Branded Hashtags: Everything You Need To Know

Learn about branded hashtags and how they can help increase brand visibility and engagement on Instagram.

What are Branded Hashtags?

Branded hashtags are hashtags that are specifically created and used by a brand or company to promote their products, services, or campaigns on Instagram. These hashtags are unique to the brand and are often used in conjunction with their brand name or slogan. Branded hashtags help to create a sense of community and identity around a brand, as well as increase brand visibility and engagement on the platform.

How to effectively use Branded Hashtags?

When using branded hashtags, it is important to ensure that they are relevant to your brand and resonate with your target audience. Here are some tips for effectively using branded hashtags:

Keep it simple and memorable: Choose a hashtag that is easy to remember and spell.
Include it in your bio: Add your branded hashtag to your Instagram bio to encourage your followers to use it.
Promote it across platforms: Share your branded hashtag on other social media platforms and encourage your audience to use it.
Incentivize usage: Offer incentives or rewards for using your branded hashtag, such as featuring user-generated content on your brand's Instagram account.
Monitor and engage: Keep track of the posts that use your branded hashtag and engage with your audience by liking, commenting, or reposting their content.

By effectively using branded hashtags, you can increase brand awareness, engagement, and create a sense of community around your brand on Instagram.

How do Branded Hashtags differ from regular hashtags?

While regular hashtags are used by a wide range of Instagram users to categorize and discover content, branded hashtags are specifically created and used by brands to promote their own content and campaigns. Branded hashtags are unique to a brand and are often used in conjunction with their brand name or slogan. They help to create a sense of community and identity around a brand, as well as increase brand visibility and engagement on the platform.

Dos and Don'ts of Branded Hashtags

Do's

Do create unique and memorable hashtags that reflect your brand's identity and values.
Do encourage your followers to use your branded hashtags to increase visibility and engagement.
Do monitor your branded hashtag regularly to interact with your community and gather user-generated content.

Don'ts

Don't use overly generic or broad hashtags that can get lost in the noise of social media.
Don't forget to check the existing associations of a hashtag to avoid unintended negative connections.
Don't overuse your branded hashtag in a single post, as it may come off as spammy and deter engagement.

How to Use Branded Hashtags on Instagram

1. Understand the Purpose of Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags are unique hashtags created by businesses or individuals to promote their brand or a specific campaign. They help increase brand visibility and engagement on Instagram.

2. Research Relevant Branded Hashtags

Before using branded hashtags, research and identify the ones that are relevant to your brand or campaign. Look for hashtags that are popular among your target audience.

3. Incorporate Branded Hashtags in Captions

When creating captions for your Instagram posts, include your branded hashtags. This will help categorize your content and make it discoverable by users interested in your brand.

4. Use Branded Hashtags in Stories

Don't limit the use of branded hashtags to just captions. Include them in your Instagram Stories as well. This will increase the reach of your stories and make them more discoverable.

5. Encourage User-generated Content with Branded Hashtags

Encourage your followers to use your branded hashtags when posting content related to your brand. This will help create a sense of community and increase user engagement.

6. Monitor and Engage with Branded Hashtag Usage

Regularly monitor the usage of your branded hashtags. Engage with users who are using your hashtags by liking, commenting, or reposting their content. This will foster a positive relationship with your audience.

7. Analyze the Performance of Branded Hashtags

Use Instagram analytics tools to track the performance of your branded hashtags. Analyze the reach, engagement, and overall impact of your hashtags to make informed decisions for future campaigns.

What Are Ideas for Branded Hashtags

1. Branded Hashtags for Increased Brand Awareness

Using branded hashtags can help increase brand awareness on Instagram. By creating a unique hashtag that represents your brand, you can encourage your audience to use it when posting about your products or services. This can help create a sense of community and make it easier for users to discover content related to your brand.

Create a branded hashtag that incorporates your brand name or slogan.
Promote the use of your branded hashtag in your Instagram bio and captions.
Engage with posts that use your branded hashtag to encourage further usage.
Collaborate with influencers or brand ambassadors to promote your branded hashtag.
Monitor and track the performance of your branded hashtag to measure its effectiveness.

2. Branded Hashtags for Product Launches

When launching a new product on Instagram, using a branded hashtag can help generate buzz and excitement. By creating a unique hashtag specifically for the product launch, you can encourage your audience to share their experiences and opinions about the new product.

Create a branded hashtag that includes the name or key features of the new product.
Promote the use of the branded hashtag in your product launch announcements and teasers.
Incentivize users to use the branded hashtag by offering exclusive discounts or giveaways.
Showcase user-generated content featuring the new product and the branded hashtag.
Engage with users who use the branded hashtag to build a sense of community around the product.

3. Branded Hashtags for User-Generated Content

Encouraging your audience to create and share user-generated content using a branded hashtag can help increase engagement and build a community around your brand. By featuring user-generated content on your Instagram account, you can showcase the creativity and loyalty of your customers.

Create a branded hashtag that reflects the theme or purpose of the user-generated content campaign.
Promote the use of the branded hashtag in your Instagram posts and stories.
Offer incentives or rewards for users who create and share high-quality user-generated content.
Regularly feature user-generated content on your Instagram account to showcase your community.
Engage with users who use the branded hashtag by liking, commenting, and sharing their content.

4. Branded Hashtags for Influencer Collaborations

Collaborating with influencers on Instagram can help expand your brand's reach and attract new followers. By creating a branded hashtag specifically for the influencer collaboration, you can track the performance and impact of the partnership.

Create a branded hashtag that combines your brand name or slogan with the influencer's name or brand.
Promote the use of the branded hashtag in the influencer's posts and stories.
Offer exclusive discounts or promotions through the influencer's content using the branded hashtag.
Track the performance of the branded hashtag to measure the success of the influencer collaboration.
Engage with users who use the branded hashtag to further amplify the reach of the collaboration.

5. Branded Hashtags for Social Causes

Using a branded hashtag to support a social cause can help raise awareness and show your brand's commitment to making a positive impact. By encouraging your audience to use the branded hashtag when sharing content related to the cause, you can create a movement and inspire others to get involved.

Create a branded hashtag that reflects the cause or issue you want to support.
Promote the use of the branded hashtag in your Instagram posts, stories, and bio.
Donate a portion of your sales or profits to a relevant charity or organization.
Engage with users who use the branded hashtag to show your appreciation and support.
Share user-generated content featuring the branded hashtag to amplify the impact of the cause.