How to Add a # to an Instagram Post

Using hashtags on your Instagram post can feel like a small step, but it’s one of the most effective ways to get your content discovered by people who don’t already follow you. Think of them as signposts that guide your ideal audience directly to your photos, Reels, and Stories. This guide will show you not only the simple mechanics of how to add hashtags but also the strategies for using them to actually grow your account.

The Mechanics: Exactly How to Add a Hashtag to Your Post

First, let's cover the absolute basics. Adding a hashtag is straightforward, and you have a few different opportunities to do it, both during and after you publish your content.

Adding Hashtags to a New Post (In the Caption)

This is the most common method. When you’re uploading a new photo, carousel, or Reel, you can add hashtags directly into the caption area.

• Step 1: Write Your Caption. After you’ve selected your media and applied any edits or filters, you’ll land on the final screen where you write your caption.
• Step 2: Add Your Hashtags. After your main caption text, type the hash symbol (#) followed immediately by your keyword or phrase with no spaces (e.g., #socialmediatips, not # social media tips). As you type, Instagram will suggest popular hashtags and show you how many posts are using them.
• Step 3: Publish Your Post. Tap "Share," and your post will go live with the caption and working hashtags included. Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post.

Adding Hashtags After Posting (In a Comment)

Some people prefer a cleaner caption and choose to post their hashtags in the first comment immediately after publishing. This method works just as well for reach and discoverability.

• Step 1: Publish Your Post. Create and share your post with just the caption, leaving the hashtags out for now.
• Step 2: Immediately Add a Comment. As soon as the post is live, tap the comment bubble icon below your photo or video.
• Step 3: Paste or Type Your Hashtags. In the comment field, type or paste your list of up to 30 hashtags and post the comment. Your content will now appear in the search results for those tags.

Editing or Adding Hashtags to an Existing Post

Did you forget a hashtag or notice a typo? No problem. You can easily go back and edit the caption of a post you've already published.

• Step 1: Navigate to Your Post. Find the post on your profile grid that you want to edit.
• Step 2: Open the Edit Menu. Tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of your post.
• Step 3: Select "Edit." This will reopen the caption field. You can now add new hashtags, remove old ones, or fix any mistakes.
• Step 4: Tap "Done" to Save. Your changes will be saved, and your post will be updated with the new set of hashtags.

Note: Keep in mind that posts get the most engagement and reach in the first few hours after they are published. While you can add hashtags later, they will be most effective if added immediately.

Adding Hashtags to Instagram Stories

Stories offer a different way to use hashtags for 24-hour visibility. You have two primary options:

• The Hashtag Sticker: After taking a photo or video for your Story, tap the sticker icon (the smiley face in a square) at the top of the editing screen. Select the "#HASHTAG" sticker. Type your tag and position it on the screen. You can only use one hashtag sticker per Story, but it stands out visually.
• The Text Tool: For more discretion or to use multiple hashtags (up to 10 are effective on Stories), use the regular text tool ('Aa'). Type out your hashtags just as you would in a caption. You can then pinch to make the text tiny and hide it under a GIF or another visual element if you don't want it to clutter your design.

Where Should You Put Your Hashtags? Caption vs. First Comment

This is one of the biggest debates in the Instagram marketing world, but the answer is getting clearer. Functionally, Instagram has stated there is no difference in performance whether your hashtags are in the caption or the first comment. Both methods work equally well for helping your content get discovered.

So, the choice comes down to aesthetics and personal preference:

Placing Hashtags in the Caption

• Pros: Everything is posted at once, ensuring your hashtags start working the second your content goes live. Some creators feel it looks more deliberate and transparent.
• Cons: A large block of 30 hashtags can make a caption look cluttered or spammy to some users, potentially distracting from your message or call-to-action.

Pro Tip: If you put hashtags in your caption, you can tuck them below the "more" button by adding a few line breaks after your main text. Use a period or a bullet point on each empty line to create space, pushing the hashtag block out of immediate view.

Placing Hashtags in the First Comment

• Pros: It keeps your caption clean and focused on your message. The visual presentation is minimalist and puts the spotlight entirely on your photo and caption.
• Cons: You have to be quick. For maximum effect, the comment needs to be posted immediately after the post goes live. This can add a small, sometimes inconvenient step to your publishing workflow.

Ultimately, do what works for you. Test both methods and see which one you prefer. The most important thing isn't where you put them, but which ones you use.

Finding the Right Hashtags: Your Strategy for Visibility

Adding hashtags is easy, adding the right hashtags is what makes the difference. Using a mix of different types and sizes of hashtags is the best approach for reaching a broad yet relevant audience. Think of it as creating a balanced portfolio of tags.

Understanding Hashtag Categories

A good strategy involves mixing hashtags from several categories:

1. Broad & High-Volume Tags (1M+ posts): These are tags like #digitalart, #fitnessmotivation, or #foodie. Your post will get a quick burst of visibility but may quickly get buried due to high competition. Use one or two to cast a wide net.
2. Niche & Mid-Volume Tags (100k-900k posts): These are more specific, like #procreateillustration, #garagegymlife, or #nycrestaurants. They connect you with a more targeted audience that is actively looking for content like yours. This is where you should focus most of your effort.
3. Community & Ultra-Niche Tags (10k-100k posts): Tags like #womenwhodraw or #brooklyncoffee are about finding your people. The audience is smaller but highly engaged, making these perfect for building a loyal community.
4. Branded Tags (#YourBrandName): This is a hashtag unique to your business, like #nike or a custom campaign tag like #shareacoke. Encourage your audience to use it to create a gallery of user-generated content.
5. Location-Based Tags: If you're a local business or creating content about a specific place, tags like #losangeleseats or #londonviews are powerful for attracting a local audience.

A smart mix might include 2-3 broad tags, 10-15 niche tags, 5-8 community tags, and 1-2 branded or location tags. Experiment to find your own perfect recipe.

How to Actually Research Good Hashtags

Finding the right hashtags requires a bit of detective work, but it’s easier than it sounds.

1. Use the Instagram Search Bar

Start simply. Go to the "Explore" page and type a keyword related to your post into the search bar. Tap on "Tags." Instagram will show you a list of related hashtags and their post volume. This is a foundational way to discover relevant and appropriately sized tags.

2. Analyze Your Competitors and Industry Leaders

Look at what successful accounts in your niche are doing. Check out the hashtags they use on their best-performing posts. Don’t just blindly copy their list - they might have a much larger following where broad hashtags work better. Instead, use their tags as inspiration to find new niche and community options that apply to you.

3. Create a Hashtag Bank

Don't reinvent the wheel every time you post. Use a notes app or a spreadsheet to create a "hashtag bank." Organize your researched hashtags by the categories mentioned above (broad, niche, etc.) or by content topics (e.g., "social media tips," "behind the scenes," "product launch"). This lets you easily grab a relevant, well-rounded mix of hashtags for each new post without starting from scratch.

Common Hashtag Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Avoid these common pitfalls to make sure your strategy works as intended:

• Using the same block of 30 hashtags on every post. Instagram may view this as spammy behavior. Always try to tailor your hashtags to the specific content of each post.
• Using banned or broken hashtags. Some hashtags have been flagged or disabled by Instagram due to inappropriate content. Using one can make your post invisible. A quick search for the tag will tell you if it's been restricted.
• Using irrelevant tags just because they're popular. Using #love on a business marketing post won’t attract your target audience and will signal to the algorithm that you don't understand the content you're sharing.
• Not researching a tag's meaning. Before using a clever or acronym-based hashtag, search for it to make sure the associated content is a good fit for your brand.

Final Thoughts

Adding a hashtag to your Instagram post is simple, but as you've seen, mastering a hashtag strategy goes much deeper. Effective hashtag use is about discoverability and community, connecting your valuable content with the audience that is actively looking for it. By being thoughtful and strategic, you can turn this small feature into a powerful engine for organic growth.

Juggling different hashtag sets and remembering which group goes with which content pillar can feel like a chore. That’s why we built our visual calendar in Postbase to make content planning simple. You can draft your posts, pair them with your curated hashtag lists, and see your entire strategy laid out for the weeks ahead. It helps streamline the process of scheduling high-quality content, so you can spend less time copying and pasting and more time engaging with the new audience you're reaching.