Illustrators’ Guide to Instagram Hashtags Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post. Using more hashtags widens the potential audience of your post, however it’s worth considering which tags are most effective. Banned Hashtags Be careful not to used banned hashtags! These are often tags considered to be inappropriate or harmful, however sometimes they don’t make much sense, for example ‘#books’ is one to avoid (I mean, really???). Using a banned hashtag can result in your post being removed from the ‘explore’ feeds and search results of anybody that isn’t already following you, which makes it impossible to engage with new users. Check whether a hashtag has been banned by searching it. Search results are divided into two sections: ‘top’ and ‘recent’. A banned hashtag will only show the ‘top’ posts. Here is a list of useful hashtags to use for Illustration posts: Location #Leeds, #LeedsArt and #LeedsArtsUniversity are always good for reaching independent local businesses and the local art scene. Always location tag your posts to reach a wider audience! Illustration Blogs We all use #illustration, but separating this out into quieter feeds can increase the chance of users finding your post. Tagging in popular illustration blogs is one way to do this, however if you want your work to be featured on that blog I would always recommend contacting the editor directly through an email link (easy to find if you snoop on their website), rather than though tags or direct messages on the Instagram app. Some examples of these blogs (there are hundreds more out there!): Illustration Artists - use tag #illustrationartists Poster Spy - for poster designs. Use tag #posterspy Women with Pencils - use tag #visiblewomen Women who Draw - @thewomenwhodraw - use tag #womenwhodraw Ballpitmag - use tag #ballpitmag Wrap Magazine - use tag #wrapmagazine More Illustrations - use tag #moreillustrations Trends Look out for trending topics, such as news stories, politics and notable events (for example #internationalwomensday) and ‘instagram challenges’ such as #marchmeetthemaker and #inktober. This makes use of a subject that is already popular and brings your work to users who wouldn’t normally see it. Page 1 of 2
Find Your Niche This one seems obvious, but it’s one of the most important when it comes to finding and keeping new followers rather than just getting likes on a post. If you make zines, use #zines. If you make kids books, use #childrensillustration, and so on. These hastags may be less popular than others, however they reach users who specifically search these areas, who are more likely to take a genuine interest in your work. Interestingly, I often find that colour hashtags are popular, especially #pink! Make sure your hashtags are relevant to avoid being reported - Instagram has a feature which lets users flag posts in hashtag feeds that they don’t want to see. If this happens, your post may be removed or blocked. Some ideas: #observationaldrawing #draweveryday #sketchbooks #printmaking / #screenprinting / #monoprinting / #linoprinting etc #fashionillustration #childrensbookillustration / #childrensbooks / #kidsbooks #productdesign #adobeillustrator #vector #handmadebooks and so on. Finally… Don’t let Instagram get you down! The algorithm is designed to favour large corporations who invest a huge amount of resources and money into their online presence, making it much more of a struggle for individuals and small businesses to remain visible. We set up the @illustrationleeds page in the hope of finding a new and more effective way to target agents, art directors and commissioners, and direct these users to the work of individual LAU illustrators.
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