The Ultimate Instagram Hashtag Guide for Authors This Year

Stop guessing, here’s everything you need to know about hashtags for authors in 2025.

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Instagram continues to be a powerful platform for authors to market their books, engage with readers, and build a strong presence. Even with all the algorithm changes, one of the most effective tools for discoverability is the strategic use of hashtags. Instagram’s algorithm in 2025 continues to prioritize relevant and engaging content, and using the right hashtags can help writers expand their reach and visibility. By incorporating trending and niche-specific hashtags, authors can ensure their posts land in front of the right audience, from fellow writers to potential readers.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best Instagram hashtags for authors in 2025, recent changes to Instagram’s algorithm that affect hashtags, and how to effectively use them to promote books and grow your author platform.

TL;DR

To maximize your hashtag strategy on Instagram, use three to five hashtags in each post caption and combine popular and niche tags for better reach. Creating a branded hashtag to build community may be beneficial and including hashtags in Stories and Reels can boost discoverability.

Monitor your posts’ performance with Instagram Insights to refine your approach. Avoid common mistakes like overusing generic hashtags, using banned tags, or relying solely on high-volume hashtags. Keep your hashtag strategy updated based on trends and engagement changes.

How Instagram Hashtags Work in 2025

Instagram recently adjusted its algorithm again and now prioritizes content relevance over sheer hashtag volume. While hashtags remain valuable, Instagram recommends using three to five well-chosen hashtags rather than stuffing captions with thirty tags. Also, keep in mind:

• Niche-specific hashtags perform better than broad, oversaturated ones.

• Hashtags placed in captions have greater reach than those in comments.

• Instagram’s keyword search function means captions with SEO-friendly keywords now hold more weight, which makes content context just as important as hashtags.

Best Practices for Using Hashtags in 2025

• Use a mix of high-volume, mid-tier, and niche hashtags to reach different segments of your desired audience.

• Don’t use banned or overused hashtags—they can limit post visibility.

• Include up to five highly relevant hashtags in your captions for optimal engagement.

• Place hashtags in Stories and Reels, as they remain a strong discovery tool.