How to Add Topics on Instagram

Adding topics to your Instagram Reels is one of the most direct ways to tell the platform’s algorithm who needs to see your content. This simple step can dramatically increase your visibility and connect you with a highly engaged audience eager for your specific content. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add topics on Instagram, the strategy behind choosing the right ones, and how this feature fits into a winning content plan.

What Exactly Are Instagram Topics and Why Do They Matter?

Think of Instagram Topics as a direct line of communication with the algorithm. When you upload a Reel, you can select up to three categories that accurately describe your video's subject matter. By doing this, you're not just hoping the right people stumble upon your content, you're actively helping Instagram place it in front of users who have already shown a clear interest in those subjects. This moves you beyond passive discovery and into the realm of strategic distribution.

The goal is to stop serving your content to a general audience and start targeting super-fans - the people most likely to watch, like, comment, and follow. For example, if you post a video about a new vegan pasta recipe, choosing "Cooking," "Vegan cooking," and "Recipes" as your topics tells Instagram to show it to foodies, home cooks, and people specifically interested in plant-based diets. The result? Better engagement, longer watch times, and a higher chance of your Reel getting recommended across the platform.

How Are Topics Different from Hashtags?

It's easy to see Topics and hashtags as the same thing, but they serve different functions that work together beautifully.

• Hashtags are user-facing discovery tools. People can search for them, follow them, and browse content under a specific tag. They are great for broad discoverability and connecting with communities (e.g., #travelblogger, #sourdoughbaking).
• Topics are a backend signal for the algorithm. They are less about community search and more about machine learning and audience categorization. You're telling Instagram's system, "This content belongs in this bucket," and the system then finds users who it knows are interested in that bucket's contents.

Using both is the smart move. Your topics give Instagram the core direction, while hashtags add layers of context and community.

How to Add Topics on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

The process of adding topics is incredibly straightforward and takes just a few seconds. Once you get into the habit, it will become a natural part of your posting workflow. Here’s exactly how to do it.

1. Film or Upload Your Reel: Create your Reel as you normally would, adding your edits, audio, and text overlays. When you're finished, tap "Next" to move to the final share screen.
2. Find the "Add Topics" Option: On the share screen - where you write your caption and tag people - scroll down. You will see an option labeled "Add Topics" located just below "Add Location" and above "Advanced Settings."
3. Open the Topics Menu: Tap on "Add Topics." This will bring up a searchable list of available categories and subcategories, from "Fashion and beauty" to "Animals" to "Science and tech."
4. Select Your Three Categories: Browse through the list or use the search bar to find the most relevant topics for your video. You can select up to three topics. Once you select a category, a checkmark will appear next to it on the right.
5. Save Your Selections: After choosing your topics, tap the blue "Done" button at the top right of the screen. You'll be taken back to the share screen, and the topics you selected will now be listed.
6. Share Your Reel: Finish writing your caption, add relevant hashtags, tag any accounts, set your location, and confidently hit that "Share" button.

That's it! Instagram will now use that information to start distributing your Reel to the most interested audiences.

Choosing the Right Topics: Strategy and Best Practices

Simply knowing how to add topics isn't enough. The real power comes from choosing them strategically. Picking irrelevant or overly broad topics can do more harm than good. Follow these best practices to make your selections count.

1. Be Specific and Relevant

Always prioritize accuracy. The more precise your topics are, the better the algorithm can match your content with the right viewer. If you just demonstrated an advanced yoga pose, don't just pick "Health." Go for more specific topics like "Yoga," "Fitness," or "Wellness." The goal is to connect with people who are deeply interested in the very thing your video is about, not just casually curious.

• Good Example: For a Reel showing how to repot a monstera plant, choose "Home &, Garden," "Gardening," and "Plants."
• Bad Example: Choosing "DIY," "Aesthetics," and "Hobbies" - these are too vague and don't signal what the Reel is actually about.

2. Think Like Your Target Audience

Put yourself in the shoes of the person you want to attract. What topics are they actively following or showing interest in? If you're a photographer sharing behind-the-scenes editing tips for landscape photos, your ideal follower is likely interested in "Photography," "Photo editing," and "Nature." Aligning your topics with your audience's interests creates a powerful signal that your content is what they're looking for.

3. Combine Broad and Niche Topics

A great strategy is to pick a mix of topics that cast both a wide and a targeted net. Start with one broader category to establish the general theme, then add one or two more specific, niche topics to hone in on your ideal viewer.

• Video Example: A tutorial on making handmade clay earrings.
• Broad Topic: "Arts and Crafts" (Reaches a large group of creative people).
• Niche Topics: "Jewelry Making," "DIY Fashion" (Targets people specifically looking for this solution).

This approach gives Instagram enough context to understand both the overarching category and the specific sub-interest your Reel serves.

4. Don't Trivialize the Feature

Avoid the temptation to pick popular but irrelevant topics just to attract eyeballs. Instagram’s algorithm is sophisticated, it analyzes the pixels in your video, the audio you use, and the text in your caption. If you categorize a dance video under "Personal Finance," the algorithm will quickly detect the mismatch. The viewers it's shown to won't engage, signaling to Instagram that the content isn't a good fit, and its reach will be restricted. Authenticity and relevance are always the winning formula.

5. Stay Consistent with Your Niche

Using topics consistently helps solidify your account's authority on a particular subject. If you consistently post content about sustainable living and tag your Reels with relevant topics like "Sustainability" and "Eco-friendly," you're teaching the algorithm to recognize you as a creator in that space. Over time, Instagram will be more likely to recommend your account and content to anyone showing interest in that niche.

Troubleshooting: Can't Find the "Add Topics" Option?

If you're scrolling through the share screen and don't see the "Add Topics" button, don't worry. Here are a few common reasons why it might be missing and what you can do:

• Update Your App: The most common reason is an outdated version of the app. Head to the App Store or Google Play Store and make sure your Instagram application is fully updated.
• It's Only for Reels: Remember, the "Add Topics" feature is currently exclusive to Instagram Reels. It is not available for single photo posts, carousels, or Stories.
• Gradual Rollouts: Instagram often rolls out new features in phases, either based on region or account type. If your app is up to date, it's possible the feature just hasn't reached your account yet. Be patient, as it should appear soon.
• Business or Creator Account: While the feature is widely available now, these kinds of tools are almost always prioritized for Business and Creator accounts. If you're still using a Personal account, switching over is a good idea for this and many other analytical benefits.

Beyond the Button: Tying Topics into Your Overall Content Strategy

Adding topics shouldn't be an afterthought, it should be an integral part of your content strategy from the very beginning. Instead of just picking them at the end, use them as a guide for your planning.

Take some time to look through Instagram's available topics list. What categories align with your brand, niche, and audience? You can use these categories to brainstorm your content pillars - the core themes you create content around. By planning your Reels with these high-level topics in mind, you can build a more cohesive and discoverable content library that continuously attracts the right kind of followers.

Analyze which topics perform best. Does a Reel tagged with "Small Business Tips" get more engagement than one tagged with "Entrepreneurship"? Use these insights from your Instagram Analytics to double down on what works and refine your content direction.

Final Thoughts

Using Instagram Topics is a small action with a big impact. By taking a few extra seconds to select three relevant categories for your Reels, you give the algorithm clear instructions on who your audience is. This leads to better discovery, higher-quality engagement, and more sustainable growth from followers who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.

Consistency is where the magic happens, and managing content themes, topics, and schedules can quickly become chaotic. At Postbase, we designed our visual content calendar to solve this exact problem. It allows you to plan your Reels - and the topics you'll pair with them - far in advance, giving you a clear, bird's-eye view of your entire strategy. This transforms topic selection from a last-minute task into a foundational part of a well-organized workflow, helping you build a stronger presence on social media.