Using Hashtags on Bookstagram | the ultimate guide

Hashtags are a part of the holy grail of defeating the algorithm on Instagram. But, it can feel incredibly complicated to work out which, and how many hashtags to post for optimum engagement with your photos.

So, what are hashtags, and how do we use them effectively?

What are hashtags even for?

The key reason to use hashtags is to reach a wider audience with your photos. By using a whole range of them (e.g. #bookstagrammer, #beautifulbooks, #bookblogger, #shelfiesunday), your posts will appear on the pages of those hashtags. This means that anyone following them will often be able to see your posts on their feed or explore pages (depending on how large the hashtag is).

So… how do I use them?

Instagram allows 30 hashtags per post. There is a lot of contention over the perfect amount of hashtags to use (should I use the full 30 or is that overloading??), but I would say don’t worry too much about that! 10 as a minimum is a good rule of thumb, but do what works for you. More important is ensuring that you periodically vary the hashtags on each post. Speaking of:

Switch up the hashtags!

If you want photos to reach a larger and more varied audience, a good idea is to mix up the hashtags every once in a while. I have groups of hashtags saved into my notes, and I choose which one to use depending on the post (as well as adding some more general ones).

READ MORE: How I Grew My Bookstagram Following from 0 to 6000 In a Year

When it comes to Bookstagram:

Try to have a mix of smaller, more specific hashtags, medium, and larger hashtags, as this will ensure that your photos appear under enough hashtags, whilst also ensuring that enough people will actually view those hashtags.

For Bookstagram, some of my favourite hashtags to use are:

Bookish/ Reading

#goodreads #libro #ilovebooks #bookclub #bookreview #currentlyreading #author #bookgram #bookdragon #bookster #booksandflowers #shelfie #bookphotography #instabook #booknerd #readersofinstagram #bookaholic #instaread #bookgeek #bookblogging #bookdragon #readmorebooks #bookphoto #booksofinsta #bookpassion #bookquotes #bookish #bibliophile #read #reader

#bookcommunity #bookobsessed #booksbooksbooks #libro #beautifulbooks #bookaesthetic #fortheloveofbooks #prettybooks #bookchat #readingbreak #bookjunkie #booksaremagic #bookishallure #readingaddict #bookaccount #booksonbooks #yareads #bookstagramuk #bookhoarder #booknerdigans #bookrecommendations #coverlove #yafantasy #mybooks #bookwormlife #bookoftheday #bookbloggershub #postitforaesthetic #morebookslessalgorithm #bookpromotion

Specific Photo Type

#bookflatlay #shelfie #bookshelves #bookshelflove #bookshelfie #slaytheflatlay #flatlaylove #flatlaystyle #flatlaytoday #alltheangles #librariesofinstagram #bookstack #stackedbooks

Cozy photography

#photoftheday #naturelovers #autumn #picoftheday #coffee_time #openuptoautumn #aestheticpost #livelifebeautifully #simplemoments #hygge #cozyvibes #beigeaesthetic #simplemoments #ofsimplethings #autumnvibes #autumnchild #sweaterweather #neutraltones #finddailyhygge #coffeeandbooks

Writing

#writer #poetry #writersofinstagram #quotes #poetrycommunity #poetsofinstagram #writerscommunity #writersofig #words #reading #author #amwriting #quoteoftheday #write

Daily hashtags

#shelfiesunday #socksunday #shadowhuntersunday #mapmonday #mugmonday #tolkientuesday #teatuesday #wingspanwednesday #wickwednesday #throwbackthursday #flatlayfriday #followfriday

Feature pages/ group hashtags

#rusticpages #alwayscozyforeverbooks #bibliofeature #averybookishpost #cozyreadingmoments #hyggebookstyle #bookychats #inspiredbybookish #bookbloggershub #bethsbookclub #betweencozymoments #cozyascanbee #bookfeaturepage #atruebookster

You can also find loads of monthly challenges @bookstagramchallenges

READ MORE: How to Craft a Consistent Bookstagram Theme

To Round It All Up:

So, those are my general rules for how to conquer hashtags on Bookstagram! As always, beating the algorithm is an ongoing struggle for basically every Bookstagrammer, but implementing these tips will help to keep your hashtag game at its absolute finest.

Did you find these tips helpful? Will you be implementing them on your own Bookstagram account? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments, or you connect with me directly on any of my social medias.