300+ Best Instagram Reels Hashtags to Boost Engagement

Need better visibility and engagement on Instagram? This blog lists 300+ high-impact Reel hashtags to help creators, marketers, and businesses grow their performance on Instagram.

Best Instagram Reels Hashtags to Boost Engagement

Reels are now one of the most powerful short-form content formats for creators and brands alike. But if you want your Reels to reach a wider audience, you need to work with, not against, Instagram’s algorithm.

That’s where hashtags for Instagram Reels come in.

But a solid hashtag strategy goes beyond dropping #fyp or #viral on every post.

So, which hashtags actually work? And how do you find the right hashtags for your brand?

In this blog, we answer all such questions and share 300+ high-performing Instagram Reels hashtags across multiple niches.

How We Analyzed and Selected Instagram Reel Hashtags

Each hashtag in this blog was chosen through a data-informed process. We reviewed platform trends, engagement metrics, and niche relevance, specifically for Instagram Reels. We compared over 100K popular Instagram hashtags and their posts to finally come up with a list of 300+ trending and evergreen hashtags across different categories. The goal is to help you expand the reach of your IG Reels by suggesting hashtags that actually work.

If you’re new to Instagram hashtags in general, our complete Instagram Hashtags Guide breaks down everything you need to know before diving into Reels.

Do Reel Hashtags Still Work in 2025?

Short answer: Yes, and no. Our data shows that Reels posted without hashtags saw a 23% better reach than those loaded with hashtags.

So, is it time to give up on Instagram hashtags?

Not yet! But gone are the days when stuffing your Reels with trending hashtags alone could skyrocket your reach.

Today, it’s about relevance and precision. The key is to use a clever mix of hashtags that includes niche, local, trending, branded, and community tags. These tags must directly align with your content and resonate with your target audience.

But here’s the catch:
Even the best hashtags alone won’t guarantee reach or engagement.

What you also need is great content and captions. Our research also showed that captions with over 300 characters drive 70% more traffic.

So, using hashtags for Instagram Reels is just one part of the larger algorithm puzzle. To truly move the needle on reach, views, and interactions, you need to pair hashtags with a well-rounded strategy.

Here’s what else you should focus on:

  • An optimized Instagram profile
  • Good quality content that resonates with your target audience
  • Captions of over 300 characters
  • Consistent posting schedule
  • Engagement with your audience
  • SEO tactics beyond just hashtags to improve discoverability
  • Better collaborations and cross-promotions for improved reach.

300+ Best Hashtags for Instagram Reels (in 2025):

In the sections below, we will be talking about some targeted hashtags for Instagram Reels. The hashtags discussed below include everything from trending reel hashtags to community and niche-specific hashtags.

1. General Trending Instagram Hashtags for Reels:

The most trending Instagram hashtags are usually the ones with a broad appeal. Some such trending hashtags for Reels include #reels, #reelsinstagram, #viral, and #explore. Given below is a more comprehensive list:

  1. #instagramreels
  2. #reels
  3. #explorepage
  4. #instagood
  5. #viralreels
  6. #contentcreator
  7. #trendingreels
  8. #socialmedia
  9. #instatrend
  10. #reelsoftheday
  11. #instareel
  12. #newreel
  13. #discoverme
  14. #viral
  15. #trendingnow
  16. #reelsinstagram
  17. #fyp
  18. #reelitfeelit
  19. #reelsvideo
  20. #reelsviral
  21. #explore
  22. #instagram
  23. #trending
  24. #smallbusinesssaturday
  25. #fallvibes
  26. #holidayseason
  27. #reel
  28. #trendingsound
  29. #smallbusiness
  30. #viralreel
  31. #photography
  32. #instadaily
  33. #followforfollowback
  34. #likeforlikes
  35. #reelkarofeelkaro
  36. #reelsinsta
  37. #reelsofinstagram
  38. #reelstrending
  39. #memes
  40. #follow
  41. #music

The below Instagram reel by @aaya_langa uses a few trending hashtags like #fyp, #trending #viral etc to get their content on your feed and make it go viral, but it still fails to provide a proper context, thus limiting its reach.

Hashtags for trending Reels

Tip: When using trending hashtags, mix them with some content-specific ones, like #dancing, #singing, # challengeSport. Etc. This helps Instagram algorithms can make your reel reach the right audience.

2. Best Marketing Hashtags:

Some of the best hashtags for marketing Reels are #marketing, #contentcreator, #smallbusiness, and #digitalmarketing. Other popular reel hashtags that you can use here are #foryou or #fyp. Below is a more comprehensive list:

  1. #marketing
  2. #marketingstrategy
  3. #marketingmonday
  4. #innovation
  5. #inspiration
  6. #instamarketingstrategies
  7. #instastrategy
  8. #instadigitalmarketing
  9. #retailmarketing
  10. #ecommercemarketing
  11. #realestatemarketing
  12. #videomarketing
  13. #digitalcreators
  14. #instaaffiliate
  15. #instaemailmarketing
  16. #contentmarketing
  17. #socialmediastrategy
  18. #growthmarketing
  19. #emailmarketingtips
  20. #brandingstrategy
  21. #ugcmarketing
  22. #contentplanner
  23. #smallbusinessmarketing
  24. #instabusiness
  25. #instasales
  26. #instastartups

The image below, shows a reel by @itsryanto, a content creator known for breaking down marketing and creator economy playbooks. Notice how his caption is crystal clear, and the hashtags used – #creator, #contentmarketingtips, #marketing, #growthmarketing – are both niche-targeted and high-performing.

Hashtags for marketing Reels

Tip: Use a “funnel-style” hashtag mix that includes 1-2 broad, high-volume hashtags (like #marketing, #digitalmarketing) ; 3–4 niche-specific hashtags (like #contentmarketingtips, #growthmarketing), and 2–3 branded or community hashtags (like #agencylife, #founderoninstagram).

3. Best Reel Hashtags for Agency & Advertising

For Reels aimed at agencies and advertising professionals, use Instagram hashtags that speak directly to the industry. Some popular ones are #agencylife, #advertising, #marketingagency, and #socialmediamarketing.

  1. #agency
  2. #agencylife
  3. #agencywork
  4. #agencypower
  5. #agencylifestyle
  6. #digitalagency
  7. #creativeagency
  8. #marketingagency
  9. #contentstudio
  10. #advertising
  11. #instaadvertising
  12. #instafalseadvertising
  13. #instacampaign
  14. #instatruth
  15. #commercial
  16. #management
  17. #socialmedia
  18. #socialmediamarketing
  19. #instasocialmedia
  20. #instabusiness
  21. #instamedia
  22. #brandingdesign
  23. #webdesign
  24. #instapr
  25. #agencyphotographer

The image below shows a reel by the creative agency @digitalfarm.ae. It stands out for its simplicity: it’s authentic, visually clean, and uses 3 very broad hashtags, including a branded one.

Hashtags for agency Reels

Tip: Not all Reels serve the same purpose, so why should all hashtags be the same? To reach a specific audience, agencies can use more specific hashtags, so if it’s a hiring reel, inserting hashtags like #AgencyHiring, #WorkWithUs, or #JoinOurTeam can be helpful.

4. Best Reel Hashtags for Fitness and Health

Some top Instagram hashtags for fitness and health-related Reels are #fitness, #healthylifestyle, #workoutmotivation, #gymlife, and #fitfam. The list below has some other popular fitness hashtags.

  1. #fitnesshacks
  2. #Instafit
  3. #Getfit
  4. #Fitspiration
  5. #Fitnessaddict
  6. #Fitnessmotivation
  7. #Fitnesslifestyle
  8. #Fitnessgoals
  9. #Fitnesstips
  10. #Fitnessinspiration
  11. #Fitnessblogger
  12. #Fitnessjourney
  13. #Fitnessgoal
  14. #Fitnesstransformation
  15. #gymmotivation
  16. #healthylifestyle
  17. #wellnessjourney
  18. #fitreels
  19. #workoutmotivation
  20. #homeworkout
  21. #selfcaretips
  22. #yogalife
  23. #Yogalove
  24. #Yogainspiration
  25. #Yogafit
  26. #Yogaeverydamnday

The below fitness Reel by creators @fitnessflo.pro, and @caroline.gravity is a seamless blend of educational and promotional content. The Reel uses a mix of branded (like #prozis), community and niche-specific hashtags.

Hashtags for fitness Reels

Tip: You can also use hashtags that highlight specific workouts or training styles like #yoga, #pilates, or #cardio, or even target particular body areas like #legday or #armday. This makes your content more relevant and searchable.

5. Best Hashtags for Food Reels

Food Reels must use a combination of broad, popular hashtags and more specific ones based on the reel’s content. Some widely popular reel hashtags include #food, #foodie, and #foodporn. More of these are in the list below:

  1. #foodie
  2. #foodphotography
  3. #foodlover
  4. #foodstagram
  5. #foodblogger
  6. #foodgasm
  7. #foodiesofinstagram
  8. #foodstylist
  9. #healthyfood
  10. #healthyfoodshare
  11. #healthyfoodlover
  12. #healthyfoodideas
  13. #healthyfoodporn
  14. #healthyfoodchoices
  15. #healthyfoodrecipes
  16. #healthyfoodie
  17. #healthyfoodblog
  18. #instafood
  19. #instafoodie
  20. #instafoodgram
  21. #instafoodlover
  22. #instafoodporn
  23. #instafoodphotography
  24. #instafoodblog
  25. #instafoodies
  26. #foodspiration
  27. #foodilicious
  28. #foodgloriousfood
  29. #foodforthesoul
  30. #foodjunkie
  31. #foodreels
  32. #cookingathome
  33. #tastyrecipes
  34. #foodporn
  35. #homemadefood
  36. #bakingfun
  37. #easyrecipes
  38. #recipeoftheday
  39. #healthyrecipes
  40. #quickmeals

With over 767,000 likes, this Reel by @plantyou is a strong example of how content, consistency, and hashtags work together. It uses a blend of high-performing, niche, and community-based hashtags.

Hashtags for food Reels

Tip: Want to target a niche audience, try specific dietary keywords like #veganrecipe or #plantbaseddiet, or relate them to the cuisine type like #onionpasta. Such tags can help boost SEO within Instagram’s algorithm.

6. Best Hashtags for Lifestyle Reels

Some of the popular lifestyle Reel hashtags are #lifestyle, #healthylifestyle, #health, #wellbeing, and #selfcare, with #lifestyle being the most popular. The complete list of lifestyle hashtags for Reels is given below.

  1. #grwmvibes
  2. #simpleliving
  3. #dailywellness
  4. #lifestylecreator
  5. #GRWM lifestyle
  6. #lifestyleblogger
  7. #redefininglifestyle
  8. #modernlifestyle
  9. #mindfulmoments
  10. #livewellfeelwell
  11. #cleaneatinghabits
  12. #goodvibes
  13. #morningroutine
  14. #selfcare
  15. #instadaily
  16. #balancedliving
  17. #nourishyourself
  18. #healthfocus
  19. #healthfuel
  20. #livinghealthy
  21. #inspiredlifestyle
  22. #reelifestyle
  23. #feelgoodliving
  24. #simplelifestyletips
  25. #lifestyleaesthetics
  26. #joyfulmindset
  27. #everydayhappiness
  28. #positivevibesdaily
  29. #wellbeingjourney
  30. #lifestyleflow
  31. #selfcareandbeyond
  32. #glowuplife

The below reel is a perfect example of why more isn’t always better when it comes to hashtags. This Reel from @squistostudio uses more than 30 hashtags, but ends up getting only 29 likes. This proves a critical point that using too many hashtags can dilute your message and confuse the algorithm.

Hashtags for lifestyle Reels

Tip: #lifestyle has been used over 735K times in the last 7 days. Using a hashtag so popular can make your content get lost. So, we suggest using some more specific ones like #healthylifestyle, #fitnessmotivation, etc.

7. Hashtags for Beauty and Fashion Reels

44% of the content posted by beauty brands is in the form of Reels. And most such Reels are supported by relevant hashtags.

Hashtags like #beauty, #skincare, and #makeup are among the most popular ones in this category. Some other widely used hashtags include #personalcare, #skincareroutine, and #skincareproducts. Below is a more comprehensive list:

  1. #fashion
  2. #ootd (outfit of the day)
  3. #style
  4. #beauty
  5. #makeup
  6. #fashionblogger
  7. #fashionista
  8. #ootdfashion
  9. #styleinspiration
  10. #styleblogger
  11. #styleoftheday
  12. #styletips
  13. #ootdwomen
  14. #ootdstyle
  15. #styled
  16. #festivalfashion
  17. #styleguide
  18. #coachellafashion
  19. #beautyhacks
  20. #skincare
  21. #beautylover
  22. #beautytipsandtricks
  23. #beautyaddict
  24. #beautygram
  25. #beautymakeup
  26. #makeuptutorial
  27. #makeuplover
  28. #makeupartist
  29. #makeuplooks
  30. #summermakeup
  31. #skincarecommunity
  32. #skincareobsessed
  33. #skincareroutine
  34. #skincareproducts

Given below is a promotional reel by @to.my.skin. This reel uses a balanced mix of branded (#beautyofjoseon, #beautyofjoseonpartner), product-specific (#tintedsunscreen, #spf50), and community tags (#glowskin, #nomakeupmakeup, #koreanskincare). It’s search-friendly and aligns with consumer intent.

Hashtags for beauty and fashion Reels

Tip: Pair broad tags like #beauty with niche ones like #dewyskinroutine or #minimalmakeuplook to stand out without getting buried. Here you can also use branded hashtags like #SunSafeWithSupergoop.

8. Best Hashtags for Travel Reels

Some popular Instagram Reels hashtags for travel Reels are #travel, #travelgram, and #travelphotography. You must use these hashtags with some more specific ones like #travelreels, #travelvideo, and #travelvlogger.

  1. #travel
  2. #travelreels
  3. #traveladdict
  4. #travelphotography
  5. #travelfamily
  6. #travelblogger
  7. #traveler
  8. #travelgoals
  9. #traveling
  10. #travelgram
  11. #traveljournal
  12. #traveltheworld
  13. #adventureseeker
  14. #adventuretime
  15. #adventurebound
  16. #adventures
  17. #adventureinspired
  18. #adventuretravel
  19. #adventureculture
  20. #adventurethatislife
  21. #wanderlust
  22. #wanderluststories
  23. #wanderlusting
  24. #wanderlusters
  25. #wanderlustlife
  26. #wanderlustvibes
  27. #wanderlustsoul
  28. #wanderlustworld
  29. #travelsmind

Given below is a travel Reel by @traveling_videos_reels, showcasing the stunning coastline of Alexandria, Egypt. This reel missed the potential to localize further or engage niche communities like #seaviewlovers or #hiddenegypt. Blending more location-specific, experience-based, and community-driven tags, could have boosted its visibility.

Hashtags for travel Reels

Tip: Mix popular travel hashtags with some location tags like #paristravel #alexandria, theme tags like #solotravel #natureescape, and audience-specific tags like #travelcouples #backpackerslife for a better reach.

Bonus-tip

We know that generating the right hashtags can be difficult and time-consuming. But using free hashtag generators like SocialPilot’s Instagram Hashtag Generator can work wonders with a hashtag strategy.

This tool suggests hashtags that are:

  • Relevant to your topic
  • Grouped by popularity (trending, popular, niche), and
  • Ready to be copied and used, no login or signup required

It’s especially useful for creators, small business owners, agency owners, and social media managers who want a no-fuss solution for boosting Reel visibility without overthinking it.

Free AI Instagram Hashtags Generator

Take your Instagram game to the next level with SocialPilot’s AI-powered Instagram Hashtag Generator.

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Here is the Generated Result

9. Best Hashtags for Tech and Gadgets Reels

Trending hashtags for tech and gadget Reels include #techreels, #smartgadgets, #futuretech, #gamingtech, and #techunboxing. If you’re showcasing or comparing devices, tags like #apple, #android, and #applevsandroid also works great for expanding reach.

  1. #technologynews
  2. #techtuesday
  3. #techthursday
  4. #pcbuild
  5. #gamingtech
  6. #techunboxing
  7. #digital
  8. #computerscience
  9. #webdeveloper
  10. #code
  11. #programmer
  12. #python
  13. #data
  14. #security
  15. #mobile
  16. #phone
  17. #ios
  18. #pc
  19. #laptop
  20. #wordpress
  21. #web
  22. #html
  23. #css
  24. #coding
  25. #education
  26. #designer
  27. #ui
  28. #uidesign
  29. #uxdesign
  30. #ux
  31. #uiux
  32. #diversityintech
  33. #bhfyp

This Reel by @beebomco uses hashtags that align well with the tech and shopping audience. Additionally, the inclusion of year-specific tags like #amazonfinds2025 signals trend-forward content. Overall, it’s a good example of using timely, interest-based hashtags to hook gadget-loving scrollers.

Hashtags for lifestyle Reels

Tip: Go beyond broad tags like #tech and mix in some popular and niche hashtags like #techreviews, #gadgetoftheday, #amazonfinds, #setupinspo, etc. The key here is to combine the trending, niche, and brand-specific hashtags.

10. Hashtags for Sports Reels

When searching for Instagram trending hashtags for sports reel, you must look for specific ones like #basketballhighlights or #CricketGully and combine them with 1-2 general sports hashtags like #sportsreels or #sportsnews. Given below is a list of some such hashtags:

  1. #sportsreels
  2. #sportsnews
  3. #yoga
  4. #sportsphotography
  5. #sportsmarketing
  6. #basketballhighlights
  7. #runnersofinstagram
  8. #bikelife
  9. #hikingtrails
  10. #rockclimbinglife
  11. #athletelifestyle
  12. #extremesports
  13. #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
  14. #baseballseason

The below fitness Reel by @marsha_du_ has garnered over 4.2 million likes, thanks to its clean visuals, clear purpose, and a targeted use of hashtags. All hashtags used here are niche-specific, relevant, and directly tied to the track & field community.

Hashtags for sports Reels

Tip: Use hashtags that speak directly to your viewers, be it athletes, fans, fitness beginners, or youth sports communities. Some such hashtags include #TrainLikeAPro, #StudentAthlete, #SportsMoments, #YouthAthletes and #TeamSpirit

11. Hashtags for Funny Reels

Did you know that over 50% of people prefer ‘funny’ content when engaging with Reels? Some of the most popular hashtags in this category are #funnyreels, #comedyreels, #funnyvideos, and #relatablereels. Others include:

  1. #funny
  2. #meme
  3. #memes
  4. #funnymemes
  5. #funnyisfunny
  6. #comedy
  7. #dankmemes
  8. #memesdaily
  9. #lol
  10. #laugh
  11. #fun
  12. #humor
  13. #laughoutloud
  14. #comedyvideos
  15. #jokes
  16. #jokesfordays
  17. #funnyreels
  18. #funnyvideos
  19. #dank
  20. #lmao
  21. #memepage
  22. #funnymeme
  23. #dailymemes
  24. #hilarious
  25. #dankmeme
  26. #relatable
  27. #memestagram
  28. #joke
  29. #memer

The below Reel by @timmyjosten overuses broad and high-competition hashtags like #comedy, #funny, #fyp, and #viral. Alone, they don’t offer much visibility. Instead, use community/niche tags like #relatablehumor, #genzcomedy, or #sketchlife, and contextual tags like #money and #bmw to connect with a targeted, engaged audience.

Hashtags for funny Reels

Tip: Mix and match broad hashtags (#funny, #comedy, #humor, #laugh, etc) and more specific hashtags (#standupcomedy, #prankvideo, and #sketchcomedy) to reach a wider audience and those interested in particular types of humor.

Why Should I Use Hashtags For Instagram Reels?

Ok, we know you’ve got great content and your followers are engaging. So, you must be wondering, “Do I still need hashtags for my Instagram Reels?

Yes, absolutely.

Even if your current audience is loving your Reels, a strong hashtag strategy is what helps you reach new viewers, grow beyond your followers, and boost visibility. It also helps Instagram algorithms understand and categorize your content for a powerful discovery.

Let’s break down some reasons as to why these hashtags are important:

Reel Hashtags Help You Appear in Search & Explore

Hashtags are one of the simplest, most effective tools to increase the visibility of your Reels. A lot of Instagram users still search for their favorite Reels using hashtags.

So, if I like watching funny content, I can simply go to the Instagram explore page and type #funny. If your reel uses this hashtag and Instagram deems it fit, it will appear in my Instagram search results.

Now, say you’re a fashion brand launching a bold fall collection. You post a dramatic runway strut in one of your statement pieces and use hashtags like #fallfashion or #styleinspo.

That single move places your Instagram posts and Reel alongside other trending seasonal content, instantly introducing your brand to fashion-forward audiences who might not follow you yet but are actively engaging with similar styles.

That’s powerful reach, no paid ads required.

Your Reels Can Land in Non-Followers’ Feeds

Instagram users don’t just follow accounts; they also follow top hashtags.

That means if someone is following #coffeetime (and yes, it’s a real tag with a huge following), and you’ve tagged your cozy café-style Reel with it, your content could land right in their feed, even if they’ve never come across your brand before.

Hashtags for Instagram Reels aren’t just labels. They’re distribution tools that get your content in front of the right people, at the right time.

Hashtags Build & Engage Your Community

Hashtags do more than drive reach; they help you express brand identity and join (or even start) meaningful conversations.

For example, if you want to connect with book lovers? Add #bookstagram to your Instagram account and join a thriving reader community. Similarly, if you are looking to encourage followers to post their own content, create a branded hashtag like #StyledBy[YourBrand] and start building a UGC pipeline.

Whether you’re using trending tags, community-based hashtags, or custom ones, the goal is the same: to spark connection.

And remember, hashtags are only one piece of the puzzle. For a complete look at creating, editing, and optimizing short-form videos, dive into our Instagram Reels Guide.

Now that we know we need hashtags, let’s understand how we can find the right ones for our Reels.

How to Find the Best Trending Hashtags For Instagram Reels

We all want our Reels to show up in the right feeds and ride the wave of trending content. But where do we start?

Well, it all starts with knowing where to look and what to look for. Here’s how to uncover the most effective and relevant hashtags for your Instagram Reels strategy:

1. The Instagram Explore Page

Head to Instagram’s Explore page and spend some time browsing the Reels tab. This is quite literally your goldmine for top hashtags, where Instagram surfaces content that’s already trending.

As shown in the image below, just go to the Instagram explore option, then in the search bar write the type of content you are looking for, and click on Reels. This will show you all the trending Reels in the category.

Instagram explore option

You must also check the hashtags for the Reels that are performing well in your niche, because they usually include the hashtags that are working right now.

Examining this content will help you understand what kind of content is gaining traction and which hashtags, audio tracks, and visual styles are showing up repeatedly. These clues can help you reverse-engineer what the algorithm favors.

Additionally, your Instagram tailors your Explore feed based on what you engage with. So if you’re a fitness brand, you’ll naturally see more of similar content. But don’t stop there, engage with adjacent topics like healthy eating or wellness routines.

This will help you broaden your trend radar, which will help you uncover crossover fitness Instagram hashtags you might otherwise miss.

2. Use Instagram Search to Dig Deeper

Now it’s time to use the Instagram Search Bar. Go to the search bar and type the terms related to your content, like “social media tips”, “vegan recipes”, or “minimalist fashion”.

Next, switch to the “Tags” Tab, and Instagram will show you relevant hashtags along with their post volume. That volume here is key, as it tells you the number of times a hashtag has been used.

Now it’s up to you to balance your hashtags strategically. You don’t just need to grab the ones with the highest volume, but find the ones that align with your brand’s content, audience, and goals.

We suggest you use a mix of product-related, audience-focused, value-driven, trending, and seasonal keywords. Use some niche hashtags ( for a targeted audience) and some high-volume hashtags (for a broad exposure).

The key here is to prioritize relevance over popularity. You must also check the content behind the tag to understand how well it works and the type of content it is used for.

Explore page for top social media Reels
Top tags for social media tips

3. Monitor Competitors and Industry Influencers

Look at the top creators, brands, or agencies in your niche. What hashtags are they using on their highest-performing Reels? Keep a swipe file of recurring hashtags that you see on their viral content. These are often the ones doing the heavy lifting.

Try to spot opportunities that they missed, like any emerging hashtag in your niche that they’re not using yet? Jump on it early; you could gain visibility where others haven’t looked yet.

4. Generating Reel Hashtags with AI Tools

We don’t need to manually dig through posts to find the right hashtags. Thanks to generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, discovering trending Instagram hashtags has never been easier.

Here’s a quick prompt you can try:

“Give me the most popular Instagram Reels hashtags for [your topic], along with their current post counts.”

You’ll instantly get a curated list of relevant, high-performing hashtags. Easy, right?

But let’s be honest, jumping between chatbots, spreadsheets, and social platforms isn’t exactly a dream workflow, especially for busy social media teams managing multiple clients and accounts.

So, what if a scheduling tool could have all these AI features

Enter SocialPilot’s AI Pilot, your all-in-one assistant for content creation, hashtag generation, and publishing.

Instead of juggling between multiple platforms, you can use its AI Pilot feature to create posts, generate smart and relevant hashtags, and schedule a post, all from your SocialPilot’s dashboard, without ever leaving the tool

In short? You get the power of generative AI and the speed of a content scheduler, without the copy-paste chaos.

Ready to see it in action? Watch the video below to see how AI Pilot makes it effortless to ideate and create posts and even generate hashtags.

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5. Use Third-Party AI Generators

Using third-party hashtag generators is another great way of searching for relevant and effective hashtags for your Reels.

These tools work by analyzing keywords, content themes, or competitor profiles and then generating a list of hashtags based on popularity, relevance, and usage patterns. Some popular options are SocialPilot, Hashtagify, RiteTag, and All Hashtag.

All you have to do is simply add a brief description of your reel content, and these tools will give you a mix of high-volume and niche hashtags that are currently trending or widely used in that category.

6. Refine Your Hashtag Strategy Using Insights

So, you’ve generated your hashtags—great! But the work doesn’t end there. A high-performing Instagram hashtag strategy is built on real data, not guesswork. That’s where insights come in.

After posting your Reel, head to your Instagram Insights and dig into the performance metrics. Simply click on the reel and then select the “View insights” option. Instagram will show you all the follows, likes, comments, saves, and shares your reel received.

You’ll also see other engagement metrics, like views, watch time, account reached, and the average watch time.

If you are already using one of SocialPilot’s, then head straight to the Instagram analytics to get a centralized, data-rich view of what’s working and what’s not.

Use these insights to compare multiple hashtag sets over a week, month, or campaign. This helps you understand not just what’s popular, but what works for your brand.

Remember that every hashtag strategy requires continuous analysis and refinement, so don’t be afraid to try different hashtag sets. And before you know it, you will build a high-impact, scalable hashtag workflow that will get your Reels in front of your right audience

How Many Hashtags Should I Use For Instagram Reels?

Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags per Reel, but using too many hashtags isn’t always better. In fact, using a smaller, more strategic set of 5–10 hashtags often delivers better results.

Why? Because it’s not about quantity. It’s about relevance and intentionality.

Here’s why a focused hashtag strategy works better:

Overloading your caption with 25+ hashtags can look cluttered, and yes, even a little spammy. Viewers (and the algorithm) are more likely to skip past posts that feel forced or overly promotional.

When you limit your hashtags to ones that are highly relevant to your Reel’s content, Instagram is better able to categorize and serve your content to the right audience. These people are actually interested in what you’re posting.

A thoughtful mix of popular, niche, and community-specific hashtags helps you tap into targeted conversations without getting lost in overly saturated tag feeds.

Want to learn more about hashtag strategy and evolving Instagram trends?

Download our free Instagram Trends Report 2025, which has been carefully curated after analyzing 45,700 Instagram accounts and over 4.4 million posts. It talks about some of the biggest shifts and helps you understand audience behavior on Instagram.

Instagram Trends Report

Final Word

Hashtags remain a powerful way to put your content in front of the right audience on Instagram—but the key is using them with intention. Overstuffing with random tags can actually harm your reach, so focus on a balanced mix of broad and niche hashtags that are relevant to your content.

Keep tracking performance and refining your approach to see what resonates best with your audience. With the help of AI-powered assistants like SocialPilot’s AI Pilot, you can streamline hashtag strategy, optimize captions, and manage posting—all from one place.

If you’re ready to simplify your Instagram workflow and get more from every post, explore SocialPilot’s pricing plans and see how it fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hashtags really work on Instagram?

Yes, hashtags work when used strategically. They are also powerful tools for discovery. They help Instagram understand what your content is about and surface it to users who care about those topics.

Which hashtags work best for Reels?

The best Instagram hashtags for Reels are a mix of trending, niche, and audience-specific tags. While trending hashtags can help boost reach, niche hashtags help you connect with a more targeted, high-intent audience.

Is it better to post Reels without hashtags?

Not really. Reels without hashtags limit your discoverability. Using some related hashtags gives your content the opportunity to appear in Explore feeds, topic hubs, and hashtag-specific searches. Skipping them means missing out on potential impressions.

What is the 3-Hashtag Rule on Instagram Reels?

The "3 Hashtag Rule" is a simple yet strategic way to categorize your hashtags based on your brand’s what, who, and why:

  • What – What is your content about or what do you offer?
  • Who – The audience you're targeting.
  • Why – The value or solution you're providing.

The key here is to use three hashtags for each of those categories. 

How many hashtags should I use on Instagram?

Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but more isn’t always better. According to Instagram’s own recommendations and industry data, the sweet spot is typically 5 to 10 well-chosen hashtags, especially for Reels.

About the Author

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Monika Ahuja

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