Viral Hashtags for Instagram Reels That Actually Work
More than a third of everything we watch? It’s all happening on Instagram Reels. It is the place to be if you want to grow fast. But with billions of videos flooding the feed every single day, good content alone just does not cut it anymore.
Want your Reels to reach people? It all starts with hashtags.
The right hashtags are not just labels. They are algorithm magnets. Reels with relevant hashtags get a 26% higher reach, and that is no small boost. They tell Instagram who should see your content, when to show it, and how far it should go.
But here is the twist. Many believe hashtag strategies have lost their power and no longer boost reach and that the use of outdated or overused hashtags does nothing for reach. At AdLift, we break this misconception by revealing trending Reels hashtags on Instagram that deliver real results, powered by up-to-the-minute data, platform patterns, and creator expertise.
Why Hashtags Still Matter in 2025
In 2025, Instagram’s algorithm has evolved into a sophisticated AI-driven system that prioritizes content based on user engagement and relevance. This is why they are necessary:
Increasing Discoverability
Hashtags still help categorize content, allowing users to find Reels or posts based on interests. When used correctly, they act like search keywords, helping your content appear in hashtag feeds and on the Explore page.
For example, tagging a Reel with #TravelMaldives or #TravelGreece helps it surface for users interested in travel. This makes hashtags a powerful tool for organic reach, especially when used in conjunction with location- or topic-specific tags.
Enhancing Niche Reach
In 2025, targeting the right audience is more effective than casting a wide net. Specific hashtags like #PlantBasedMeals or #SoloBackpacking help creators connect with niche communities that are more likely to engage. These communities often have stronger engagement and loyalty, increasing chances of follows, shares, and saves. Focused hashtags ensure your content reaches people genuinely interested in your topic, not just casual scrollers.
Boosting Engagement Metrics
Content with relevant hashtags often receives better interaction, including more likes, comments, shares, and saves. Instagram’s algorithm recognizes this activity and promotes such posts more broadly. Using well-chosen hashtags can significantly enhance a post’s early performance, leading to increased exposure over time. Tools like Instagram Insights help track which hashtags are driving the most engagement, allowing users to refine their strategy for even better results.
According to the Times of India, using a well-curated set of 5 to 10 hashtags can significantly impact visibility.
Types of Viral Hashtags That Work for Reels
Knowing the types of viral hashtags that work for Reels can help you connect with the right audience and effectively boost your content’s reach.
Trending/Time-sensitive Hashtags
These hashtags are tied to current events, viral challenges, or popular trends. Examples include:
- #reelstrending
- #dancechallenge
- #trendingnow
Niche-specific Hashtags
Targeting specific communities or interests helps connect with a dedicated audience. Examples:
- #fitreels
- #foodreels
- #travelreels
These hashtags ensure your content reaches users interested in particular topics.
Challenge and Trend Hashtags
Participating in challenges can boost visibility. Examples:
- #reelchallenge
- #transitionchallenge
- #duetthis
Engaging with these can tap into existing audiences following the challenge.
Location-based Hashtags
Geotagging and using location-specific hashtags can attract local audiences. Examples:
- #reelsindia
- #nycreel
- #londonlife
It is a great tactic for businesses looking to reach local or regional audiences.
Evergreen Hashtags
These are consistently popular and relevant regardless of trends. Examples:
- #reels
- #instagramreels
- #reelsvideo
Incorporating these ensures your content remains discoverable over time.
Strategic Placement of Viral Hashtags
Using viral hashtags for Instagram reels wisely can boost their exposure and allow you to reach more people with every post.
In Caption vs. First Comment
When it comes to placing hashtags, you have two main options: including them in the caption or placing them in the first comment. Each method has its benefits. Adding hashtags directly to the caption ensures they are immediately visible when the post goes live. This method can help your content become more discoverable, especially on platforms where timing is crucial.
On the other hand, placing hashtags in the first comment allows the caption to stay clean, minimal, and more focused on the message or call to action. It offers a tidier look while still keeping your post searchable through hashtags. Ultimately, both strategies work well; the most important thing is to pick one and stick with it for consistency across posts.
Optimal Number of Hashtags
Using the right number of hashtags is equally important. Overloading your content with hashtags can make it seem spammy or overly attention-seeking, which might reduce engagement rather than improve it. Stick to hashtags that are relevant to your content, audience, and brand tone.
Formatting Tips
- Use Separators: Add dashes, slashes, or vertical bars to distinguish the main caption from the hashtags clearly.
- Line Breaks: Including a few line breaks before your hashtags improves readability and visual appeal.
- Grouping: Arrange hashtags by theme, content type, or relevance. This helps keep your post clear and makes it easier for viewers to grasp the context of your content.
Tools to Find Viral Reel Hashtags
| Logo | Tool Name | Description |
 | Instagram Insights | Provides data on which hashtags are driving engagement for your content. It helps track impressions, reaches, saves, profile visits, website clicks, shares, comments, and follower growth based on hashtag performance. |
 | Hashtagify | Offers analytics on hashtag popularity and trends, helping identify effective tags. Users can explore hashtag correlations, track real-time usage, analyze competitors, discover influencers, and optimise strategy for better audience targeting and reach. |
 | Inflact | Generates hashtag suggestions based on keywords and content type. Categorizes hashtags, tracks usage history, provides related keyword suggestions, supports Instagram growth, and enhances discoverability through niche and trending hashtag analysis. |
 | Metricool | Tracks hashtag metrics and helps plan content strategies. Offers performance reports, compares campaigns, identifies top-performing hashtags, tracks engagement rate, schedules posts, and aligns hashtag usage with brand marketing goals. |
Choosing the right hashtags can boost your Reels’ reach, and using effective tools makes it easier to find the most viral ones.
Instagram Insights
Provides data on which hashtags are driving engagement for your content. It helps track impressions, reaches, saves, profile visits, website clicks, shares, comments, and follower growth based on the performance of specific hashtags.
Hashtagify
Offers analytics on hashtag popularity and trends, helping identify effective tags. Users can explore hashtag correlations, track real-time usage, analyze their competitors, discover influencers, and optimize their strategy for better audience targeting and reach.
Inflact
Generates hashtag suggestions based on keywords and content type. It also categorizes hashtags, tracks usage history, provides related keyword suggestions, supports Instagram growth, and enhances discoverability through niche and trending hashtag analysis.
Later
Analyse hashtag performance and suggest optimal tags for your social media posts. Its tools include post-scheduling, performance comparison, trend prediction, hashtag group saving, audience targeting, growth tracking, and content calendar integration for seamless planning.
Metricool
Tracks hashtag metrics and helps plan content strategies accordingly. It offers performance reports, compares campaigns, identifies top-performing hashtags, tracks engagement rate, schedules posts, and aligns hashtag usage with overall brand marketing goals.
Mistakes to Avoid While Choosing Hashtags for Reels
Using the right hashtags can make your Reels go viral, but using the wrong ones can make them disappear into the void. Let’s look at the common mistakes you must avoid while picking hashtags for Reels.
Using Banned/Flagged Hashtags
These can suppress your content, reducing visibility. Instagram may hide or restrict posts using banned or flagged hashtags, which can severely limit your content’s organic reach and engagement potential.
Overstuffing Hashtags
Adding too many can appear spammy and confuse the algorithm. Excessive hashtags can lead to reduced credibility, annoy followers, trigger Instagram’s spam filters, and lower your overall post performance and discovery.
Irrelevant Tags
Using unrelated trending hashtags can mislead audiences and harm engagement. Misusing popular or unrelated tags causes your audience to disconnect, decreases post relevance, and may reduce follower trust and interaction with your content.
Repetition
Using the same set of hashtags repeatedly can limit reach; diversify your tags. Constant repetition signals a low effort to the algorithm, restricting content exposure; rotating and mixing hashtags keep posts fresh and improve discoverability.
The Science Behind Instagram Reels’ Virality
Instagram’s algorithm favors content that garners quick and consistent engagement. Hashtags contribute by:
- Boosting Initial Reach: Using relevant hashtags exposes your content to users who are already interested in that topic or niche, increasing the chances of early likes, comments, and shares. This wider initial reach helps your post gain momentum and visibility beyond just your followers.
- Enhancing Engagement Signals: Likes, shares, comments, and saves act as strong signals of content quality to the algorithm. When your Reel receives these engagement actions, it tells Instagram that your content is valuable, prompting the algorithm to boost it further across users’ feeds and the Explore page.
- Sustaining Visibility: Consistent engagement over time helps keep your content relevant in users’ feeds and on Explore pages. When your content continues to receive interactions, Instagram’s algorithm considers it fresh and interesting, which results in prolonged visibility and higher chances of attracting new viewers.
Master the Use of Viral Hashtags
Mastering the use of the best hashtags for Instagram Reels requires trend awareness, audience understanding, and strategic placement. At AdLift, we recognize the importance of real-time, accurate information in shaping effective hashtag strategies. As a social media marketing agency, we leverage the right mix of trending, niche, and evergreen hashtags and utilize advanced tools for analysis to help creators significantly enhance the reach and engagement of their content. Tools that refine research and provide actionable insights improve decision-making and keep content creators competitive.
Rather than relying solely on automated suggestions, we combine AI-driven data with human creativity and precision. This approach ensures originality, authenticity, and a unique brand voice, ultimately boosting workflow efficiency and enabling the delivery of highly engaging, data-driven Instagram Reels that truly connect with audiences.
