GET NOTICED. Hashtags, love them or hate them, they do the job. Not to lure you here under false pretenses, I feel I should say I am NOT an Instagram Yoda. It’s a platform I am just starting to focus on. At first filling my feed full of ### felt a little ‘hey look at me!’ Don’t be embarrassed. It’s as pointless as trying to convince my son that peas are not the devil’s food.
Why use Hashtags?
Hashtags are not spam, they are tools. If you’re new to Instagram, or blogging hashtags are key to getting your photos seen and your profile discovered. They allow you to reach a bigger audience, expose yourself (not in that way) to more people and therefore increase engagement. You can also easier connect with other users who share the same interests as you. I love finding new accounts!
You can use 30 hashtags per picture, make use of them! Save them in notes on your phone and sticky notes on your laptop so it will always be accessible.
But which ones to choose?
There are thousands of Instagram communities out there and as many possibilities as there are words. You can use generic hashtags like #child which are very popular, but will be used by millions. Don’t just tag any old word #I #Like #Sandwiches.
Mix and match your hashtags, see what communities suit you. I often use the same ones as I enjoy the content. With some of the bigger hashtags you will find a lot of professional photography so may not get as many reciprocal likes and comments; BUT you may enjoy the pictures, how the photographer uses light etc. There are general ones such as #Throwbackthursday where you repost old pictures.
Add a hash for places you visit or products and brands you are using!
That said, don’t just copy and paste hashtags every time without consideration. Pick according to subject of the picture. Which will get best exposure? If it’s a hashtag for outdoor play don’t put it on a foodie #.
Where do the #’s go?
I have read different opinions about where to place IG hashtags. Personally I add them next to the description. Others post them in comments. They have the exact same function as those in a photo description but you will not see the hashtags when published on social media and appearance wise it looks neater. If the hashtags are added in the comments they must be included immediately after posting, this also helps the post to rank higher.
Do your favourite Linky’s have hashtags?
I love linky’s but am just terrible at joining regularly! If you want to check out the different relevant ones out there check out @youbabymemummy’s LINKY LIST. #Stayclassymama who have a community online as do some of my favourites, #KCACOLS #Coolmumclub, #Tribalchat, #Ukparentbloggers, #Totsphoto and #Pinklinker.
Instagram communities for parent bloggers.
#Littlefierceones for all littles, old or young created by @Youbabymemummy and @Mrandmrstplusthree. It has daily featured images and as they are both top parent bloggers, it is a very active community and has over 200,000 posts.
#Happylittlebuttons This is a quickly growing # of 15,000 from the fantastic hosts @3_LittleButtons, @MrsLighty and @Rhymingwithwine. The theme for the hashtag is happy moments, memories and things that made you smile.
#Mydarlingmemory was created by @Amumtrackmind for the everyday moments, not just the big milestones. It has around 13,000 really sweet snaps. Lots of adorable little faces smiling up at you.
#WorldofLittles is a community that I love to browse through, there are some stunning photos, 100,000 posts started by the lovely @Whitecamellias whose own photo style I love.
#Rememberingthesedays is another popular (56,000). Made by @Lifeatbabykicks and @Mudpiefridays for special moments in family life. I find this one is good for finding and connecting to other #pbloggers.
#Capturingtheday (19,000) by Double the monkey business (@von_nee) and @LifeisKnutts is a # for everyone, not specifically for bloggers and I like as it gives a wide scope for what you can include.
#Lionessmama is a new community started by myself and @Mummyinatutu (10,000) for funny snaps, haggard headshots and crying children. You don’t need a filter.
#Myhappycapture is another popular hashtag run by well-known parent bloggers @WhatKatysaidUK and @QFShesaid. One thing that has struck me is that both hosts will often like the images added, even though there are A LOT of photos (100,000).
#Mummyshot was created by an @Imperfectmum and @Macglanville for any image that tells a story or captures an emotion without showing the face. I take so many pictures of the back of my sons head this is perfect (7,000).
#Perfectandproud (11,000) Another wonderful new hashtag made by the fab combination of @Oddhogg @Fivelittledove5 @Runjumpscrap @2ndtimemama is a place for you to share all your photos of moments you are proud of.
#Thismamaloves Is a beautiful idea created by the ever stylish @Justsayingmum with over 24,000 photos, doing just as it says, encouraging mothers to share images of things they love. It is to express ourselves, our interests and admire some beautiful shots.
#DevelopingLife is a community created to showcase the captures of life created by @Superbusymum (26,000).
#Lifecloseup (75,000) created by @letstalkmommy for those little details that we may not always focus on but that are just as important and inspirational to share.
#Funseekingkids (4,000) by @Burnishedchaos and @Susie_hawes is another popular little expanding community to add your pictures too.
#Meandmineproject (3,000) created @meandmineproject to inspire each other with lots of lovely family portraits.
Adventure and Outdoors
#Curiouslittleexplorers (37,000) for family shots of the outdoors, the countryside, mini adventurers created by @Lifeunexpected and @Newyoungmum.
#Explorerkids (34,000) by @Kippersandcurtains an @Ethannevelyn is about children, family and fun – exploring and travelling all together to make a wholesome picture of what it is like to travel with kids – young and/or old.
#Whatevertheweatherkids is the place to link up your outdoor, family themed blog posts, old or new (7,200) created by @Monkeyandmousey. Enjoy the wellies.
#UKExplore (12,000) created by @Minitravellers and @TheOrdinaryL to show your favourite places across the UK and your outdoor adventures.
#Letsgolittles is a growing community (4,500) for vibrant photos of adventures with your little ones made by @3_little_ladies and has some lovely shots.
Other travel adventure communities: #Wanderlustkids (681) #Myfamilyadventures (23,000) #Playfreemylove (293) #Awanderfulchildhood (483) #Wildandfreekids (24,000) #Travelwithchildren (27,000).
For parents: #Beinthepicture (657) #Showyouwerethere (53) #Themeinmummy (176).
#Living arrows (4,700) Living arrows is an image based Linky about celebrating childhood.
Large #Pblogger hashtags.
#Oureverydaymoments (100,000) #Pixel_kids (992,0000) #Childrenofig (48,000) #ChildrenofInstagram (325,000) #Mumsofig (17,000) #MumsofInstagram (192,000) #Instakids #Instakidsfashion #Instakidsworlds #Instakidsstyle #Instakidsmodel #Instakidsphoto (9,000,000) #Ig_motherhood (454,000) #Childhoodunplugged (3,000,000) #Cameramama (750,000) #Letthembelittle (1,800,000) #Nothingisordinary (1,500,000) #Dearphotographer (590,000) #Littlestoriesofmylife (370,000) #Darlingdaily (216,000) #Mybeautifulmess (340,000) #Littleandbrave 1,700,000 #Motherhoodunplugged (619,000)) #Simplychildren (1,020,000) #Lovelifeoutside 112,000 #Motherhoodrising (549,000) #Uniteinmotherhood (935,500) #Candidchildhood (2,346,000) #Dailyparenting (490,000) #Mytinymoments (386,000) #Humansofjoy (225,000) #Documentyourdays 575,000#Littlestoriesofmylife 370,000 #Cherisheverymoment (219,000) #Illuminatechildhood (114,000) #Motherlylove 107,000
Interact! Don’t expect your account to grow without you interacting as well.
It is hard to keep track, they are new # emerging all the time. I spent a good few hours compiling this list so please, use and share. If you have a community or know of ones not listed PLEASE add it in the comments so we can check them out!
What are some of your go to hashtags? Have you found any that have significantly helped you grow your own community?
