Instagram Hashtags in Comments: The Complete Guide to Boost Your Reach

A lot of people use Instagram Hashtags in Comments to keep their captions clean. Others stick to putting hashtags in the caption because they think it helps with reach. So, which one actually works better?

This guide breaks it down in simple terms:

• What happens when you put Instagram hashtags in the comments
• How it affects reach and visibility
• When to use hashtags in the caption instead
• What works best for your type of Instagram account

Let’s start breaking it down!

Why Instagram Hashtags Still Matter in 2025?

Instagram might be pushing Reels and rolling out AI search, but hashtags on Instagram are still doing the groundwork. Whether you’re building brand awareness, promoting a product, or trying to land on the Explore page, hashtags remain a direct line to visibility.

They help surface your Instagram posts to people who’ve never heard of you. And with over a billion users scrolling every day, that kind of exposure still matters — a lot.

Why do Instagram hashtags work?

• They tell Instagram what your post is about.
  Instagram’s algorithm doesn’t just guess — it relies on keywords, hashtags, and behavior to categorize content. Adding relevant hashtags gives it the context it needs to show your post in the right place — whether that’s a hashtag feed, search result, or a curated section of someone’s favorite Instagram feeds.

• They improve discoverability.
  Hashtags put your post in front of non-followers. If your Instagram account is public, people searching or following that hashtag can see your content — even if they’ve never interacted with your brand before.

• They drive engagement.
  There’s still a direct correlation between smart hashtag strategy and higher engagement rates. More views mean more likes, more saves, and eventually, more followers.

• They’re essential for campaigns and UGC.
  Running a promotion? Launching a product? Trying to collect user-generated content? Your branded hashtag is how users tag you back. Think #ShotoniPhone or #AdobePerspective — they’re not just vanity tags. They track reach, build community, and signal identity.

Do Hashtags in Comments Work?

Yes, they do — but only if you get the timing and tools right. If you’re manually inserting hashtags in a comment after you’ve hit publish, you risk missing the early momentum your post needs. That’s a critical window — the first few minutes after your content goes live is when Instagram decides how to rank it based on engagement rates.

• For small to mid-size Instagram accounts, this delay in indexing can lower reach dramatically.
• For larger accounts (those with over 100K followers), the difference is less significant — and may even lean in your favor.

What Does the Data Say?

Posts from accounts with more than 100K followers that placed Instagram tags in comments performed 1.2% better in reach than those with hashtags in the caption. That might sound small, but at scale it matters. For example, if your post reaches 1 million users, that 1.2% equals 12,000 extra views.

If just 1.2% of those users purchase a $100 product, that’s $14,400 in direct revenue from one post. All because you placed your hashtags in the comment. On the other hand, accounts with 50–100K followers saw 1.6x higher reach when hashtags were placed in the post caption.

So, does putting hashtags in comments work on Instagram?

Yes, but only if:

• You post them instantly using tools or you’re fast with manual entry.
• Your Instagram strategy prioritizes clean visuals and you have an engaged following.
• You’re tracking performance to see if it’s actually helping your content.

And won’t work if:

• You’re under 100K followers and manually adding Instagram hashtags after publishing.
• You want fast reach and need Instagram to index your content immediately.
• You’re not tracking Instagram hashtag performance or using relevant keywords.

Where to Put Hashtags in Instagram

When it comes to where to write hashtags in Instagram, there’s no single correct answer. It depends on how big your account is, whether you’re scheduling posts, and how much you care about the visual flow of your content.

How Instagram Indexes Hashtags

Instagram indexes hashtags in the caption faster than it does in the comment. That’s a fact.

• When you place hashtags in the caption, Instagram starts tracking and indexing those tags the moment the post is live. Your content appears in those hashtag feeds immediately.
• When you use hashtags in a comment, there’s a delay. Instagram won’t index them until the comment goes live — and if that’s even a few minutes later, you might lose the engagement boost that usually happens early in a post’s life.

Hashtags in Captions

For most Instagram users, especially solo creators or small businesses, placing hashtags in the caption is the safest and most effective option.

Why?

• They’re indexed instantly, so your content starts ranking right away.
• There’s no need to worry about scheduling tools or delays.
• It’s the most reliable way to get your relevant hashtags in front of the right people fast.

Here’s what else you should know about hashtags on Instagram:

• Roughly 93.8% of people put Instagram hashtags in the caption.
• It’s especially effective for accounts that rely on reach, not just engagement from followers.
• It works great with niche hashtags and other hashtags tied to your campaign.

Hashtags in Comments

Putting hashtags in the comments can be a smart move — but only under certain conditions:

• Automation: If you’re using tools like RecurPost, Later, or Plann, they can automatically place your Instagram hashtags in the comment the second your post goes live.
• Visual appeal: If you want a polished feed or you’re targeting engagement from people browsing Instagram feed or explore page.

So, for accounts with more than 100K followers, posts that included hashtags in the comments saw a 1.2% higher reach compared to those with hashtags in the caption. And that tiny bump can lead to big results at scale.

Let’s take an example:

• If a post reaches 1M people, that’s 12,000 extra views.
• If 1.2% of those people purchase a $100 product, you’re looking at $14,400 in revenue — all triggered by smart hashtag placement.

And for smaller accounts?

• Accounts with 50–100K followers perform significantly better with hashtags in the caption — reporting up to 1.6x higher reach.

Learn how to raise your Instagram followers here!

Instagram Hashtags in the Post or in Comments: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been Googling “hashtags in comments or post — what’s better?” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common (and misunderstood) questions in Instagram marketing. This section breaks it down from all angles: what your audience sees, what the algorithm does with it, how it affects your post’s performance, and the differences.

First, let us discuss the differences:

What Instagram Users See

• Hashtags in the caption are visible right away. They’re right under your content, often part of your message — especially if you’re blending them naturally into your sentence or dropping them all at the end.
• Hashtags in the comments are invisible unless someone taps into the comment section. This means your post looks cleaner upfront, especially if you’re using all 30 tags. That’s why many brands and influencers go this route — it’s about design and flow.

So, from a user experience standpoint:

• Captions = Transparent, obvious, and a bit crowded
• Comments = Clean, minimalist, but slightly hidden

What Instagram’s App Algorithm Sees

Instagram doesn’t treat all hashtags equally, at least not at the same speed.

• Hashtags in the caption are indexed immediately. That means as soon as your post is live, it can start appearing in feeds, trending spots, and relevant hashtag sections.
• Hashtags in the first comment are indexed with a slight delay unless you’re using a scheduling tool that posts the comment instantly. If you wait even a minute or two, your post could miss the crucial engagement spike that comes in the first few minutes after publishing.

So, in algorithm terms:

• Speed matters
• Engagement velocity matters
• Early reach matters

How It Plays Out in Actual Instagram Post Performance

So, Hashtags in the Comments Section or Posts — Which One Wins?

That depends on:

• Your account size
• Your workflow (manual or automated)
• Your posting style (informal vs brand polished)
• How fast you can drop them in the comments

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Learn how to grow organic Instagram followers here!

When Instagram Hashtags Will Not Work

Everyone talks about how powerful Instagram hashtags are — and they are. But not when they’re used the wrong way. Here are the most common reasons your hashtag strategy fails:

1. You’re using banned or broken hashtag strategy

Yes, Instagram bans certain tags — either temporarily or permanently. These often include generic or misused tags like #instadaily or #likeforlike. Using banned hashtags suppresses your reach and worse, could flag your post as spam.

Pro tip: Always double-check tags through Instagram’s search tool before using them. If it looks empty or weird, skip it.

2. You’re using irrelevant or overly broad hashtags

Tags like #happy, #love, or #summer are too general. Sure, they’re popular hashtags on Instagram, but they won’t help your specific post show up in front of the right people. Stick to relevant hashtags that describe your image, your brand, and your audience’s intent.

3. You copy-paste the same hashtags every time

Using the same set of all your hashtags across every post can make Instagram think you’re spamming. It also makes you miss out on several hashtags that could bring fresh eyes to your content.

4. You’re using hashtags too late

If you’re placing hashtags in a comment and adding them minutes after publishing, your post has already lost momentum. The algorithm prioritizes posts that spike fast. Hashtags that show up late? Useless.

5. Your content doesn’t match the hashtags

Hashtags don’t fix poor content. If your image, video, or caption isn’t interesting, no hashtag or discover feed will help. Instagram app knows when users scroll past your post — and that kills your reach regardless of tags.

6. You’re over-optimizing

Hashtags should support your content, not suffocate it. If you’re jamming in 30 irrelevant tags and hoping to trick the algorithm, you’re focusing on the wrong thing.

Bottom line: Even perfectly placed Instagram tags in comments won’t work if your post isn’t valuable or engaging. Focus on clarity, intent, and user experience first, then tag strategically.

You can try out these hashtags to go viral on Instagram!

What the Data Says About Doing Hashtag Comments on Instagram

Theory is great, but results talk louder. Let’s look at hard data from a study that analyzed over 650,000 Instagram posts across accounts of all sizes. Here’s what they found about hashtag placement based on follower count:

What this tells us:

• Small accounts (under 100K) should focus on hashtags in the post caption for maximum visibility.
• Larger accounts (100K+) can experiment with putting hashtags in the comments — especially if using automation tools to post them instantly.
• Instagram gives small accounts a better shot when hashtags are visible right away.

Let’s translate that into money.

If a brand with 1M followers adds hashtags in the comments and reaches 12,000 extra users (1.2%), and 1.2% of those people buy a $100 product, that’s $14,400 from a small shift in placement.

Key takeaway: Don’t follow what big accounts do unless your numbers match. Focus on what works for your audience, your goals, and your Instagram strategy.

How to Track Hashtag Performance for Higher Engagement (Most Users Skip This)

This is where most users miss the mark. You can’t improve your hashtag strategy if you’re not tracking what’s working. Don’t assume — measure. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Use Instagram Insights

If you’re using a professional account, you already have access to post-level analytics. Tap “View Insights” under any Instagram post and scroll to:

• Impressions from hashtags
• Reach from non-followers
• Engagement breakdow

This tells you whether your hashtags on Instagram are actually bringing in new eyeballs — or if you’re just talking to your existing followers.

2. Use third-party analytics tools

If you want deeper data, these are your best bets:

These tools help you test variations like:

• Hashtags in captions vs comments
• Popular vs niche hashtags
• Branded Instagram hashtag performance

3. Test + adjust every 2–4 weeks

Don’t just “set it and forget it.” Instagram feeds are likely evolving their tags constantly. You should too.

Make it a routine:

• Remove hashtags that underperform
• Add new hashtags related to recent trends or content changes
• Track how each batch performs over time

Final Tip: Build a Hashtag System

Create 3–5 saved sets of relevant hashtags categorized by:

• Topic
• Audience segment
• Content type
• Location
• Product or campaign

Rotate them across posts and track which group performs best. You’ll be surprised how much difference the right hashtags make — and how often people rely on the wrong ones.

Hashtags for Business Growth: Which Method Is Better?

If you’re using Instagram as a business tool — whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a startup, or a full-scale brand — hashtags for business growth aren’t optional. They’re how you get seen without paying for ads.

If You’re a Small Business (Under 100K Followers):

• Stick to hashtags in the caption.
• They give you faster indexing and instant placement in the hashtag feed.
• You don’t need fancy tools or automation.
• You’ll also show up faster, which helps you get discovered by users outside your current follower base.

If You’re a Larger Brand or Influencer (100K+ Followers):

• See if you can afford to experiment.
• Instagram tags in comments work well if your goal is a polished layout or your Instagram strategy involves high-frequency posting with automation.
• If you post 5+ times a week, using the first comment for hashtags can keep your grid looking clean while still driving engagement — if they’re posted instantly.

Key Takeaway: Whether you’re pushing a branded hashtag, launching a product, or promoting user-generated content, where you write hashtags can affect how many people see your content — and ultimately, how many convert.

Best Practices for Using Hashtags Smartly

You could drop your hashtags in the “perfect” spot… and still get nowhere if you’re using them wrong.

Here’s how to build a smarter hashtag strategy that actually supports Instagram marketing and doesn’t get you flagged as spam:

1. Use the Maximum Amount — But Only If They’re Relevant

• How many hashtags can you add? So, Instagram allows 30 hashtags per post.
• Make sure they’re relevant hashtags, not just trending ones.
• Every tag should relate directly to your image, product, audience, or niche.

2. Mix Different Hashtag Types

• Combine:
  • Popular hashtags (broad reach, low conversion)
  • Niche hashtags (lower reach, higher intent)
  • Location-based hashtags (campaign-driven, easy to track)

3. Use Line Breaks to Clean Up Your Caption

To keep captions neat, format your hashtags using a clean line break or five dots like:

(Add_Your_Caption_Here)

(Add_Five_Dots_Here)

(Add_Your_Hashtags_Here)

4. Don’t Recycle the Same Hashtags in the First Comment

• Instagram flags accounts that use the exact same set over and over.
• Rotate different hashtags based on the post topic, image, or audience.

5. Track Your Performance

• Use Instagram Insights or tools like Flick and Metricool to check which tags are actually working.
• If your top tags aren’t sending traffic, swap them out.
• Don’t assume what worked two months ago still works today.

Should You Use AI to Pick the Best Hashtags?

You’ve probably seen AI tools that promise to find the best hashtags in seconds. Some are decent. Some are trash. Either way, they’re only as good as the input you give them.

Tools You Can Try:

• Flick – one of the best for performance tracking + suggestions
• IQHashtags – great for finding banned or shadowbanned tags
• ChatGPT – useful for brainstorming niche hashtags or specific hashtags
• Instagram’s own search tool – still underrated for spotting what’s trending in real time

Pros of Using AI:

• Saves time
• Helps you discover specific hashtags you might miss
• Surface combinations of relevant, popular, and low-competition tags
• Great for idea generation when you’re stuck

Cons of using AI:

• Instagram Hashtag suggestions can be too broad (e.g., “#love,” “#instagood”)
• You still need to check if they’re relevant to your Instagram post
• Doesn’t understand your brand voice or context unless you guide it properly

Bottom Line: Use AI to build your hashtag list — do not blindly post whatever it suggests. Always review for relevance and make sure your tags match the actual post, caption, and target audience.

Conclusion

If your Instagram profile has under 100K followers, you should add your hashtag in the caption. It’s faster, more reliable, and helps your post get indexed immediately by the algorithm. If you’re a larger account — 100K followers and above — placing hashtags in the first comment can give you a slight edge in reach, especially if you’re using automation tools to post them instantly. 

For brands and creators focused on aesthetics, comments help keep the post caption clean without sacrificing visibility, as long as the hashtags are added right away.

In the end, both methods work — what matters more is using relevant Instagram hashtags, posting consistently, and tracking what actually performs.

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Ayushi Jain

Ayushi Jain is a content writer with expertise in creating engaging, SEO-friendly content across various industries. With a focus on storytelling and clarity, she helps brands connect with their audience effectively.