Everyone knows that researching relevant Instagram hashtags can significantly increase the visibility of our posts. There may be plenty of makeup artists that look at each other as competition, but I believe that we should all be working together and sharing our knowledge! Here are some strategies that I have come across and plan on implementing myself, so I wanted to share with others looking for guidance.

1. Identify Your Ideal Niche and Client: Understand your target client and what you specialize in. This will help you identify hashtags that are relevant to your content and likely to attract the right audience.

2. Explore Related Hashtags: Start by brainstorming a few broad hashtags related to your specialty, and then explore related hashtags by typing them into the Instagram search bar. Instagram will suggest additional hashtags related to the one you entered. Take note of relevant and popular hashtags that are frequently used in your niche.

3. Use Hashtag Tools: There are several online tools and apps available specifically for hashtag research. Tools like Hashtagify, All Hashtag, and RiteTag can help you discover popular and trending hashtags related to your niche. I haven’t tried these yet myself, but I have heard that these tools provide insights into hashtag popularity, reach, and related hashtags.

4. Analyze Others: Take a look at what hashtags other people in your industry are using. This can give you valuable insights into which hashtags are popular and effective within your specialty.

5. Check Hashtag Performance: Before using a hashtag in your posts, check its performance to ensure it aligns with your goals. Search for the hashtag on Instagram and review the top posts to see if they’re relevant to your content and if they have high engagement. Avoid using hashtags that are overly saturated or filled with spammy content.

6. Mix Up Hashtag Types: Include a mix of popular, niche-specific, and location-based hashtags in your posts. Popular hashtags can help increase visibility, while niche-specific hashtags target a more relevant audience. Location-based hashtags can attract local followers and clients.

7. Create Branded Hashtags: Consider creating your own branded hashtags that are unique to your business or content. Encourage your followers to use your branded hashtags when sharing user-generated content or participating in promotions. This can help build brand awareness and community engagement.

8. Keep an Eye on Trends: Stay up-to-date with current trends and events relevant to your niche. Monitor trending hashtags and incorporate them into your content when appropriate. Trending hashtags can give your posts a visibility boost and help you reach a wider audience. This is one thing I can definitely improve upon, because I have never been into what’s trending myself.

9. Test and Analyze: Experiment with different combinations of hashtags and track their performance using Instagram Insights or third-party analytics tools. Pay attention to which hashtags generate the most engagement and adjust your hashtag strategy accordingly.