Hashtags are the lifeblood of Instagram discovery. But the way we use them is constantly evolving. What worked in 2020 might not get you the same results today. The Instagram algorithm has become smarter, prioritizing relevance and user engagement above all else.

So, how do you build a winning hashtag strategy for 2025? Let's dive into the most effective techniques to get your content seen by the right people.

1. The "Hashtag Ladder" Strategy

Don't just use massive hashtags with millions of posts. Your content will get buried in seconds. Instead, use the "ladder" approach by mixing different sizes of hashtags. A good mix is:

  • Niche & Community Specific (5-10 tags): Very targeted tags with 10k-100k posts. This is where your ideal audience hangs out. (e.g., #karachifoodbloggers)
  • Medium-Sized (5-10 tags): Tags with 100k-500k posts. These give you a good chance to trend if your post gets early engagement. (e.g., #pakistanifood)
  • Popular (2-5 tags): Broad tags with 1M+ posts. While it's hard to trend here, a good post can get a quick burst of visibility. (e.g., #foodie)

2. Use Our AI Hashtag Generator for Ideas

Finding this mix manually is time-consuming. That's why we built our AI Hashtag Generator. It analyzes your post's topic and suggests a balanced list of hashtags, saving you hours of research. It's the perfect starting point for your strategy.

3. Place Hashtags in the First Comment

Does it matter if you put hashtags in the caption or the first comment? For the algorithm, there's no difference. However, placing them in the first comment keeps your caption looking clean and professional, which improves the user experience.

4. Create a Branded Hashtag

A branded hashtag is unique to your business (e.g., #MajorCreatorKit). Encourage your followers to use it. This not only builds a community but also creates a gallery of user-generated content that you can feature on your profile.

5. Never Use Banned Hashtags

This is critical. Using even one "banned" or "broken" hashtag can get your post shadowbanned, severely limiting its reach. Before you post, always run your list through our Banned Hashtag Checker to stay safe.

Conclusion

A smart hashtag strategy is about relevance, not just popularity. By using a mix of different sized tags, creating your own branded hashtag, and always checking for banned tags, you can significantly improve your Instagram reach and connect with an audience that truly values your content.