How to Get More Likes on Instagram Hashtags

Using the right Instagram hashtags can feel like trying to guess a secret password. You know it’s the key to getting your content seen, but finding the right combination can be frustrating. This guide skips the guesswork and gives you a clear strategy for choosing hashtags that actually attract more likes and engagement by connecting your content with the people who will genuinely appreciate it.

Myth-Busting: What Hashtags Actually Do

Before building a hashtag strategy, it’s important to understand what they’re really for. The most common mistake is believing that hashtags are just for a quick burst of likes. While they can contribute to that, their true purpose is discovery and categorization. Think of a hashtag as a label you put on your content. When someone searches for or follows that label, Instagram shows them your post.

The goal isn’t to chase any likes, it’s to get your content in front of a relevant audience - the people most likely to engage because your post is exactly what they’re looking for. A like from a highly targeted follower who might become a loyal fan or customer is far more valuable than a random like from a bot. More reach to the right audience leads to more authentic engagement, which in turn leads to more likes.

The Problem With Using Only Popular Hashtags

You’ve seen the giant hashtags: #love (2 billion+ posts), #instagood (1.5 billion+), #fashion (1 billion+). It's tempting to use them, thinking you’ll tap into that massive audience. In reality, it does the opposite.

Imagine shouting into a stadium filled with a million other people shouting at the same time. That’s what it's like using a hugely popular hashtag. Your post appears in that hashtag’s feed for a fraction of a second before being buried by thousands of other new posts. The competition is so stiff that your content is virtually invisible, meaning no relevant audience will ever see it. Chasing popular hashtags is often the biggest reason why an otherwise great hashtag strategy fails.

The Three-Tier Hashtag Strategy: Your Blueprint for Success

The most effective way to approach hashtags is with a balanced, tiered system. Instead of grabbing random tags, you’ll be creating a strategic mix that balances broad reach with targeted visibility. We'll break this down into three categories based on the volume of posts associated with them.

Tier 1: Niche & Community Hashtags (Under 50,000 Posts)

These are the foundation of your strategy. Niche hashtags are hyper-relevant to your specific content, community, or location. They are highly targeted and have a much smaller, but more dedicated, following.

• Why they work: With less competition, your post has a much higher chance of appearing in the "Top" section of the hashtag feed. Users who follow or search for these niche tags are deeply interested in the topic. Getting their attention means getting quality engagement from an audience that truly cares.
• How to find them: Get specific! Think about what makes your content unique. Are you a vegan baker in Austin? Instead of #vegan, try #austinvegan or #veganbakingaustin. Are you a photographer who shoots film? Skip #photography and use #filmphotographyinla or #kodakportra400shooter.
• Examples:
  • For a local cafe: #clarencoffeechicago, #chicagocoffeeshops, #logansquareeats
  • For a digital artist: #procreateillustration, #ipadartists, #characterdesignersoninstagram
  • For a fitness coach: #kettlebellhiitworkout, #functionalfitnesscoach, #athomeworkoutforwomen

Aim for around 10-15 of these niche hashtags per post. They will be your most powerful tools for building a community.

Tier 2: Topic Hashtags (50,000 to 500,000 Posts)

These hashtags move from super-specific communities to broader topics. They're still relevant to your content but describe it in a more general way. They help you reach an audience that is interested in your subject matter but might not be a part of your specific niche just yet.

• Why they work: These tags provide a good balance between reach and relevance. You have a chance of being seen by a wider audience, gaining some sustained visibility in the "Recent" posts feed without being instantly buried.
• How to find them: Brainstorm keywords related to your content pillar. If your niche tag was #austinveganbaking, your topic tags could be #veganbakingrecipes, #plantbaseddesserts, or #dairyfreecakes. You can find these by looking at what similar accounts are using or by typing a keyword into Instagram's search bar and looking at the suggested tags.
• Examples:
  • For a local cafe's latte art post: #latteartgram, #coffeeculture, #baristadaily
  • For a digital artist's new piece: #digitalpainting, #characterart, #illustratorsonInstagram
  • For a fitness coach's workout video: #hiitworkout, #kettlebelltraining, #fullbodyfitness

Try to include around 5-10 of these broader topic hashtags in your mix.

Tier 3: Broad & Popular Hashtags (500,000+ Posts)

This is the category you should approach with the most caution. As we discussed, these hashtags have immense competition. However, when used sparingly and strategically, they can still serve a purpose.

• Why they work (sometimes): For a very brief period, your post gets exposed to a massive audience volume. If your content is exceptionally compelling and gets immediate engagement from your followers, the algorithm might give it a temporary boost in that huge feed. It’s a long shot, but it can happen.
• How to find them: These are the obvious, one-word tags related to your industry. You likely already know them. Think #travel, #food, #art, #fitness, #marketing.
• How to use them correctly: Use no more than 2-3 of these per post. Think of them as lottery tickets. They probably won't hit, but for the minimal effort, it’s worth including one or two just in case. They should *never* be the core of your strategy.

Practical Tips for Hashtag Implementation

Knowing which hashtags to use is half the battle. Knowing how to implement them effectively is the other half. Here are some actionable tips to put your new strategy into practice.

Where to Put Your Hashtags: Caption vs. First Comment

This is a long-standing debate with a simple answer: it doesn’t matter to the algorithm. Instagram has confirmed that hashtags are equally effective whether they’re in the caption or in the first comment. The choice is purely about aesthetics.

• In the Caption: Some creators like keeping everything in one place. To avoid a cluttered caption, you can use line breaks (dots, emojis, or dashes on separate lines) to push your block of hashtags down, so they're hidden behind the "more..." button.
• In the First Comment: Many prefer this method because it keeps the caption clean and focused on the key message. If you do this, be sure to post the comment immediately after your content goes live. Any delay could mean missing the initial window of discovery.

Experiment with both and see which one feels better for your brand's style.

Create "Hashtag Sets" for Your Content Pillars

Searching for 25+ relevant hashtags every single time you post is exhausting. To streamline your workflow, create "hashtag sets" for each of your main content themes or pillars.

For example, a home decor content creator might have pillars for:

• DIY Projects: A set of tags like #diyhomedecor, #ikeahacks, #diytutorial, #budgetdecor, etc.
• Room Makeovers: A set with #roommakeover, #beforeandafterhome, #interiordesigninspiration, #livingroomideas, etc.
• Thrifted Finds: A set that includes #thriftdecor, #secondhandstyle, #vintagehomewares, #homegoodsfinds, etc.

You can store these sets in a notes app, a spreadsheet, or a social media management tool. When you're ready to post, just copy the relevant set and give it a quick review to swap out 2-3 tags to keep it fresh and specifically tailored to that day's post.

Analyze What’s Working (and What Isn’t)

Don't just set your hashtags and forget them. You need to know if your strategy is actually effective. The best way to do this is with Instagram's built-in analytics.

For any business or creator account, follow these steps:

1. Go to one of your recent posts.
2. Tap on "View Insights" below the image or video.
3. Scroll down to the "Impressions" section. This will show you exactly where the views on your post came from.

Look for the line item that says "From Hashtags." This number tells you how many people discovered your post through the tags you used. If this number is consistently high, your strategy is working. If it's low or zero, it’s a sign that your hashtags are too competitive or irrelevant, and it’s time to go back to the research phase and try a new mix.

Final Thoughts

Mastering Instagram hashtags is less about finding a magic list of tags and more about building a thoughtful, sustainable process. By using a tiered strategy that prioritizes niche communities, creating organized sets, and consistently analyzing your results, you move from guessing to knowing exactly what works for your audience.

We know that managing content pillars, custom captions, and tailored hashtag sets for every post can get complicated. At Postbase, we built our visual calendar and scheduling tools to make this entire process simpler. You can plan your content, customize each post across different platforms, and see your entire strategy in one place, which frees you up to focus on creating great content instead of wrestling with spreadsheets and notes apps.