Mastering the Art of Reels Hashtags: How to Get Viral on Instagram

In the vast world of social media, Instagram has emerged as a powerful platform for creators, influencers, and businesses to connect with their audience. However, with the introduction of Reels, Instagram’s short-form video feature, the competition for attention has reached new heights. To stand out from the crowd and achieve viral success on Instagram, one key strategy you must master is using Reels hashtags.

Understanding Reels Hashtags

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of Reels hashtags, let’s clarify what they are and how they differ from common hashtags. Hashtags are keywords or phrases preceded by the “#” symbol used to categorize content on social media platforms. Reel hashtags, tailored explicitly for the Reels feature on Instagram, help increase the discoverability and reach of your videos.

Reel hashtags function differently from regular hashtags because they are specifically designed to optimize the performance of your Reels. While common hashtags can still be effective, Reels hashtags have unique advantages that can boost your chances of going viral on Instagram. Understanding the intricacies of Reels hashtags is crucial to maximizing your content’s visibility and engagement.

Researching the Right Hashtags

To harness the power of Reels hashtags, you must conduct thorough research to identify the most effective ones for your content. That involves understanding Instagram’s algorithm for Reels and finding the right balance between niche and trending hashtags. Then, by delving into the interests and preferences of your target audience, you can discover the hashtags that resonate with them the most and align with your content strategy.

Instagram’s algorithm plays a vital role in determining the visibility of your Reels. It considers factors such as engagement, relevance, and timeliness when deciding which videos to show users. Using the right Reels hashtags, you can increase the chances of your content appearing on the Explore page or the Reels tab, where users can discover and engage with your videos.

Finding the right mix of niche and trending hashtags is essential. Niche hashtags allow you to reach a specific audience interested in your content while trending hashtags can temporarily boost your Reels’ visibility. A combination of both can help you strike a balance between long-term growth and immediate exposure.

Check the popularity and competition level of each hashtag you consider. Using highly competitive hashtags may make gaining traction harder for your Reels. In contrast, overly niche or obscure hashtags might limit your reach. Instead, aim for hashtags with moderate competition and a significant number of posts to increase your chances of getting noticed.

Implementing Hashtags in Your Reels

Once you have identified the best Reels hashtags for your content, it’s time to implement them. But how exactly do you use hashtags in your Reels, and where should you place them? Here are some best practices to follow:

Add your hashtags in the caption or the comments section of your Reels. While adding them in the caption is more visible, adding them in the comments section can help you avoid cluttering your caption and make it look cleaner.
Use a mix of broad and specific hashtags to increase your reach and target a relevant audience. For instance, use hashtags like #Reels, #Instagram, or #video to reach a broader audience, and more specific hashtags like #beautyReels or #fitnessReels to reach a more targeted audience.

Keep your hashtags relevant to your content. Avoid using irrelevant or generic hashtags that don’t relate to your video, as they can harm your visibility and engagement.

Also, remember that Instagram allows you to add up to 30 hashtags per Reel. However, using fewer hashtags can look spammy and lower the quality of your content. So aim to balance using enough hashtags to increase visibility and not overdoing them to avoid looking spammy.

Hashtags That Went Viral in 2021 & 2022

#BlackLivesMatter

The #BlackLivesMatter hashtag has been around for several years. Still, it gained renewed momentum in 2020 following the death of George Floyd. The hashtag became a rallying cry for social justice and anti-racism, sparking worldwide protests and conversations about systemic racism.

#COVID19

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives countless times, and the hashtag #COVID19 has been at the forefront of the conversation. This hashtag has been used to share information and experiences related to the pandemic, from public health announcements to personal stories.

#StopAsianHate

The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the past year has led to the #StopAsianHate movement, with people using the hashtag to raise awareness and denounce racism towards Asian Americans.

#MeToo

The #MeToo movement, which started in 2017, gained even more momentum in 2020 and 2021 as more people shared their experiences with sexual harassment and assault. The hashtag has been used to bring attention to the issue and call for change.

#VaccineSelfie

With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the hashtag #VaccineSelfie has become popular on social media, with people sharing photos of themselves getting vaccinated to promote the importance of vaccination.

#PlantTok

The rise of TikTok has led to various subcultures on the platform, including #PlantTok, which showcases plant care tips and advice.

#CryptoTwitter

The cryptocurrency world has risen in the past few years. The hashtag #CryptoTwitter has become a hub for discussions, news, and insights about digital currencies.

#NFTs

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have become a hot topic in the art world, and the hashtag #NFTs has been used to showcase and sell digital artwork.

#Inflation

With the global economy facing inflationary pressures, the hashtag #Inflation has been used to discuss its impact and share insights on navigating it.

#CancelCulture

The concept of cancel culture has been widely debated in recent years. The hashtag #CancelCulture has been used to share opinions, experiences, and criticisms of the trend.

#WorkFromHome

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in remote work. As a result, the hashtag #WorkFromHome has become a popular way to share tips, insights, and challenges related to working from home.

#Travel

As travel restrictions ease up, the hashtag #Travel has been used to showcase destinations, share experiences, and inspire wanderlust.

#ClimateChange

The urgent issue of climate change has led to the rise of the hashtag #ClimateChange, which has been used to share news

#EcoFriendly

With growing awareness of environmental issues, the hashtag #EcoFriendly has become popular as people share tips, products, and initiatives that promote sustainability.

#DogeCoin

The cryptocurrency Dogecoin gained significant attention in 2021. The hashtag #DogeCoin has been used to share news, updates, and insights about digital currency.

#MentalHealthAwareness

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on mental health. The hashtag #MentalHealthAwareness has been used to promote awareness, share resources, and reduce stigma.

#BodyPositivity

The body positivity movement continues to gain momentum, and the hashtag #BodyPositivity has been used to promote self-love, acceptance, and diversity.

#Sustainability

Sustainability is an increasingly important issue. The hashtag #Sustainability has been used to share tips, products, and initiatives that promote eco-friendly practices and reduce waste.

#BLM

An abbreviation of the Black Lives Matter hashtag, #BLM has also been used widely to support the movement for racial justice.

#Vegan

As more people adopt a plant-based lifestyle, the hashtag #Vegan has become popular. People share recipes, tips, and products that align with a vegan diet.

#Fintech

The intersection of finance and technology has led to the rise of fintech, and the hashtag #Fintech has been used to discuss innovations, startups, and trends in the industry.

#RemoteWork

As remote work becomes more widespread, the hashtag #RemoteWork has been used to share tips, tools, and best practices for working from home.

Creating Engaging Reels Content

While Reels hashtags are essential, they aren’t the only factor determining your content’s success. Your Reels’ quality, creativity, and engagement also significantly determine whether they go viral. Here are some tips for creating engaging Reels content that encourages user engagement:

Keep your videos short, catchy, and visually appealing. Reels only allow up to 60 seconds of video. Make the most of that time to grab the user’s attention and convey your message effectively.

Add music, sound effects, or voiceovers to make your Reels more engaging and immersive. Choose the fitting soundtrack that complements your video’s mood and style.
Encourage user engagement by asking questions, inviting comments, or running a contest. Instagram’s algorithm considers user engagement a critical metric when deciding which videos to promote.

Analyzing Your Reels Performance

As with any social media strategy, tracking your Reels performance is crucial to identify what works and what doesn’t. Instagram provides several metrics that allow you to measure the success of your Reels, including views, likes, comments, shares and saves. Here’s how to use Instagram’s insights to improve your Reels content:

Monitor your Reels‘ performance regularly to identify patterns, trends, and areas for improvement. Analyze the metrics and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Experiment with different hashtags, content formats, and topics to see what resonates the most with your audience. Keep track of your experiments and track your progress.
Learn from your competitors and industry leaders. See what kind of Reels are performing well in your niche and draw inspiration from them to improve your content.

By consistently analyzing your Reels performance and making data-driven decisions, you can maximize your chances of achieving viral success on Instagram.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of Reels hashtags is crucial to achieving viral success on Instagram. You can increase your visibility and engagement on the platform by researching the right hashtags, implementing them in your Reels, creating engaging content, analyzing your performance, and adapting to changes. Remember to stay consistent, authentic, and relevant to your audience’s interests and preferences. Always keep learning and experimenting with new strategies.

FAQs

Here are some common questions that people ask about Reels hashtags:

How many hashtags should I use in my Reels?

Aim for a balance between using enough hashtags to increase visibility and not overdoing them to avoid looking spammy. For example, Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per Reel, but using 5-10 relevant hashtags is a good practice.

Can I use the same hashtags for every Reel?

While you can reuse some of the hashtags relevant to your content and niche, it’s essential to switch them up regularly to avoid looking repetitive and keep your content fresh.

What should I do if my Reels are getting little engagement?

You can do several things to improve your Reels’ engagement, including optimizing your hashtags, creating more engaging content, experimenting with different formats and topics, and collaborating with other creators or brands.

How can I find the best Reels hashtags for my niche?

You can use various tools and resources to research the best Reels hashtags for your niche, including Instagram’s search bar, hashtags generator tools, competitor analysis, and industry research.

Should I pay for a promotion to get my Reels viral?

While paid promotion can increase your Reels’ visibility and engagement, other ways to achieve viral success on Instagram exist. By following the best practices and strategies outlined in this article, you can improve your Reels’ performance organically and gradually increase your reach and following. However, paid promotion can be valuable to boost your Reels’ exposure and attract new followers.