Using hashtags on social media are easily questioned when it comes to validity. We often find that they’re not as noticeable or often relevant at all.

Think back, when was the last time you looked through hashtags on a post? On a personal account, it’s common to not even think about hashtags at all when you’re just posting for friends and family. As a business account, however, using hashtags is still necessary; but not in the way it once was.

Hashtag #accuracy

In the beginning (or 2010 in less dramatic terms), Instagram hashtags ran wild. Any account would simply put up a funny image, likely from Facebook, and tag over 100 popular terms.

That was all fine and dandy, but as social media evolved and became saturated, it made it easy for unrelated content to find its way to users who weren’t very interested in seeing it. For example, a dog fan page could get cat videos and memes simply because the cat account used #petowner.

However, as algorithms evolved, relevant media now delivers to users more effectively than ever before; thanks to the increase of user engagement and the use of accurate hashtags.

Finding the Right Hashtags

To find the right hashtag and “hack” the algorithm, it’s important to prioritize accuracy over popularity. While you do have the option to include numerous hashtags, focus more on using 5-10 relevant hashtags that will effectively reach your target audience.

A helpful strategy is to consider the search terms that your customer base commonly uses on platforms like Google to find your business or similar ones within your industry. For instance, while #PetLover may be a decent choice, using #DoggyDayCare would be even better as it is more specific and directly caters to your customers’ specific needs and preferences.

Drowning out the Noise

With so many online, it can be challenging to stand out and make your content visible to the right audience. That’s why it’s important to find the right hashtag. And while doing some research is a good start, it’s better to go straight to the source. Platforms like Instagram offer valuable resources such as the explore page and tags tab. Providing you with all the information you need to discover trending and popular hashtags within your niche.

Stick to a total number of posts ranging from a few thousand to less than a hundred thousand. This ensures that enough people are interested, but not too many to gain traction. Keeping the strategy of quality over quantity should put you on the #RightTrack every time.