Using Hashtags with Product Photos

Are hashtags even a thing anymore?

Some people say no, including Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram.

Some people say yes, they are and you should be using hashtags with product photos to increase the visibility and discoverability of your product photos on social media.

Although it is widely accepted now that on most major platofrms, the hashtag is a thing of the past, people often take much longer to catch up.

As an example, I still do hashtag searches on Instagram and Pinterest.  And I know I’m not alone.

So if you stopped using hashtags, you are leaving potential views on the table.

When used strategically, hashtags can help you reach a broader audience, attract potential customers, and allow you to engage with your target market more effectively.

This short guide will provide best practices for using hashtags with product photos to maximize your social media impact.

Research and Select Relevant Hashtags

The first step in using hashtags effectively is to research and select those that are relevant to your product and target audience.

• Start with Industry-Specific Hashtags: Use hashtags that directly relate to your industry or niche. For instance, if you’re promoting a skincare product, hashtags like #skincare, #beautyproducts, or #selfcare could be highly effective.
• Incorporate Trending and Niche Hashtags: Balance between trending hashtags and more specific niche tags. Trending hashtags can help you tap into broader conversations, while niche hashtags can target more specific, engaged audiences.

Use Branded Hashtags

Creating and using a branded hashtag can enhance your brand’s visibility and foster a sense of community among your followers.

• Create a Unique Branded Hashtag: Your branded hashtag should be unique, memorable, and directly related to your brand or a specific campaign. Encourage your customers to use this hashtag when sharing their own photos of your products. This not only spreads brand awareness but also generates user-generated content that you can repost.
• Promote Your Branded Hashtag: Include your branded hashtag in your bio, on your website, and in all marketing materials to encourage widespread use.

Optimize the Number of Hashtags

Different platforms have different best practices when it comes to the number of hashtags.

• Instagram: On Instagram, using around 9-11 hashtags tends to maximize engagement, though you can use up to 30. It’s essential to avoid using too many generic hashtags that might dilute your post’s impact.
• Facebook and Twitter: For platforms like Facebook and Twitter, it’s generally recommended to use fewer hashtags, ideally 1-2 per post, to avoid coming off as spammy.

Place Hashtags Strategically

The placement of your hashtags can influence how they’re perceived and how they perform.

• In Captions vs. Comments: On Instagram, hashtags can be placed in either the caption or the first comment. Placing them in the caption makes them immediately visible, which is beneficial for discoverability. However, placing them in the comments can keep the caption clean while still being effective. (Although their effectiveness in captions is up for debate.)
• Spacing and Aesthetics: Use line breaks or periods to separate your hashtags from the rest of your caption, ensuring your post remains visually appealing.

Monitor and Adjust Your Hashtag Strategy

Finally, it’s important to monitor the performance of your hashtags and adjust your strategy as needed.

• Analyze Performance: Use analytics tools provided by the social media platforms or third-party tools to see which hashtags are driving the most engagement. This data will help you refine your hashtag strategy over time.
• Stay Updated on Trends: Hashtag trends can change quickly, so staying updated on the latest trends in your industry is key to maintaining a successful hashtag strategy.

Conclusion

Using hashtags effectively can help the reach and engagement of your product photos on social media. By selecting relevant hashtags, creating a branded hashtag, optimizing the number and placement of hashtags, and regularly analyzing performance, you can maximize the impact of your product photography on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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