If used correctly, hashtags can be a way to drive traffic to your business or website. It is important to remember that there is no single correct way to use hashtags since each business is unique. What there is, however, is a list of mistakes you can avoid while using hashtags.

1. Not Enough Research

When you use hashtags without any research as to the reach or popularity, you lose out on potential clients. When you use new hashtags, it is imperative to do some sort of preliminary search and see how popular it is on Instagram. An easy way to do this is to type the hashtag into the search box and see how many posts use the same hashtag. It just takes a minute to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

2. Using The Same Hashtags

Using the same hashtags over and over again is boring—both for you, and for the people reading those posts. Don’t fall into that trap! Your followers will stop reading your hashtags because there is nothing new to read. This mistake also limits your potential when it comes to reaching a bigger, wider audience. Tweak it little every time you post to get more reader engagement.

3. Avoiding Hashtags

Do you avoid using hashtags? Not a smart move. Hashtags are a good way to reach out to your base. Almost every company on Instagram makes it a point to use hashtags because it drives engagement. That, in itself, tells you how important hashtags are for branding and marketing. So if Instagram ranks high on your list of marketing platforms, you should invest time and resources into hashtags.

4. Too Many or Too Little

The question to consider is: how many hashtags should you use? Using very few hashtags will not give your post the visibility it deserves. While, using too many can stop users from reading the hashtags after a certain point. Research has shown that the magic number for hashtags is 11. So, make sure you strike the right balance to make impact.

5. The Case With Popular Hashtags

While using hashtags, sticking to the popular ones only is likely to make your post disappear in a sea of posts. Even though using popular hashtags is a great way to keep up with the current trends, using just those hashtags is overkill. Mix it up and add a few unique hashtags as well.

6. Failing To Leverage Your USP

If you haven’t already created a few dedicated hashtags for your company or product, now is the time to do so. Leverage your company’s USP and create few hashtags that you can use in each post. This way, your users will be able to engage with you when they use those company-specific hashtags.

7. Forgetting The Caption

A good Instagram post combines a great caption and suitable hashtags. Use only hashtags and the message will be fuzzy. Use only a caption and you will not drive engagement. Use both and see how well that works for you!