About a year ago, I scrolled back through some of the earliest pictures I’d posted on my Instagram account. I noticed that I hadn’t used hashtags on any of those earlier posts and in a moment of boredom, I added a few applicable hashtags to several pictures.
What followed next was quite surprising. When I first posted this picture, I simply captioned it, “Say hi to Cody!” Poor Cody only got one or two likes because at the time I had just a few Instagram followers and they were the only ones who saw the picture. Once I edited the post to add the following hashtags, the post became more widespread and six more groups of people were able to see Cody’s happy face.
- #DogsOfInstagram
- #Husky
- #HuskiesOfInstagram
- #HuskyLove
- #dog
- #snow
The love for Cody flowed and he immediately got several more likes, showing the power of the hashtag. Each hashtag assigned to a photo, puts into a group of like pictures with the same hashtag. People browsing through Instagram’s hashtags will see your picture even if they don’t follow you.
Using popular hashtags is a great way to get your picture in front of many more sets of eyes. When someone sees your picture and likes the quality, style, activity, etc. they’re likely to come visit your feed and might even decide to follow you, especially if they engage in the same types of activities you enjoy and share.
Because it can be time consuming to type several hashtags when I post pictures, I’ve organized my hashtags in the Notes app on my phone. Currently, I have my hashtags organized into:
- General Running
- Winter Running
- Running in Southwestern Virginia
- Hiking
- Christmas
- Virginia Tech Football
- Outer Banks
- Ragnar
Once I’ve picked the picture I want to post, I write my caption, and then copy and paste the appropriate set of hashtags. I quickly scan the hashtags to make sure they’re all applicable for that picture. For example, if I happened to take the running picture with my iPhone (something I rarely do), I don’t want to use the GoPro hashtag already included in my running hashtags.
For more visibility, I use hashtags that are frequented more often; however, sometimes it’s fun to make up hashtags that bring out a fun point about the picture even if it’s a hashtag never used before.
Some of my favorite running hashtags include:
- #RunnerGirl
- #RunHappy
- #RiseAndRun
- #GetOutAndMove
- #RunerProblems
- #RunnerFuel
- #InstaRunner
- #LoveTheRun
- #RunnerFriends
- #RunnerFriendsAreTheBestFriends
Some of my other favorite general upbeat fitness type hashtags include:
- #LifeIsGood
- #OptOutside
- #FunTimes
- #FindYourStrong
- #BeatYesterday
When I want to identify my picture by the type of camera used when taking the picture, I’ll might use:
- #GoPro
- #Hero5
- #iPhonePhoto
- #Canon
If you’re not already using hashtags, tagging your posts with popular hashtags is an easy way to get more people to see your Instagram pictures. Now it’s your turn to help me out, please answer the following questions so I can learn what hashtags I’m missing out on using!
- Questions:
- Are you on Instagram? If so, what’s your handle? ~ I’m @debrunsfit
- What are your favorite hashtags?
- What hashtags am I missing?
- What’s the silliest or funniest hashtag you’ve used?
Thanks for sharing these!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…5 Simple Ways to Ditch Sugar
HaHa! This posted before I was anywhere nearly finished with it. I’d started it and then saved it to finish and publish later, only to forget all about it. It’s back on the drawing board to finish and “re-publish” soon! 😀
I picked up a few hints from your post, a great idea to create a note with popular hashtags! I already follow you on Instagram and I’m on @debs__world https://instagram.com/debs__world
My favourite hashtags are #icandothis #outforarun #womensealth # Midlifefitness #healthywomen and my funniest one I’ve used is #mynameonvegemitejar and #icansmileunderwater
Thanks again from one Deb to another.
Deb 🙂
Yes, I already follow you! I didn’t realize you’re recently retired until your post today. That’s so awesome! 🙂
P.S. I just might steal a couple of your hashtags! 😀
the power of the hashtag is real! I am still trying to balance using enough hashtags and using too many hashtags . My faves are #runnerfriendsarethebestfriends #motherrunners #momstrong
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Spring Veggie Fried Rice-Vegetarian Meatless Monday
I probably use too many hashtags, and that’s one reason I put the majority in the comments so it doesn’t overpower the caption. I guess I don’t think of the mom hashtags because my sons are so much older…
Great post. I rarely use hashtags but I guess I should. The one I use the most is probably #BayleeGirl so I can keep track of all my dog pics. I never really thought about other people searching for them. My IG is @fairytalesnfit. I do think we follow each other.
Yes, we follow each other and I love seeing pictures of your Baylee Girl! 😀
I love #hashtags, but it took me awhile to figure them out LOL I have a few main ones I use a lot, and always try to mix in a few fun ones (to see if anyone’s actually reading them). That’s a great idea to have them categorized & saved!
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Shall we tame the Lion?
Glad I could pass along a little hashtag organizational tip! 😀
I too have learned the power of hashtags! Some of my favorites are my mantras. I also use yoga hashtags with my yoga posts and that’s gotten me a lot of new traffic from a whole other source! When I post pics of Cocoa, I use cocker spaniel hashtags.
Instagram has been a lot of fun for me!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Are You a Raceplanner? Or a Racecrastinator?
You post the best yoga pictures!
Thank you for the tip.
I don’t use much hashtags but this post helps me to improve them.
“What hashtags am I missing?” Maybe some references to the running equipment you use.
I like to use #PolarM400 and #RunKeeper but I think I should be more consistent – sometimes I use hashtags, sometimes not, other times I use English based hashtags, other times I use portuguese based ones…
“What’s the silliest or funniest hashtag you’ve used?” #CoisasQueEuEncontroNasMinhasCorridas which means: #ThingsIFoundDuringMyRuns. I like to take a photo during my runs and publish it in Instagram under that portuguese based hashtag.
Your post will help me organize some hashtags to use from now on.
Thank you very much!
Cool – I’m glad I could help get your hashtags organized. Keeping them on my notes app was actually my husbands idea. I like #ThingsI FoundDuringMyRun. I might have to borrow that sometime. I do sometimes use #SeenOnMyRun, but usually use that for pretty skylines or lakes, or something like that.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
#Why #not #hashtag #everything!! #It’s #more #fun #that #way #morefun #hastageverything #awsome #goodcoffee!!
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