Instagram Hashtags: How to Write the Best Hashtags for Instagram

Instagram hashtags are words or phrases preceded by a "#" symbol that categorize your posts and make them discoverable. Using relevant hashtags helps Instagram's algorithm identify your content and show it to people interested in that topic.

In simpler terms, hashtags act as labels that can dramatically improve your content's reach. For example, a food blogger might tag a photo with #foodie or #yum, while a traveler could use #wanderlust or #travelgram.

In 2025, hashtags remain a key strategy for global content creators to get their posts in front of a wider audience. Below, we'll explain what Instagram hashtags are, how to use them effectively, the benefits they offer, and we'll share some top trending hashtags of 2025 in popular niches like food, fitness, music, beauty, and travel.

What Are Instagram Hashtags?

Instagram hashtags are clickable tags added to posts (or Stories) by prefixing a word/phrase with "#". When you include a hashtag (e.g. #travel or #foodie) in your caption, that post gets grouped with other posts using the same tag.

This makes your content visible in that hashtag's feed, allowing users browsing that tag to discover your post. In essence, hashtags help categorize content by topic.

For example, if you post a recipe photo, adding #homemade and #cooking tags will place your picture in the broader conversation for those topics. Anyone searching or following those hashtags can then stumble upon your post.

By joining these hashtag groups, creators increase the likelihood of reaching people who don't already follow them. In short, hashtags turn isolated posts into part of a searchable collection, which is why they are so powerful for expanding reach.

(Example: A photo of a homemade pizza might include hashtags like #food, #yum, #instafood, and #foodie. These tags ensure pizza lovers and food enthusiasts can find the post when browsing those hashtags.)

How to Use Hashtags on Instagram

Using Instagram hashtags effectively involves more than just slapping #tags onto every post. You need a strategy: find relevant tags, place them correctly, follow best practices, and track what's working. Here's a breakdown:

Finding Relevant Hashtags

Research is key. Start by finding hashtags that are relevant to your topic and audience. You can do this by observing what successful creators in your niche are using.

Look at popular accounts or competitors. If you're a food blogger, note the hashtags other food bloggers put on their high-engagement posts. Often, if a tag is helping them get likes and comments, it could work for you too.

Use Instagram's built-in Search feature to discover related hashtags. In the Explore tab (the magnifying glass icon), switch to the "Tags" search. Type a keyword from your niche (for example, "travel" or "fitness").

Instagram will show you a list of hashtag suggestions along with how many posts use each tag. This is a quick way to gauge a hashtag's popularity. It also reveals similar tags. For instance, searching "travel" might surface #travelgram, #traveling, #wanderlust, etc.

Jot down a mix of broad and specific hashtags that are relevant to your content.

Additionally, keep an eye on trending hashtags. Trends can emerge around seasons, holidays, or viral challenges. Using a trending hashtag (when it genuinely relates to your post) can give a temporary boost in visibility.

To find what's trending in 2025, you might use third-party tools or simply scroll through the Explore page to see currently popular tags in your content category. There are also free hashtag generator tools (discussed later) that can suggest popular tags based on keywords.

Tip: Try to target hashtags that match your content's focus. For example, if you run a travel photography page, a tag like #travelphotography or #naturephotography is more relevant (and likely to attract your target audience) than a generic tag like #photo. The more specific and pertinent the hashtag, the more likely you'll reach people who appreciate your niche.

Where to Put Hashtags

On Instagram, hashtags can be added in two main places: in the post caption or in the first comment. Functionally, it doesn't matter too much. Your post will show up in hashtag feeds either way. It really comes down to aesthetics and timing.

Many creators add hashtags at the end of their caption. Others prefer to post their photo with a caption, then immediately comment on their own post with the hashtags, to keep the caption area looking "clean." Both methods work, but if you do use the first comment, be sure to post the hashtags right away; if you wait too long, you might miss the initial engagement burst.

Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post (and up to 10 on a Story). If you try to add more, your caption or comment won't post. In Stories, you can use the special Hashtag sticker or simply text-type "#YourHashtag."

Story hashtags (up to 10) also make your Story discoverable in that hashtag's Story if it's popular enough. So, if you're at a music festival, adding "#Coachella" to your Story might feature it in the public Coachella story montage.

For feed posts, placing hashtags in the caption ensures anyone who sees your post will see the tags (unless you bury them under line breaks). Putting them in a comment keeps your caption tidier.

Instagram themselves have recommended using a handful of relevant hashtags in the caption for maximum effect, so you may not need to hide them. If you do use a lot of tags and want a cleaner look, you can add a few line breaks or dots before your hashtag block in the caption, or go the first-comment route.

The bottom line: use whichever placement you prefer. Just make sure your account is public (private accounts' hashtags won't make the content discoverable beyond your followers). And don't forget to add the hashtags either way. A post without any tags is much less likely to reach beyond your existing followers.

Best Practices for Using Hashtags (Do's and Don'ts)

Using hashtags is as much an art as a science. Here are some do's and don'ts to guide your hashtag strategy:

Do:

• Keep it relevant:
  • Always choose hashtags that have actual relevance to your post. If you're sharing a gym workout video, tags like #fitness, #gym, or #workouttips make sense. Tagging #travel or #foodie (which are unrelated) would mislead viewers and won't help you reach the right audience.
• Mix popular with niche:
  • Use a blend of high-volume hashtags and niche hashtags. Extremely popular tags (like #love or #food) have huge audiences but also tons of competition. Your post can get buried quickly. Niche tags (for example, #veganrecipes instead of just #food) have a smaller but more targeted audience, giving your post a better chance to be seen by those users. A balanced mix improves your visibility.
• Research before posting:
  • Do a quick check if a hashtag is actually what you think. Sometimes a tag might mean something different or could be connected to content you don't intend. Ensure the tags you use are ones your target community browses.
    Also, look out for any banned hashtags. Instagram occasionally bans certain tags if they've been abused (even seemingly innocent ones like #beautyblogger or #fitnessgirls have been banned in the past). Using a banned tag can hide your entire post, so double-check by searching the tag on Instagram; if no recent posts show, avoid it.
• Use a reasonable number:
  • You can use up to 30 tags, but more isn't always better. In fact, Instagram's own guidance in recent times suggests using 3-5 key hashtags that really describe your content.
    Many creators still successfully use 10+ tags, but focus on quality over quantity. It's often better to use 5 well-chosen hashtags than 30 random ones. Test and see what number works best for you.

Don't:

• Don't spam or repeat irrelevant tags:
  • Avoid tagging every popular hashtag under the sun just to fish for views. Using irrelevant or misleading hashtags (e.g., tagging #happy on a sad news post, or #followme #like4like purely to bait engagement) can annoy users and even trigger Instagram's spam filters. Keep your tags on-topic and authentic.
• Don't use the exact same set every time:
  • Using identical hashtags on every post can look spammy and may limit your reach. Switch up your tags based on each post's specific content. Instagram's algorithm might penalize repetitive, copy-paste hashtag sets after a while. Instead, maintain a rotating pool of relevant hashtags and pick the ones that fit best for each new post.
• Don't neglect context:
  • Hashtags are just one factor in your post's success. If you use popular tags like #explorepage or #instagood, remember that millions of others do too. You'll still need an eye-catching photo or video and a good caption to stand out. Hashtags aren't a magic wand; they won't save low-effort content. They work best in tandem with quality posts.
• Don't forget to engage:
  • One common mistake is thinking your job is done after adding hashtags. If people find your post via a hashtag and leave a comment or question, respond to them! Engagement helps strengthen your post's performance and builds community. Don't just drop tags and ghost. Be ready to interact with the new viewers you attract.

Lastly, keep an eye on changes. Instagram trends evolve, and a hashtag strategy should too. Stay updated on new feature releases (for instance, if Instagram tweaks how hashtags function in the future) and be ready to adapt. As of 2025, hashtags still work well for discoverability. Just use them thoughtfully.

Monitoring the Performance of Your Hashtags

To refine your hashtag strategy, you need to track what's working. Fortunately, there are ways to gauge hashtag performance:

Use Instagram Insights: If you have a Business or Creator account, Instagram's built-in Insights tool provides data on each post. After your post has been up for a bit, check the Insights for that post and scroll to the "Discovery" section.

It will show how many impressions came from hashtags. For example, you might see that 500 out of 1,000 impressions came via hashtags. This is a good sign your tags were effective. By comparing posts, you can identify which hashtag sets gave you a higher reach.

Instagram Insights doesn't break down exactly which tag contributed how much, but it gives an overall idea of whether your hashtags helped.

Conduct controlled tests: If you suspect a particular hashtag is a superstar (or a dud), run experiments. For instance, use that hashtag on one post and omit it on a similar post, and compare results. Or try using a single hashtag in a post to see its impact isolated.

Over time, you'll notice patterns. Maybe posts with a certain niche tag consistently do well, which tells you it's connecting you to an engaged audience.

Track top-performing posts: Look at the posts that got the most likes, comments, or shares in your feed. What hashtags did you use on those? It's likely those tags were effective in reaching interested viewers.

You can maintain a simple spreadsheet or note where you record which hashtags were used on each post and the engagement metrics, to spot correlations.

Third-party analytics tools: There are also external social media analytics platforms that offer more advanced hashtag tracking. For example, tools like Metricool or Keyhole can sometimes show you which hashtags are giving you the most impressions or even track a specific hashtag's reach across users.

Some tools let you input your account and will analyze your hashtag usage over time, listing which tags have brought you the most engagement. While many advanced features may require a paid plan, the free versions can still provide useful insights.

Adjust based on data: Once you have some data, tweak your strategy. Double down on the hashtags that consistently drive results (as long as they remain relevant), and drop the ones that seem ineffective.

Also, consider seasonal shifts. A hashtag that worked great in summer (#summerfashion) might lose potency in winter, so always be ready to swap in more relevant tags as trends change.

By monitoring and iterating, you'll develop a sharper sense for what hashtags resonate with your target audience. Over time, this means less guesswork and better reach for each post you share.

Benefits of Using Hashtags

Why bother with hashtags at all? There are several compelling benefits for Instagram content creators:

Increased Reach and Visibility:

The most obvious benefit. Hashtags expose your content to way more people. Instead of just your followers, a good hashtag can put your post in front of anyone following or searching that tag.

In fact, studies show that using relevant hashtags can significantly boost engagement rates. For example, posts with the right hashtags can get up to 36% more engagement (likes, comments, etc.) on Instagram on average.

By tapping into popular or trending tags, you increase the chances of new users discovering your content, leading to more likes and followers over time.

Targeted Audience Engagement:

Hashtags help you reach the right audience. People who are interested in exactly what you're posting about. This often leads to more meaningful engagement.

If you use a niche hashtag like #veganbaking, the people browsing that tag likely love vegan baked goods and are more inclined to like, comment, or even follow you for more.

As one blogger noted, adding up to 30 specific hashtags gets your posts shown to users searching those tags. This means more likes and new followers because you're reaching people who care about that content. In short, hashtags attract targeted viewers, which can boost not just vanity metrics but genuine interest in your posts.

Community Building and Brand Awareness:

Every hashtag is essentially a community or conversation. Using industry or interest-specific tags plugs you into those communities.

For example, a musician using #indieartist or #musicproduction connects with other musicians and music lovers following those tags. Over time, consistently appearing in certain hashtag feeds helps build your presence in that niche.

Hashtags can become a branding tool too. Many brands or creators create a unique branded hashtag (e.g., #[YourName]Squad or a campaign tagline) to encourage followers to tag their content as well. This user-generated content can amplify your reach further.

Moreover, hashtags serve as "cultural shorthand" that signal your affiliation with a group or trend. For instance, using #fitfam (short for fitness family) shows you're part of the fitness community on Instagram. This signaling helps you connect with like-minded users and build a loyal following around shared interests.

In summary, hashtags are a free and effective way to broaden your reach, engage a relevant audience, and cement your place within a community or industry on Instagram. Especially for content creators (be it a food blogger, traveler, artist, or entrepreneur), these benefits translate into faster growth and a more interactive audience.

Top 10 Evergreen Instagram Hashtags for Food Bloggers

Content creators in the food and culinary niche should mix general popular food tags with specific ones that cater to food enthusiasts.

Below is a list of ten evergreen hashtags that food bloggers around the world consistently use to maximize reach on their yummy posts:

• #food
• #foodie
• #foodporn
• #instafood
• #foodstagram
• #foodphotography
• #yummy
• #delicious
• #foodblogger
• #foodlover

These hashtags are hugely popular in the food community. Tags like #food, #foodie, #instafood, #foodporn, #yummy and #delicious consistently rank among the best food-related Instagram tags, ensuring high visibility for your posts.

Meanwhile, #foodphotography and #foodstagram highlight your content to fellow food content lovers (great for showcasing appetizing shots), and #foodblogger and #foodlover connect you with the community of food bloggers and hardcore food enthusiasts.

By using a combination of these, a food creator can reach everyone from casual hungry scrollers to dedicated gourmet aficionados.

Top 10 Evergreen Instagram Hashtags for Health & Fitness

For fitness coaches, gym enthusiasts, and health gurus, the following hashtags have proven to be evergreen on Instagram.

They capture the massive fitness community as well as the lifestyle aspect of health and wellness:

• #fitness
• #gym
• #workout
• #fitnessmotivation
• #fit
• #fitfam
• #healthylifestyle
• #health
• #bodybuilding
• #exercise

These tags cover a broad spectrum of the fitness world. #Fitness and #gym are cornerstone tags with enormous followings (used by everyone from amateurs to bodybuilders).

#Workout and #exercise target people looking for workout content or routines. #Fitnessmotivation and #fitfam tap into the motivational and community aspect – #fitfam in particular signals the supportive “fitness family” on Instagram.

Including #healthylifestyle and #health brings in the wellness and diet angle, appealing to those interested in overall healthy living (not just gym pics).

And for the strength enthusiasts, #bodybuilding and #fit (often used for fitness or even outfit-of-the-day “fit”, but in context it’s popular with fitness posts) ensure your content surfaces among muscle-building and transformation posts.

By combining these, health & fitness creators can engage everyone interested in staying fit – whether they’re into yoga, weightlifting, or just starting a fitness journey.

(Note: Avoid potentially problematic tags like #fitnessgirls – even though it sounds relevant, such tags have been banned before. The list above sticks to safe, broadly accepted tags.)

Top 10 Evergreen Instagram Hashtags for Musicians

Musicians, bands, and music content creators on Instagram should use hashtags that connect with music lovers and showcase their work.

Here are ten evergreen music-related hashtags:

• #music
• #musician
• #musiclover
• #musicvideo
• #newmusic
• #livemusic
• #singer
• #band
• #instamusic
• #musicislife

These hashtags hit all the right notes for reaching fans and fellow artists. #Music is one of the top Instagram hashtags overall (hundreds of millions of posts) and a no-brainer for any music-related content.

#Musician tags your content as belonging to a musician’s profile – great for networking with other artists and for users specifically looking for performer content.

Tags like #musiclover and #musicislife capture passionate fans who live for music. When you release or feature a song, #newmusic is essential to attract those hunting for fresh tracks (and it’s commonly used in the industry for promotions).

#Musicvideo will draw viewers interested in video content (useful if you share clips of your performances or music videos). For performers, #livemusic, #singer, and #band are key – people following #livemusic love concert content, while #singer and #band help identify whether you’re a vocalist or part of a band.

Lastly, #instamusic is a popular community tag on Instagram for general music posts. Together, this set spreads your reach from general music enthusiasts to specific audiences like concert-goers and talent scouts.

(If your music is genre-specific, don’t forget to include genre tags like #rock, #hiphop, #classical, etc., alongside the above general tags.)

Top 10 Evergreen Instagram Hashtags for Beauty & Lifestyle

The beauty and lifestyle niche on Instagram is huge – covering makeup, fashion, skincare, and daily life inspiration.

These ten hashtags are evergreen choices for beauty gurus, makeup artists, fashion bloggers, and lifestyle influencers:

• #beauty
• #makeup
• #fashion
• #style
• #skincare
• #lifestyle
• #beautyblogger
• #ootd (Outfit Of The Day)
• #instabeauty
• #selfcare

This set covers both the glamorous side and the everyday life side of the niche. #Beauty is the top-level tag for anything beauty-related (with hundreds of millions of posts), and #makeup is equally huge, targeting cosmetics lovers specifically.

#Fashion and #style tap into the style community – from high fashion to personal style posts – and are among Instagram’s most popular hashtags worldwide.

For skincare enthusiasts, #skincare will draw in those looking for skin tips and product recommendations (skincare has become a big trend in recent years).

#Lifestyle is a broad tag indicating everyday life and aspirational living; pairing it with more specific tags helps contextualize what aspect of lifestyle you’re showcasing (fitness, travel, decor, etc.).

#Beautyblogger is perfect if you’re sharing content in the style of a beauty influencer or blogging about products – it signals you’re part of that influencer community.

#OOTD (outfit of the day) is a classic fashion/beauty tag for showcasing daily outfits and styling, very widely used among lifestyle influencers.

#Instabeauty is a popular hashtag to highlight that your post is beauty-related on Instagram specifically.

And rounding out the list, #selfcare capitalizes on the wellness trend within lifestyle – showing you’re about taking care of oneself (be it through spa days, mental health, or skincare routines).

By using these hashtags, beauty and lifestyle creators can reach users looking for makeup inspiration, fashion ideas, personal care tips, and more.

They capture the aspirational, creative, and personal aspects that define this space on Instagram.

Top 10 Evergreen Instagram Hashtags for Travelers

Travel influencers, adventurers, and bloggers should use hashtags that evoke wanderlust and connect with the global travel community.

Here are ten evergreen travel hashtags to tag along on your journey:

• #travel
• #travelgram
• #instatravel
• #wanderlust
• #adventure
• #travelphotography
• #travelblogger
• #explore
• #traveling
• #vacation

These hashtags will put your posts on the radar of anyone itching to see new places. #Travel is the quintessential tag – one of the most popular on Instagram, it instantly flags your content as travel-related.

#Travelgram and #instatravel are Instagram-specific travel community tags, widely used by travelers sharing their photos (gram = Instagram; these tags basically mean “Instagram travel photo”).

They help your posts reach people who specifically follow travel accounts on IG. #Wanderlust, a term meaning the love of travel, is a hugely popular hashtag that captures the dreamy, aspirational side of traveling – perfect for scenic landscapes or bucket-list destinations.

#Adventure is great for outdoor and thrill-seeking content – think hiking, diving, mountain climbing – and it draws adventure enthusiasts.

#Travelphotography highlights the visual beauty of your post and attracts those browsing for stunning travel shots (sunsets, cityscapes, etc.).

If you run a travel blog or regularly document trips, #travelblogger plugs you into the community of travel bloggers and their followers (who are often looking for travel tips and stories).

#Explore is a broad tag not limited to travel (some use it metaphorically), but on Instagram it’s strongly associated with exploration and adventure – a good tag to show your post is about exploring new places.

#Traveling (and its British variant #travelling) simply indicates you’re on the move; it’s commonly used and paired with destinations.

Finally, #vacation taps into the audience looking for holiday vibes and relaxation spots – from tropical beach getaways to city breaks.

By using a combination of these tags, your travel photos and videos can inspire a wide audience – from casual vacation planners to hardcore backpackers – and gain engagement from people who can’t wait to see the world.

(To get even more specific, you can add location-based hashtags like #Paris or #Bali when relevant, but the list above gives you the global reach).

Free Tools to Generate Instagram Hashtags

Coming up with the right hashtags can be time-consuming, but luckily there are free hashtag generator tools that simplify the job. These tools use algorithms or AI to suggest popular hashtags based on a keyword or image you provide. Here are a couple of well-known options:

Ahrefs Instagram Hashtag Generator:

• A free AI-powered tool by Ahrefs (better known for SEO) that suggests relevant and trending hashtags. You can input a keyword or even upload an image, and it will generate a list of hashtag ideas with data on their popularity. This tool takes a data-driven approach to find hashtags that are both relevant to your content and have good reach potential. No login is required – simply describe your post (e.g., “sunset beach vacation”) and get hashtag suggestions. Ahrefs Instagram Hashtag Generator

Canva Hashtag Generator:

• Canva, the graphic design platform, offers a built-in hashtag generator that’s quick and straightforward. As you draft your Instagram post in Canva, it can recommend popular hashtags related to your description. It’s free to use and handy if you’re already creating your visuals in Canva. Just type a word (like “fitness” or “travel”) and Canva will output a bunch of relevant hashtag ideas. It’s a no-frills tool but effective for a burst of inspiration when you’re stuck. Canva Hashtag Generator

Other notable tools include Buffer’s Hashtag Generator, Inflact, and All Hashtag. Many of these allow you to search by keyword and will return a mix of commonly used tags and less competitive ones. While these generators are helpful for discovering tags, remember to review the suggestions and pick only those that truly fit your content. A tool might suggest #explorepage (very popular) or extremely generic tags – use your judgment to select the best ones from the list.

In summary, if you’re not sure which tags to use, these free generators can be a great starting point to find trending Instagram hashtags in 2025 for your topic. They save you time and ensure you’re not missing out on any hot tags in your niche.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do hashtags increase likes?

Yes, indirectly, hashtags can lead to more likes by boosting your content’s visibility. When you use relevant hashtags, your post gets shown to a broader audience beyond your followers. In fact, posts that use the “right” hashtags can see significantly higher engagement (up to 36% more, according to studies) because they reach people who are searching for or following those tags.

Essentially, hashtags help put your content in front of users who are interested in that topic, increasing the likelihood that they will like (or comment on) your post. Keep in mind, the quality of your content still matters; hashtags get eyes on your post, but great content convinces people to tap that heart button.

What's a good hashtag?

A good hashtag is one that is relevant, popular (but not too saturated), and specific to your audience. Relevance is number one, the hashtag should directly relate to your post’s content or theme.

Next, you want hashtags that people actually search for, so it should have a decent usage volume. However, if it has hundreds of millions of posts (e.g. #love, #food), your content might get lost quickly. Often, the best hashtags have a moderate number of posts they’re popular enough to have an audience, but not so overused that your post disappears in a second.

For example, #travelJapan might be more effective for a Japan trip photo than just #travel, because it’s more targeted. A good hashtag is also easy to understand (avoid extremely long or complex tags) and doesn’t have an alternate meaning that could confuse viewers. In short, the ideal hashtag is one your target viewers might actually follow or search, and which accurately describes your post.

Which Instagram hashtags get the most likes?

The most engaging hashtags vary by niche. Here are the top performers by category:

• Food Niche: #food, #foodie
• Health & Fitness: #fitness, #gym
• Music: #music, #livemusic
• Beauty & Fashion: #beauty, #fashion
• Travel: #travel, #wanderlust

Important Notes:

• Popular hashtags have huge audiences but also fierce competition
• Success depends on your content quality and timing
• Mix popular tags with niche-specific ones
• Focus on hashtags relevant to your content category
• Consider your target audience's interests

Best Practice: Don't just use popular hashtags hoping for likes. Instead, create high-quality content and use a mix of popular and niche-specific hashtags that truly match your post.