As is often the case with Instagram, the app is changing and so is the algorithm. But for content creators, influencers, and marketers, one question remains evergreen: How many hashtags should I use on Instagram? Hashtags are an indispensable way to increase viewability, collaboration, and outreach. But there’s a time and a place for them in 2025.
This ultimate guide will answer your questions and teach you the perfect hashtag strategy for skyrocketing your Instagram growth this year.
What’s a Hashtag in 2025?
Hashtags are much more than a trend; they’re the key to organizing your content and making it visible to a wider audience. When used right, they put your posts in front of audiences that follows or searches those particular tags. In a nutshell, hashtags assist the algorithm to comprehend your content more effectively.
But simply stuffing your captions with tags won’t cut it anymore. #The Real That being said, Instagram’s algorithm has been upgraded preventing spam by the system favouring meaningful interaction over tag spam. So, prior to finding out how many hashtags should I use on Instagram, we need to know what their role is and how they impact your content visibility.
How Many Hashtags Are You Allowed to Use on Instagram?
Instagram users can use up to 30 hashtags per post and 10 in stories. But just because you can add 30, doesn’t mean you should always add so many. The right number will be different for everyone, and will depend on your content, audience, and strategy.
What Instagram knows in 2025 is that quality matters more than quantity. This implies that less is more and that you are better off by using fewer, more relevant hashtags than maxing out on each post. The aim is to keep to hashtags that are:
- Relevant to your niche
- Highly competitive so it isn’t over saturated
- Appealing to your audience
So Now That We Know That, How Many Hashtags Should I Use On Instagram?
Now, Instagram itself advises using 3 to 5 hashtags per post. That may come as a surprise to power customers that have become accustomed to pushing the 30-tag limit. But these days, 8 to 15 targeted hashtags is what works best for most creators based on recent data.
Let’s break it down:
1–3 hashtags: This is great for bigger accounts and accounts that are already receiving a fair amount of engagement.
4–10 hashtags: Best for organic growth for businesses and creators.
11–15 hashtags: Ideal for users who are looking to widen their audience reach and be featured on multiple discovery pages.
16-30 hashtags: These help you to hit a more specialized market, but also riskier if you are not aiming at that niche. It can seem spammy and even kill engagement.
So if you’re still questioning, how many hashtags should I use on Instagram, then the general rule is to search for between 8 and 15 hashtags for your post.
Quality vs. Quantity: Selecting The Right Hashtags
Not only how many hashtags, but what hashtags you use. Sure, you may be tempted to attract other users by throwing in some popular hashtags #love #instagood etc., but with so many pictures competing — your quirky selfie will quickly get buried in the others. Instead, blend:
Where Should I Add Hashtags? (#️⃣) Caption vs. Comment
Both methods are fine, but Instagram treats them identically from an algorithmic perspective. Placing hashtags in captions keeps all of your copy in one place while putting them in comments can make your post look cleaner.
Though you still want to maximize reach as much as possible, you may be trying to appear more professional. If so, leave it up to your first line of comments. It leaves your caption clean and visible.
Do Hashtags Work on Instagram Stories and Reels?
Absolutely. You can use up to 10 hashtags for Stories, but only a few hashtags will actually increase discoverability. Hashtags on Reels work the same way they do on regular posts — they help Instagram make sense of your content and recommend it to the appropriate people.
So if you’re wondering How many hashtags should I use on Instagram then remember you should tailor it to the type of post you’re sharing.
How To Use Hashtags The Right Way In 2025
To maximize your hashtag game, check out some of these actionable tips:
Mix it up: Don’t use the same hashtags every time you post. This behavior from Instagram might be chalking up as spammy.
Track performance: Check to see which hashtags get the most engagement through Instagram Insights or third-party apps.
Stay focused: Use only hashtags that are relevant to what you’re posting.
Avoid banned hashtags: There are some hashtags that are temporarily and permanently banned which can cause a loss of visibility.
Humanize it: Keep your captions looking and feeling natural and not like a block of hashtags.
By playing by these rules, your content will not only be seen by more people, but it will also drive true engagement.
Here’s what to avoid while using Hashtags
The best creators fail, too. In order for your hashtags to get the activity you are hoping for, definitely steer clear of the following:
Overstuffing: Trying to game it by using 30 unrelated hashtags (to get reach) will damage your engagement.
Copying tags: It looks lazy and has the potential to get you shadowbanned when you use the same tags over and over.
Ignoring insights: If we don’t keep track of what works, we may become stagnant.
Not refreshing strategy: Crazes come and go, so should your hashtags.
When in doubt, he said, circle back to the question: How many hashtags should I use on Instagram, and are they working for my content?
Closing Thoughts: How Many Hashtags to Use on Instagram?
To sum it up: what’s the perfect number of hashtags in 2025 Depends on your type of content, goals and audience. And although Instagram recommends using 3 to 5 hashtags, many creators find they receive the highest engagement when they use 8 to 15 relevant hashtags.
Final Thought
So rather than aiming for more, focus on better. Create a game plan using a combination of trending, niche and branded hashtags. Test often, study the results, and modify your number of hashtags based on what your audience likes best.
So, next time you’re wondering, how many hashtags should I use on Instagram, remember: the right number is the one that’s driving results.
FAQs
On Instagram, how many hashtags are too many?
Not all 30 hashtags are a bad thing to use, but if they are unrelated to your content, it could hurt your reach. Whittle it down to an 8- to 15-pack of smartly chosen tags.
Are hashtags still relevant in Instagram 2025?
Yes! “But hashtags are still such a strong discovery mechanism. The trick is to apply them judiciously and conservatively according to the most current best practices.
Do I have to use the same hashtags over and over again?
It’s not recommended. Posting the same set again might decrease visibility and make your account appear spammy.
Do hashtags work better in the caption or the comments?
Except that there isn’t that much of a difference in reach. But comments do help keep your caption tidy but effective for SEO.
And do I need to use a hashtag for Reels and Stories as well?
Definitely! Adding a hashtag to Reels and Stories will make your content appear in more places on Instagram.