guide your hashtag strategy based on your account size:


For Very Small Accounts (Less than 1,000 Followers)

Focus on using niche and very niche hashtags to reach specific, engaged audiences with less competition. Use 5-10 hashtags, most of which should be niche.


For Small Accounts (1,000 to 5,000 Followers)

Start adding moderately popular hashtags to expand your reach. Use 8-12 hashtags, with a balance of very niche, niche, and moderately popular ones.


For Mid-Sized Accounts (5,000 to 10,000 Followers)

Use a mix of niche and moderately popular hashtags. Aim for 10-15 hashtags to reach a wider audience while staying relevant to your followers.


For Large Accounts (Over 10,000 Followers)

Incorporate some popular hashtags into your strategy. Use 10-15 hashtags with a mix of popular, moderately popular, and niche to maximize visibility without losing relevance.


 

MATCHING KEYWORDS IN YOUR DESCRIPTION TO YOUR HASHTAGS

A great way to boost your post’s performance is by using keywords from your hashtags in your description. This simple strategy reinforces the relevance of your content and helps Instagram’s algorithm understand the connection between your hashtags and what you’re posting.


By including these keywords in both your caption and hashtags, you create a stronger signal that your post matches those topics. For example, if you're using hashtags like #BridalBouquet and #WeddingFlorals, adding similar phrases to your caption, like “This bridal bouquet features fresh wedding florals perfect for a spring ceremony,” helps the platform verify the relevance of your post.


 

BOOST YOUR VISIBILITY WITH ALT TEXT AND FILE NAMES

To maximize your social media visibility and SEO impact, it’s not just about hashtags. Optimizing your alt text and image file names can make a significant difference. Here’s how:


Alt Text: Alt text is a short description of your image that helps search engines understand what the image is about and makes your content accessible to visually impaired users. It’s a great idea to include keywords you’ve used as hashtags, but make sure the description is natural. For example, if your hashtag is #BridalBouquet, your alt text could be “Bride holding a pink bridal bouquet.” This reinforces relevance without looking spammy.


File Name: Before uploading, rename your image file with a descriptive, keyword-friendly title. Instead of something generic like “IMG_1234.jpg,” go with “pink-bridal-bouquet.jpg.” Using keywords that match your hashtags (in a natural way) helps search engines index your image more effectively, improving visibility in image searches.


By using some of the same keywords across your hashtags, alt text, and file names in a natural, non-spammy way, you create a cohesive strategy that boosts your chances of getting discovered by the right audience.


 

HASHTAG TIPS FOR ADDITIONAL PLATFORMS

Hashtags work differently across various platforms, so it's important to adjust your strategy accordingly. While Instagram thrives on a mix of 5-15 hashtags, other platforms require a more tailored approach. Depending on the platform, you’ll want to use a combination of niche, moderately popular, and popular hashtags to maximize your reach and engagement. Below is a breakdown of the ideal number and types of hashtags to use on LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest to optimize your strategy.


  • LinkedIn: Use 1-3 niche or moderately popular hashtags. Keep them industry-specific and relevant to your post.

  • Twitter: Stick to 1-2 popular or moderately popular hashtags, especially trending ones for maximum reach.

  • TikTok: Aim for 3-5 hashtags, mixing popular, moderately popular, and niche hashtags to engage trending and niche audiences.

  • Facebook: Use 1-2 niche or moderately popular hashtags as hashtags aren’t as powerful here.

  • Pinterest: Use 2-5 niche or moderately popular hashtags to match specific keyword searches for better discoverability.


 

RECAP: BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

As we’ve covered, hashtags are more than just a trending tool—they’re essential for getting your content discovered by the right audience. Whether you're a small account just starting out or have a large following, the key is using relevant hashtags in combination with matching keywords, optimized alt text, and descriptive file names. Here’s a quick recap of what you need to do:


Use 5-15 relevant hashtags per post, based on your account size.

Ensure your hashtags match the content of your post—this makes sure Instagram’s algorithm recognizes your content as relevant.

Leverage keywords in your captions that align with your hashtags to reinforce their relevance and increase discoverability.

Optimize your alt text and image file names with clear, descriptive language that supports your SEO strategy without appearing spammy.

By following these steps, you’ll not only increase the reach of your posts but also ensure they’re being seen by the right people—those most likely to engage with your content.


 

IS IT ALL TOO MUCH? WE'RE HERE TO HELP!

Managing hashtags, optimizing posts, and keeping up with trends can be overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to run a business. While this post covers just one piece of the puzzle, there’s so much more to master when it comes to social media. That’s where we come in! At AGA Business Solutions, we offer affordable social media management designed to get you the maximum bang for your buck. Let our team of experts help you reach your goals without the stress.



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