Thread by @influenceleague

Instagram Hashtags: A Lesson in Finding the Top Hashtags in Your Niche.

In the past #OnHere, we’ve talked about some of the different hashtags methods we like to use. We’ve talked about to 10+10+10 method, related hashtags method, & featured pages method, location method, to name a few.

Yet, there are people who still struggle with finding hashtags that will help their posts perform better. Tonight we’ll give you a brief overview on how to find hashtags that perform better

Things to look for:
#1 hashtags larger influencers & brands in your niche using
#2. hashtags on viral content
#3. specialized hashtags in your niche
#4. Related hashtags

Things to avoid:
#1. Banned hashtags
#2. Using the same hashtags under every post
#4. Hashtags with low quality pictures
#3. Hashtags NOT related to your content (this is an Insta no-no).

How to build better performing hashtag sets:
We can’t stress this enough, but you’re going to have to do your research. No, you cannot pull a list of hashtags from someone else’s photo & use them for yours. You need to build your own sets.

There is no magic number of hashtags that you should use. The max is 30, but you do not have to use all 30. As you work through building your sets, you will notice they’re all a different quantity.

If you are looking to have your posts ranked in the “top posts” section of the hashtag, stick to lower reach hashtags in your niche (100K or less). Less “competition” this way.

If you’re looking to have your posts rank in larger hashtags, then know that will be a direct correlation with how well your current audience is engaging with your photo.

Ready to build your set now? GOOD. We’re ready too. Here’s what you need to do.

Okay so boom. 👏🏽 what’s your category? what type of content will you be sharing in your next post?

Pick a top performing hashtag in your category. Go look at the related hashtags. Pull a few from there & add to your set. Click on each one, and pick a few from each. (5-7 tags)

Start looking at your favorite feature pages & brands that you follow in your niche. 10/10 they have a special hashtag. USE THOSE HASHTAGS! Pull a few of your favorite hashtags & add them to your sets. (4-5 tags)

By now, you should have minimum 12 hashtags to use. The other 18 should come from branded hashtags (ex: #AsosStyle), location hashtags (ex: #ChicagoBlogger), & BONUS POINTS: descriptive minority hashtags (ex: #browngirlblogs or #latinastyle).

Not enough? We’ll be doing working sessions on building hashtag sets! But, this should get you started on tackling it yourself!