Instagram hashtags are words or short expressions preceded by the symbol “#” (popularly known as “cat”) whose purpose is to categorize content. This means that the tool is used to generate labels that indicate the topic of the post.
Categorizing Instagram posts using hashtags allows users of social media, especially Instagram, to search for a specific topic and find all related posts.
This need to group content into categories arose on Twitter in 2007, from the users themselves. At that time, people noticed the importance of creating labels to organize posts quickly and easily.
Instagram hashtags , in addition to making it phone library easier to search for image or video content, also help generate organic traffic to your page, since through them, more people can visit your profile.
Currently, in addition to inserting tags into feed posts , you can also use this tool in your Instagram bio, stories, and reels .
Tip: Did you know that August 23 is International Hashtag Day? This day was established by Instagram, since it was on August 23, 2007 that the first hashtag was created.
Read more: What to post on Instagram to get attention? 15 effective ideas
What are the benefits of hashtags for Instagram?
There are plenty of reasons to use hashtags in your social media marketing strategy. However, we have listed the main advantages of hashtags for Instagram to help you structure your strategy. These are:
They generate greater reach in your publications
Increase the number of followers
Attract more potential customers
They help to increase conversions
Let's look at each of these advantages below.
They generate greater reach in your publications
The main purpose of hashtags for Instagram is to generate traffic. This means that by using the right keywords, you will give your business more visibility on social media.
The more people know about your profile, the higher the chances of getting more engagement. Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, so you have plenty of opportunities to reach the right audience.
Increase the number of followers
This is because hashtags help people find content that is more aligned with their interests, especially if you work with a niche market. For example, if your business is dog shoes, simply adding the hashtag “#DogShoes” will help potential customers find your product.
Additionally, when people find profiles that produce quality content aligned with their interests, they tend to follow these accounts and eventually become customers.
Attract qualified potential customers
It's normal to have followers who don't want to buy your product. However, you need to be clear about how qualified your audience is to buy your product or hire the service you offer.
Therefore, the more aligned your Instagram hashtags are with your target audience, the more mature the audience you will reach. Additionally, it will be possible to create a social media strategy to qualify your audience.