Myths vs. Truth: What Works for a Successful Instagram Hashtag Strategy?

Instagram continues to be a dominant social media platform. Often our influencer and brand collaborations focus on creating Instagram worthy photos or videos. Anytime we share helpful Instagram growth tips, our community of 4,000 content creators voraciously reads the content. For example, one of our most popular Instagram posts compares IGTV versus YouTube for places to post video content. Because it’s an ever-changing platform, there are countless myths and truths about growing Instagram followers. We’ll walk you through a successful Instagram hashtag strategy to help you get discovered. Instagram growth can help you connect with more followers and lead to paid campaigns.

 

 

BANNED HASHTAGS

Myth: Banned hashtags will keep your posts from being visible on Instagram.

Truth: Yes. Banned hashtags are real. They’ve been designated by Instagram as “spammy” or inappropriate.

Although you may think you’re adding hashtags to a photo or video post organically, Instagram’s research showed that they’ve been used incorrectly in the past by people trying to trick the system.

As a result, here is an updated 2020 list of banned Instagram hashtags according to Idea Co.

Here is a similar list of 2020 banned hashtags according to Markitors.com.

For example, search hashtag #adulting on your Instagram. You’ll see a message from Instagram at the top:

“Recent posts from #adulting are currently hidden because the community has reported some content that may not meet Instagram’s community guidelines.”

Instagram’s Help Page continues: “We review these hashtags periodically and may make the hashtag searchable again if the content associated with particular hashtags changes over time. We encourage people to report inappropriate hashtags by using our built-in reporting.”

Banned Hashtags on Instagram

 

Instagram is a free social media platform, but you must follow its terms, conditions and guidelines to use it. Otherwise, your account can be deactivated.

Remember, you can add hashtags to IGTV videos, too. IGTV allows up to 2,200 characters in its description box, which is more than the 1,000 character limit for YouTube.

 

HASHTAG PLACEMENT

Myth: Hashtags do better in the comment section on Instagram vs. the description box.

Truth: It depends. Your Instagram posts can be discovered by searching through hashtags in both the comment section and the description box. One popular strategy is to add hashtags to the description box when you initially post a photograph or video. Then revisit the post in a day or two to add additional hashtags to the comment section of your Instagram post.

HASHTAG LIMITS

Myth: Each Instagram post is limited to ten (10) hashtags.

Truth: As of May 2020, Instagram hashtags are limited to 30. You can always go back to your account to add hashtags to be discovered in search.

According to Instagram’s guide to using hashtags: “You can use up to 30 tags on a post. If you include more than 30 tags on a single photo/video, your comment won’t post.”

RELATED TOPIC: 4 IGTV Facts You Need to Know

TOP 9 OF INSTAGRAM

Myth: It’s hard to appear in the “Top 9” of Instagram search.

Truth: Instagram wants you to explore while you’re on the platform and find new content. The “Top 9” photos that appear in the Instagram search bar using hashtags fall into two distinct categories:  Top and Recent.

According to Instagram’s guide on Top posts, “At the top of some hashtag and place pages, you may see a section called Top. Top posts appear on trending hashtags and places to show you some of the popular posts tagged with that hashtag or place.”

It can be difficult to appear in the Top 9″ without a clear Instagram hashtag strategy.

Remember: your photo location is matters too! By sharing local content, you can make connections near you.

As an influencer, you can choose to use hashtags that designate where you are, who you are, what your photo or video is, where it was taken or any key factor you think is relevant.

Comment below:  How do you approach a hashtag strategy for your Instagram account or accounts you manage? Do you regularly audit your content to make sure you’re using the best hashtags?

Be sure to visit the Instagram help page to find answers to your hashtag and search questions.

 

Are you following The Network Niche on Instagram? We share relevant news for influencers, video content creators and event hosts.

 

Before you go, join our influencer community to receive helpful tutorials and webinars from our CEO. They’re designed to help grow your influence. We’ll also connect you to brands for paid partnerships and exclusive event invitations.

Author: Rocken
Author: Rocken

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