375 Instagram Hashtags for Different Business Niches

Prepare ahead for your Instagram and Twitter posts, so you aren’t left using the same tired keywords repeatedly. I’ve compiled 15 lists below, each containing 25 Instagram hashtags, to create a list of 375 curated hashtags.

The numbers on the right show the number of trending posts using that word when I looked up the Instagram hashtags on 7-8 May 2016. I updated this page on 22 June 2017.

Use Popular Keywords, Not High Volume

If you use hashtags that are used a lot – say, over one million – then your post may not rise in all the noise. If you use a keyword that is not used very often, then very few people will see it.

You should use a balance of Instagram hashtags: those that are used often, not very much (but not used less than ~10k), and in the middle.

I did my best to find a balance between all three. Below, I have provided a range of keywords from those used in the millions to those with usage in the few thousands.

I have heard from successful IGers that you want to distribute your Instagram hashtags over the thousands/ten thousand/hundreds of thousands trending ranges, and to stay away from trending topics over 1M.

Mix and Match Your Instagram Hashtags

I would not recommend cutting and pasting same or similar words in your IG or Twitter. Please use the lists below to create a variety of useful Instagram hashtags; yes, mix-and-match keywords from different categories.

For example, do this.

#productivity #smallbusiness #makeithappen #passion #blogger #contentcreator #focused #curated #businessowner #yourcompanynamehere

Do not do this.

#business #businesswoman #businessman #businesstrip #businesscards #businesswomen #businesscard #businessclass #businessopportunity #businessowners

Be sure to make the caption about your follower, while you promote yourself, your company, or your brand. While it does sound contradictory, the second person—”you”—is best to ensure you focus on your followers.

Your social media content should be in the context of what your target audience finds interesting and useful. Do not post in the context of what you think is interesting and useful.

Set up three sets of tags ahead of time. You can base them on: Brand, Product(s), and Location, if you sell and market physical objects. Richard Lazazzera at Shopify provided this example of how he uses Instagram hashtags.

What Types of Instagram Keywords to Use

Here is an example of the three types of keywords to mix for maximum exposure.

1. Brand Keyword Hashtags
   #mybrandname #mensfashion #mensaccessories #mensgoods #fashion #mensstyle #instafashion #menswear
    
2. Product Category Keyword Hashtags
   #bugatchisocks #happysocks #corgisocks #socks #sockswag #socksoftheday #sockgame #sockswagg #socksofinstagram #happysockday #sockwars #funsocks #happysockday
    
3. Location Specific Keyword Hashtags
   #Toronto #TorontoFashion #TorontoFashionBloggers
    

Use the language your target market uses, not your own industry’s terminology. Engage with IG accounts that will refer people to you, i.e., influencer accounts.

If you do web design, for example, you may wish to engage with social media marketers and graphic designers, not only potential direct clients. In other words, engage both with peers and with your target client.

1. Productivity Instagram Hashtags

#productivity (~245k)
#focus (~12.7M)
#focused (~2.7M)
#overwhelmed (~240k)
#stress (~2.3M)

#stressed (~1.3M)
#makeithappen (~1.1M)
#empower (~856k)
#empowerment (~828k)
#stressfree (~793k)

#stressreliever (~643k)
#stressrelief (~425k)
#stressedout (~291k)
#todolist (~210k)
#empowered (~202k)

#stressful (~178k)
#empowering (~143)
#empoweringwomen (~117k)
#stressless (~96k)
#simplify (~83k)

#task (~81k)
#stressing (~71k)
#stressbuster (~61k)
#focusonthegood (~43k)
#focusingonlife (~44k)

Tip

Instagram’s culture is different from other social media. At most, post 4x a day, and always wait at least 30 minutes between posts.

2. Time / Task Management and Planning Instagram Hashtags

#planneraddict (~1.02M)
#planner (~1.12M)
#moleskine (~973k)
#plannerlove (~790k)
#calendar (#763)

#plannernerd (~626k)
#plannercommunity (~585k)
#organizer (~403k)
#organized (~346k)
#plannergoodies (~314k)

#plannerstickers (~299)
#plannerjunkie (~257)
#organize (~232k)
#piccadilly (~204k)
#planners (~171k)

#plannerlife (~168k)
#timeline (~143k)
#timeforwork (~125k)
#planneraddicts (~107k)
#gtd (~91.2k)

#bulletjournal (~90k)
#planneraccessories (~77k)
#timemanagement (~60k)
#moleskineart (~65k)
#projectmanagement (~48k)

Tip

Alternately, you can cycle through 3-5 themes throughout your Instagram posts. Emily Jeffords recommends cycling through: tools, inspiration, products, process, and “whatever”.

I sell services, so I post about SEO advice for small businesses.

3. Business Instagram Hashtags

#business (>10M)
#businesswoman (~1.02k)
#businessman (~925k)
#businesstrip (~506)
#businesscards (~358k)

#businesswomen (~316k)
#businesscard (~228k)
#businessclass (~210k)
#businessopportunity (~197k)
#businessowners (~154k)

#businesslife (~114k)
#businesscasual (~108k)
#businesscoach (~106k)
#businessminded (~103k)
#businessonline (93k)

#businesstravel (~79k)
#businessmen (~79k)
#businesstips (~71k)
#businesses (~68k)
#businessmeeting (~64.4k)

#businessasusual (~60k)
#businesspassion (~55k)
#businesspartners (~54k)
#businesspartner (~48k)
#businessplan (~47k)

Tip

Create a beautiful world for people to visit. You want to give them a break from their everyday grind.

4. Quotes, Motivational / Inspirational Instagram Hashtags

#quote (~36M)
#quotes (~28M)
#quoteoftheday (~11.5M)
#qotd (~7.7M)
#instaquote (~5.6M)

#lifequotes (~1.8M)
#motivational (~1.7M)
#quotestoliveby (~1.3M)
#instaquotes (~1.3M)
#inspirationalquotes (~1.1M)

#quotesagram (~1M)
#motivationalquotes (~974k)
#quotestags (~872k)
#quotesoftheday (~741k)
#lifequote (~566k)

#inspirationalquote (~332k)
#affirmation (~296k)
#quotesaboutlife (~283k)
#motivationalquote (~254k)
#affirmations (~248k)

#seizetheday (~240k)
#quoted (~239k)
#quotesandsayings (~222k)
#quotesofinstagram (~221k)
#quotesforlife (~161k)

#quotesgram (~113k)
#quotetoliveby (~102k)
#quotesaboutlifequotesandsayings (~74k)
#quotegram (~54k)
#dailyaffirmation (~46k)

Tip

Post at least 1x a day, but no more than 4x. Be consistent about time, so your followers know when to look for new photos.

5. Social Media Instagram Hashtags

In the section below, I gave explanations of the acronyms, but I didn’t look up usage. Why didn’t I look up the numbers?

Because these Instagram hashtags are used for specific things — often on specific days — and so usage is not as important.

#tbt (throwback Thursday)
#fbf (flashback Friday)
#tt (transformation Tuesday)
#lb (like back)
#wtf (what the f–k)

#hmu (hitmeup)
#dm (direct message)
#til (today I learned)
#irl (in real life)
#mcm (man crush Monday)

#wcm (woman crush Wednesday)
#lol (laughing out loud)
#lmao (laughing my a— off)
#rofl (rolling on the floor laughing)
#roflmao (rolling on the floor, laughing my a– off)

#passion (~15.4M)
#instagramer (~5.9M)
#hustle (~3.6M)
#socialmedia (~2.1M)
#socialmediamarketing (~694k)

#smm (~300k)
#communitymanager (~103k)
#socialmediatips (~102k)
#socialmediastrategy (~28k)
#smtips (~18k)

Tip

Your Instagram board provides analytics on what times provide the best engagement. You can also research the best times to post each day to receive the most engagement.

Generally, 5 PM and 8 PM are the average best times to post each day. Anecdotally, between 8 PM and 11 PM. When in doubt, reference the data in your Instagram analytics.

6. SEO Instagram Hashtags

#marketing (~4.4M)
#google (~2.1M)
#content (~1M)
#website (~1.1M)
#webdesign (~735k)

#seo (~422k)
#marketingdigital (~379k)
#onlinemarketing (~277k)
#contentmarketing (~147k)
#webdesigner (~136k)

#onlinemarket (~126k)
#websites (~101k)
#marketingonline (~83k)
#marketingtips (~78k)
#websitedesign (~73k)

#marketingstrategy (~62k)
#marketing101 (~43k)
#googlesearch (~41k)
#optimization (~18k)
#contentcreator (~16k)

#searchengineoptimization (~14k)
#webtraffic (~12k)
#searchengine (~10K)
#contentstrategy (~10k)
#optimize (~9k)

Tip

Treat IG as a catalog for your business. Do not post snapshots, no matter how tempting. Stay on brand and have a clear concept of what topics you will cover in your posts.

7. Spiritual / God Instagram Hashtags

#god (~18M)
#faith (~12.9M)
#godisgood (~5.9M)
#meditation (~4.7M)
#spiritual (~3M)

#prayer (~2.8M)
#godbless (~1.8M)
#spirituality (~1.7M)
#prayers (~1.3M)
#godislove (~1M)

#godfirst (~982k)
#godisgreat (~869k)
#innerpeace (~793k)
#prayerworks (~166k)
#prayerchangesthings (~90k)

#spiritually (~59k)
#spiritualquotes (~39k)
#meditationtime (~38k)
#spiritualism (~34k)
#prayersneeded (~34k)

#spiritualfamily (~31k)
#spiritualinspiration (~26k)
#spiritualbeing (~24k)
#faithquotes (~18k)
#faithbased (~13k)

Tip

Maintain a positive attitude and tone in all of your photos and captions. Celebrate your brand and life.

8. Gratitude / Appreciation Instagram Hashtags

#thankful (~14.6M)
#grateful (~9,1M)
#calm (~4.1M)
#gratitude (~3.2M)
#believeinyourself (~1.1M)

#thankfulthursday (~312k)
#gratefulheart (~240k)
#contented (~190k)
#spiritualgrowth (~151k)
#spiritualawakening (~144k)

#contentment (~131k)
#faithhopelove (~79k)
#thankfulness (~75k)
#thankfulheart (~71k)
#gratefulness (~55k)

#faithoverfear (~54k)
#thankfuleveryday (~49k)
#spiritualhealing (~41k)
#thankfulandblessed (~30k)
#gratefuleveryday (~25k)

#gratefuleverydamnedday (~24k)
#thankfultogod (~22k)
#gratitudejournal (~22k)
#prayersanswered (~20k)
#gratefulforlife (~16k)

Tip

How does your brand/service/product solve someone’s problem? Bring that out in your IG posts.

9. Photos Instagram Hashtags

#photooftheday (~375M)
#selfie (~289M)
#picoftheday (~284M)
#instadaily (~247M)
#igers (~208M)

#photo (~106M)
#instapic (~83M)
#photography (~65M)
#latergram (~29M)
#travelgram (~15.2)

#selfies (~16.4M)
#selfietime (~7.4M)
#selfienation (~5.4M)
#behindthescenes (~1.6M)
#photogram (~1.2M)

#selfiequeen (~1.1M)
#photographylovers (~1M)
#photographyislive (~531k)
#photoshoots (~467k)
#photographyeveryday (~334k)

#photog (~318k)
#photographyoftheday (~181k)
#photographylover (~89k)
#photoshoot (~24M)
#loveit (~53M)

Tip

Create and display well-crafted content that shows expertise at your product or service. Don’t take yourself too seriously, though. Use Instagram to engage your followers in fun.

10. Online Small Business Instagram Hashtags

#passion (~15.4M)
#hardwork (9.6M)
#working (~7.5M)
#entrepreneur (~7.3M)
#logo (~3.2M)

#smallbusiness (~2.4M)
#branding (~2.2M)
#hardworkpaysoff (~2.2M)
#workfromhome (~1.9M)
#entrepreneurs (~1.3M)

#startup (~1.3M)
#entrepreneurship (~1.2M)
#businessowner (~689k)
#workinglate (~490k)
#smallbiz (~478k)

#logos (~443k)
#startuplife (~436k)
#hardworker (~423k)
#smallbusinessowner (~168k)
#businessowners (~154k)

#brandidentity (~117k)
#smallbusinesses (~72k)
#wfh (~59k)
#branding101 (~39k)
#smallbusinessowner (~33k)

Tip

Know your purpose on IG. Are you there to create brand awareness, drive people to your website, sell a product, or bring attention to a problem? Be clear and concise with your content strategy goals.

11. Blogger / Blogging | Writers / Writing Instagram Hashtags

#blogger (~17.2M)
#blog (~11.1M)
#writing (~3.4M)
#writer (~2.8M)
#bloggers (~1.7M)

#instablogger (~1.5M)
#instablog (~1.2M)
#writersofinstagram (1.2M)
#lifestyleblogger (~1M)
#blogging (~942k)

#writers (~880k)
#writersofig (~804k)
#newpost (~663k)
#bloggerlife (~566k)
#blogpost (~540k)

#writingcommunity (~402k)
#blogs (~368k)
#blogspot (~276k)
#bloglife (~122k)
#newblogpost (~198kk)

#writerslife (~150k)
#writersblock (~121k)
#instabloggers (~113k)
#instawriter (~101k)
#bloggernation (~35k)

Tip

Create brand awareness by being consistent with your look and feel across your entire online presence. If you don’t have a consistent look-and-feel, develop one, implement it, and stick to it.

12. Dog Instagram Hashtags

#dog (~102M)
#dogsofinstagram (~44.6M)
#dogs (~27M)
#dogstagram (16.5M)
#ilovemydog (~12.7M)

#dogoftheday (~10.4M)
#doglover (~9.6M)
#doggy (~4.6M)
#doglovers (~2.6M)
#doggie (~2.2M)

#doglife (~1.9M)
#dogslife (~1.5M)
#happydog (~1.2M)
#dogofinstagram (~951k)
#ilovemydogs (~783k)

#dogwalk (~769k)
#dogpark (~715k)
#dogsofinsta (~714k)
#dogmom (~650k)
#poodlesofinstagram (~486k)

#poodles (~342k)
#happydogs (~295k)
#dogsoftheday (~147k)
#standardpoodlesofinstagram (~35k)
#standardpoodles (~19k)

Tip

You can create an identifiable brand awareness by using only a particular kind of filter, by using only certain color palettes, compositions, photography style, and/or font and typeface.

13. Cat Instagram Hashtags

#cat (~90M)
#catsofinstagram (~34M)
#cats (~30M)
#kitten (~17.6M)
#instacat (~14.4M)

#catstagram (~13.9M)
#meow (13.7M)
#catlover (~8.1M)
#kittens (5.5M)
#catoftheday (~5.1M)

#catsagram (~3.2M))
#catlovers (~2.9M)
#caturday (~2.1M)
#kittensofinstagram (~1.8M)
#catofinstagram (~870k)

#ilovemycat (~5.2M)
#catlady (~1.7M)
#catlife (~1M)
#purr (~1M)
#instakitty (~856k)

#ilovemycats (~371k)
#meowmeow (~293k)
#happycat (~277k)
#catladyproblems (~108k)
#purring (~101k)

Tip

It is OK to be artistic with your photos. You never know what aspect of your work people will find interesting. Even the most mundane tool can be interesting if shot and edited well.

14. Digital Instagram Hashtags

#webstagram (~95M)
#hashtag (13.8M)
#online (~6.7M)
#hashtags (5.3M)
#digital (~2.4M)

#tech (~1.6M)
#mindset (~1.4M)
#laptop (~1M)
#agency (~857k)
#ecommerce (~500k)

#hashtagsgen (~533k)
#onlinebusiness (~494k)
#digitalmarketing (~374k)
#archive (~334k)
#agencylife (~271)

#thinkbig (~258k)
#data (~179k)
#archives (~172k)
#founder (~166k)
#laptoplifestyle (~130k)

#preservation (~101k)
#curated (~42k)
#curatedlife (~24k)
#digitallife (~15k)
#mindset (~1.4M)

Tip

If you aren’t sure what will engage your target market online, try different types of posts. Be consistent about the time of day as you test them, though, as that can affect your response rates.

15. Random / Coffee / Tea Instagram Hashtags

#instacool (~82M)
#coffee (~46.4M)
#tea (~15M)
#travelgram (~15M)
#instalife (~8.2M)

#wakeup (~5.2M)
#coffeetime (~4.4M)
#coffeelover (~1.8M)
#coffeeaddict (~1.8M)
#thegoodlife (~1.6M)

#coffeeshop (~1.3M)
#priorities (~1M)
#coffeebreak (~1M)
#teacup (~838k)
#dailygrind (~830k)

#coffeelove (~773)
#coffeegram (~770k)
#coffeehouse (~314k)
#teabreak (~161k)
#wheretonext (~138k)

#teahouse (~133k)
#wakeupworld (~63k)
#timetowakeup (~47k)
#coffeecup (~22k)
#smellthecoffee (~8k)

Tip

Keep learning, changing, and growing as your followers and engagement grows.

Final Tip on Using Instagram Hashtags

Research indicates that using 11 Instagram hashtags drives the most engagement. Do not over do it — between 5-11 keywords at any give time works well.

IG allows no more than 30 hashtags at a time. If you do use between 12 to 30 keywords, put them in the comments section.

You can also place five “.” (periods, but without the quotes around it) vertically down the post, so the user doesn’t have to read a block of tags. Like this:

(Caption here.)
.
.
.
.
.
(Hashtags here.)

If you wish to engage with different types of followers, when you put your keywords in the comments section, wait a few hours or a few days and replace those tags with a new set.

Some consider that method a trick, so be sparing in your usage. It will allow you to target a new audience, however, while sparing people a “book” of keywords in your caption and comments sections.

Use a Hashtag or Keyword Smartphone App

One useful app you can check out is the HashMe smartphone app. You enter one keyword and it will display 29 keywords related to your entered keyword. It will also create a hashtag set by analyzing the image you wish to post. (You may view an image of a sample hashtag generation result here.)

A drawback to using only the keywords this app generates is that some of the generated hashtags are high volume, and your post is likely to get lost. In my opinion, it is better to spend a few hours researching targeted Instagram hashtags. In a pinch, though, it is a great supplement to hashtag research.

Summary of Using Instagram Hashtags

Last but not least, be a participant on Instagram. I consider my biggest mistake early on was that I spent so much time curating my feed, I didn’t have time to socialize on IG. No one likes one-way conversations, online or in-person.

Remember to focus on the social in social media, if you wish to succeed.

The lack of socializing is one reason why you see people with crappy boards, few posts and thousands of followers, and people with beautifully curated feeds who have a few hundred.

In many cases, the people with the crappy boards were very social. The people with the beautiful boards sat back and waited for people to come to them.

Learn SEO Tips Via Instagram @impactzoneco

If you would like to learn simple SEO and small business tips, then follow me on Instagram @impactzoneco. I post once or twice a day. Usually, once. I provide advice to small businesses on how to get found online.

Do you have any Instagram tips you would like to share? If so, please leave them in the comments below. I’m still learning how to use Instagram well. I would love to hear what works for you.

To learn more about how I can help you get found online with SEO, please go to my SEO services page or contact me.