The Right Hashtag for Instagram Posts

Instagram is a visual social media platform. User interactions occur mostly through high-quality pictures and videos. Instagram focuses on attracting online users visually, but it does not completely ignore written content. This is a smart way of conveying information with the least possible text. The text, also known as hashtags, accompany pictures and videos uploaded online.

Hashtags make content easily discoverable. They increase user engagement and brand visibility and should be relevant and trending on social media. Too many hashtags make the page look cluttered. Hashtags must be used strategically to boost Instagram marketing campaigns. Constantly upgraded from time to time, Instagram gives rise to attractive new features. Users can learn of profile visits and website clicks too.

The biggest challenge is choosing the right hashtag. Every hashtag has its own distinct purpose. Some hashtags can be funny, some are happy, and some appear to be disclaimers. It is important to combine all of them together to convey the right message. Some are used on business posts, whereas the others are used on users’ private posts.

Businesses can use SEO services in Mumbai to choose the right hashtag, broadly classified into the following categories:

• Mass appealing hashtags – Such hashtags are highly competitive. Examples include #instagood and #sundayfunday. An exotic picture of glass bottles can be tagged along with the text to attract viewers.
• Brand awareness hashtags – Used specifically to build brand awareness, businesses can use these hashtags to host special events or campaigns. Examples include #Womenshealth and #mensgrooming.
• Specific interest hashtags – These are relevant to specific audiences, such as present followers, friends and family. Examples include #Somethingpink and #Weddingblues.
• Holiday hashtags – They focus on destination advertising and can be added to posts, so people learn more about holiday destinations. They include #waterfall and #snowfall.
• Entertainment hashtags – Used to encourage direct audience engagement, SEO companies in Mumbai encourage brands to use these innovative hashtags to inform the audience about upcoming sales, new products and exciting discounts. They include #didisaythat and #saleseason.
• Events hashtags – These hashtags help audiences connect with local events and important happenings. Examples include #friedchicken and #dallasdeserts.
• Disclaimer hashtags – As the name suggests, users add disclaimers through hashtags such as #paidpost and #sponsoredpost.

Online users should determine where a particular hashtag fits in and use it appropriately. Specific hashtags attract targeted audiences. They further increase quality engagement. Popular hashtags expand individual reach. It is important to keep hashtags short and easy to recall. For example, #LosAngelesLuxuryCarEnthusiasts for an automobile exhibition may not be eye-catching. Instead, #LACarLovers would work better. This is because the former hashtag has too many characters, disturbing online followers. The latter is crisp and to the point. Users can also use emoji and animated icons. They can be used instead of text, thus keeping the hashtag short.

There are popular hashtags specific for every industry. Google AdWords services can help companies stay on top of their competitors. Traffic acquired this way generates instant demand for products and services. Companies must use relevant hashtags with care. The content shared on social media must be audience specific and compel users to engage with the post.

Bal Rai is an Internet Marketing Consultant at eTrack Media, a leading SEO company in Redditch, UK.