How to Add Hashtags to Instagram Reels

Adding hashtags to your Instagram Reels can feel like the final, tedious step before hitting Publish, but it's one of the most powerful things you can do to get your content discovered. This guide breaks down exactly how to add hashtags to your Reels, where to put them for the best results, and how to build a smart strategy that actually grows your reach. We’ll cover step-by-step instructions, how to find the right tags, and the common mistakes you need to avoid.

Why Hashtags Are Your Secret Weapon for Reels Growth

In a sea of endless scrolling, hashtags are the signposts that tell the Instagram algorithm what your Reel is about and who needs to see it. It’s not just about getting more views, it’s about getting the right views from people who are genuinely interested in your content, products, or services. Think of them as sorting labels that help Instagram’s algorithm do its job better.

Here’s how they work for you:

• Discovery: When a user follows or searches for a specific hashtag, your Reel has a chance to appear in their feed or on that hashtag’s page, even if they don’t follow you. This is your ticket to reaching a brand new audience.
• Categorization: Hashtags give Instagram critical context. A Reel tagged with #homedecorideas, #diyproject, and #apartmenttherapy tells the algorithm much more than a video with no tags. This helps Instagram show your content to users who have shown interest in similar topics.
• Community Building: Niche and branded hashtags connect you with like-minded users and customers. Using and encouraging others to use a unique hashtag like #YourBrandChallenge can rally your community around your content and create a sense of belonging.

Without hashtags, you're essentially creating content and hoping for the best. With a smart hashtag strategy, you're actively guiding your content toward the people who will love it most.

How to Add Hashtags to Reels: The Step-by-Step Guide

Adding hashtags is woven directly into the publishing process. Let's walk through it step-by-step so you know exactly where to go.

1. Create Your Reel: Open the Instagram app and create your Reel as you normally would. You can either film clips directly in the app or upload a pre-edited video from your camera roll. Add your audio, text, stickers, and any other creative elements.
2. Proceed to the Share Screen: Once you're done editing, tap "Next." This will take you to the final share screen where you write your caption, tag people, add a location, and more.
3. Write Your Caption: This is the primary and most effective place to add your hashtags. Type out the descriptive part of your caption first. This text should grab attention and provide context for your video.
4. Add Your Hashtags: After your main caption, type in your selected hashtags. You can start with the pound sign (#) and begin typing your word. Instagram will automatically suggest hashtags and show you the number of posts associated with each one, giving you an idea of its popularity.
   
   For a cleaner look, some creators add a few line breaks (by tapping the "Return" key) between the end of their caption and their list of hashtags. This tucks them neatly 'below the fold' so they don't clutter the initial view of your caption.
5. Publish Your Reel: Once your caption and hashtags are in place, adjust any other settings (like sharing to your feed) and tap "Share." That's it! Your Reel is live with hashtags ready to help it get discovered.

Should You Add Hashtags in the Caption or the First Comment?

You’ve probably seen some people add a long list of hashtags in the first comment immediately after posting. For years, this was a popular tactic to keep the caption looking clean. So, which method is better?

The verdict is clear: put your hashtags in the caption.

Adam Mosseri, the Head of Instagram, has officially stated that for content to be "found in Search, your keywords and hashtags should be in the caption, *not* the comments." If you want the algorithm to categorize your Reel and surface it on hashtag pages efficiently, the caption is the best and most reliable place to put your tags.

While hashtags in the comments may still offer some minimal functionality, you risk them not being picked up by the algorithm in time for that initial, critical push in visibility. Don't leave your reach to chance - stick with the caption.

Building a Smart Hashtag Strategy for Your Reels

Using hashtags effectively is more of an art than a science. Simply copying and pasting 30 viral tags won't get you very far. A strong strategy involves using a well-researched mix of hashtags tailored to your specific content, audience, and goals.

The Mix-and-Match Hashtag Formula

The best way to structure your hashtags is to think of them as a pyramid. You need a mix of broad, popular tags (the base) and specific, niche tags (the peak). This balanced approach helps you compete for visibility and attract the right kind of audience.

Here’s a breakdown of the types of hashtags to include:

1. Broad/Popular Hashtags (2-3 tags)

These are the high-volume tags with millions of posts. They give you a chance (albeit a small one) to go viral, but the competition is fierce. Your content might only appear at the top for a few seconds.

• Examples: #reels, #trending, #viralvideos, #explorepage, #interiordesign

2. Niche/Specific Hashtags (5-10 tags)

This is where the real magic happens. These hashtags are hyper-relevant to your specific content, industry, or community. They have lower volume but also much less competition, meaning you have a better chance of ranking highly and being seen by people who are actively looking for your type of content.

• Examples: #apartmentdecoratingideas, #smallbusinessmarketingtips, #glutenfreebaker, #torontovintagefinds

3. Branded or Campaign Hashtags (1-2 tags)

A branded hashtag is unique to your business. It’s a great way to build a library of your content and encourage user-generated content (UGC). It helps create a dedicated hub for your brand on Instagram.

• Examples: #postbaselife, #nikejustdoit, #yourbrandonlineworkshop

By blending these categories, you cover all your bases: you make a play for broad reach while ensuring you connect with a hyper-targeted, relevant audience.

How Many Hashtags Should You Use?

The maximum number of hashtags allowed on an Instagram post (including Reels) is 30. For a long time, the prevailing wisdom was to use all 30 to maximize your chances of getting seen. However, recent advice from Instagram suggests that quality is better than quantity. They now recommend using just 3 to 5 highly relevant hashtags.

But here’s the reality from social media managers in the trenches: the ideal number is often somewhere in the middle. Using only 3-5 tags can feel limiting and leaves potential discovery opportunities on the table. A more practical and effective approach is often using between 8 and 15 well-researched, hyper-relevant hashtags.

This provides the algorithm with plenty of context without appearing spammy. The bottom line? Test what works for your account. Start with 10-15 mixed tags and analyze your performance. Adjust your strategy based on what the data tells you.

How to Find the Best Hashtags for Your Content

Finding the right hashtags takes a bit of digging, but these methods will give you a solid list to start with:

• Use Instagram's Search Bar: Type a general keyword related to your Reel into the Instagram search bar and tap on "Tags." Instagram will show you a list of relevant hashtags and the number of posts for each. This is perfect for finding those valuable niche tags.
• Analyze Competitors and Similar Creators: Check out the accounts of other creators or brands in your niche who are getting good engagement on their Reels. What hashtags are they using? Don't copy them outright, but use their choices for inspiration and identify new potential tags for your own content.
• Look for Related Hashtags: When you search for a hashtag, Instagram's page will often suggest "related" tags right at the top. This is an easy way to move from a broad tag to more specific ones that your target audience might be following.
• See What's Paired with Trending Audio: If you're using a trending sound in your Reel, tap on the audio to see the top-performing videos that use it. Pay attention to the hashtags on those videos, they can give you clues about what's working with that particular trend.

Common Hashtag Mistakes You Should Avoid

A bad hashtag strategy can be worse than no strategy at all. Here are a few common pitfalls to steer clear of:

• Using Banned or Broken Hashtags: Sometimes, a hashtag gets flooded with inappropriate content and Instagram blocks it. Using a banned hashtag can severely limit your Reel's reach and may even flag your account. Before using a tag, search for it on Instagram. If the page shows no recent posts or a message saying it's against community guidelines, stay away.
• Using Irrelevant Hashtags: Tagging a cooking Reel with #fashioninspo just because it's popular will backfire. The algorithm is smart, it knows when users who see your Reel aren't engaging with it. This mismatch tells Instagram your content isn't relevant, which can hurt its performance.
• Reusing the Same List of Hashtags on Every Reel: It's tempting to find a list of 15 hashtags and copy-paste it onto every post. Don't do it! This can be seen as spammy behavior by the algorithm. More importantly, every Reel is slightly different and requires a tailored set of hashtags for best results. Keep a master list, but customize it for each video.

Final Thoughts

Hashtags are a fundamental tool for helping the right people discover your Instagram Reels. By placing them in your caption and building a thoughtful strategy that balances broad and niche tags, you give your content the best possible chance to grow its reach, find new followers, and build a stronger community.

At a certain point, managing unique hashtag sets for every Reel across multiple accounts can become a massive headache. That's why at Postbase, we built a modern scheduling tool that makes organizing and planning your content easy. Having a visual calendar allows you to plan out your content and customize captions and hashtags for each post without getting lost in spreadsheets, saving you hours and giving you a clear view of your entire strategy at a glance.