Hashtags categorize your content and make it discoverable to people who aren't following you yet. A strategic hashtag approach can significantly expand your reach.
Hashtag Categories
- Broad (1M+ posts): High competition, huge potential reach. Example: #photography
- Medium (100K–1M posts): Good balance of reach and discoverability. Example: #mobilephotography
- Niche (10K–100K posts): Lower competition, highly targeted audience. Example: #iphonephotographytips
- Branded: Your own unique hashtag for community building
The Ideal Mix
Use 3–5 hashtags per post (especially on TikTok and Reels) with a mix of sizes:
- 1–2 broad hashtags for maximum potential reach
- 1–2 medium hashtags for realistic discoverability
- 1–2 niche hashtags for targeted audience
Hashtag Research
- Search hashtags in your niche and note their size
- Check which hashtags top creators in your niche use
- Look at the "Related hashtags" suggestions
- Track which hashtags drive the most reach to your posts
Common Mistakes
- Using only massive hashtags (too competitive)
- Using irrelevant trending hashtags (hurts credibility)
- Using the same hashtags on every post (looks spammy)