By Jodine McIntyre 
Instagram hashtags have been a cornerstone of Instagram strategy for years, but with ongoing changes to the platform, are they still worth your time in 2025? Let’s dive into whether Instagram hashtags are a valuable tool for increasing your reach on the platform.
What Are Instagram Hashtags Used For?
Instagram hashtags group your content by topic or theme, allowing your posts to become part of larger conversations. For example, when you add a hashtag like #SensitiveSkinCare to your skincare post, it categorises your content, making it easier for people interested in that topic to find your post.
Hashtags can be a powerful tool for discoverability, helping your posts get grouped with other content that’s tagged with the same hashtag. This increases the chances of your post appearing in hashtag-based search results or on the Explore page.
Do Instagram Hashtags Still Increase Reach?
Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, has said that hashtags “don’t meaningfully change your reach.” He clarified in 2022 that using hashtags won’t cause an overnight spike in your reach but could help a little. While it may seem like hashtags are less powerful than before, they still have value when used strategically.
Why You Should Use Hashtags on Instagram
Here’s why you should still use hashtags on Instagram:
- Categorising Your Content: By using hashtags, you’re making your content searchable. People who are interested in specific topics, such as #NaturalIngredients, will come across your post when they search for that hashtag.
- Appearing in Keyword Searches: Instagram’s search engine scans captions for keywords, not just hashtags. This means your post can appear in search results even if someone searches a phrase like “natural skincare” instead of the hashtag itself.
- Increased Visibility: While you can no longer follow hashtags on Instagram, the platform’s search engine still considers hashtags for relevance. This can lead to new users discovering your content when they search for related topics.
The Power of Hashtags: Real Data
I decided to dive into the data to see how hashtags are performing for me. In my last 10 posts, I used around 30 hashtags per post. When I reviewed my insights, I saw a 9% increase in impressions directly from hashtags.
It’s not a dramatic result, but a 9% boost in impressions is still worth paying attention to. And the best part is that you can do this too.
How to Check Your Hashtag Performance
To check if hashtags are helping your posts, open your Instagram post, click on “View Insights,” and scroll to “Impressions.” Under “Impressions,” you’ll find a breakdown of how many impressions came from hashtags. This is a simple way to track the effectiveness of your hashtag strategy.
Final Thoughts: Should You Still Use Hashtags?
While Instagram hashtags may not have the same impact they once did, they still offer value. They help categorise content, increase discoverability, and provide a slight boost to your reach. By strategically using hashtags, you can still improve your content’s visibility and get in front of new audiences.