Hashtag is a metadata tag mostly used on social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and similar platforms. Hashtags are the social media equivalent of keywords. Just like keywords help you drive traffic to your website, the same way hashtags help you gain attention on social media platforms. 

Choosing the right combination can help you work around the various algorithms through the application of platform-specific SEO.

With millions of photos and videos posted to social media every day, having the right blend of hashtags can be the difference between driving traffic to your profile and getting lost in the noise.

How do hashtags help in expanding business

In terms of growing business using hashtags and driving people to your webpage or profile, relevance plays  a significant part. It's incredibly critical to do a little research and break down the market to find and use the right hashtag. This implies that if your substance is about cooking, at that point, you can't use #Foodlove. Rather, it'd be more fitting if you use #Cooking.

But the fact that these are prevalent hashtags makes your content less visible and dilutes your content's chances of getting featured. So the use of common hashtags is suitable to get high quality traffic but not specifically for promoting your brand.

To do so, you have to use your own company's name. This is the best way to promote your business and do marketing. It provides uniqueness to the Hashtag you are using and gives your brand identity on the Internet. This way, you can also gain significant control over traffic on the content you share using that Hashtag. It also makes the tracking part easier.

Another fantastic way to bring traffic to your website and content using Hashtag is to run a campaign. The most successful campaigns in recent times have been possible because of Hashtags. Using them on social media to run a campaign provides your content visibility, and more and more people become interested in it.

Now, that you know how hashtags help you in growing business, let's move on to  some effective hashtags that will help you drive traffic to your brand.

Different types of Photo and Video Hashtags

Challenge Hashtags

Photo and video challenges are nothing new. In fact we can find a whole dedicated section of challenge hashtags on instagram. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge went viral in 2014 and became one of the most effective non-profit campaigns of all time. Before social media became the all-encompassing cultural phenomenon it is today, the planking challenge of 2010 went viral before the word “viral” became a colloquialism. 

However, video and photo challenges are more popular than ever, thanks to the rise of Instagram and TikTok. These challenges always come with a catchy hashtag that sees millions of users over a few days. 

Brands and influencers should be ready to act when the opportunity to use a challenge hashtag arises. Whether it's #dollypartonchallenge or #fliptheswitch, taking advantage of the right hashtag can help expand your audience and boost your engagement. Furthermore, these challenges add a human side to businesses and invoke a sense of authenticity. 

Not sure which hashtag to use? Don't worry, simply visit hashtag generator and enter the word you want to get a hashtag for. And viola, you get hashtags for instagram, hashtags trending on twitter, hashtags youtube, hashtags for tiktok, hashtags for photography, and all kinds of hashtags best suited for you and your brand.

Trending Hashtags

Trending hashtags often go hand-in-hand with challenges. However, these hashtags are often used in conjunction with topical events, both locally and globally. A common example for fall 2020 would be hashtags about the US election.

The key thing to remember when using hashtags trending on instagram or hashtags trending on twitter,  is that you shouldn't try to hack them if your content is irrelevant. While your posts might get viewed in the feed, they won't spark a genuine connection. Use trending hashtags only when you have something to add to the conversation.

Daily Hashtags

The internet loves alliterations— words that start the same. One of the simplest ways to use hashtags to drive traffic to your profile is to partake in daily hashtag use. For example, there are some great hashtag ideas for taking selfies that tie into the daily hashtag trend, most notably #SelfieSaturday. Many businesses and personal brands will use #TipTuesday to share an engaging tidbit with a high re-share value.

Incorporate daily hashtags into your content calendar, finding a blend that works for you. These are also a great last-minute option to use when inspiration strikes. And if nothing else works, you can always find the perfect hashtag for you using hashtag generator.

Branded Hashtags

A branded hashtag is specific to your brand, tying into your company values and brand voice. Using this hashtag can help you engage in social listening to make data-driven marketing decisions and curate user-generated content (UGC). Branded hashtags help build customer loyalty and drive traffic to your profile through frequent use and referrals.

Having a branded hashtag is an effective way to expand your follower base. If one of your loyal audience members follows your hashtag, their followers will also receive a recommendation to check you out.

When creating a branded hashtag, try to avoid using your company name. Use your slogan or a simple phrase that resonates with your customer. For example, boxing studio Gloveworx uses #BecomeUnstoppable and #GetInTheRing as their branded hashtags. These both resonate with the brand and give insights into the core values of this fitness studio.

Source: Gloveworx

Industry Hashtags

Industry hashtags are broad, high-traffic hashtags that relate to your general area of focus. For example, an independent small business owner could use #entrepreneur. In fact, there are millions of people who own businesses who could use that tag. A self-employed hairdresser could use at least two industry hashtags: #entrepreneur and #hairstylist.

While these hashtags aren't effective for finding local customers, it can help tag your profile as a point of interest for followers who frequently interact with industry hashtags.

Niche Hashtags

Niche hashtags are honed in the version of industry hashtags. Using these hashtags best suited for your niche, you can clarify your target audience and drive the right people to your profile. For example, a photographer could niche down and use a #familyphotographer or #weddingphotographer hashtag. 

Niche hashtags have less competition and identify your area of expertise. These hashtags can help drive your ideal follower or customer to your profile, leading to a more engaged following and the potential for conversions.

Source: Natthaya Beatty Photography

Location Hashtags

Location hashtags are incredibly important for small businesses and influencers aiming to build a following in a specific area. These can also be used with niche and industry hashtags— #detroitweddingphotographer or #LAhairstylist, for example.

It's essential to use a few location hashtags in your mix, particularly if you build content around travel or hospitality. Potential customers will use these hashtags to find reputable local services, and they increase their chances of being re-shared.

Other Hashtags to Add

In addition to these specific hashtags, there are also other general relevant hashtags to include in your posts. These are the hashtags that pertain to your subject matter but don't fall under a specific umbrella. 

For example, suppose you have a fitness business. In that case, topics like #selfcare and #gymlife could help your photos and videos reach the right audience. Take some time to conduct keyword research by scanning what other hashtags your ideal followers, similar businesses, and your competition are using. Use these as guidelines to create a blend of hashtags best suited for your brand voice and marketing goals.

Prefer reading- On-Page SEO: 16 Critical Factors to mould your Webpage Perfectly.

High-Traffic Hashtags vs. Low-Traffic Hashtags

One of the common challenges businesses and influencers face when developing a hashtag mix is determining whether they should use high or low traffic hashtags. 

While using solely high-traffic hashtags has the potential to put your content in front of more people, it also presents a very limited window for someone to find you. Think of it this way: you and one million other people are using that hashtag at this moment. That means someone who isn't on Instagram or TikTok right now likely won't see it, as it will get bumped along the feed.

Conversely, using a low-traffic hashtag with fewer than 100,000 uses will narrow down the focus but leave you in a prominent position for longer. The solution? Use a blend of both.

Add 2-5 high-traffic hashtags and ten low-traffic hashtags across the various options. For example, your blend could include:

  • Two industry hashtags
  • Three niche hashtags
  • Two location hashtags
  • One daily hashtag
  • One branded hashtag
  • Six general relevant hashtags

By creating a blend of photo and video hashtags from the various categories, you can expand your reach and ensure your content gets in front of your ideal audience.

Tips for Using Hashtags to Drive Traffic

While these photo and video hashtags can help get your content in front of the right people, they aren't the be-all-end-all of connecting with an audience. 

Create high-quality content that your followers want to see and watch. Write compelling captions to go with your photo posts and use best practices when editing videos for the various platforms. Hashtags are a powerful tool for attracting an audience and driving them to your profile, but it's the content that will ultimately connect.

Remember to set aside time to review your insights and determine which hashtags attracted your audience. Use these insights to shape your strategy going forward. With ample research, time, and dedication, you'll find the right hashtags for your photo and video content.

Prefer reading- Great Instagram Marketing Tips you have no rights to ignore

Frequently Asked Questions

When choosing hashtags for your pictures on social media, focus on relevancy and audience targeting. Use industry-specific, location-based, trending, and branded hashtags where appropriate. Consider content type, niche communities, and emotional hashtags to engage with users effectively. Tailor your hashtag use to each social media platform's best practices to increase the discoverability of your pictures.

Hashtags can increase likes on social media posts. When you use relevant and trending hashtags, you make your content discoverable to a wider audience. This increases the chances of more people seeing your posts, which, in turn, can lead to more likes and engagement. However, it's essential to use hashtags that are relevant to your content and target audience for the best results.

The ideal number of hashtags to use depends on the social media platform. On Instagram, you can use up to 30 hashtags, but a mix of highly relevant and popular ones works best. On Twitter, 1 to 2 hashtags are typically enough. Facebook and LinkedIn generally benefit from 1 to 5 relevant hashtags. Quality and relevance are more important than quantity, so choose your hashtags carefully to improve discoverability without making your posts appear spammy.

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