Hashtags helps you to group content. These can either be general hashtags that everybody uses, in which case you are grouping your posts and images with others who upload similar content.

Most Instagram users love to boost their following. But there is little point in being followed by somebody with entirely different interests to you. By using appropriate hashtags with your content, you are making your posts available to people who have an interest in the same subjects. And if they like your posts, they are likely to follow you in the hope of seeing more content on the same topic.

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Even if people don't go as far as following you, they may like the content of yours that they come across when searching for a particular hashtag.

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Instagram has grown phenomenally over the last few years. This means that there is no way that you are likely to deliver the right content to the right people accidentally. When you use hashtags, you are effectively helping Instagram sort and organize your posts – helping them reach people who will value them.