How to Use Hashtags on Instagram Stories: Do's and Don'ts

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

For more organic Instagram growth strategies, watch our playlist here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYHQomh4pb13aZo

[@ndodier]

Thank you! How do you underline the hashtag for IG?

[@whatshername-again]

I've been doing it COMPLETELY wrong 🤦🏽‍♀️ but we learn everyday right? Thank you so much for the info. You gained a new subbie ❤

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

That's awesome, Tiisetso! Thanks for the feedback -- we all do learn everyday, indeed. -Megan🤓

[@vandana7436]

Me too....I’m so thankful to this channel....☺️☺️

[@ananyapratapsingh1889]

Same lol

[@RoxanneReynoldsHicks]

So many "instagram experts" are still telling people to hide their hashtags, glad I watched this!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

It is an interesting world out there, no question! Thank you for the feedback, Roxanne. Things are constantly changing, so we try to get contributions from the experts keeping up with it all. -Megan🤓

[@viralgifbymarius5484]

Simple, easy to follow and straight to the point. Thank you for this content!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks, Marius! That was the goal! -Mitch

[@muslimshah2890]

I have a very little number of KZbinrs and guides, I am so picky about it, congrats! you've been also included in that list. This is just because of the content you produce

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

That's awesome! Thank you! -Jen

[@JohnnyBeane]

Thank you so much!!! Great help here!!!

[@780WaveMusic]

I had goosebumps from listening. This is genius

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks a million! -Megan🤓

[@DrAlanWeinstein]

You do a great job on your videos. No BS just valuable content. Other marketers should watch your videos so they stop wasting everyone's time with useless information to make a single point. Thanks!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks, Dr. Alan! We are busy marketers too; so, we know the value of getting to the point :) -Mitch

[@erogo]

Thank you, I was one of them to hide my # in my story's. Now I know.. great content... keep going positive 😉

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thank you for watching, Erogo! We'll keep making great content as long as you keep watching 😉 ¿Tenemos un trato? -Mitch

[@erogo]

@@SocialMediaExaminer of course Mitch. One question, Instagram now have a bottom to remove your followers it is good to do it? I asked, because I heard before that when the algorithm noticed that you remove followers it blocks your reah.. Also what happen if for some reason some blocks your account, this action block your reach as well?? Thank for your thoughts.

[@mrsdesireerose]

This was SO helpful! Thanks

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks, Desiree! We hope it helps you and your community. -Mitch

[@Verbsdescribeus]

until now i did not know that hashtags in stories needed to be underlined, thank you

[@brainnurture1828]

By the way,you are one of the best on KZbin. Everything is crystal clear. "Confidence "

[@HellaBass]

Appreciate how concise & practical your videos have been so far

[@ThaMayorva757]

Is it ok to use that hashtag app ?

[@c8racer621]

So Helpful and presented in an easy to understand format. Thank You!!

[@fivsirpiv]

I can’t believe I’ve only found you just now! Can’t wait to dive into your useful content! Thanks a lot 🙌

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Yay! We're so glad you did! We wish you all the best. -Megan🤓

[@jcl716]

Hi Jenn, thanks for the great video! Quick question about tagging your location in IG stories. Do you necessarily have to physically be in the location when you’re tagging the location to get the most exposure? I’m one who usually is on the go a lot and I snap pics first and then post afterwards when I’m free to do so

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Hi Jessel- you do not have to be in the location to be able to tag it and have it work! I personally do the same thing for my client regularly--I'm off-site when I post. -Megan🤓

[@jcl716]

Thank you Megan! That was quite helpful. 🙏 😊

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Excellent! Happy weekend, Jessel. -Megan🤓

[@switchunboxing]

Oh my! I haven’t been using story hashtags at all!! I should be. Excited to see how this bumps up my account!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Let us know how you do, Shibby! -Megan🤓

[@switchunboxing]

Social Media Examiner So far no results lol

[@switchunboxing]

3 views versus my 300 organic. Not a great story though I’ll admit. We’ll see.

[@gloriapinskerportraits4801]

You have the clearest, most concise and easily understood advice that I have seen so far about using social media. Thank you!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Wow! We appreciate that! We have more in this playlist if you want to keep consuming: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJixnoZohcmipcU

[@louisemortlock8504]

Thank you for these instructions I am rubbish at Insta very basic but am trying to find how to do more and your instructions are easy understand as I always get lost trying to work out what all the symbols are and their functions, that then puts me off and i give up but can now navigate it loads better without relying on any one else for help. Much appreciated

[@cerisful]

Do we still need to add # to the stories? How is it after the algorithm update? Waiting for advice

[@inkspirationaldesign]

Thank you for this. It was super helpful. I’m only learning but not reaching far at all. I’ve already tried it tonight. We’ll see if there’s any impact but even so I’ll keep trying different hashtags until it does work!

[@vandana7436]

Thank you so much.....this is THE most helpful video that I saw...not just this...MOST vids on ur channel r really helpful...Thank you so much...☺️☺️

[@bridgetteh9513]

Thank you this really helped me because I actually never knew we could use hashtags in a text box. A great helpful tip to know that I also have to underline them. Thanks a bunch

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Great! I'm so glad it was helpful. Just for clarification, Instagram will automatically underline hashtags in your text box to show you (and users) that they are active and clickable. If they are not automatically underlined, that means that they are not active. -Mitch

[@melodychalaban1319]

very helpful-- esp the piece about hiding hashtags, which I have been doing but didn't realize that it was all for naught. Thank you!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thank you, Melody! You are not alone... We see a lot of people still doing this. Hopefully, Jenn provided us all with some new strategies for being discovered. -Mitch

[@exquisitesplendor7175]

If what happened yesterday, and into today is any indication, your location hack doesn't just work for IG stories. I posted a video of my cat on my personal page, I did the caption, and relevant hashtags, ranging from 10,000 - 200.000 since I have less than 100 followers so the only thing that is different from previous videos is the location hack. Normally, when I post a video, I'll get about 1-10 views, and 1-5 likes, but as of this comment, it's at 74 views, and 29 likes, a good portion of which are from people that don't follow me! This has never happened on anything I have posted before. Now I can't wait to try this on my biz page, and in stories! Thanks for the tip!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

That is great to hear, Jennifer! Because a lot of this depends on what Instagram and their algorithms deem as worthy of sharing, it is tough to know when a post will actually work or not. I am glad it is working for you so far! Keep up the good work. -Mitch

[@manuelavilanova9094]

Jenn has helped me so much with this series on Instagram!! Congratulations for the awesome content

[@mattcadence]

That’s all useful information and a good point about using a more exact location. Thank you.

[@quincysutton9136]

Been listening to the podcast on my iPhone & Micheal talked about you going all in on KZbin. Great first video ( for me ) just what I needed to know thx!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks for watching (and listening), Qrush! Like you said, we are definitely going all-in, so stay tuned for more value packed videos. What would you like to learn more about? -Mitch

[@EffectiveMartialArts]

Thanks, Jenn! Great videos, very professional, well made, relevant and succinct information, and beautiful delivery! Just getting started in IG... kinda late to the party... lol - Patrick

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thankfully it's NOT too late and you're welcome to the party! -Megan🤓

[@adoperator.commakeyouradsp3686]

Your content has been a big help and a major source of inspiration for our AdOperator marketing team. Keep on being awesome!

[@mdickson3022]

It can all be dizzying... thanks for the clear, concise, and helpful videos!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

You're welcome, M - so glad you are finding them helpful! -Megan🤓

[@jenniferboddie3768]

Sunny Lenaduzzi has a video for IG stories, and the strategy is similar to this, but she covers her hasgatags with a New Post sticker, and the post with a heart. Do you recommend that people forgo such gimmicks or engage them?

[@Jenns_Trends]

A lot of people cover up the hashtags with a sticker and that's fine to do. As long as the text is still large enough to technically read. That being said, I don't love this tactic only because you can't guarantee that IG won't start preventing these posts from appearing in search. But as far as we know, there's no downside to doing this.

[@spencerkim4755]

Excellent content. Thank you!

[@lauracruz387]

Straight to the point and very well explained. Thank you!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thank you! That is always the goal 😊. Thanks again for watching, Laura. -Mitch

[@RaphaelAshanti]

This is one of the best explanations I've heard on all of KZbin. I subscribed.

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Welcome aboard, Raphael! If you haven't watched our Instagram Stories playlist, I recommend starting there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5DOmmx4aMelfM0 -Mitch

[@chadingels8883]

These hashtag strategy videos are great, Jenn!!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

We are glad you are enjoying them, Chad. We have more coming! -Mitch

[@zabdielknight6196]

short and valuable. thanks!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you. -Megan🤓

[@DigitalLionAcademy]

Omg, I didn't now for tags for stories! Thank you!

[@ThaMayorva757]

Thanks for the info 🙏🏾

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Glad you found so much value in it! -Jen

[@jyu4560]

Thank you - now I know I've been going wrong with my story hashtags!

[@motodad24k]

Great info, but how do you underline hashtags on posting?

[@JoannePlans]

Is there a link to a source from instagram that discusses the hidden hashtags and limiting to the first 3 hashtags?

[@Jenns_Trends]

Hi Joanne. There isn't any established data source on this. This has been determined from lots of testing by numerous people. Even though the text box allows you to add up to 10 hashtags, we've not seen any posts show results for more than three hashtags (at one point, they were only allowing one to work).

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thank you, @@Jenns_Trends !

[@JoannePlans]

Jenn's Trends ok and as for the hidden hashtags. I have been hiding a lot of them and tend to still get results so I was concerned about that technique .

[@Jenns_Trends]

@@JoannePlans IG wants the hashtags to be legible - it's more about the size than anything else. If they get "too small" but there's no definitive ratio, they tend to be rendered useless. Ideally, you want them to be big enough to read them. If you're hiding them with a color coordination that's less likely to impact them. But again, none of this comes from IG directly ;)

[@tracygreenlee9860]

New to this and your videos are awesome! Aloha and mahalo from Kauai!

[@Manishdna]

Smart way!!! Yay!

[@mr.spidey_78_new60]

This was very helpful thank you 😊❤️

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thank you! We are grateful for the feedback. -Megan🤓

[@michaelmay6003]

Thanks for all the info! This really helps!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

You are welcome, Michael. We are glad you found it helpful. We have more releasing soon :). - Mitch

[@AdriatikaMay]

Thank you for a useful and helpful video! A have a question about location tag. Is it right that the content with location's tag will be shown mostly to the people which are near this place? I use the location tag for my client's stories. He is a tour guide, so his clients (tourists) are interested to visit the tagged places but they are very far. Does it makes sense to tag locations in this case?

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thank you for watching, Ekaterina. Yes, you will generally see locations that are nearby on your explore page, but many people, especially tourists visiting new areas, will search locations for food or experiences... almost like using yelp. I'd definitely tag those locations, as long as the stories have take place there or pertain to that area. You can read more about the location tag specifically here: www.socialmediaexaminer.com/instagram-location-stories-and-hashtag-stories-what-marketers-need-to-know/ Hope that helps! -Mitch

[@AdriatikaMay]

@@SocialMediaExaminer Thank you for detailed explanation, Mitch! It is really helpful.

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

@@AdriatikaMay My pleasure! More helpful videos to come! I'll be sure to link helpful and relevant articles in the descriptions too ☺️. -Mitch

[@adrianamcbeath4244]

Thanks Excellent explanation!

[@renataestefan8633]

You are great ! than you ! Top video i have ever seen.

[@TalmSawyer]

thank you for this!

[@manurapiyumal9327]

This video helped me. Thanks a lot!

[@nitishbhushan]

Hi Jenn. If we use location sticker and 3 hashtags, will the story appear on hashtag search only in that location? Or will the story appear in that location, and also for those hashtags independent of the location?

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Hi Nitish- The location and hashtag search are separate (not tied to each other). I hope that helps! -Megan🤓

[@nitishbhushan]

@@SocialMediaExaminer it does help Megan 🙂👍🏼

[@MrandMrs_Alemaari]

These tricks are amazing

[@sneha_barkhade]

Thank you it helped...you r the best👍

[@marcebinger]

Great instruction! I'm a fan.

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thank you for the feedback, Marc! Happy Hashtagging in 2020. -Megan🤓

[@joshuagandia4579]

Great video. Concise and to the point. Very Informative.

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Awesome, Joshua -- thank you! -Megan🤓

[@EnglishRoseVlog]

Fantastic thank you great information ☺️

[@phylliskhare]

Thanks guys! Sharing this with the members of my School. good details all in one place. Also putting it in my Top Tech Tips playlist -- cheers!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks, Phyllis! We are glad we could be a resource. We have a full content calendar, so stay tuned for more social media strategy/tactics! Hopefully, we can make it into your playlist with more of our videos. -Mitch

[@lwtddesign8255]

Hi! Thank you for the great video! :) I tried to add hashtags as text, but the line under it keeps disappearing after I finish the word. Do you know how to keep the line maybe? Thank you!

[@anoukvos5514]

Thanks there! Wanna ask you something about hashtags in stories... I used to see stories back at the hashtags, in the circle where now only a photo is showing, no light circle around it to show you can click to see stories... You know is it just totally disappeared? I mean, now there doesn't really seem a reason for me to add hashtags in my stories...

[@husnainnadeem1406]

Outstanding performance! Recommended!!!!!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

So glad you got so much out of it, Husnain! -Jen

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

So glad you got so much out of it, Husnain! -Jen

[@zero-order-hold5704]

Good focused advice - I never really got how the story hashtags work before

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

So glad we could help! -Megan🤓

[@Adele.369]

Thank you so much for the information.. Great value 🤗

[@jhoonyk]

Thank you! Very precise and short, very useful!

[@kofidotse]

Whoop Thanks for sharing guys!!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Our pleasure, Kofi. Thanks for watching. -Mitch

[@childcareproviderassistance]

You Are Awesome!!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Isn't she?! Thanks much. -Megan🤓

[@LifeinGlow]

Thank you for the video!! Ironically today I figured out more how to use instagram stories and recorded a small tutorial (to be edited yet), however who would know that they actually changed the policy about hashtags! also helpful about narrowing down the location, interesting!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Our pleasure, Tatiana! I'm glad you are diving into stories. It is a great platform. How are you using stories to connect with your followers/customers? -Mitch

[@abusinessfromscratch4886]

I love your podcaaaaaaaast!!!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks so much for tuning in! Glad you love it! 😉-Jen

[@rmws5355]

Thanks for sharing knowledge. It's been a week I'm trying all these tricks but it didn't work. How long to it take to work all these tricks? Look forward your response.

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks for watching, RMWS! Hashtags are only one of the strategies that need to work in tandem to create a successful Stories strategy. We have compiled a ton of other videos to help level up your IG Stories here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5DOmmx4aMelfM0 Good Luck! -Mitch

[@bizmind85]

Thanks for the informations.

[@loveismyair_]

OMG I am so glad I found you ~ I've been hashtagging my stories all wrong! /o\ Quick question: If I hide my tags behind the image I am using will it still show up in search?

[@Zuzuim]

Maybe no, because she said that the hashtags should be seen by people with naked eyes, so it might not detect your hashtags if you hide them anyhow. I'm not sure though...😅😅

[@anchortanushree]

You are doing a great job by explaining it so so so well and make us understand. Thank you. :)

[@katedeiters7684]

Extremely helpful, thank you! Which location do you recommend using to get maximum exposure, when hosting a national online conference?

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Hey Kate- That's a great question. I would create an online location tag. I found this article for you that explains how to do that. Of course, you'll want to share the location with your attendees so everyone uses it. jumpermedia.co/how-to-make-custom-locations-tagon-instagram/ -Megan🤓

[@katedeiters7684]

@@SocialMediaExaminer Awesome! Thank you!!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

My pleasure! -Megan🤓

[@rahulroy830]

Very helpful.. Thanks 😊

[@danagolshani7363]

Thank you so much for you amazing videos! I'm just learning and it's very helpful for me

[@Daves_PianoAndPipes]

Very helpful and easy to follow! Thanks a lot for sharing

[@Jamonkey]

This was very helpful, thanks!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks, Meghan! -Mitch

[@riderwife27]

Love the advice however it was said in the last SMMW conference that its not true that hiding hashtags in stories results in instagram hiding them. Is there a way to verify whether it's one or the other?

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Best practice is to always be as transparent as possible. -Jen

[@riderwife27]

@@SocialMediaExaminer Thanks for the reply/advice Jen :)

[@barbaracolacci7781]

great info!

[@lenkamatejik]

thank you!!!!!!!! Jenn you are an excellent teacher truly excellent!!! love the amazing complexity of your videos all the little hints in the pictures make better learning!! thank you!!! 💗👏

[@josueleon8620]

Hi!, a bit lost here knowing which number of hashtags is the updated one, 3 hashtags?, or 10? I would appreciate any input, thanks a lot! ;)

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Hi Josue- On stories you have the following limitations: - only one sticker hashtag - up to three text hashtags On feed posts you can have up to 30, but 15-20 are recommended. Hope that helps. -Megan🤓

[@souravpatel]

thank you,,,,it was helpful

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

So happy to hear it, Sourav! 🙏 -Megan🤓

[@HaileyBright]

Great video! She’s my favorite host. Let’s see more of her. She has the best tips!!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks for watching, Hailey! Jenn is awesome, and we have more videos coming from her soon! Subscribe and hit the bell to be notified when we release new videos. -Mitch

[@mscindyzac]

What about cities within a larger county? I run my business from my home within san diego county. Should I tag the city I live in or San Diego? Which would drive more traffic?

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

San Diego would probably drive more traffic, but it doesn't hurt to include your local one every once in awhile, too! -Jen

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

San Diego would probably drive more traffic, but it doesn't hurt to include your local one every once in awhile, too! -Jen

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

San Diego would probably drive more traffic, but it doesn't hurt to include your local one every once in awhile, too! -Jen

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

San Diego would probably drive more traffic, but it doesn't hurt to include your local one every once in awhile, too! -Jen

[@geetikajain7830]

hi. can you help tell me what is that feature on reels where one points to a text box and they appear there only? Thanks.

[@foodswapfoodie]

Great tips and I love your energy!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Thanks for watching, Trudy. Jenn is great, right?! -Mitch

[@Garrykousoulou]

Great video thank you

[@kavitabhandariarts205]

Thanks. Very helpful

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Glad you found value it in! Thanks for watching! -Jen

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Glad you found value it in! Thanks for watching! -Jen

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Glad you found value it in! Thanks for watching! -Jen

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Glad you found value it in! Thanks for watching! -Jen

[@muaazhassan1]

thanks for sharing with us.

[@gracekalaw1798]

Thank you for all the juicy info!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

You are welcome, Grace! -Mitch

[@tonysamaniego7875]

Hi, it's me again. Jenn mentioned that hiding your instagram story hashtags by making them small will prevent the hashtags from getting indexed. Instead of camouflaging them, what if you simply cover the hashtags with an emoji, sticker, or Gif? Will the hashtags get indexed then?

[@tonysamaniego7875]

Another question, since the total number of hashtags you can use on stickers is 1 and for textboxes 3, will up to 4 hashtags be indexed is you max-out each one of these options?

[@Jenns_Trends]

You can hide them behind a sticker or gif if you want to and they should still index just fine!

[@Jenns_Trends]

@@tonysamaniego7875 all of them will index, so yes you can combine the two options.

[@DannaCrawford]

So very very helpful! Thank you!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Our pleasure, Danna! I'm glad to hear that it was helpful. Good luck! -Mitch

[@mrmister1037]

You deserve more subscribers. Keep going. 💯😊

[@deepdiver849]

Thanks a lot ! That was helpful! I make hand made leather products which I sell online. Would a location be useful for this purpose?

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

Hi there - thanks for the feedback! Unless you have a physical (brick and mortar) location that someone else would check-into or search on, a location probably wouldn't work for you.

[@soomtechfx]

Thanks ❤

[@coachtheday]

Very helpful and easy to understand and implement informations , thanks a lot !!!

[@SocialMediaExaminer]

We're so glad you enjoyed it! -Megan🤓

[@tsputube99]

ok... here's the debate i have... is it better to post to stories cuz its "in" and popular? OR better to post to feed bc it stays there forever and not just 24 hrs?? which is better?

[@marywu4850]

thank you so much

[@assasin101011]

yow! love the content