How to find Instagram Hashtags for reels, viral posts?

In the fast-evolving world of social media, staying visible is one of the biggest challenges creators and brands face. With millions of videos uploaded daily, especially on visual-first platforms like Instagram, making your Reels stand out requires more than just good content—it demands strategy. And one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is the hashtag and to find instagram hashtags is the first thing to do as a content creator.

Hashtags have been a cornerstone of content discovery for over a decade. On Instagram, they play a vital role in how your content is distributed, discovered, and engaged with. When used correctly, hashtags and Bios for instagram can exponentially increase your content’s reach, connect you to new audiences, and even help your Reels go viral. But not all hashtags are created equal—and not all trends last. So how do you find the right hashtags, especially the trending ones that can supercharge your content?

Find Instagram hashtags for reels, trending content

Hashtags are keywords or phrases prefixed with the “#” symbol (e.g., #TravelTips, #VeganReels). They function like tags or labels. When you use one, your post appears in the public feed associated with that hashtag. They coordinate content discovery, community grouping, and topic categorisation.

How hashtags help in getting views, likes?

• They group content by theme or topic.
• They boost discoverability beyond your followers.
• Strategic hashtags can get your Reels featured on Explore pages or hashtag-specific feeds.

Instagram hashtag analytics for content reach

When used wisely, hashtags can dramatically increase content visibility:

Timely Visibility
Trending hashtags—topics currently buzzing—can give your content a significant boost when used appropriately.

Categorization & Search
People browsing or searching hashtags like #bakingtips can stumble on your Reel—even if they don’t follow you.

Placement on Explore & Top Tabs
Popular hashtags often have “Top” and “Recent” tabs. If your Reel climbs to the “Top” section, it could reach thousands more users.

Expansion of Content Bubble
Instagram’s algorithm learns who engages with certain content. Hashtags help it serve your Reel to relevant communities (e.g., makeup lovers, fitness fans).

Also read: Best Posting times for Youtube in 2025 for Shorts

How does instagram hashtag for post algorithm work?

Instagram classifies hashtags into tiers based on activity:

• High-competition means 1M+ posts (e.g., #reels, #viral).
• Medium-competition hashtags 100K–1M posts (e.g., #DIYHomeDecor).
• Low-competition / niche below <100K posts (e.g., #KeralaTravelTips).
• Branded / community / location / event tags (e.g., #MyBrandName, #MumbaiFoodie).

Recent Instagram advice:

• Aim for 7–15 hashtags—a blend of sizes.
• Use only relevant, non-spammy hashtags.

Overuse or irrelevance leads to poor performance—or worse, shadow bans.

How to find Instagram hashtags trending for reels?

1. Tap Search, type a keyword in reels or Instagram trending page.
2. Switch to Tags tab: view usage counts and related suggestions.
3. Note how “related tags” surface trending or rising tags.
4. Visit a tag page, check posts and observe the “Top” tab, including view counts.

Search in ‘Page Trends’ for relevant content

Instagram’s Explore tab adapts to your profile. Browse there to see rising Reel themes and extract hashtags they use.

Monitor Competitors instagram hashtags

Analyze high-performing competitors in your niche: take note of frequently used tags, note which bring real engagement—and adapt.

Use External Tools & Reports analytics

• Dash Social reports (June 2025): #summer25, #summervibes, #reelsinstagram.
• Accio lists (#reels, #viral, #explore, #reelsviral) based on real Reel usage.

These help identify trending tags by month or theme.

5 working Instagram hashtags generator websites

How to find a viral instagram hashtag for your content?

• Pop tags (e.g. #viralreels – 1.9M uses) bring potential reach.
• Mid-tier (e.g. #summerinthecity – 1.9M uses) cut competition.
• Niche/hyper-specific tags (#KeralaTravelDiaries) target relevant audiences.
• Branded as in your own tags (#YourBrandReels) promote community and trackability.

Use relevant hashtags for Instagram

Only add tags directly related to the reel. Irrelevant tags damage engagement credibility and algorithm trust.

• Use seasonal tags: #summervibes now, swap in #fallrecipes in autumn.
• Connect with popular events: festivals, holidays, current viral challenges.

Example: #summer25, #beachlife trending June 2025.

Where to place instagram hashtags?

• In caption tags work best as algorithm reads it immediately but avoid cluttering text.
• First comment will give a cleaner look, still discoverable within 30–60 minutes post publishing.

How to avoid hashtag spam for instagram?

• Rotate tag sets regularly for avoiding duplicate lists.
• Monitor “reach from hashtags” metrics.
• Adhere to recommended count (7–15 tags).

Use new tags for instagram daily

Periodically replace underperforming tags—keep top performers and introduce 1–2 new trending tags weekly—cue for evergreen relevance.

Monitor hashtag performance Instagram insights

Check “reach from hashtags” per Reel. Note which tags drove views.

• Keyhole: measures impressions, engagement rates.
• Flick: test tag groups for blind A/B comparisons.

Layered Instagram hashtag strategy for longterm content

For each Reel:

1. 1–3 High-volume tags (1M+ posts) – e.g. #reelsinstagram (539M), #viralreels (1.9M)
2. 5–7 Mid-tiertags (100K–1M) – e.g. #summervibes (72M), #reelsviral (121M)
3. 2–4 Niche tags (<100K) – e.g. #DIYHomeDecor (8M total but niche)
4. 1–2 Branded/community tags – e.g. #YourBrandTips or #MumbaiFoodie

Example for a home décor Reel:

lessCopyEdit#reelsinstagram #viralreels #summervibes #DIYHomeDecor #HomeDecor2025 #CreativeHomeDesign #YourBrandDecor

Instagram hashtag examples for Love, food, travel

Filming street food in Mumbai:

Results: 35,000 views in 48 hrs, trending under #StreetFoodIndia and #MumbaiFoodie.

Kerala Waterfall Football Trick

A viral Reel (554M views!) used #Reels focus, football and location tags.

Vegan Cooking Reel

Caption hashtags:

lessCopyEdit#VeganReels #PlantBasedRecipes #HealthyCooking #FoodTok #HomeChef #QuickDinner

– Balanced, placed in caption. Tracked via burns: #FoodTok drove 42% of hashtag reach.

Creating Instagram hashtags for likes

1. Too many generic tags will Limit visibility due to over saturation.
2. Using irrelevant/banned tags for each post may lead to reduced reach or shadow banning.
3. Unchanging tag lists can Signal spam behaviour and it reduces algorithm efficacy.
4. Hiding tags with formatting tricks with content doesn’t work anymore but Instagram still indexes.
5. Expecting instant viral reach will not work because good tags don’t replace engaging content.

Instagram hashtags for followers

• Seasonal Campaigns like event rotation (#summer25, #falldecor, #festivevibes) monthly.
• Location Tags will attract nearby users, so try geo-specific tags (#KukatpallyEats, #HyderabadStreetFood).
• Branded Tags provide trust and will encourage followers to watch your content (#YourBrandName).
• Challenge Tags: Participate in trending challenges (#SummerDanceChallenge).
  

Also read: Best Social media apps to create content in 2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many hashtags should I use?
Use between 7–15 tags total, spanning popular, mid-tier, niche, and branded types.

Does placement matter?
Caption placement reads faster; first‑comment is aesthetic but still effective.

What about Instagram Stories?
Use 1–3 hashtags in your Story (hidden or visible) to increase discoverability.

Are branded tags worth it?
Yes, they help for community building, tracking, and loyalty. Unique to campaigns or brand names.

Should I hide or show my hashtags?
Avoid small/white font tricks as they’re still indexed, but avoid them because they don’t help.

How to use Instagram hashtags to boost profile reach?

• Define your content & audience before picking tags.
• Research trending tags via Instagram search and tools.
• Implement a layered strategy by focusing on trending, niche, branded.
• Place strategically within caption or comment and rotate sets frequently.
• Track performance via Insights & external analytics.
• Update tags seasonally or through theme for fresh relevance.
• Stay relevant & non-spammy because relevance wins over quantity.

Finding Trending Hashtags for Instagram in 2025

Hashtags are a free but powerful tool to amplify your Reels—but they’re only as effective as the approach. A thoughtful, balanced, and data-driven hashtag strategy that is tailored to your niche and content style can help your Reels land on Explore, trend alongside seasonality, and boost follower growth.

Using trending hashtags is a smart way to ride the momentum of current conversations and themes. But the real key to success is intentionality. Just like Snapchat Username or Youtube channel profile, it’s not about stuffing your captions with every trending tag—it’s about using the right tags, at the right time, for the right content.

As you continue to post Reels, remember that hashtag strategy is not a one-and-done effort. Trends shift, hashtags evolve, and audiences change. Make it a habit to review what’s working, explore what’s trending, and update your approach regularly. Use analytics tools, study high-performing competitors, and don’t be afraid to test and iterate your own strategy.

Incorporate hashtags that align with your content, your voice, and your goals—and stay consistent. With a little research, creativity, and experimentation, the right hashtags can help take your Reels from unnoticed to unforgettable.