How to Use Hashtags and Geotags to Increase Discoverability on Instagram
- Digital Marketing Handbooks
- Jun 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Instagram isn’t just a place to share beautiful photos—it’s a powerful platform for being discovered by new audiences. But to make your content visible to the right people, you need more than stunning visuals and catchy captions. Enter the unsung heroes of Instagram growth: hashtags and geotags.
Used strategically, these tools can significantly boost your content’s discoverability, helping you reach the right audience and grow your brand. In this post, we’ll explore how to use hashtags and geotags effectively, including how to choose the best ones for your niche and why combining popular and niche tags is the ultimate growth strategy.
Why Hashtags and Geotags Matter for Discoverability
Hashtags and geotags act as digital breadcrumbs, leading people to your content. Here’s how they work:
Hashtags categorize your posts and make them discoverable to users searching for or following specific topics.
Geotags associate your content with a location, making it easier for local audiences or people interested in that area to find you.
Together, these tools expand your reach beyond your current followers, introducing your brand to a broader (and often more targeted) audience.
Part 1: Mastering Hashtags for Maximum Reach
1. Understand the Different Types of Hashtags
To use hashtags effectively, it’s important to know their categories:
Branded Hashtags: Unique to your brand (e.g., #YourBrandName). Great for building community and collecting user-generated content.
Industry Hashtags: Related to your niche (e.g., #FitnessTips, #TravelPhotography).
Audience Hashtags: Reflect your ideal audience’s interests (e.g., #PlantLovers, #BookAddict).
Trending Hashtags: Currently popular or associated with trends. Use these sparingly and only if relevant.
Location-Specific Hashtags: Highlight where your content is relevant (e.g., #LondonEats, #ParisTravel).
2. Combine Popular and Niche Hashtags
The best hashtag strategy involves a mix of broad, popular tags and highly specific, niche ones.
Popular Hashtags: High-traffic tags like #Travel or #Foodie can increase visibility but may get buried quickly due to competition.
Niche Hashtags: Smaller, targeted tags like #VeganTravelBlog or #MinimalistDeskSetup are less competitive and help you reach a more engaged audience.
Pro Tip:
Use 15–30 hashtags per post, and aim for a mix:
2–3 branded hashtags.
5–7 niche hashtags.
3–5 industry hashtags.
2–3 audience-focused hashtags.
3. Research Relevant Hashtags for Your Niche
Finding the right hashtags takes a bit of research, but it’s worth the effort.
How to Research Hashtags:
Use Instagram’s search bar to find hashtags related to your niche. Look at the number of posts for each tag to gauge its popularity.
Analyze your competitors to see what hashtags they’re using.
Use tools like Hashtagify, RiteTag, or Flick to discover relevant tags and analyze performance.
Example:
If you’re a fitness coach, your hashtag list might include:
Popular: #FitnessJourney, #HealthyLifestyle
Niche: #StrengthTrainingTips, #FitnessOver40
Audience: #MomsWhoLift, #BusyProfessionalFitness
4. Rotate Your Hashtags
Using the same hashtags repeatedly can hurt your discoverability. Rotate your hashtags to keep your content fresh and avoid being flagged as spam.
5. Place Hashtags Strategically
There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for where to place hashtags. Experiment with:
Adding them at the end of your caption.
Placing them in the first comment for a cleaner look.
Part 2: Using Geotags to Attract Local and Relevant Audiences
1. Add Geotags to Your Posts and Stories
Geotags make your content visible to users searching for or browsing posts from a specific location.
How to Use Geotags Effectively:
Tag the specific location, like a café, city, or landmark, instead of a broad area.
Example: Use “The Shard, London” instead of just “London.”
Add geotags to both posts and Stories for maximum visibility.
2. Combine Geotags with Location-Based Hashtags
Pairing geotags with location-specific hashtags increases your chances of being discovered by local audiences.
Example:
A restaurant in New York City could tag “Brooklyn, NY” and use hashtags like #BrooklynEats or #NYCFoodie to attract local food lovers.
3. Use Geotags to Promote Local Events or Offerings
If your business is hosting an event or launching a location-based campaign, geotags can help spread the word.
Example:
A boutique hosting a pop-up shop could use “Oxford Street, London” as the geotag and hashtags like #LondonEvents or #ShopLocalLondon.
Pro Tip: Combining Hashtags and Geotags for Maximum Impact
Let’s say you’re a yoga instructor offering classes in Los Angeles. Here’s how you could use both hashtags and geotags to maximize discoverability:
Post Example: A photo of your studio tagged with “Los Angeles, CA.”
Caption: “Stretch it out with us this week! 🧘♀️ Check out our class schedule—link in bio. #YogaInLA #LosAngelesYoga #FindYourZen”
This strategy ensures your content reaches local users searching for yoga classes while also appealing to broader audiences interested in yoga.
Bonus Tips for Discoverability Success
1. Track Your Performance
Use Instagram Insights to analyze which hashtags and geotags drive the most engagement. Focus on the ones that deliver the best results.
2. Experiment and Adapt
Don’t be afraid to test new hashtags or geotags. The Instagram algorithm evolves, and so should your strategy.
3. Keep It Relevant
Avoid using irrelevant or overly generic hashtags/geotags just to gain visibility. Authenticity always wins.
Final Thoughts: Make Discoverability Easy
Hashtags and geotags are more than just add-ons—they’re essential tools for increasing your reach and connecting with your target audience. By combining popular and niche hashtags, tagging specific locations, and staying consistent with your strategy, you can make your content easier to discover and grow your presence on Instagram.
Now it’s your turn! What’s your favorite hashtag or geotag strategy? Share your tips in the comments or tag us in your next post—we’d love to see how you’re making your content shine!
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