Hashtags have become an incredibly popular way to categorize content on social media. By adding a ‘#’ before a relevant keyword or phrase in a post, you can link that post to others using the same hashtag. This enables users to easily find content on a particular topic.
But with millions of hashtags in use at any given time, how can you identify the ones that are currently trending and most popular? Here are some tips to determine which hashtags are heating up at the moment:
Check hashtag tracking tools
Several free online tools allow you to input keyword phrases and hashtags to see data on their popularity and recent trends. Tools like RiteTag and Hashtagify show you daily and hourly data on hashtag usage volumes across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. This can quickly show you which tags are being used more right now compared to their historical averages. Monitoring these sites regularly can help you stay on top of rising trends.
Look at trending sections on social platforms
Most social media sites have sections highlighting currently trending topics and hashtags. For example, Twitter shows trending hashtags tailored to your location on its sidebar. Instagram does the same in its Explore section. TikTok has a Trending page. Regularly checking what is trending on the platforms where you are active can reveal relevant hashtags that are heating up.
Use social listening tools
Social listening platforms like Mention and Keyhole let you input keyword phrases and hashtags to monitor all mentions across social media in real time. Their algorithms also detect rising trends. Using these tools enables you to see sudden spikes in hashtag mentions that signal a new trend picking up steam. Staying on top of these rapid changes lets you capitalize quickly.
Track hashtags used by influencers or in your niche
Pay attention to the hashtags used by influencers, brands, and creators in your industry. When multiple major players start adopting a new hashtag, it is likely gaining traction. You can also follow niche hashtags related to your field to detect when any begin trending within your target communities. Move quickly when you notice increased engagement with certain niche tags.
Analyze competitor hashtags
Use a social media analytics tool like Sprout Social to search through the recent posts from competitor accounts. Look for which hashtags they are using most frequently. If you notice any gaining momentum across several competing brands, they are likely resonating across your industry. Leverage these emerging hashtags before they become oversaturated.
Search by recent popularity
On some platforms like Instagram, you can search for specific hashtags and sort results by Most Recent or Most Popular. Sorting by most recent shows you which tags have been used more heavily in the last few hours and days, pointing to rising trends. Instagram also shows a “Keep Exploring” section with suggested related hashtags that are also trending.
Follow hashtag aggregators
Accounts like TrendingHashtags aggregate and share the hashtags currently trending across various social platforms. Following their updates provides an easy way to discover which hashtags are gaining momentum. Aggregator sites like Trend24 can also be helpful to see trend graphs.
Use Google Trends
Google Trends is a free tool that shows you the recent popularity of search terms and phrases. Inputting relevant keywords as well as variations with hashtags can uncover rising trends. Look for terms that show noticeable spikes on graphs plotting their search volume. This signals increased interest.
When to use trending hashtags
Once you identify relevant hashtags that seem to be trending upward, when should you start using them? Here are some best practices:
Jump in early but not too early
You want to begin leveraging a hashtag while it is still gaining momentum, but prior to the peak of its popularity. Jumping in during early adoption can allow you to establish presence with a hashtag as it picks up steam. Getting in too early though may mean limited engagement. Analyze growth graphs to determine the best entry point.
Ride the wave of established trends when possible
If you catch on to a hashtag that is already trending in full force, go ahead and ride that wave while it lasts. Even if it is nearing the end of its peak, you can still benefit in the short term from the high visibility. Capitalize on established trends when you can.
Avoid oversaturated or declining hashtags
Be more wary of hashtags that seem past peak popularity and are on the downslope. Competition will be very high, lowering your chances of engagement. Also avoid niche hashtags that become oversaturated within your industry, opting for ones with stronger growth.
Mix trending and niche hashtags
Balance broader hashtags that are trending more widely with niche ones relevant to your target audience. This increases chances of exposure from the broader trends while still engaging your core community. The niche hashtags likely have less competition too.
Tips for using trending hashtags effectively
To get the most benefit from leveraging trending hashtags, keep these tips in mind:
Use hashtags related to your content
Only use trending hashtags directly relevant to your posts to avoid misleading people who search those tags. Align hashtags with your actual content.
Avoid excessive hashtag stuffing
Do not go overboard tagging posts with too many hashtags just to drive engagement. This looks spammy and can get your account flagged or restricted. Moderation is key.
Place hashtags logically in captions
Fit your hashtags cohesively into the caption flow rather than awkwardly tagging them all together at the end. This improves readability.
Diversify hashtag use across posts
Do not keep repeating the exact same hashtags in all your posts. Switch it up with a mix of trending and niche tags for variety.
Use relevant alt text and captions for images
When using hashtags with visual content, ensure your image descriptions and alt text support those tags for accessibility and SEO.
Analyze performance of each hashtag
Use social media analytics tools to see which trending hashtags are actually resonating most with your audience and driving the most engagement on your posts.
Adapt hashtags as trends change
Keep adjusting the hashtags you use to reflect rising and fading trends. Do not get stuck using the same ones as the social landscape evolves.
Search hashtags to learn proper usage
Occasionally search through a hashtag to see how top content creators are using it. This can provide examples of best practices to emulate.
Common questions about trending hashtags
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about identifying and leveraging trending hashtags:
How many hashtags should you use per post?
Experts recommend using 2-5 hashtags per post. One or two that are trending paired with a few relevant niche hashtags is ideal for most platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Avoid significant hashtag stuffing.
What makes a hashtag trend?
Viral events, newly released content like songs or shows, real-world news, holidays, awareness campaigns, and meme phenomena can all cause hashtags to trend as masses latch on and start tagging content. Trends also emerge organically or get promoted by influencers.
How do you find hashtags on TikTok?
TikTok’s Trending page shows currently popular hashtags. You can also search by keyword phrases and sort by popularity. Use autocomplete suggestions as you type in the TikTok search bar to find related trending hashtags. The Discover tab also shows trending hashtag challenges.
Where do you see the top trending Instagram hashtags?
Instagram provides a Trending section within the Explore tab showing the current most popular hashtags overall as well as by interest area. You can also search hashtags and sort by Most Recent or Most Popular to analyze trends.
Should you reuse the same hashtags in multiple posts?
It’s best not to reuse the exact same hashtag sets across all of your posts. While some evergreen niche hashtags will be consistent, aim to mix it up with new trending and niche hashtags to diversify content tagging.
How often do hashtag trends change?
Major events can instantly cause new hashtag trends. But for more organic trends, monitor over hours, days, or weeks to detect rising and falling patterns. Some last a few hours, others a few days. Adjust hashtag sets daily or weekly accordingly.
Can you track competitors’ hashtags?
Yes, social media monitoring tools allow you to search competitors’ profiles and analyze their recent hashtag use to see which trends they are leveraging in your industry. Just stay ethical in your monitoring practices.
Conclusion
Mastering trending hashtags takes persistence and tools but is incredibly worthwhile for increasing social media reach and engagement. By diligently tracking emerging hashtag popularity using analytics platforms and aggregators, you can stay ahead of the trends and capitalize quickly with your own content. Just remember to use hashtags judiciously and diversify your tagging so you do not appear spammy. With a savvy hashtag strategy focused on trends, your social media presence and brand awareness will flourish.
Hashtag | Platform | Popularity | Best Day to Post |
---|---|---|---|
#Foodie | 9/10 | Friday | |
#ThrowbackThursday | 8/10 | Thursday | |
#Wanderlust | 7/10 | Tuesday |