Where to put hashtags on Instagram

You can add hashtags in three places on Instagram: in the caption when you post a photo or video, in the first comment right after posting, or in your Instagram Stories. Hashtags in the caption appear immediately when someone views your post. Hashtags in the first comment work the same way but keep your caption cleaner if you want to use many tags. Stories let you add hashtags as stickers that sit on top of your image or video.

The most common approach is putting hashtags directly in your caption. Instagram shows them as clickable links, and people can tap them to see other posts with the same tag. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post, though Instagram's algorithm may reduce your post's reach if you use all 30 — most accounts see better results with 5 to 15 relevant tags.

Key Takeaways

  • Type a hashtag by writing the # symbol followed by a word or phrase with no spaces, like #SummerVacation or #FoodPhotography.
  • Hashtags work in captions, in your first comment after posting, and as stickers in Stories — each location works the same way.
  • Mix popular hashtags (millions of posts) with niche ones (thousands of posts) so your content reaches both broad and specific audiences.
  • Instagram suggests hashtags as you type; tapping one adds it to your post and shows you how many posts use that tag.

How to type a hashtag

A hashtag starts with the # symbol immediately followed by letters, numbers, or underscores — no spaces. Type #VacationMode or #NYC2024, not # Vacation Mode. Instagram will not recognize it as a hashtag if there is a space after the #.

As you type, Instagram shows you suggestions below the text box. These suggestions include hashtags you have used before and popular tags related to what you are typing. Tap any suggestion to add it to your post. If you do not see the tag you want, finish typing it yourself and it will still work.

You can add hashtags anywhere in your caption — at the beginning, middle, or end. Many people put them at the end to keep the caption readable, but Instagram treats them the same no matter where they appear.

Adding hashtags to Stories

Stories use hashtags as stickers rather than text. Open a Story you have created, tap the sticker icon (a square smiley face) at the top of the screen, and select the hashtag sticker. Type the hashtag you want — for example, #MondayMotivation — and it will appear as a clickable sticker on your Story.

You can resize, rotate, or move the hashtag sticker around your Story the same way you move any other sticker. The hashtag will be visible to anyone who views your Story, and they can tap it to see other Stories and posts using that tag. Stories with hashtags may also appear in the hashtag feed if Instagram's system picks them up.

Choosing hashtags that reach the right people

The best hashtags for your post depend on what you are sharing and who you want to see it. A hashtag with millions of posts (like #Photography) reaches a huge audience but your post will disappear quickly in the feed. A hashtag with thousands of posts (like #VintageFilmPhotography) reaches fewer people but your post stays visible longer.

Use a mix of both. Pick one or two very popular hashtags to cast a wide net, several medium-sized hashtags related to your niche, and a few smaller, very specific tags. If you photograph vintage cameras, you might use #Photography (popular), #VintageCamera (medium), and #Pentax67 (specific). This strategy helps you reach people browsing broadly and people looking for exactly what you posted.

Look at posts similar to yours and see which hashtags they use. If a post with your type of content has thousands of likes, the hashtags on that post probably work well. You can also search a hashtag before using it to see how many posts use it and what kind of content appears.

Hashtags in captions versus the first comment

Putting hashtags in your caption and putting them in your first comment produce the same result — people can still find and tap them. The difference is appearance. A caption full of hashtags can look cluttered, so some accounts put all their hashtags in a comment instead.

To use the comment method, write your caption without hashtags, post the photo, then immediately comment on your own post with all your hashtags. You must comment within the first few minutes so the hashtags are visible when people first see your post. Instagram treats hashtags in comments the same as hashtags in captions, so reach and visibility are identical.

What happens when you use a hashtag

When you add a hashtag to a post or Story, Instagram adds your content to that hashtag's feed. Anyone who taps the hashtag or searches for it will see your post or Story along with thousands or millions of others using the same tag. The newer your post, the higher it appears in that hashtag feed — at least at first.

Instagram's algorithm also considers how many people engage with your post. If your photo gets likes and comments quickly, it may stay visible in the hashtag feed longer and appear higher up. Posts that get little engagement drop down the feed faster, even if they were posted recently.

Hashtags you should avoid

Some hashtags are banned or "shadowbanned" by Instagram, meaning posts using them get reduced visibility. These are usually hashtags associated with spam, adult content, or illegal activity. Avoid hashtags that seem unrelated to your post just to get more views — Instagram's system detects this and may lower your post's reach.

Do not use the same set of hashtags on every post. Repeating identical hashtags repeatedly can signal spam to Instagram's algorithm. Change your hashtag selection based on what you are actually posting. If you use the same 30 hashtags on 50 different posts, your account may be flagged as low-quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use hashtags in my Instagram bio?

Hashtags in your bio do not work as clickable links — they appear as plain text. If you want people to find your posts through hashtags, use them in captions and Stories instead. You can mention a hashtag in your bio to encourage followers to search for it, but it will not automatically link to that hashtag feed.

How many hashtags should I use?

Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but most accounts see better results with 5 to 15. Using all 30 can make your account look spammy and may actually reduce your reach. Start with 10 to 15 relevant hashtags and adjust based on what gets you engagement.

Do hashtags work differently on Reels versus regular posts?

Hashtags work on Reels the same way they work on photos and videos — you add them in the caption and people can tap them to see related content. Reels may get more visibility from hashtags because Instagram's algorithm actively promotes Reels, so your hashtag strategy can be the same across all post types.

What if I misspell a hashtag?

If you misspell a hashtag, it still works as a hashtag — it just connects to the misspelled version instead of the popular version. For example, #Photograpy (missing the second 'o') is a different hashtag from #Photography. Your post will only appear when people search for the exact spelling you used, so double-check before posting.