How to Research Hashtags: Complete Guide for Social Media Success

Hashtag research is the foundation of successful social media marketing. The right hashtags can dramatically increase your reach, engagement, and follower growth across all platforms.

Why Hashtag Research Matters

Effective hashtag research helps you:

• Reach your target audience more effectively
• Increase discoverability of your content
• Join relevant conversations in your niche
• Compete with similar accounts in your industry
• Build a community around your brand

Step-by-Step Hashtag Research Process

1. Define Your Content Goals

Before researching hashtags, clarify what you want to achieve:

• Brand awareness: Use broader, popular hashtags
• Engagement: Mix popular and niche hashtags
• Sales: Focus on buying-intent hashtags
• Community building: Use niche community hashtags

2. Analyze Your Competitors

Start by studying successful accounts in your niche:

What to look for:

• Which hashtags they use consistently
• Their most engaging posts and associated hashtags
• Hashtag combinations that perform well
• Industry-specific hashtags you might have missed

Tools for competitor analysis:

• Hashtag Research Tool for comprehensive analysis
• Native platform search functions
• Social media analytics tools

3. Use Platform-Specific Research Methods

Instagram Hashtag Research

• Search hashtags in the Instagram app
• Check the "Related" hashtags section
• Use Instagram Insights for business accounts
• Explore the Explore page for trending hashtags

TikTok Hashtag Research

• Use TikTok's Discover page
• Check trending hashtags daily
• Look at successful videos in your niche
• Use TikTok's Creative Center for insights

Twitter Hashtag Research

• Check Twitter Trends regularly
• Use Twitter's advanced search
• Monitor hashtags during events
• Follow industry conversations

4. Balance Hashtag Difficulty Levels

Create a mix of hashtag types:

High Competition (1M+ posts)

• Broad reach but harder to rank
• Examples: #fitness, #food, #travel
• Use 2-3 per post maximum

Medium Competition (100K-1M posts)

• Good balance of reach and ranking potential
• Examples: #homeworkout, #veganrecipes, #budgettravel
• Use 3-5 per post

Low Competition (Under 100K posts)

• Easier to rank, smaller audience
• Examples: #beginneryoga, #plantbasedmeal, #solotravel2024
• Use 5-8 per post

5. Research Hashtag Performance

Track which hashtags work best for your content:

Key metrics to monitor:

• Reach from hashtags
• Engagement rate on hashtagged posts
• Follower growth from hashtag discovery
• Click-through rates to your profile

Tools for tracking:

• Instagram Insights
• TikTok Analytics
• Third-party social media tools
• Content Planning Tool for strategic planning

Advanced Hashtag Research Techniques

Location-Based Hashtags

For local businesses or location-specific content:

• Use city, neighborhood, or venue hashtags
• Research local events and community hashtags
• Include regional slang or location nicknames

Seasonal and Trending Hashtags

Stay current with:

• Holiday and seasonal hashtags
• Current events and news hashtags
• Pop culture references
• Platform-specific trends

Branded Hashtag Creation

Develop unique hashtags for your brand:

• Keep them short and memorable
• Make them relevant to your brand
• Encourage user-generated content
• Monitor usage and engagement

Common Hashtag Research Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Only Popular Hashtags

Popular hashtags have millions of posts, making it nearly impossible for your content to be discovered.

2. Irrelevant Hashtag Usage

Using hashtags that don't match your content can hurt your engagement rate and credibility.

3. Not Updating Your Hashtag Strategy

Hashtag trends change constantly. What worked last month might not work today.

4. Copying Competitor Hashtags Exactly

While competitor research is valuable, blindly copying their hashtags won't work for your unique content.

5. Using Banned or Shadowbanned Hashtags

Some hashtags are restricted or can limit your reach. Research each hashtag before using it.

Platform-Specific Hashtag Best Practices

Instagram

• Use 5-10 hashtags per post
• Mix hashtag sizes for optimal reach
• Use hashtags in the first comment or caption
• Create hashtag sets for different content types

TikTok

• Use 3-5 relevant hashtags
• Include trending hashtags when relevant
• Mix broad and niche hashtags
• Add hashtags to video descriptions

Twitter

• Use 1-3 hashtags maximum
• Prioritize trending hashtags for timely content
• Keep hashtags short due to character limits
• Use hashtags for live events and conversations

LinkedIn

• Use 3-5 professional hashtags
• Focus on industry-specific terms
• Include skill-based hashtags
• Avoid overly casual hashtags

Tools for Hashtag Research

Free Tools

• Platform native search functions
• Google Trends for hashtag popularity
• Hashtag Research Tool for comprehensive analysis
• Hashtag suggestion features on social platforms

Paid Tools

• Sprout Social for comprehensive analytics
• Hootsuite for hashtag suggestions
• Later for hashtag performance tracking
• Brandwatch for trend analysis

Measuring Hashtag Success

Track these key performance indicators:

Reach Metrics:

• Hashtag impressions
• Profile visits from hashtags
• Content reach increase

Engagement Metrics:

• Likes, comments, shares from hashtag traffic
• Save rate on hashtagged content
• Click-through rate to your profile

Growth Metrics:

• Follower growth from hashtag discovery
• Brand mention increase
• User-generated content with your hashtags

Creating Your Hashtag Strategy

1. Build Hashtag Banks

Create collections of hashtags for different:

• Content themes
• Product categories
• Seasonal campaigns
• Audience segments

2. Develop a Testing Schedule

• Test new hashtag combinations weekly
• A/B test different hashtag strategies
• Document what works for future use
• Adjust based on performance data

3. Stay Updated on Trends

• Follow industry thought leaders
• Monitor competitor hashtag changes
• Keep up with platform algorithm updates
• Participate in trending conversations when relevant

Hashtag Research Checklist

Before publishing any content, ensure you've:

• Researched relevant hashtags for your niche
• Checked hashtag popularity and competition
• Verified hashtags aren't banned or restricted
• Created a mix of high, medium, and low competition hashtags
• Included location-based hashtags if relevant
• Added trending hashtags when appropriate
• Set up tracking for hashtag performance

Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hashtags should I use on each platform?

Use 5-10 hashtags on Instagram, 3-5 on TikTok, 1-3 on Twitter, and 3-5 on LinkedIn. Focus on relevance and quality rather than hitting the maximum number allowed on each platform.

Should I use the same hashtags on every post?

No, avoid using identical hashtag sets repeatedly as this can be seen as spam. Create different hashtag combinations while maintaining some consistent branded or niche hashtags.

How do I know if a hashtag is banned or restricted?

Search the hashtag on the platform to see if content appears normally. Banned hashtags often show limited or no results, and Instagram will sometimes display warning messages for restricted hashtags.

What's the difference between popular and niche hashtags?

Popular hashtags have millions of posts and broad reach but high competition. Niche hashtags have fewer posts but more targeted audiences and higher engagement potential for smaller accounts.

Can I create my own branded hashtags?

Yes, creating branded hashtags helps build community and track user-generated content. Keep them short, memorable, relevant to your brand, and unique enough to avoid confusion with existing hashtags.

How often should I research new hashtags?

Research new hashtags weekly and review your hashtag performance monthly. Social media trends change quickly, so staying current with popular and emerging hashtags is important for visibility.

Do hashtags work the same way on all social platforms?

No, each platform uses hashtags differently. Instagram and TikTok heavily rely on hashtags for discovery, while Twitter uses them for conversations, and LinkedIn focuses on professional topics and networking.

Should I put hashtags in my caption or first comment?

Both work, but Instagram hashtags perform equally well in captions or first comments. Choose based on aesthetics - use comments if you want cleaner captions, or captions if you want everything in one place.

How do I find hashtags my competitors are using?

Check competitor posts manually, use social media analytics tools, or use hashtag research tools that analyze competitor hashtag strategies. Look for patterns in their most engaging posts.

What's the best mix of hashtag popularity levels?

Use a pyramid approach: 2-3 high-competition hashtags (1M+ posts), 3-5 medium-competition hashtags (100K-1M posts), and 5-8 low-competition hashtags (under 100K posts) for optimal reach and ranking potential.

Effective hashtag research is an ongoing process that requires regular attention and adjustment. Start by implementing these strategies gradually, focusing on quality over quantity.

For additional social media tools and strategies, explore our Content Planning Tool to create comprehensive social media campaigns that work with your hashtag strategy.

Remember, the best hashtag strategy is one that's consistently applied, regularly updated, and aligned with your overall social media goals.