270 Best Hashtags for Instagram Reels

You’ve created a fantastic Instagram Reel that showcases your brand or talents. Now what? You’ll want to get it in front of as many eyes as possible. And that means understanding how to use hashtags for viral Instagram Reels. These tags increase the chances of your content being discovered by new audiences, helping you grow your following and engagement—especially when combined with the right Crayo’s clip creator tool to streamline your content process.

But not all hashtags are created equal. Some are too niche or specific to attract a large audience, while others are so popular that your post could get lost in the shuffle. Finding the right balance of trending, general, and niche hashtags requires research and testing. This process can be tedious.

But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with this guide to hashtags for Instagram Reels. You’ll learn how to use hashtags to your advantage, including tips on the best tags to use for every type of content. Plus, check out our AI-powered hashtag generator to jumpstart your research.

Importance of Instagram Hashtags
6 Tips on How to Use Hashtags on Instagram Reels
270 Best Hashtags for Instagram Reels
How to Find Hashtags for Instagram Reels
Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo

Importance of Instagram Hashtags

Person Holding Camera - Hashtags for Instagram Reels

Enhance Your Reach and Visibility on Instagram

Hashtags are a crucial tool for improving the visibility of your Instagram content. When you add relevant hashtags to your posts, you signal to both users and the Instagram algorithm what your content is about. This makes it easier for people to discover your posts when they search for specific hashtags or browse related content.

To maximize your reach, experiment with a mix of popular and niche hashtags. Using highly searched tags can expose your content to a larger audience, while targeted hashtags can help you connect with specific communities. Finding the right balance for your brand will help you get noticed on the platform.

Hashtags Boost Engagement and Foster Community

Using hashtags on Instagram can help you reach a wider audience, but their benefits don’t stop there. Hashtags can also improve your engagement rates by making it easier for users to discover your content.

According to research, posts with at least one hashtag receive 12.6% more engagement than those without. To further boost engagement, consider creating a branded hashtag for your business. Encourage your followers to use it in their posts to build community and make it easier to find user-generated content. Overall, hashtags are a simple yet effective way to enhance your Instagram strategy and connect with your audience.

Curate User-Generated Content with Hashtags

Another benefit of using hashtags on Instagram is their ability to help you collect user-generated content (UGC). By creating a branded hashtag and encouraging your followers to use it in their posts, you can easily track and curate UGC that features your brand.

This not only saves you time and effort but also provides you with a wealth of authentic content to share on your own profile. UGC is a powerful marketing tool that can help you build trust and credibility with your audience, and hashtags make it easy to find and share.

6 Tips on How to Use Hashtags on Instagram Reels

Man Using Phone - Hashtags for Instagram Reels

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2. Add a Mix of Hashtags

Since hashtags are no longer the reach driver, but more of a helper, you should create your own, unique, and personalized mix of hashtags.

You should add

2-3 broad or trending hashtags (e.g. #love #pets)
3-5 niche hashtags (e.g. #wedding #petshampoo)
2-3 community hashtags (e.g. #booklovers #petowners)
1-2 campaign or branded hashtags (e.g. #tiffanyandco #chooseyourwinter)
1-2 event or timely hashtags (e.g. #spring2025 #metgala)

3. Engage with Hashtag Communities

Using Instagram hashtags isn’t always about visibility — it’s about belonging to a conversation. When you engage with posts under the same hashtags you use, you show up as a real participant, not just a content promoter. Take a few minutes daily to like, comment, and reply to others' posts using your niche hashtags.

For example, if you’re using #skincarecommunity, dive into that tag and interact with other creators or brands. This builds organic relationships, increases the chance they’ll engage back, and signals to the algorithm that you’re active in that space.

Over time, this kind of authentic interaction can grow into a loyal micro-community. You’ll be recognized as a familiar name within those circles, and your posts will naturally get more attention.

Additionally, Instagram tends to reward meaningful engagement by promoting your content to a broader audience within that niche.

4. Do Hashtag Tracking

Yes, it’s nice to know which hashtags to use, but that’s just the beginning — tracking their performance is what sets brilliant creators apart.

Not all hashtags are created equal, and some will naturally drive more engagement, visibility, or even sales than others. That’s why it’s essential to track hashtags and see which ones are actually working.

If you notice that a specific hashtag consistently brings in high-quality mentions or engagement spikes, that’s your signal to double down. On the other hand, if some tags aren’t moving the needle, it may be time to switch them with more effective ones.

With these hashtag analytics, there’s no guessing — you know exactly what’s working and what’s not, and which hashtags the Instagram audience uses to relate to your brand.

5. Create Your Own Branded Hashtag

Creating your own branded hashtag is one of the most innovative ways to build a sense of community around your content or business. It can be as simple as your brand name, a product line, or a memorable campaign slogan.

The goal? To give your audience a shared space to engage, contribute, and feel like part of something bigger. Whether you’re a creator or a company, a unique hashtag helps you track user-generated content (UGC) and makes it easier for followers to discover others who love what you do.

Even well-known and established brands use this. Check Apple’s #shotoniPhone and see for yourself.

It began as a campaign and evolved into a global showcase of photography, creativity, and loyal user engagement. People proudly tag their photos with it, and Apple routinely features the best ones across social media and ads. It’s a perfect case of how a simple hashtag can turn into a powerful brand movement.

So, go ahead — create your own, promote it, and watch your community grow around that one little phrase!

6. Don’t Wing it with Hashtags

“Oh, #love is a great hashtag; it has over 2 billion volume. Let me just add it to my post!” Meanwhile, your post is about car mechanics — no, it's not. Just no!

This kind of random hashtag dropping does more harm than good. Instagram’s algorithm doesn’t just care what hashtag you use. It cares about how relevant it is to your content.

If there’s a mismatch, your post might not be shown to the right people, or worse, it might be flagged as spammy. So, before you tap that # key and add whatever pops up, pause. Think.

Every post has a purpose. It could be telling a story, promoting a product, or building trust with your audience. Your hashtags should align with that goal. Use them as strategic connectors — not decorations.

Decide ahead of time which hashtags match your topic, niche, and audience. Keep a few saved sets that you can rotate and customize for different types of posts. You need to control the number of hashtags you use and the specific ones you choose. Instagram hashtags have to be used strategically. Every post has its own story to tell, and you have to follow the narrative.

Person Using Phone - Hashtags for Instagram Reels

The Best Hashtags for Instagram Reels: Boost Visibility, Engagement, and Growth

Hashtags are essential for helping users discover your content on Instagram. While there are countless hashtags to choose from, using the right ones for your posts is crucial to expanding your reach and visibility. To save you time, we’ve compiled a list of the best hashtags for Instagram Reels, organized by category. Use these to optimize your posts and grow your following!

General / Trending Hashtags

These are frequently used in Reels, as they are suitable for visibility and reach.

#reels
#reelsinstagram
#instagramreels
#reelsvideo
#instareels
#reelitfeelit
#viral
#viralvideos
#explore
#explorepage
#foryou
#foryoupage
#trending
#trend
#trendingreels
#reel
#viralreels
#reelsviral
#reelsofinstagram
#reelsindia
#feature
#repost
#trendingsound
#reeloftheday
#trendingnow
#instagood
#love
#like
#follow
#music
#memes
#photography
#instadaily
#beautiful
#funny
#comedy
#video
#post
#style
#motivation
#fashion

Fitness / Health Hashtags

These hashtags will help your fitness and health Reels get discovered by the right audience.

#fitness
#fitnessmotivation
#workout
#gym
#fitfam
#gymlife
#training
#health
#fitnessjourney
#fit
#healthylifestyle
#motivation
#bodybuilding
#lifestyle
#weightloss
#exercise
#personaltrainer
#healthy
#fitlife
#gymmotivation
#strong
#fitspo
#healthandfitness
#muscle
#crossfit
#nutrition
#homeworkout
#wellness
#yoga
#cardio
#fitnesscommunity
#pilates
#zumba
#running
#cycling
#swimming
#legday
#armday
#absworkout
#glutes
#strengthtraining
#fitnessgoals
#getfit
#instafit

Travel Hashtags

Use these hashtags to increase the reach of your travel Reels.

#travel
#travelgram
#travelphotography
#instatravel
#wanderlust
#traveltheworld
#travelblogger
#traveladdict
#travelgoals
#travelinspiration
#travellife
#traveldiaries
#globetrotter
#adventure
#vacation
#explore
#nature
#landscape
#beautifuldestinations
#travelreels
#travelvideo
#travelvlogger
#roadtrip
#cityscape
#solotravel
#travelcouple
#hiddengems
#travelling
#trip
#holiday
#travelholic
#worldtraveler
#tourist
#travelbug
#passportready
#exploremore
#seetheworld
#mytravelgram
#travelguide
#traveltips
#backpacking
#travelcommunity
#neverstopexploring
#staycation

Food & Culinary Hashtags

These hashtags will help your food Reels reach a larger audience.

#food
#foodie
#foodporn
#foodphotography
#instafood
#foodlover
#foodblogger
#delicious
#foodgasm
#yummy
#foodstagram
#cooking
#recipe
#homemade
#healthyfood
#vegan
#vegetarian
#baking
#dessert
#breakfast
#lunch
#dinner
#brunch
#drinks
#coffee
#wine
#foodiegram
#foodreels
#eat
#foodpics
#glutenfree
#foodielife
#foodheaven
#foodgram
#fooddiary
#instaeat
#recipeoftheday
#plantbasedfood
#vegetarianrecipes
#eatyourveggies
#mealprepping
#mealprep
#recipeshare
#healthyeating

Fashion & Style Hashtags

Use these hashtags to expand the reach of your fashion Reels.

#fashion
#fashionstyle
#style
#ootd
#fashionblogger
#fashionista
#instafashion
#fashionphotography
#fashionweek
#streetstyle
#fashiondiaries
#fashionlover
#fashioninspo
#outfitinspiration
#styleoftheday
#trendy
#fashionmodel
#menswear
#womenswear
#vintagefashion
#vintagestyle
#sustainablefashion
#slowfashion
#fashionreels
#fashiontrends
#lookoftheday
#getreadywithme
#capsulewardrobe
#inclusivefashion
#streetwear
#streetfashion
#howtostyle
#handmadeclothing
#unisexfashion
#thriftedfashion
#styleinspiration

Funny / Comedy / Entertainment Hashtags

These hashtags will help your comedy Reels get discovered by a larger audience.

#funny
#funnyvideos
#funnyvideosdaily
#funnymemes
#funnymemesdaily
#memestagram
#funnyreels
#funnyisfunny
#funnymoments
#comedy
#comedyvideos
#comedyreels
#sketchcomedy
#dailyfluff
#dailylaugh
#dailydose
#standupcomedy
#relatablereels
#jokes
#hilarious
#funnyclips
#funnyvids
#justforlaughs
#humor
#humour
#laughoutloud
#laughing
#memes
#haha
#lol
#lmao

Other Niches & Extras

These are cross-niche / other proper hashtags. Some from Best-Hashtags and Sprout Social, some general extras I added for variety.

#india
#bollywood
#model
#makeup
#beauty
#quotes
#post
#reelkarofeelkaro
#photographylovers
#creative
#artist
#artwork
#design
#DIY
#home
#homedecor
#interiordesign
#architecture
#naturelovers
#animals
#pets
#dogsofinstagram
#catsofinstagram
#gamers
#gamingclips
#technology
#education
#learning
#parenting
#motivationdaily
#inspiration
#selfcare
#mindfulness
#mentalhealth
#wellbeing
#quotesoftheday
#entrepreneur
#startups
#business
#marketing
#socialmedia
#blogger
#influencer
#luxury
#luxurylifestyle

How to Find Hashtags for Instagram Reels

How to Find Instagram Reel Hashtags: A Comprehensive Guide

Finding the right hashtags for your Instagram Reels is crucial for maximizing visibility and engagement. Here’s a detailed approach to discovering trending hashtags.

Explore the Hashtag Page on Instagram

Start by searching for relevant hashtags directly on Instagram. The platform’s hashtag pages display related tags and their post counts, helping you identify popular options. This method is simple but effective for initial hashtag research.

Check the ‘Related Hashtags’ Feature

When you search for a hashtag on Instagram, scroll down to find the “Related Hashtags” section. This feature suggests similar tags that you might not have considered, expanding your hashtag pool. Utilize these options to diversify your hashtag strategy and expand your reach to new audiences.

Analyze Competitors and Industry Leaders

Monitor the hashtag usage of your competitors and influencers in your niche. Tools like Later and Hootsuite enable you to track specific accounts and hashtags, providing valuable insights into the current trending tags. Regularly analyzing this data can inform your own hashtag strategy and help you stay ahead of the curve.

Use Social Listening Tools

Social listening tools like Brandwatch and Sprout Social can track hashtag performance across platforms, not just Instagram. This broader approach can uncover trending tags that are gaining traction online, providing fresh options for your hashtag strategy. Utilize these tools to refine your hashtag research and stay ahead of trends.

Monitor Hashtag Usage Over Time

Hashtags can rise and fall in popularity quickly, so it’s essential to track their performance regularly. Create a document to log the hashtags you use and their associated engagement metrics. This will help you identify tags that are losing effectiveness and replace them with new, trending options. Staying organized and proactive will enhance your hashtag strategy.

Look for Seasonal and Event-Based Hashtags

Many hashtags are tied to specific seasons, holidays, or events. For example, #BackToSchool and #Halloween are popular in the fall, while #EarthDay trends in April. Plan your content calendar around these dates and research relevant hashtags in advance to capitalize on their popularity. This approach can give your posts an engagement boost when these tags are trending.

Explore Emerging Platforms for Hashtag Insights

New social platforms, such as TikTok and Threads, can offer fresh perspectives on hashtag usage and trends. Experiment with these channels and analyze their hashtag strategies to inform your own approach on Instagram. While their algorithms differ from Instagram’s, insights from these platforms can uncover new hashtag opportunities and enhance your overall strategy.

Stay Creative and Flexible with Hashtags

While researching trending hashtags is essential, don’t forget to think creatively about your own hashtag usage. Explore niche, humorous, or unique tags that align with your brand and content. These options may have a lower reach, but they can connect you with highly engaged audiences. Balancing trending and creative hashtags will optimize your post visibility and engagement.

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