How to Choose the Right Hashtags: Complete Selection Guide

Choosing the right hashtags can make or break your social media reach. Here's how to select hashtags that actually work for your content and audience.

Quick Hashtag Selection Formula

The 30-60-10 Rule

• 30% Popular hashtags (100K to 1M posts)
• 60% Moderate hashtags (10K to 100K posts)
• 10% Niche hashtags (Under 10K posts)

Essential Questions to Ask

1. What is my content actually about?
2. Who is my target audience?
3. What hashtags does my audience follow?
4. Which hashtags are relevant but not oversaturated?

Step by Step Hashtag Selection

Step 1: Identify Your Content Category

Content Types:

• Educational/Tutorial
• Behind the scenes
• Product showcase
• Personal story
• Industry news
• Entertainment

Example for Fitness Content:

• Primary topic: #fitness #workout
• Specific focus: #homeworkout #bodyweight
• Target audience: #fitnessmotivation #fitmom

Step 2: Research Your Competitors

What to Analyze:

• Which hashtags appear in their most engaged posts
• How many followers those hashtags have
• Which hashtags are specific to your niche
• What hashtags they avoid

Research Method:

1. Find 5 similar accounts in your niche
2. Look at their top 10 performing posts
3. Note recurring hashtags
4. Check hashtag sizes using search
5. Test their performance on your content

Step 3: Use the Hashtag Pyramid Strategy

Top Level (3 to 5 hashtags):

• Broad category hashtags
• 500K to 1M+ posts
• Examples: #fitness #food #travel

Middle Level (10 to 15 hashtags):

• More specific subcategory hashtags
• 50K to 500K posts
• Examples: #homeworkout #healthyrecipes #solotravel

Bottom Level (10 to 12 hashtags):

• Highly specific niche hashtags
• Under 50K posts
• Examples: #apartmentworkout #veganmealprep #backpackingeurope

Platform Specific Selection

Instagram Hashtag Selection

Best Practices:

• Use up to 30 hashtags
• Mix of sizes works best
• Include location hashtags for local content
• Avoid banned or flagged hashtags

Instagram Specific Research:

• Check "Related" hashtags in search
• Use Instagram's hashtag suggestions
• Monitor hashtag performance in Insights
• Test hashtags in Stories first

TikTok Hashtag Selection

Best Practices:

• Use 3 to 5 focused hashtags
• Include trending hashtags when relevant
• Mix broad and niche hashtags
• Add location hashtags for local content

TikTok Specific Strategy:

• Check trending page for current hashtags
• Use hashtags related to sounds/trends
• Include skill level hashtags (#beginnerfriendly)
• Add community hashtags (#tiktokmademe)

Twitter Hashtag Selection

Best Practices:

• Use 1 to 3 hashtags maximum
• Focus on trending and chat hashtags
• Include event and time based hashtags
• Keep hashtags short and clear

Twitter Specific Approach:

• Monitor trending hashtags daily
• Join relevant Twitter chats
• Use event hashtags (#CES2025)
• Include day based hashtags (#MondayMotivation)

Hashtag Research Methods

Method 1: Competitor Analysis

Tools Needed:

• Competitor's profile
• Notepad or spreadsheet
• Social media search function

Process:

1. List 10 competitors
2. Check their last 20 posts
3. Record hashtags that appear 3+ times
4. Research hashtag sizes
5. Test on your content

Method 2: Search Suggestion Method

On Instagram:

1. Type your main keyword in search
2. Tap "Tags" tab
3. Note suggested hashtags
4. Check "Related" section for each hashtag
5. Build list of relevant options

On TikTok:

1. Search your main keyword
2. Look at hashtags used in top videos
3. Check hashtag pages for content style
4. Note posting frequency and engagement

Method 3: Audience Research

Questions to Explore:

• What hashtags do your followers use?
• What accounts do they follow?
• What hashtags appear in their comments?
• What content style do they engage with most?

Research Process:

1. Check your followers' recent posts
2. Note hashtags they use regularly
3. Look at accounts they follow
4. Analyze their commented posts
5. Identify common hashtag themes

Hashtag Performance Evaluation

Metrics to Track

Reach Metrics:

• Hashtag reach percentage
• Impressions from hashtags
• New followers from hashtag discovery
• Profile visits from hashtag clicks

Engagement Metrics:

• Likes and comments per hashtag set
• Saves and shares on hashtag posts
• Story views with hashtags
• Click through rates to profile

Testing Strategy

A/B Test Method:

1. Create 3 different hashtag sets
2. Post similar content with each set
3. Track performance for 1 week
4. Compare reach and engagement
5. Use winning combination going forward

Hashtag Set Examples for Food Content:

Set A (Broad Focus): #food #foodie #delicious #yummy #instafood #cooking #homemade #foodporn #tasty #recipe

Set B (Specific Focus): #healthyrecipes #mealprep #cleaneating #wholefood #nutrition #healthyfood #eatclean #wellness #plantbased #protein

Set C (Niche Focus): #glutenfreediet #celiacfriendly #glutenfreerecipes #glutenfreecooking #celiacdisease #glutenfreefood #gfdiet #specialdiet #foodallergies #inclusiveeating

Common Hashtag Mistakes

Overuse of Popular Hashtags

❌ Using only hashtags with millions of posts ✅ Mix popular with moderate and niche hashtags

Irrelevant Hashtags

❌ Adding trending hashtags unrelated to content
✅ Only use hashtags that describe your actual content

Same Hashtags Every Time

❌ Copy pasting identical hashtag lists ✅ Rotate hashtags and test different combinations

Banned Hashtag Usage

❌ Using flagged or shadowbanned hashtags ✅ Research hashtag status before using

Wrong Platform Strategy

❌ Using Instagram strategy on Twitter ✅ Adapt hashtag count and style per platform

Advanced Hashtag Strategies

Hashtag Hijacking (Ethically)

• Find trending hashtags in your industry
• Create relevant content that fits the hashtag
• Add value to the hashtag conversation
• Don't force content into unrelated trends

Community Hashtag Building

• Create branded hashtags for campaigns
• Encourage user generated content with your hashtag
• Feature content that uses your hashtags
• Build hashtag communities around topics

Seasonal Hashtag Planning

• Research seasonal trends in your industry
• Plan hashtags around holidays and events
• Create content calendars with seasonal hashtags
• Monitor performance of seasonal vs evergreen hashtags

Hashtag Tools and Resources

Free Research Tools

• Instagram search and suggestions
• TikTok trending page
• Twitter trending section
• Google Trends for topic research
• Social media platform insights

Research Process Checklist

Before Posting:

• Content category identified
• Target audience defined
• Competitor hashtags researched
• Hashtag sizes checked
• Mix of hashtag sizes selected
• Relevance double checked
• Platform specific optimization done

After Posting:

• Hashtag performance tracked
• Reach and engagement measured
• Winning combinations noted
• Poor performing hashtags identified
• Next post hashtags planned

Quick Decision Framework

Choose Hashtags That Are:

✅ Relevant to your actual content ✅ Searched by your target audience
✅ Active with recent posts ✅ Appropriately sized for your account ✅ Platform optimized for where you're posting

Avoid Hashtags That Are:

❌ Oversaturated with millions of posts ❌ Irrelevant to your content ❌ Banned or flagged by platforms ❌ Inactive with old or spam content ❌ Too specific with almost no posts

Master hashtag selection by understanding your content, audience, and platform best practices. Test different combinations and track performance to build your winning hashtag strategy.

Related Resources

• Best Hashtags for Instagram Reels
• How to Research Hashtags
• Instagram Marketing Strategy