For years, hashtags have been a core component of Instagram, but their role has evolved dramatically. In 2025, they are no longer just a tool for discoverability; they are a central pillar of Instagram SEO. Mastering how to do hashtag research for Instagram growth is about more than just getting more likes; it's about signaling to the algorithm exactly what your content is about, who it's for, and why it deserves to be seen. A thoughtful hashtag strategy is your direct line to reaching a highly relevant audience and achieving sustainable growth.

This guide will provide you with a clear, step-by-step process for finding and using the right hashtags to expand your reach, attract engaged followers, and build a thriving presence on the platform.

The Evolution of Hashtags: Your Key to Instagram SEO

Think of every hashtag as a keyword. When you use a hashtag like #logodesigninspiration, you are telling Instagram that your post is relevant to that topic. The platform then uses this information, along with other signals, to categorize your content and show it to users who have shown interest in logo design. This is, in essence, Instagram SEO.

Moving Beyond Reach: How Hashtags Inform the Algorithm

In the past, the goal was simple: use popular hashtags to get your post in front of as many people as possible. Today, the goal is precision. A well-researched set of hashtags helps the algorithm understand your niche, which leads to:

• Higher Quality Followers: You attract users genuinely interested in your content, not just random scrollers.

• Increased Engagement: Relevant audiences are more likely to like, comment, save, and share your posts.

• Better Visibility: Strong engagement signals to Instagram that your content is valuable, increasing its chances of being featured on Explore pages and in top hashtag results.

Understanding how to do hashtag research for Instagram growth is about playing this new, more sophisticated game.

The Anatomy of a Winning Hashtag Strategy: Types of Instagram Hashtags

An effective strategy uses a mix of different hashtag types to target various segments of your audience.

Foundational: Niche and Community Hashtags

These are the most important hashtags for reaching your target audience. They are specific to your industry, topic, or community.

• Example for a coffee shop: Instead of the generic #coffee (400M+ posts), use community hashtags like #coffeeculture (7M+ posts) or niche hashtags like #specialtycoffeeroaster (200k+ posts).

• Benefit: These have less competition, making it easier for your content to rank and be seen by people who truly care about the subject.

Proprietary: Branded and Campaign Hashtags

These hashtags are unique to your business.

• Branded Hashtag: A unique tag for your business, like #UseVisuals or #Nike. It helps you collect user-generated content (UGC) and build a brand-specific feed.

• Campaign Hashtag: A temporary tag for a specific marketing campaign, product launch, or event, such as #ShareACoke.

• Benefit: They create a hub for your brand's content and encourage audience participation.

Geographical: Location-Based Hashtags

If you have a physical location or serve a specific geographic area, these are non-negotiable.

• Example: #nyccoffee, #londonbakeries, #sydneymarkets.

• Benefit: They connect you with local customers who are actively searching for businesses and services in their area.

How to Do Hashtag Research for Instagram Growth: The Complete Process

Now, let's dive into the actionable steps. This process will take you from having zero ideas to building a library of powerful, curated hashtag sets.

Step 1: Profile Your Audience and Analyze Your Competitors

Your research should start with people, not words.

• Analyze Your Audience: What terms would your ideal customer use to find your content? What are their interests and pain points? Think like them.

• Analyze Your Competitors: Look at accounts similar to yours that are performing well. What hashtags are they using consistently? Pay close attention to the posts with the highest engagement. Don't just copy their list; use it as a starting point for your own research.

Identifying What Your Ideal Follower Searches For

Create a list of 5-10 "seed" keywords related to your brand. These are broad topics that you can then narrow down. For a personal finance coach, these might be personalfinance, budgeting, investing, debtfreejourney, and financialliteracy.

Step 2: Leverage Instagram's Native Search and "Related" Feature

Instagram itself is your most powerful research tool.

1. Go to the Instagram search bar and tap on "Tags."

2. Type in one of your seed keywords (e.g., budgeting).

3. Instagram will show you a list of related hashtags and their post volume (the number of posts that use that tag).

4. Tap on a promising hashtag. At the top of the hashtag page, Instagram often shows a list of "Related" hashtags. This is a goldmine for discovering new, relevant niche tags.

Step 3: Implement the Hashtag Ladder Strategy for Optimal Volume

Using only massive hashtags like #marketing (80M+ posts) is like shouting into a hurricane; your content will be buried in seconds. A balanced approach works best. Your goal is to use hashtags of varying sizes to give your post a chance to rank in smaller ponds before competing in the ocean.

A good mix for a set of 20-30 hashtags might be:

• 7-10 Niche Hashtags: Small but highly relevant.

• 7-10 Moderately Popular Hashtags: Give you a good shot at ranking.

• 3-5 Broad Hashtags: Offer potential for wide reach if your post gains traction.

Rung 1: Hyper-Niche Hashtags (Under 50k Posts)

These are your best chance to get into the "Top Posts" section for a hashtag. They are highly targeted and have less competition. Example: #budgetingforbeginners.

Rung 2: Moderately Popular Hashtags (50k - 500k Posts)

These hashtags have a healthy amount of traffic but are still attainable. They are the sweet spot for steady growth. Example: #budgetingtips.

Rung 3: Broad Reach Hashtags (500k+ Posts)

These are your "lottery ticket" hashtags. While it's hard to rank for them, a high-performing post can gain significant visibility here. Use them sparingly. Example: #personalfinance.

Step 4: Curate and Organize Your Hashtag Sets

Don't use the same list of 30 hashtags on every single post. This can look spammy to the algorithm. Instead, create several curated sets based on your content pillars.

• Example: A graphic designer might have separate sets for logodesign, brandingprojects, and typography.

• Organization: Keep these sets in a note-taking app, a spreadsheet, or a social media management tool for easy access. Rotate them and mix and match to keep your strategy fresh.

Content is King: Why Your Visuals Fuel Your Hashtag Strategy

Perfect hashtag research is useless if the content itself is poor. Hashtags get your content in front of people, but it's the quality of your visual and your caption that makes them stay, engage, and follow. This is a crucial, often overlooked part of any guide on how to do hashtag research for Instagram growth.

The Connection Between High-Quality Content and Hashtag Performance

When your post appears on a hashtag page, it's competing with hundreds of others. A blurry photo or a poorly designed graphic will be instantly ignored. High engagement (likes, comments, shares, saves) in the first hour is a powerful signal to the algorithm that your content is valuable, which helps it rank higher on hashtag pages and potentially get pushed to the Explore page.

Using Professionally Designed Visuals to Stand Out

Your visuals need to stop the scroll. This means they should be:

• High-Resolution: Clear and crisp.

• Well-Composed: Visually appealing and easy to understand.

• On-Brand: Consistent with your brand's colors, fonts, and overall aesthetic.

Creating professional-grade visuals for every post can be a major challenge. To ensure your content is visually compelling enough to make your hashtag research pay off, using professional templates is a smart move. Our Social Media Kit provides a complete library of Figma templates, perfect for creating stunning carousels, infographics, and promotional posts. This allows you to produce high-quality, on-brand content efficiently, giving your well-researched hashtags the powerful visuals they need to succeed.

Best Practices for Hashtag Implementation and Tracking

Once you have your research and your content, the final step is proper implementation and analysis.

How Many Hashtags Should You Use and Where Should They Go?

• Number: Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post. While some experts debate the exact optimal number, using between 20-30 relevant hashtags generally gives you the best chance for discovery without appearing spammy.

• Placement: You can place hashtags in the caption or in the first comment. Both are equally effective for search. Placing them in the first comment can create a cleaner look for your caption, which is a matter of aesthetic preference.

Monitoring Performance: How to Know if Your Hashtags Are Working

Instagram's native analytics provide the data you need.

1. Go to a specific post and tap "View Insights."

2. Scroll down to the "Impressions" section.

3. Here, you will see a breakdown of where your impressions came from, including "From Hashtags."

This metric is the most direct indicator of your hashtag performance. If you consistently see a high number of impressions from hashtags, your research is working. If the number is low, it's time to revisit your hashtag sets and test new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Should I use the same hashtags on every post?
No, you should not. Using the exact same block of hashtags repeatedly can be flagged by Instagram as spammy behavior, which can limit your reach. It's best to rotate through different, relevant hashtag sets that are tailored to the specific content of each post.

2. Does it matter if I put my hashtags in the caption or the first comment?
From a performance perspective, there is no difference. Instagram will index your post for search regardless of where the hashtags are. The choice is purely aesthetic. Many creators prefer the first comment to keep their captions clean and focused on the message.

3. Are banned or broken hashtags a real problem?
Yes. A banned hashtag is one that Instagram has flagged for being associated with content that violates community guidelines. Using a single banned hashtag on your post can cause Instagram to hide that post from all other hashtag pages, severely limiting its reach. Always check a hashtag by searching for it before you use it.

4. How long does it take to see results from a new hashtag strategy?
You should start seeing data in your post insights within a few days. However, it can take several weeks of consistent posting and testing to identify which hashtag sets are driving the most growth. Be patient and focus on tracking your impressions "From Hashtags."

5. Should I create my own branded hashtag?
Absolutely. A branded hashtag is a great way to build a community and collect user-generated content (UGC). Make it unique to your brand and encourage your followers to use it when they post about your products or services.

6. Do hashtags work on Instagram Stories and Reels?
Yes, they do. You can add up to 10 hashtags to an Instagram Story using the hashtag sticker or the text tool. For Reels, you can include up to 30 hashtags in the caption, just like a feed post. This is a great way to increase the visibility of your short-form video content.

Conclusion: Turn Your Research into Sustainable Follower Growth

Mastering how to do hashtag research for Instagram growth in 2025 is about being a strategist, not just a content creator. It requires a deep understanding of your audience, a methodical approach to research, and a commitment to creating high-quality content that deserves to be discovered.

By following the steps outlined in this guide—from identifying the right types of Instagram hashtags to using the ladder strategy and organizing your sets—you can build a powerful system that fuels your Instagram SEO and helps you grow Instagram followers who are genuinely invested in your brand