In Part 1 of my Instagram Tips series, three sure-fire tips were shared to grow the right following, the right way on Instagram. One of the methods was to use the correct hashtags for your audience. This week we're diving a little deeper into what specific hashtags will work best for you based on specific genre. Get your notes out and lets go!
Why Do Hashtags Matter?
They may not mean everything, but they do mean something. It's a piece of the puzzle to growing your audience on Instagram. Look at it as if you're advertising your work to the Instagram world. No one will know you exist unless you put your work out there at some capacity.
Hashtags Increase the Likelihood of Being Featured
In the Instagram world, there are a plethora of "Instagram Feature Pages," especially in the photography community. For example at Fstoppers, we have our very own feature page. Feature pages essentially act as a modern day magazine where quality content is congregated to one Instagram page for those to enjoy. The benefits of your work being featured on multiple of these pages are very beneficial. Your username is most likely tagged where other users can click and explore your work, which can exponentially translate into more followers.
What Makes A Good Hashtag?
The sum of posts posted under a specific hashtag does not mean that hashtag is the right hashtag for you. There are a number of factors: sum of posts, the quality of the content, and the engagement of a community. I find the more niche a hashtag is the better. Why? Because people searching these pages genuinely care about the content that is catered to them. They aren't spam bots buzzing through #vsco or #instamood which hold no value to anyone.
A good rule of thumb is to not post hashtags that contain over five million posts or so. That way your image will not be bogged down within seconds to a "black hole" of no return on that hashtag feed, because many users are posting that same hashtag at the same time as you. As a user, you want your image to be on the top of the hashtag feed as long as possible to those who are genuine enough to engage with you!
The Hashtag Guide
So here you have it! A complete list of hashtags handpicked for you to utilize when posting on Instagram, whatever your genre may be! You may find yourself mixing-and-matching some of these categories that best fit you. Remember, you're only allowed to use a maximum of 30 hashtags per post. With that being said, pull out your Notes app and get ready to copy and paste these hashtags!
Genre (# of Hashtags Provided)
General Photography (32)
#agameoftones #ig_masterpiece #ig_exquisite #ig_shotz #global_hotshotz #superhubs #main_vision #master_shots #exclusive_shots #hubs_united #jaw_dropping_shotz #worldshotz #theworldshotz #pixel_ig #photographyislifee #photographyislife #photographysouls #photographyeveryday #photographylover #worldbestgram #iglobal_photographers #ig_great_pics #ig_myshot #shotwithlove #justgoshoot #xposuremag #icatching #collectivelycreate #wanderlust #heatercentral #highsnobiety #shotzdelight
Portrait (30)
#portraits #portrait #portraits_ig #pixel_ig #portraiture #expofilm3k #portrait_perfection #portraitstyles_gf #snowisblack #portraits_universe #featurepalette #bleachmyfilm #portraitmood #featurepalette #rsa_portraits #makeportraits #profile_vision #top_portraits #life_portraits #postthepeople #quietthechaos #2instagood #way2ill #justgoshoot #artofvisuals #l0tsabraids #ftwotw #igPodium_portraits #ftmedd
Landscape (32)
#landscapephotography #landscapelover #landscape_captures #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #landscape_specialist #landscapeporn #getlost #landscapephotomag #ig_landscape #trapping_tones #ig_masterpiece #ig_podium #splendid_earth #gramslayers #agameoftones #optoutside #discoverearth #exploretheglobe #nakedplanet #places_wow
#earthfocus #ourplanetdaily #earthofficial #natgeo #nationalgeographic #awesome_earthpix
Animal/Wildlife/Nature (27)
#animal_captures #animals_in_world #splendid_animals #animals_captures #animal_fanatics #animalelite #animal_sultans #animal_sultans #wildlifephotography #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #wildlifephoto #wildlifelovers #earthfocus #wildlifeplanet #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeaddicts #natgeowild #natgeo #natgeohub #natgeowildlife #natgeopl #natgeowild_hd #natgeoru #natgeopix #wildlifeperfection
Astro (20)
#astrophotography #universetoday #milkyway #astrophoto #astrography #nightsky #nightscaper #starphotography #starscape #longexpo_additction ;#udog_sky #landscape_captures #awesomeearth #milkywaychasers #natgeospace #starrynight #longexposure #astro_photography_ #ic_longexpo #fs_longexpo
Automotive (13)
#carphotography #automotivephotography #carporn #carsofinstagram #carlovers #caroftheday #carswithoutlimits #cargram #carinstagram #carlifestyle #sportscars #madwhips #cargasm
Black & White (30)
#bwstylesgf #bnw_captures #bnw_universe #insta_bw #bwmasters #igfotogram_bw #excellent_bnw #igblacknwhite #blackandwhite_perfection #bnw_demand #bnwmood #bnw_planet #bnw_society #bnw_magazine #bnw_globe #bnw_of_our_world #top_bnw #bw_lovers #bw_photooftheday #bw_crew #bwstyleoftheday #noir_vision #bnw_diamond #flair_bw #rsa_bnw #bnw_life #bnw_guru #love_bnw #jj_blackwhite #bwsquare
Boudoir/Glamour (24)
#boudoirphotography #boudoirphotographer #boudoirshoot #boudoirinspiration #boudoirphotos #beautyandboudoir #boudoir #implied #impliedmagazine #uncoverme #uncoveredmagazine #nakidmag #forguysmag #fusemagazineonline #sensual_ladies #sensualdays #great_captures_sensual #igf_sensual2 #sensual_guru #ig_sensual_art #glamourshots #modelsofinstagram #glamourshot #glamourmodel
Our Special Offer
Before you check out the rest of these hashtags, I want to share with you one of the most comprehensive guides to photography we have ever built. Recently Fstoppers teamed up with the top 8 photography instructors we have worked with in the past to produce The Well-Rounded Photographer. This crazy 13 hour tutorial explores the most popular genres of photography and puts you side by side with eight of the world's most followed photographers.
If you are interested in photography and simply want to explore other genres of photography OR master one specific genre, this tutorial could be for you. Check out the Well-Rounded Photographer and other photography based tutorials in the Fstoppers Store.
Use discount code "hashtags" to save 15% on this photography masterclass today!
Drone (24)
#dronephotography #droneoftheday #dronestagram #dronesdaily #dronefly #dronegear #drone #mavic #dji #quadcopter #djiphantom3 #uas #dronelife #dronebois #aerialphotography #phantom3 #phantom2 #phantom4 #droneporn #djiglobal #djiphantom #fromwhereidrone #natgeoworld #natgeotravel
Fashion (20)
#fashionphotographer #fashionshoot #fashioneditorial #fashionmagazine #fashionmodel #fashionph #vogue #fashiongram #fashiondiaries #topmodel #modeloftheday #modelfashion #modelsworld #testshoot #testshoots #newface #facesobsessed #endlessfaces #highfashion
Film (23)
#filmphotography #filmisnotdead #35mm #ishootfilm #35mmfilm #filmcamera #staybrokeshootfilm #believeinfilm #buyfilmnotmegapixels #istillshootfilm #filmisalive
#shotonfilm #filmcommunity #grainisgood #keepfilmalive #filmfeed #thirtyfivefuckingmillimeter #analogue #analoguevibes #analog #analogfeatures #analogphotography
Fine Art (18)
#fineartphotography #finearephotographer #conceptualphotography #fineartportrait #artisticphotography #emotive #artisoninstagram #of2humans #capturedconcepts #visualsoflife #l0tsabraids #featuremeofh #pixel_ig #marvelshot #whyconcept #forbiddenart #visualcreators #visualsgang
Food (27)
#feedfeed #thefeedfeed #huffposttaste #foodie_features #foodoftheday #foodpost #foodaddict #foodlife #foodinsta #foodgram #chefsofinstagram #cheflife #chefsroll #buzzfeast #hautecuisines #gloobyfood #beautifulcuisines #f52grams #foodgawker #foods4thought #foodblogfeed #todayfood #tastingtable #thekitchen #onthetable
Music (13)
#concertphoto #concertphotographer #musicphoto #musicphotography #gigphotography #livemusicphotography #onstage #ontour #bestmusicshots #liveauthentic #shows #musiclover #musicblogger
Sports (9)
#sportsphotography #sportphotography #maxpreps #sportphoto #championship #sportsman #sportphotographer #mondaymotivation #actionphotography
Street/Urban (41)
#killyourcity #citykillerz #illgramers #way2ill #agameoftones #urbex #createexplore #exploretocreate #streetactivityteam #streetdreamsmag #neverstopexploring #featuremeinstagood #igersone #shoot2kill #streetshared #streetmobs #urbanphotography #streetphotography #streetexploration #urbanandstreet #imaginatones #streettogether #streetmagazine #streetmobs #peopleinsquare #moodygrams #illgrammers #instamagazine #twgrammers #shotaroundmag #illkillers #killergrams #superhubs #urbanromantix #livefolk #shotaward #_heater #yngkillers #shotzdelight #1stinstinct #heatercentral
Travel (37)
#getlost #explorer #optoutside #worldshotz #theworldshotz #createexplore #exploretocreate #discoverearth #travelphoto #travelworld #keepexploring #globe_travel #theglobewanderer #roamtheplanet #letsgosomewhere #exploretheglobe #nakedplanet #places_wow #instapassport #instatraveling #igtravel #travelblog #instago #mytravelgram #travelingram #sharetravelpics #worldtravelpics #stayandwander #keepitwild #rei1440project #earthfocus #ourplanetdaily #earthofficial #natgeo #nationalgeographic #awesome_earthpix #travelstoke
Wedding (27)
#weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddingphoto #weddingday #weddingmoments #weddingceremony #weddingstyle #weddingfashion #bridalfashion #weddinginspirations #weddingdetails #weddingideas #weddinginspo #weddingrings #weddingblog #weddingblogger #weddingplanning #loveauthentic #junebugweddings
#destinationweddingphotographer #bridalphotographer #couplesphotography #engagementphotos #engagmentphotography #engagementsession #bridebook #vscowedding
Stay Tuned For Part Three!
In Part Three and the final portion of this series, I'll be sharing the fastest way to post hashtags when using Instagram. So you spend less time on Instagram and more time shooting. So stay tuned for that! In the mean time, be sure to give me a shout on Instagram and let me know what you think of the list!
Incase you missed Part One, checkout three sure-fire tips on how to gain the right followers, the right way on Instagram. Check it out here!
What Do You Think?
Did you find this list useful? Share your thoughts! Did I miss a category or hashtag? Let me know in the comments!
If you're passionate about taking your photography to the next level but aren't sure where to dive in, check out the Well-Rounded Photographer tutorial where you can learn eight different genres of photography in one place. If you purchase it now, or any of our other tutorials, you can save a 15% by using "ARTICLE" at checkout.
![The Fastest, Easiest Shortcut To Posting Hashtags on Instagram That You've Never Seen Before [Instagram Tips: Part 3]](https://cdn.fstoppers.com/styles/small-16-9/s3/lead/2016/12/the_quickest_best_instagram_tricks_hashtags.jpg)
Great articles! Would love your ideas on family photojournalism hashtags?
#familyphoto #familyphotography #familyportrait #familyphotographer #photojournalism #documentary #documentaryphotography #reportagespotlight #reportage #photojournalist #photodocumentary #everydayeverywhere #lensculture #fotoperiodismo #streetphotographers #everybodystreet #streetportrait #magnumphotos #streetphotographer #lensculturestreets #journalism #everydayasia #streetlife #onassignment #streettogs #everydayindia #streetphoto #storytelling #streetbwcolor #retratos #streetlife_award #dailylife
I wonder if you have any analytics that show the top 10 general photography tags.
https://www.postplanner.com/popular-instagram-hashtags-for-getting-new-f...
Doesn't the invite for people to use all the same hashtags in itself, defeat the purpose.
Say I use "#portrait_ig" and there are say for examples sake 14,000 pictures on IG on any given search.
Then I see that there is a post online that says "everyone should use #portrait_ig" ... Then the next day there are 100,000 pics...
Mine is not lost in the storm... Yes?
Hashtags should be appropriate and specific and ... Idk, this seems counter-productive?
The goal is to use as popular of a hashtag as possible and than get to the popular section of the tag. The more popular the tag the more chance you have of people seeing your post..
Great point Eugene.
Logan, yes I'm sure there will be an initial spike for a few days, but with time things will settle. I'm sharing the hashtags I would use on any given post, this method isn't going make anyone 'viral' overnight by any means. Like I mentioned in the article, this is only a small piece of the puzzle on how to consistently grow your Instagram presence over the long haul.
On the other hand, the more popular the tag the bigger the crowd you have to compete with. Arguably, the more popular the tag the *less* chance you have of being seen.What you're looking for is size of audience, not size of participation.
Just a for instance. Specific tags like... #ParkCity and #SundanceFilmFest over.... #Utah and #FilmFestival have a better chance of getting seen, more appropriate? Idk, that's my approach. But hell! I am not that popular on IG so =/ ...
The problem with this is that some hashtags are specific and should be used specifically. I try not to use a lot of tags that involve competitions like #PursuitOfPortraits and ones like that because my work doesn't fit the aesthetic those types of pages go for.
But look in that list, specifically portraits. #IgersStPete? Why would that be in there? If you're not from St Pete who cares?
Here's how I pick my tags:
- Most tags between 300,000-800,000 posts, but have some that are also larger and some that are more local. You want to engage in your local space and be reaching to larger communities as well.
- Not too vague, but not too specific. If this is going to be copy/pasted on a lot of posts, nothing like #curlyhair will be on there, but #fashionphotographer, #nycmodel, and #nycphotographer will be.
- Speaking of.. Location specific tags with <200,000 posts. These are for reaching the popular section. Most of my posts get between 150-200 likes per upload. I'm not getting 400-1000 so I have a few "sleeper" tags that will be popular in my local community (Connecticut).
- No #Wanderlust, no #love, no #beautiful. No one will see your post unless they're spamming. So many posts are submitted to those tags every second that your will become clogged in there instantly.
- And nothing like #FollowMe. It's honestly super lame.
- And don't like your own photos.
If I add new hashtags to photos already posted, will that be a benefit?
It might, but it will not place the photo at the top of recent posts under that hash tag, it will place it in the spot where the photos with same time stamp are. Hope that makes sense.
Great post. They definitely made a massive difference to the reach of my last photo. Good work, Fstoppers!
Great articles man! whats your thoughts on Still Life hashtags, got any good ones?
AH! Thanks Nick! I found a couple of new ones through this post and it worked right away! #shotzdelight is new for me :) https://www.instagram.com/p/BP3OHBWl686
The game to be played with hashtags is NOT to tag your photos with the most popular tags. It's to find the most specific tags that people actually search. Maybe only 5,000 people have used it, but when people use / search it, they know what they're looking for, and your image is it. #agameoftones and #instagram are worthless as far as I'm concerned. With the huge tags, your photo is buried and only gets likes from bots. With niche tags, other similar users actually search it and see it.
Bingo
What tools do you guys use to find niche hashtags? I have been using displaypurposes.com
Trying that now!
Good stuff! Now, as a headshot photographer...I GOTTA ask: Why is #headshots #headshot NOT on that list? I figured I'd find them there under General Photography or even Portrait. Just curious. ;~>
I use Instagram & it gets me a good amount of exposure. Feel free to check out my page @ instagram.com/photographyirie like, comment, follow. Any & all input will be greatly appreciated!
As people from Asia traveling like crazy now times I use the name of my city as a hashtag on korean and japanese #ストックホルム #스톡홀름. People DM me through those # to hire me because they liked my instagram feed.
I do occasionally connect with interesting models for shooting as they visit my city.
Another pros is that my work is always on the top of the feed.
P.S. I did use # on Chinese in the past but it was tons of spam posts selling watches or girl bags so my work just dissapeared.
Anyways test it folks. :)
How people writes hashtags even in comments?
One thing to add that is not hashtag related but helps with exposure on Instagram is to set location for the post if possible. As people often will browse photos by location on Instagram. Especially if it s a popular land mark.
Great article!
Are there any hashtags you recommend for video posts on IG?
Can you all help me with some Urban Dance Photography suggestions? Thank you!
Omgoodness this article was so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to write it! Would you mind if I shared it on my blog? I would be more than happy to credit you for the post :) My website is www.bischoffphotography.ca
Hi, can anybody give me ideas on "beach photoshoot" hashtags? I took pictures of a model in a bikini wear and i would like to have some good hashtags, other than portraits one
I seriously love this article, I have started three months now to seriously take photos (not with a camera yet, but I'll get to that) and in trying to do the best that I can with just my phone. With those hashtags I reached to 100+ likes out of nowhere. The thing is though I used a pair of hashtags, the general photography one and the landscape one. The general photography hashtags I out them on the caption while the landscape I put them on the comments. After yesterday though I cannot put any hashtags on my comments section. Does any of you know why?
No architectural or cityscape photography? A pretty big area of photography to overlook.
Very useful post. I have found few more Photography Hashtags here https://hashtagsinstagram.com/top-photography-hashtags/