Content Writer at SocialBee
Wondering if using hashtags for Instagram Reels is really making a difference for your content?
Instagram’s Carly Lynn clears things up: “Hashtags can help your content get discovered.” But, don’t just add “a bunch of hashtags just to try to maximize your reach. The quality of your hashtags matters much more than the quantity. You should try to be very intentional with the hashtags you include and focus only on the ones that are relevant to the content you’re publishing.”
Carly also points out that generic hashtags like “Reels” don’t actually help your content and can even hurt your post performance.
Why? Because “Instagram looks at how often people are engaging with your content as a signal to decide whether to recommend it to more or fewer people. Though content with broad and irrelevant hashtags may appear to more people at first, if your content isn’t effective at engaging that initial audience, that could end up hurting your overall performance.”
So, with this key info in mind, let’s dive into what types of hashtags are out there, the best hashtags for different industries—from fashion to business to travel—and some best practices. This will help you choose the right hashtags and use them effectively to boost your reach.
Streamline your marketing with an efficient social media strategy template.
Short Summary
- An Instagram hashtag is a word or a combination of words preceded by the “#” symbol, which you can use to categorize and organize content on the social network.
- When you add a hashtag to your Instagram Reel, it becomes part of a larger collection of posts that include the same hashtag. This helps Instagram users find content related to specific topics or themes.
- If you want to generate specific hashtags based on your captions and images in seconds, consider using a hashtag suggestion tool like SocialBee.
- Use fewer but more relevant hashtags, about 5 hashtags for each Reel, to ensure your content caters to the direct interests of those browsing on the platform.
- Instead of using broad hashtags like #business or #marketing, opt for more specific ones that directly relate to your content, such as #DigitalMarketingTips or #SmallBusinessAdvice.
- Pay attention to your competitors’ Reels to find the most relevant hashtag ideas. Notice if they use a mix of broad and niche hashtags, and see if they have any branded hashtags unique to their business.
- To test hashtags on your Instagram Reels, look for alternative hashtags that are relevant to your content but different from your usual ones, and organize them into groups. After a few weeks, you’ll be able to tell which sets work best, so you can replicate your success time and time again.
- Create branded hashtags that are simple, easy to spell, and easy to remember. Skip complicated words or phrases that might confuse platform users. Shorter hashtags are generally better because they are easier to read and use.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Instagram Hashtag?
- Why Do You Need to Use Instagram Hashtags?
- Types of Instagram Hashtags
- The Best Hashtags of 2024 for Instagram Reels
- 1. Trending Instagram Hashtags For Your Reels
- 2. Best Hashtags for Creatives
- 3. Best Hashtags for Funny Reels
- 4. Best B2B Hashtags
- 5. Best Food Hashtags For Instagram Reels
- 6. Best Fitness Hashtags For Instagram Reels
- 7. Best Travel and Hospitality Hashtags For Instagram Reels
- 8. Best Photography Instagram Hashtags
- 9. Best Fashion Instagram Hashtags
- 10. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Educational Reels
- 11. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Real Estate
- 12. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Writers
- 13. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Doctors
- 14. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Nonprofits
- Best Practices to Use Hashtags on Instagram Reels for Business
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Make Hashtags a Part of Your Instagram Strategy!
What Is an Instagram Hashtag?
An Instagram hashtag is a word or a combination of words preceded by the “#” symbol, which you can use to categorize and organize content on the social network.
When you include a hashtag in your Reel, it becomes part of a collection of posts that include the same hashtag. This helps Instagrammers find content related to specific topics or themes.
For example, if you use the hashtag #Travel, your Reel will appear in the search results for that hashtag:
This makes it easier for people interested in travel to discover your content and your brand.
Why Do You Need to Use Instagram Hashtags?
Instagram hashtags are becoming more and more popular, especially when it comes to Reels. But do you know why?
Here’s why you need to use Instagram hashtags:
- Boost Instagram SEO: Think of hashtags as keywords that help Instagram understand what your Reels are about, making it easier for people to find you. When you add relevant hashtags to your posts, you can reach people who might not follow you yet.
- Better targeting: Hashtags categorize your content into different topics, making it easier to connect with niche audiences who are genuinely interested in your Reels. The easier your content is to find, the more likely it is to gain likes, comments, and shares.
- Access hashtag analytics to refine your Instagram strategy: Using Instagram hashtags also gives you access to valuable analytics. You can track which hashtags drive the most engagement and adjust your strategy for better results.
Types of Instagram Hashtags
In this section, we’ll break down the different types of Instagram hashtags, from branded and industry-specific tags to trending and location-based ones. Understanding these types can help you choose the best hashtags for your posts and reach a wider audience on the Instagram app.
Here are the main types of Instagram Reels hashtags:
- Branded hashtags
- Product or service hashtags
- Industry hashtags
- Trending hashtags
- Community hashtags
- Geographical hashtags
- Campaign-specific hashtags
- Collaboration hashtags
- Event hashtags
- Niche hashtags
A. What Is a Branded Hashtag?
A branded hashtag is unique to your business and is used to promote your brand, products, or services. It can be your company name, slogan, or a specific campaign.
Branded hashtag examples include: #Nike, #JustDoIt, and #CocaCola.
B. What Is a Product or Service Hashtag?
A product or service hashtag focuses on specific products or services you offer. These hashtags help users find content related to what you sell.
Product and service hashtag examples include #iPhone12, #StarbucksLatte, and #SamsungGalaxy.
C. What Is an Industry Hashtag?
Industry hashtags are related to your business’s industry or niche. They connect you with others in the same field and help you reach a relevant audience.
Here are some industry hashtag examples: #DigitalMarketing, #FashionDesign, and #FitnessTrainers.
D. What Is a Trending Hashtag?
Trending hashtags are popular at a particular time and often relate to current events, holidays, or viral topics. Using these can increase your content’s visibility.
Trending hashtag examples include #ThrowbackThursday, #BlackFriday, and #WorldCup.
E. What Is a Community Hashtag?
Community hashtags bring together people with similar interests or hobbies. They help you connect with like-minded users and build a community around your brand.
Community hashtag examples include #BookLovers, #YogaCommunity, and #TravelAddicts.
F. What Is a Geographical Hashtag?
Geographical hashtags refer to specific locations and are useful for those targeting local audiences. They can help you reach people in a particular area.
Here are some geographical hashtag examples: #NewYorkCity, #CaliforniaLife, and #ParisTravel.
G. What Is a Campaign-Specific Hashtag?
Campaign-specific hashtags are created for a particular marketing campaign or event. They make it easy to track the campaign’s engagement and participation.
Here are some campaign-specific hashtag examples: #ShareACoke, #IceBucketChallenge, and #LetsMove.
H. What Is a Collaboration Hashtag?
Instagram collaboration hashtags are used when partnering with other brands or influencers. They help promote the collaboration and reach a broader audience.
Collaboration hashtag examples include #GigixMaybelline, #HMMoschino, and #MacxDisney.
I. What Is a Niche Hashtag?
Niche hashtags target highly specific topics or communities within a broader field, unlike industry hashtags, that only cover general terms relevant to the entire industry.
Niche hashtag examples include #VeganRecipes, #MinimalistFashion, and #TechStartups.
PRO TIP:
Do you regularly share recurring types of posts on social media? Imagine how easy it would be to have pre-set hashtag collections for each post type that you can add with just a few clicks.
SocialBee can help you build a solid hashtag strategy. Our tool lets you categorize your favorite hashtags based on your content pillars and industry niches. This way, you can quickly pull the right hashtags from your mini hashtag feed.
Create hashtag collections in SocialBee and add them directly to your Reels before sharing them on Instagram.
The Best Hashtags of 2024 for Instagram Reels
Finding the best hashtags can make a big difference in how well your Instagram post or Reel performs.
1. Trending Instagram Hashtags For Your Reels
Social media trends are constantly changing, but using popular hashtags to your advantage can help you reach a broader audience and increase the chances of your Reels being discovered by new viewers.
To figure out the latest trends, follow this series from Instagram’s @Creators page:
Then, adapt the content of your Instagram Reels and your hashtags based on what’s trending at a specific time.
2. Best Hashtags for Creatives
If your Reels focus on creativity, using hashtags that reflect this can help you connect with others who appreciate creative content. These hashtags can be specific to art, music, design, or any other creative field.
Here are the best Instagram Reel hashtags for creatives:
- #ArtOfTheDay
- #CreativeWriting
- #MusicLover
- #InteriorDesign
- #PaintingWarHammer
- #DanceChallenge
- #ActorLife
- #DrawingSketch
- #WritersCommunity
- #GraphicArt
3. Best Hashtags for Funny Reels
Humor is a big draw on Instagram, and using the right hashtags can help your funny Reels gain more attention. People love to share and engage with content that makes them laugh, so using popular humor-related hashtags is a good strategy.
Here are the best hashtags for funny Instagram Reels:
- #FunnyMemes
- #MemesDaily
- #LaughOutLoud
- #ComedyVideos
- #JokesforDays
- #DarkHumor
- #FunnyVideos
- #ComedyClub
- #FunnyReels
- #LaughterIsTheBestMedicine
Best Hashtags by Industry
If you’re focusing on a specific industry and want to make the most of your Instagram Reels, incorporating popular Instagram hashtags can really help.
4. Best B2B Hashtags
B2B marketing is about building relationships, sharing valuable content, and demonstrating industry expertise. A smart use of hashtags can help position your business as a thought leader and attract other professionals looking for your services or products.
Here are some of the best B2B hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #B2BMarketing
- #BrandStrategy
- #BrandIdentity
- #BusinessOwner
- #ContentMarketing
- #BusinessTips
- #BusinessMan
- #DigitalStrategy
- #BusinessWoman
- #StartUpBusiness
5. Best Food Hashtags For Instagram Reels
Whether you’re a food blogger, a restaurant, or just someone who loves to share recipes, using the right hashtags can help your posts get noticed. These hashtags are great for connecting with fellow food lovers and increasing your content’s reach.
Here are some of the best food hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #FoodBlogger
- #FoodieLife
- #RestaurantLife
- #CookingTime
- #ChefLife
- #FoodBeast
- #FoodBlogFeed
- #EatingForTheInsta
- #EatingHealthy
- #RecipeOfTheDay
6. Best Fitness Hashtags For Instagram Reels
If you’re documenting your fitness journey, offering workout routines, or sharing health tips, hashtags can help you connect with a community that’s passionate about fitness.
Here are some effective fitness hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #FitnessMotivation
- #FitnessModel
- #WorkoutRoutine
- #FitnessTrainer
- #GymTime
- #BoxingTraining
- #FitnessCoach
- #GymLifestyle
- #GymRat
- #SportLife
7. Best Travel and Hospitality Hashtags For Instagram Reels
Whether you run a travel blog, a hotel, or just love to explore new places, hashtags will help you reach an audience that shares your passion for adventure, as well as help you connect with potential customers and fellow travelers.
Here are some of the best travel and hospitality hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #HotelLife
- #HostelWorld
- #TravelBlogger
- #HolidayHome
- #TreeHouseLife
- #TravelDiaries
- #LuxuryTraveller
- #TravelAgency
- #HotelView
- #AroundTheWorld
8. Best Photography Instagram Hashtags
Are you a professional photographer or an amateur? Using the right hashtags can help your portfolio get noticed, build a community around your work, and gain followers who appreciate your aesthetic.
Here are some of the best Instagram Reels hashtags for photographers:
- #PhotoOfTheDay
- #PhotographerLife
- #WeddingPhotographer
- #EventPhotography
- #PortraitPhotography
- #ForestPhotography
- #PortraitMood
- #LandscapePhotography
- #PhotoshootIdeas
- #BabyPhotographer
9. Best Fashion Instagram Hashtags
Fashion influencers and brands can use these hashtags to highlight their style and get noticed by fashion enthusiasts, as well as connect with others in the fashion industry.
Here are some popular fashion hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #Fashionista
- #FashionBlogger
- #StyleInspiration
- #FashionEditorial
- #StreetStyle
- #StyleIcon
- #Runway
- #FashionWeek
- #FashionDesigner
- #HighFashion
10. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Educational Reels
Are you teaching others a new skill, sharing interesting facts, or providing study tips? Dedicated hashtags can help you reach learners who are looking for educational content and who value learning and personal growth.
Here are some effective educational hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #StudyMotivation
- #LearningThroughPlay
- #StudyNotes
- #TeachersFollowTeachers
- #EducationMatters
- #TeacherLife
- #StudyHard
- #KnowledgeIsPower
- #FoodForThought
- #EducationMatters
11. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Real Estate
Whether you’re promoting a new listing, sharing home-buying tips, or highlighting your real estate services, such hashtags can help you reach a targeted audience and connect with others in the real estate industry.
Here are some popular real estate hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #RealEstateAgent
- #RealEstateInvesting
- #HouseForSale
- #HouseHunting
- #RealtorLife
- #PropertyInvestment
- #MortgageBroker
- #HomeSearch
- #Exprealty
- #HomeBuyers
- #Neighbourhoods
12. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Writers
Are you an author, poet, or content creator? If the answer is yes, and you want to reach an audience that loves to read and write and connect with other writers, you have plenty of hashtags to choose from.
Here are some of the best writing hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #WritersCommunity
- #WritingPrompts
- #WritingInspiration
- #PoetryCommunity
- #StoryTelling
- #CreativeWriting
- #BookLife
- #WritingTips
- #AuthorLife
- #WritersBlock
13. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Doctors
If you’re using social media to provide health advice, share medical insights, or highlight your medical services, hashtags can really help you get your message—and name—out there. They can also help you build trust and credibility with your followers.
Here are some effective medical hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #HealthCare
- #MedicalKnowledge
- #WomensHealth
- #NurseLife
- #NursePractitioner
- #HealthCareWorkers
- #ScrubsLife
- #MedicalInnovation
- #DentalCare
- #MedLife
15. Best Instagram Reel Hashtags for Nonprofits
If you’re a nonprofit promoting a fundraising campaign, highlighting volunteer opportunities, or sharing success stories, hashtags can help you engage with donors and volunteers who are passionate about your cause.
Here are some popular nonprofit hashtags for Instagram Reels:
- #Nonprofits
- #CharityEvent
- #VolunteerWork
- #DonationsNeeded
- #FundraisingEvent
- #SocialGood
- #CivilServices
- #SocialResponsibility
- #NonprofitOrganization
- #CommunityFirst
Best Practices to Use Hashtags on Instagram Reels for Business
Now that you have an idea of how to incorporate hashtags into your Instagram Reels, it’s time to put them to good use.
Here are some best practices to use hashtags on Instagram Reels for business:
- Use a hashtag suggestion tool like SocialBee
- Learn how many hashtags to use
- Narrow your hashtags
- Research your competitors
- Experiment with related hashtags
- Track your own hashtags
- Create branded hashtags
1. Use a Hashtag Suggestion Tool like SocialBee
If you want to incorporate hashtags into your Instagram Reels but don’t have the time to find the best ones, a social media management tool like SocialBee can do that for you.
All you have to do is upload your Reel into the post editor, and within seconds, you will get hashtags added at the end of your caption.
Make your Instagram posts shine with hashtag suggestions from SocialBee.
Then, you can publish or schedule your Reels for optimal posting times, straight within the app.
Here’s what SocialBee can do for your Instagram Reels:
- Seamless integration with Instagram: Easily create and share Reels directly to your Instagram account.
- AI-content creation: Use our post generator to create captions with relevant hashtags and emojis included. If you need inspiration, choose from over 1000 pre-existing prompts to spark your creativity.
- Content categories: Organize your Reels into categories, similar to folders, each dedicated to a different topic or niche.
- Hashtag suggestions: Get an Instagram hashtag generator that uses your captions or images to recommend suitable options, increasing your content’s visibility and helping you connect with broader conversations.
- Hashtag collections: Save your most-used and best-performing hashtags in dedicated folders for quick and easy retrieval.
Find the Best Hashtag Suggestions for Instagram Reels with SocialBee!
2. Learn How Many Hashtags to Use
Instagram allows you to add hashtags up to 30 hashtags per post, but using the maximum number isn’t always necessary. Although in the beginning that may get your Reels more exposure, if people don’t engage with your content, it will all be for nothing.
Instead, try to use fewer but more relevant hashtags. Experts like Carly Lynn recommend using 5 hashtags for each Reel. This way, you ensure your content caters to the direct interests of those browsing on the platform, which is more likely to get your Reels the attention and engagement they deserve.
3. Narrow Your Hashtags
Using Instagram Reels hashtags with millions of posts can make your content get lost in the crowd. Instead, choose hashtags with a moderate number of posts. These targeted hashtags are less competitive and more likely to get your content noticed by the right audience.
Instead of using broad hashtags like #business or #marketing, opt for more specific ones that directly relate to your content. For instance, use #DigitalMarketingTips or #SmallBusinessAdvice, just like in this example:
This way, you can reach those most likely to be interested in those particular topics.
PRO TIP: While it’s important to narrow your hashtags, a combination of broad and niche hashtags can be effective. Use a few broad hashtags to reach a wider audience, and several niche hashtags to target a specific group. For example, combine #Marketing with #ContentMarketingStrategy and #SocialMediaTips.
4. Research Your Competitors
For this step, compile a list of your main competitors. These are entities that offer similar products or services and who have the same target audience as you. Look for both direct competitors (those selling the same thing) and indirect competitors (those in a related field).
Then, visit their Instagram profiles. Take note of their overall strategy, including content types, posting frequency, and their engagement levels.
Pay special attention to their Reels, as this is where you’ll find the best Instagram hashtags ideas. Notice if they use a mix of broad and niche hashtags, and see if they have any branded hashtags unique to their business.
Additionally, you can use Instagram’s search engine to search hashtags that contain different keywords. Apply the “Reels” filter to see what videos other creators are making on the topic, as well as the hashtag mix they use. This will give you an even clearer idea of what you need to do.
5. Experiment with Related Hashtags
To test hashtags on your Instagram Reels, create a base set of hashtags that you know work well for your content. Use these as a benchmark to compare the performance of alternative hashtags.
Afterward, look for alternative hashtags that are relevant to your content but different from your usual ones, and organize them into groups. Each group should include:
- a mix of your base hashtags
- new, alternative hashtags
For example, you can create groups of 10-15 hashtags that combine your regular hashtags with new ones you want to test.
Then, post multiple Reels over a period of time, each using a different group of hashtags. Make sure the content of the Reels is similar to ensure a fair comparison.
Lastly, document the entire process by tracking the engagement on each post, including likes, comments, shares, and views. After a few weeks, you’ll be able to tell which sets work best, so you can replicate your success time and time again.
6. Track Your Own Hashtags
Tracking the performance of your hashtags on Instagram Reels is crucial for understanding what works and optimizing your strategy.
To access Instagram Insights, you need a business or creator Instagram account. Open your app, go to your profile, and tap the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner, then click on “Insights.”
Under Insights, find your Reels and check their performance through metrics like reach, likes, comments, shares, and saves.
Although Instagram Insights doesn’t provide direct hashtag performance, you can correlate high engagement Reels with the hashtags used to gain some insights.
Additionally, Instagram’s search and explore functions can also give you a sense of how your hashtags are performing in the broader context.
Type the branded hashtags you use in giveaways, contests, challenges, and campaigns in Instagram’s search bar to see what kind of Reels appear, and check the number of posts to gauge their popularity.
Then, set up a spreadsheet and list all the Reels you’re monitoring in the first column. Add columns for key metrics like reach, likes, comments, shares, and saves.
Fill in these metrics for each post, and review your spreadsheet periodically to spot trends and identify which types of hashtag mix perform well over time.
PRO TIP:
Curious about your top-performing Instagram posts? SocialBee creates a top 3 for your best-performing posts, content categories, and post types (e.g., carousels, videos, images, etc.). This way, you can analyze your strategy with ease and identify which hashtags have contributed to a successful post.
Track the performance of your Instagram Reels from SocialBee’s Analytics dashboard.
7. Create Branded Hashtags
Start by identifying the core message you want to convey through your branded hashtag. Think about your brand’s mission, values, and what sets you apart from competitors. The end result should reflect these elements to resonate with your audience and align with your brand identity.
A good branded hashtag is simple, easy to spell, and easy to remember. Skip complicated words or phrases that might confuse platform users. Shorter hashtags are generally better because they are easier to read and use.
For example, instead of #BestEcoFriendlyProductsOnTheMarket, you might use #EcoBest.
Check out this example from @DiorBeauty:
If you’re creating a hashtag for a specific campaign, make sure it aligns with the campaign’s goals and messaging. Campaign-specific hashtags can help you track engagement and participation. Check out this perfect example from @Target:
Remember, your branded hashtag should be unique to your business. Do a quick search on Instagram to ensure that the hashtag you want to use isn’t already in use.
Then, promote your branded hashtag across all your social media channels. Use it in your Instagram Reels, posts, and Stories, and encourage your audience to use it as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make Hashtags a Part of Your Instagram Strategy!
Using the best hashtags can really boost the visibility and engagement of your Instagram Reels. By choosing the right hashtags, you can reach more people who are interested in your content. Whether you’re promoting your business, sharing your work, or trying to grow your following, the right hashtags are key.
Want to make managing your social media even easier? SocialBee helps you manage your social media accounts and hashtags with ease. Start your free 14-day SocialBee trial and watch your engagement and audience grow.
