At first, it was enough to just post great photos to Instagram, but that’s no longer the case. Now, it’s all about the tags you include with your photos. It’s important to tag your photos with keywords that can get your posts more reach, increase activity and connect you to others with similar interests. But be careful, because using hashtags can be tricky, so here are a few tips to remember when tagging your photos on Instagram.
Be specific:
- Choose specific tags that will help you connect with other people who are on the same wavelength as you. These specific tags will help with targeting a desired group of individuals that may share the same interests and connect your photos to others more easily.
- Avoid using generalized tags like #instagram and #iphone. These tags can be applied to most, if not all, photographs shared on this channel. Give your photographs more unique tags.
- For example, instead of using the tag #puppy for your photo, you could use #pitbullsofinstagram.
Be Relevant:
- Make it easy for like-minded Igers to find you. First and foremost, your tags need to describe your post. Stay away from using generalized tags such as #photo, include tags that will make your post stand out and get you connected with people that are most like you.
- Using tags that are descriptive of your photos will help you to attract new Followers. These Followers likely have a genuine interest in your posts and will continue to like and comment on your posts over time.
- Example: In addition to #pitbullsofinstagram, you could use the tags #lovemypitbull and #dogsofinstagram.
Be Observant:
- Take notice of other hashtags that are being used on posts that use the same tags as yours. You may discover popular hashtags that you hadn’t come across or thought of on your own.
- For example, on photos that are tagged #pitbullsofinstagram, many of those photos also have the tag #pitbulladvocate. Do some research on which tags are more popular than others, Instagrammers may be using one version of the same tag more frequently than another which could increase your reach and get more activity to your posts.
- After you’ve tagged your posts with relevant and specific tags, you may discover that other Instagram users who share similar photos to yours may be using more specialized tags that you hadn’t thought to use before.
- For example, photos tagged #pitbulladvocate and #lovemypitbull could also use the tag #pitbullswag.
