I think there is a misconception among some bloggers that using hashtags is not cool and can seem spammy. If you think this, then you’re wrong. If you have a massive following, then your fans will see your images in your feed and you will get likes from these fans. However, if you’re looking to build your likes and followers using hashtags enables people who don’t already follow you to see, and perhaps like, your images; you never know they might even then go on to follow you.
If people love Instagram they will probably spend time looking at the images within various hashtag streams and if you haven’t used a hashtag, then your image (however wonderful) isn’t being seen by these potential new followers. Speaking personally, I do this A LOT, I love finding new accounts to follow and looking at beautiful images. I spend some time every day scrolling through various hashtags streams, liking and following the ones I love.
So are we on the same page? Do you now realise what a difference it could make to your Instagram if you use hasthtags? Yes?, Great!
I’m now going to share some of my favourite hashtags and others that might work for your feeds. Bear in mind that the highest engagement is seen on images with 11 or more hashtags. Top tip – put all your hashtags (you can use up to 30) in the first comment box (not the main comment box). This means they will be hidden when more people comment on your image, and so it will look cleaner. Also they won’t then show if you share this image on Facebook or Twitter.
Hashtags to use
It can be hard to decide which to use and to some degree it is trial and error; obviously the decision depends on the subject of your picture. Some big hashtags regram images, which would obviously help your likes and follower numbers, but they will only do this if appropriate pictures are hashtagged. Using a generic tag like #love is probably not going to do you much good. There are 893,705,172 images with this hashtag, so chances are yours will be lost. Also I don’t think anyone would search this hashtag, it’s just too vast. You need to chose wisely and think which will give you the best exposure for your picture.
There are hashtags with a large amount of users and there are smaller ones; both have their strengths and weaknesses. Large accounts, if they feature you, can then share your image/account with a huge amount of followers, but it is harder to stand out. Smaller hashtags, like Mr and Mrs T Plus Three and my, #LittleFierceOnes have a smaller number of users, but in some respects a bigger sense of community, with lots of likes from community members and being features on Instagram and also our top 50 ranked parenting blogs. So it’s swings and roundabouts, trial and error is probably the way to go to find out what works best for your images. I will start with the ones more focus to the parenting niche, then will share some popular general ones.
Child Focused Hashtags
#LittleFierceOnes
Creators: @youbabymemummy & @amytreasureblog almost 100k posts
We feature daily on our feeds
Images to tag: Pictures that sum up your little fierce children
#pixel_kids
Creator: @pixel_kids 20.7k followers 72,712 posts
They feature images on their feed.
Images to tag: beautiful kids shots
#clickinmoms
Creator: @clickinmoms www.clickinmoms.com 48.9k followers 313,419 posts
Feature images in roundup posts on Instagram
Images to tag: Gorgeous images of children. They also do daily challenges.
#childhoodunplugged
Creator: @childhoodunplugged www.childhoodunplugged.com 77.9k followers 772, 019 posts
Feature images.
Images to tag: Pictures which show children to get back to the art of play.
#momswithcameras
Creator: @momswithcameras 15.7k followers 323,494 posts
They feature images.
Images to tag: Lovely shots of kids
Others:
#letthembelittle
#oureverydaymoments
#childofig
#uniteinmotherhood
#candidchildhood
#momtogs
#simplychildren
I could go on! However, I will stop there for the specific child/motherhood tags. Obviously, you will be able to use more general hashtags too, even if your image is of a child.
Here are some others to consider;
#thatsdarling #darlingweekend #darlingmovement
Creator: Darling Magazine @darling – 210k followers
They will regram some appropriate images.
Images to tag: Arty, styled shots of anything.
#LiveAuthentic
Creator: www.liveauthentic.net 8,196,254 images
Images to tag: Promoting active and authentic lifestyles in the great outdoors, and having adventures.
#LiveFolk
Creator: Folk Magazine 5,600,243 images
They will regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Anything to do with the outdoors.
#wandeleurspark
Creator: @wandeleur Blog: Wandeleur 39,086 images
They will regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Cocktails, Home, Travel, Flowers, Architecture. Inspiration for a creative life.
#prettylittlething
Creator: @officialplt Pretty Little Thing 323k followers 71,680 posts.
They regram images
Images to tag: design, girly, feminine, travel, colorful, feminine, pretty, home, patterns.
#pursuepretty
Creator: @jemmacraig Rusty Break 111k followers 412,686 posts.
Images to tag: Anything pretty, feminine, beautiful.
#TheHappyNow
Creator: The Happy Hunters @thehappyhunters 10.9k followers 462,710 images
They will regram appropriate images.
Photo categories: Anything that makes you happy, puppies, kids, drinks, foods.
#FlashesofDelight
Creator: The Glitter Guide @glitterguide 430k followers 539,634 images
They will regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Anything with great colour or an attachments, i.e. kids, food, pets, travel, flowers, beaches, interiors.
#ABMlifeissweet #ABMhappylife #ABMlifeiscolorful #ABMathome #ABMhappyhour
Creator: A Beautiful Mess 361k followers
They will regram appropriate pictures.
Images to tag: Various within each hashtag, just make sure you tailor which tags you use for each picture.
#Livethelittlethings
Creator: @runstylerun Run Style Run 14.3k followers 817,517 images
Images to tag: Anything colourful, friends, beaches, flowers, food, cocktails, pets, home, pretty.
#RSroadtrip #RSlove #RSblooms #HowIsSummer
Creator: Real Simple Magazine 8,386 / 48,923 / 8119 / 15,747
They regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Self explanatory!
#KeepItWild
Creator: @campbrandgoods 140k followers Camp Brand Goods 563, 957 posts.
They regram appropriate images.
Images to tag: Anything to do with being outdoors.
#morningslikethese
Creator: @morningslikethese Mornings Like These 45.3k followers 365,959 posts.
They will regram images.
Images to tag: Those which represent finding a moment each morning to be present and thankful.
#dametraveler
Creator: @dametraveler Dame Traveler 152k followers 200,571 posts.
They regram images
Images to tag: Unique ones. Non-filter images of your travels from different angles.
#finditliveit
#DScolor #DSpattern #DSrainbow #DStexture #DSwallpaper #DSlettering
Creator: Design Sponge 653k followers They regram appropriate images. Photo categories: Pretty self explanatory.
#myunicornlife
#LiveColorfully
Creator: @katespadenyKate Spade 1.5m followers 149,486 posts. Images to tag: feminine, pretty, travel, cocktails, colourful, design, home.
#nothingisordinary
Creator: @nothingisordinary 73.5k followers 1,025,802 posts
They do regram images.
Images to tag: Anything creative, beautiful, colorful.
#howyouglow
#makeyousmilestyle
Hashtag top tips
- Make sure the ones you use are relevant to each picture.
- Keep a note of the ones you usually use on your laptop and phone to make copy and pasting easier.
- Use hashtags you enjoy to help you find other accounts you will love. I do this A LOT and have found some amazing accounts this way.
- Remember you can schedule your Instagram. Most programmes I have found have had issues. I recently found GRUM which schedules, actually uploads to Instgram without you having to press anything and also puts your hashtags in the first comment box. It’s literally schedule and forget!
- Use 30 hashtags, you are allowed them, so why not sure them and give your image the best possible exposure.
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