Are Hashtags Still #Trending in 2023?

Hashtag—a word we have known for decades but its importance grew with the rise of social media platforms. However, with frequent and major algorithm changes and updates, we are bound to wonder – are hashtags still a thing in 2023?

Using a hashtag properly or appropriately is one of the most effective ways to gain attention and your post. So, are they still relevant in 2023? If yes, how many should you use? What are the different hashtags you should use? Should you use trending ones? And where to use it: in captions or comments too?

Let’s move ahead and understand the importance of hashtags in 2023.

How does an Instagram hashtag work?

Hashtags are a way to categorize content and make it more discoverable on social media platforms. When you add a word or phrase after the “#” symbol, it becomes a hashtag. The platform then indexes the hashtag word or phrase. After that, when someone searches for that hashtag, they can easily find all the posts that contain it.

For example, let’s say you’re posting a picture of your dog on Instagram and you want people who are interested in dogs to see it. You might add the hashtag #dogsofinstagram to your post. Now, when someone searches for “dogsofinstagram” on Instagram, your post will be included in the results, along with all the other posts that use that hashtag.

Hashtags are a powerful way to increase the visibility of your content and reach a wider audience on social media. They can also help you connect with people who share your interests and discover new content that you might not have found otherwise.

Are hashtags still a thing in 2023?

There was a time when we all used hashtags like mad. From a minimum of 3 to 5 to 30 hashtags on a post. Why? To get the maximum visibility. But are hashtags still a thing in 2023? Is it the same as it was before?

Well, one thing is certain hashtags are here to stay. Undoubtedly, the usage pattern and tactics have evolved with SEO and SMM (social media management). Experts advise using 3-5 hashtags for your Instagram post.

With the algorithm update on the social media platform, we have observed that words and phrases in your content are also discoverable. Instagram and other SM platforms focus on providing valuable and relevant posts to their users.

So, while creating a content strategy for social media, you must focus on targeted and relevant hashtags. We will discuss this in an upcoming section. Before that, let’s understand the different types of hashtags on Instagram.

Which are different types of hashtags?

Several types of hashtags are used on social media platforms. Here are some of the most common ones along with real-life examples:

1. Branded Hashtags

Businesses or individuals create these hashtags to promote their brand or product. For example, the clothing company Nike uses the hashtag #justdoit to promote its brand.

2. Trending Hashtags

Hashtags that are related to a current event or popular topic are trending hashtags. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the hashtag #StayAtHome was trending on social media platforms.

3. Community Hashtags

These hashtags are used to connect people who share a common interest or hobby. For example, people who enjoy sharing and discovering new food-related content use the hashtag #foodie.

4. Campaign Hashtags

These hashtags are used to promote a specific campaign or cause. For example, the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was used to raise awareness and support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

5. Event Hashtags

These hashtags are used to promote and connect people around a specific event or conference. For example, the annual tech conference, CES, used the hashtag #CES2023 to promote its event.

6. Location-Based Hashtags

These hashtags are used to promote content related to a specific location or city. For example, people who want to share or discover content related to the city of New York use the hashtag #NewYorkCity.

You can use hashtags in different ways, and it’s important to use them appropriately to reach your target audience and achieve your goals. Now, next up we will talk about what type of hashtag you should use to get desired results.

What type of Instagram hashtag should you use?

Among all the types of hashtags, how do you figure out which type of Instagram hashtag is relevant? We often get confused between picking relevant and popular hashtags. It is not always possible that your relevant hashtag will be the popular one too.

However, selecting a type of Instagram hashtag entirely depend on the type of content you create and the services you provide.

For example:

Let’s say you own a retail store of shoes in Washington. Here you will use a hashtag that is product-based as well as location-based. You can use popular hashtags like #shoes, #buyshoes, and location hashtags like #shoesinwashington and #washingtonshoeshop.

Benefits of using hashtags on social media platforms

Till now you read about hashtags and how to pick your type, in this section we will understand the benefits of using hashtags for your brand or business. Let’s get going!

1. Increase Visibility and Discoverability

Hashtags can help your content reach a wider audience beyond your followers. When you use relevant hashtags, people who are searching for that particular topic or interest can discover your content.

2. Categorization and Organization

Hashtags help to categorize and organize content on social media platforms. By using relevant hashtags, you can help users find specific types of content and filter out irrelevant content.

3. Engagement

Hashtags can help you increase engagement on your posts and reach your target audience. When people search for or click on a hashtag, they can discover your content and engage with it through likes, comments, or shares.

4. Brand Awareness

You can use hashtags to promote your brand or product. Branded hashtags can help to increase brand awareness, as users see your hashtag and associate it with your brand.

5. Market Research

You can use hashtags for market research to see what people are saying about a particular topic or brand. By monitoring relevant hashtags, you can gain insights into customer sentiment, preferences, and behavior.

With this, let’s move to our final and most awaited section!

How to find the perfect hashtags for your content strategy?

A marketer needs to have an effective content marketing strategy. And to make it work and drive wondrous results, you must find the perfect hashtag for your content. Now how can you do it? Below, we have mentioned a few tricks that will help you select the ideal hashtag for your social posts.

1. Research your target audience

Understanding your audience’s interests and what hashtags they are using can help you create relevant content and identify the best hashtags to use. Research what hashtags are popular within your target audience, and consider using them in your content.

2. Analyze your competitors

Next, analyze your competitors’ social media accounts. See what hashtags they are using, or what is their strategy, and then plan and select your hashtag accordingly. This can also help you identify popular hashtags within your niche and incorporate them into your brand’s content strategy.

3. Explore hashtags on Instagram

If you have focused on the Hashtag Search on Instagram, you might have seen the hashtags with their volume. When you click on a hashtag, it will show you details of it. The page shows the number of posts on that hashtag, top, recent, and reels. conduct hashtag analytics to better understand the type of content that applies to the hashtag, what its audience is, and much more. 

4. Use a mix of hashtags

Another tactic that will help you create and achieve your goals is by using a mix of hashtags. What is it? You can use niche hashtags that are popular, relevant and location-based. All of them together will reach a wider audience and help you get visibility and engagement on the post.

5. Try the hashtag finder tool

You can also use the hashtag finder tools available in the market. These tools help you figure out the hashtags that will go best with your content and brand. Long with that, it will also help you in selecting the relevant and popular hashtag.

Use Hashtag Wisely!

With this, we wrap up the article on: are hashtags still a thing in 2023. After researching a bit about Instagram and hashtags, we are sure that hashtags are far away from being dead today and in near future too. Instead, they will be a great way of reaching a wider and more targeted audience. All you need is to stay updated with the algorithm changes and social media trends.