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Hashtags have long been Instagram's secret sauce for content discovery and engagement. But with algorithm updates and new features like voice-to-text detection and captions on Reels, the game has changed.
In 2024, it's all about adapting to these shifts while keeping your hashtag strategy sharp.
Want to make the most of Instagram's evolving landscape? Let's explore how to overhaul your hashtags to up your Insta game!
Hashtags and Instagram's 2024 Algorithm: What's New?
Instagram's 2024 algorithm now places more weight on content relevance and user behavior over sheer hashtag use. While hashtags still matter, the platform has shifted focus to more advanced tools like voice-to-text, helping Instagram categorize content without relying heavily on hashtags.
But don't ditch them just yet! Hashtags still play a significant role, particularly in niche content discovery. They're crucial for categorizing your posts, reaching specific audiences, and maintaining visibility within your target industry.
Choosing the Right Hashtags: Striking the Balance
In 2024, the key to hashtag success lies in balancing popular, high-traffic tags with niche, targeted ones. Popular hashtags like #love or #food may put your post in front of a broad audience, but the competition is fierce.
Niche hashtags, like #digitalmarketingtips, connect you with a more targeted, relevant group—offering a better chance of meaningful engagement.
Hot Tip: Combine broad and niche hashtags for a well-rounded strategy. For instance, instead of just #fitness, pair it with #strengthtraining or #homeworkouts to hit a wider yet more specific audience.
For example, Nike uses a powerful combo of broad tags like #justdoit alongside niche hashtags like #WinningIsntForEveryone to target both Nike and Olympics fans.
Hashtags for Reels, Stories, and Posts: Tailoring Your Strategy
Instagram's different formats—Reels, Stories, and posts—require distinct hashtag approaches.
- Reels: Video-first content benefits from hashtags, even with voice-to-text categorization in place. Combine trending tags with niche ones to maximize visibility.
- Stories: Hashtags in Stories might not boost trending visibility, but they still help with reach, especially when tagging locations or events.
- Posts: Traditional posts thrive on hashtags, especially when you strike the right mix of broad and niche tags, to ensure your content is categorized accurately and is discoverable by your target audience.
Look at famous fashion brand ASOS, which seamlessly uses broad hashtags like #asos or #OOTD (Outfit of the Day) and specific tags like #converserunstar to engage different audience segments.
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Hashtags: How Many Should You Use in 2024?
Gone are the days of the 30-hashtag rule. Instagram's 2024 algorithm emphasizes quality over quantity. The sweet spot now lies between 5 and 10 highly relevant hashtags. This more focused approach aligns your content with users who are genuinely interested in your niche.
Hot Tip: Test different hashtag counts and review the results. Experiment with 5-7 niche hashtags on one post and 10-12 on another to determine what works best for your audience.
Voice-to-Text: Hashtags' New Role in Instagram Video Content
Instagram's integration of voice-to-text tech means the platform can now analyze spoken content in your videos to categorize posts. While this may reduce reliance on hashtags for categorization, they still matter for reach and engagement—especially for niche content.
For example, rather than sticking to generic hashtags like #travel (which has generated almost 800 million posts), try something more niche like #solotravel (which has accrued just over 10 million posts) to target a more specific audience.
Hot Tip: Don't just focus on hashtags—ensure your video script includes keywords that Instagram's voice-to-text can pick up on. This will help the algorithm better categorize your content and boost your chances of appearing in relevant searches, even beyond hashtag performance.
Tracking and Analyzing Hashtag Performance
Smart social media managers keep an eye on their top-performing hashtags to keep their strategy sharp. With Instagram's Insights, you can easily check out your reach, engagement, and how discoverable your posts are. However, for next-level tracking, tools like Sked Social can help you stay on top of hashtag success over time.
Hot Tip: Update your hashtag sets regularly. If a hashtag isn't driving engagement, replace it with new or trending ones.
Best Practices for Hashtags on Instagram in 2024
To stay ahead of the curve, here are a few best practices:
- Experiment with new hashtags. Instagram's landscape is always changing. Follow industry trends to stay relevant.
- Use branded hashtags: Creating and promoting a branded hashtag fosters community and makes it easier to track user-generated content.
- Research competitors: Look at your competitors' hashtags and analyze their engagement rates.
Hot Tip: Create a branded hashtag for your content and encourage your followers to use it. This will boost your visibility and allow potential new followers to find you easily.
For instance, beauty brand MECCA created the hashtag #MECCAMoment to encourage their followers to share UGC featuring their products.
Final Thoughts
Hashtags are still a big deal for Instagram growth in 2024, but their role is shifting. By using fewer, more targeted hashtags, staying on top of cool new features like voice-to-text, and keeping an eye on your performance, you'll keep your content super discoverable.
Ready to level up your hashtag game? Start testing these tips now and use tools like Sked Social’s hashtag tracker to fine-tune your strategy and grow your audience!