When it comes to blogging, we all know, Instagram is key to getting eyes in your direction & a big reason for that is HASHTAGS.

Hashtagging, my blogger friends, is really an art & today I am sharing how I go about using hashtags PLUS all of my top favorite hashtags I use for each different type of photo. Basically, bookmark this page or just copy all the contents to your phone, cause it will make the whole hashtagging thing 100x easier for ya!

Also, we talk a little bit about shadow banning & how to avoid it, so READ ON.

First: Let’s Talk Hashtag Tips

Hashtags are important because it gives you the chance to be seen by millions of new people, but you don’t want them to clutter up your captions, so my rule of thumb is to maybe use one or two in the caption RELEVANT to the photo… but the rest belong in the comments.

All ya do is comment on your photo with the list of relevant hashtags. It will still get this photo seen, but it won’t be as distracting as if it were in the caption! Easy peasy. I also do a series of periods before my caption list so that the comment isn’t just a huge list of hashtags  but shows up as […] to my readers.

I included the periods for you guys below so that you can easily copy & paste ;).

What is the Instagram Shadowban?

Shadowbanning is the new problem child on the Instagram block & everyone is talking/freaking out about it. Basically, if you get shadowbanned by Instagram, your photo will be un-discoverable on hashtag pages for people who are not your friends.

For example, if I use the hashtag “#streetstylebloggers” & search it I will see my photo & so will everyone following me BUT if I were shadow banned…  if I login to my boyfriends account & unfollow me, my photo wouldn’t show up when you clicked the hashtag “#streetstylebloggers”.

I haven’t been shadow banned yet, but if you notice a drop in your engagement, check if you got shadow banned.

Some reasons people get shadowbanned are: using bot services for likes, buying followers, using the same hashtags over & over again (why it is so important to keep it relevant!). Mainly though- avoid bot services cause Instagram flags your account when they see it being used in different cities w/ different IP addresses!

What to do if you got the shadowban: lay low for a minute! you can still post on Instagram… but maybe lay low on the hashtags for a few days & when you get back to hashtags- make sure they are relevant to the photo! Also- cancel all your bot services ASAP. If that fake engagement is banning you from reaching new audiences & building quality engagement… it’s just not worth it!

The Big Bad Hashtag List

Disclaimer: these are simply a guideline/starting point & I do not use them all every time, but they are a good starting point! I delete & add different ones based on the photo because I want my hashtags to match what’s going down on the photo… but it’s a good start!

Also- you will see that I have the hashtag “#fashionlush” in all of my hashtag lists or other Fashionlush specific hashtags (i.e. #fashionlushathome, #fltravels, #fashionlushDIY, etc.). Replace these with your own that match your specific brand!