Hashtag Research: The Complete Hashtag Guide

Hashtags are the roadmap of social media. They help users discover content, allow brands to expand their audience, and shape conversations across the digital world. Whether you’re posting on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or LinkedIn, using the right hashtags can mean the difference between reaching a handful of people—or thousands.

Yet despite being one of the most powerful social media tools, hashtags are also one of the most misunderstood. Many businesses either overuse them, use irrelevant ones, or simply guess what might work. That’s where smart hashtag research comes into play.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about hashtags: how they work, how to choose the right ones, platform-specific strategies, and tools that make hashtag research easier. We’ll also show how great content—especially high-quality videos—paired with effective hashtag strategy can rapidly improve reach and engagement. And if you’re serious about scaling video content, partnering with industry experts like Increditors—a leading video editing agency offering top-tier video editing services, corporate video editing, 2D explainer videos, and YouTube video editing services—can help take your hashtag strategy and content to the next level.

Let’s dive in

What Are Hashtags and Why Do They Matter?

A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the “#” symbol (such as #MarketingTips or #SmallBusiness). Social platforms use hashtags to categorize content, making it easier for users to search for and engage with topics they care about.

Why hashtags matter:

• Increase visibility and reach beyond current followers
• Attract users interested in specific topics
• Support brand discovery and community building
• Improve targeting for niche audiences
• Help algorithms understand content relevance

If your content includes videos—which typically perform best on social platforms—pairing them with a smart hashtag strategy amplifies results. Professional video editing from Increditors, a trusted video editing company, ensures your posts look polished, credible, and worth clicking.

What Is Hashtag Research

Hashtag research is the process of analyzing and selecting the best hashtags to increase visibility and engagement. Instead of randomly guessing, you identify hashtags based on:

• Audience behavior
• Trending topics
• Competition level
• Platform algorithm performance
• Relevance to your post

Good hashtag research ensures:

• You’re not using hashtags that are too broad or oversaturated
• You reach real, interested users (not bots or spam)
• Each post is positioned for discoverability

That means more eyes on your brand—especially when your content includes compelling videos edited by skilled teams like Increditors.

The Types of Hashtags You Should Use

A healthy hashtag strategy includes a mix of categories:

Type	Purpose	Example
Industry hashtags	Reach users interested in your field	#DigitalMarketing #FinanceTips
Branded hashtags	Create your own identity space	#BrandName #MyProductName
Community hashtags	Tap into specific follower groups	#MomsOfInstagram #TechCreators
Niche hashtags	Lower competition, highly targeted	#VeganMealIdeas #WeddingFilmmaker
Trend/viral hashtags	Ride current conversations	#MondayMotivation #AIArt
Content/format hashtags	Clarify type of post	#Tutorial #ExplainerVideo
Location hashtags	Target local visibility	#AustinTexas #NYCBusinesses

When video is involved—like 2D explainer videos or corporate video content—adding format-specific hashtags is essential (#ProductVideo, #BusinessStory, etc.).

How to Do Effective Hashtag Research

Forget one-size-fits-all. Different platforms treat hashtags differently—you must research for each one.

Here’s a breakdown:

Step-by-Step Hashtag Research Method

Identify your core topics
→ What does your audience care about?
Example: Business growth, content marketing, entrepreneurship.

Study competitor posts
→ Which hashtags perform well for industry leaders?

Search hashtags natively on platforms
→ Look for:

• Post counts
• Related hashtags
• Top posts using them

Aim for balanced competition levels
Mix:

• High volume (1M–10M uses)
• Medium volume (50K–500K)
• Low volume (5K–50K)

Review engagement rates
The right hashtags attract active audiences—not passive ones.

Track performance and refine weekly
Hashtag success evolves quickly—always analyze, adjust, improve.

And remember: hashtags won’t save low-quality content. Professional editing—like what Increditors provides—makes your videos thumb-stopping and far more likely to reach peak hashtag potential.

Related articles: How video production affects branding

Platform-Specific Hashtag Strategies

Every platform treats hashtags differently:

Instagram

• Use 8–15 highly relevant hashtags
• Place them at the end of caption or in first comment
• Mix niche + industry + branded

TikTok

• Use 3–5 hashtags
• Try to include one trending tag
• Use hashtags that match “search phrases” (#HowTo…, #LearnOnTikTok)

YouTube

• Add 3–5 hashtags in the video description
• Use branded + niche hashtags
• Ideal for creators using YouTube video editing services from Increditors to enhance engagement and watch time

LinkedIn

• Use 3–6 professional-focused hashtags
• Avoid overly viral or unrelated tags

X (Twitter)

• 1–2 hashtags max
• Best when tied to news & trending topics

Even the strongest hashtag list requires strong visuals—especially for business-focused video content. That’s why brands often rely on Increditors, a leading YouTube video editing agency, to create scroll-stopping posts that people actually want to watch.

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

Businesses often sabotage their content without realizing it. Here’s what to avoid:

Using too many irrelevant hashtags
Choosing only mega-hashtags (#business #love #fun) → content disappears instantly
Copy-pasting the same hashtags every time
Spelling errors that result in zero reach
Using banned or restricted hashtags (hurts algorithm standing)
Believing hashtags compensate for low-quality videos

Bottom line: hashtags amplify content—they don’t fix poor execution.

To truly succeed, both strategy + content quality must align.
That’s where Increditors excels—with professional video editing services designed to maximize content retention and social performance.

How Video + Hashtags Work Together

Social platforms prioritize video content in search and discovery. When paired with the right hashtags:

Your videos appear in more suggested feeds
Users watch longer — increasing visibility
Brand authority grows faster
Conversions rise due to visual storytelling

Professional editing elements that impact success:

• Captions for silent viewing
• Engaging pacing and transitions
• Brand consistency through visuals
• Story-first approach
• Clear call-to-action placement

These are core strengths of Increditors, known worldwide as a trusted video editing company and corporate video editing partner for brands that need powerful visual assets.

When hashtags bring users in, high-quality videos keep them watching.

Best Tools for Hashtag Research

Here are reliable tools to improve hashtag discovery:

Flick
Metricool
Hashtagify
Keyword Tool for YouTube
TikTok Creative Center
Instagram Search & Explore
Semrush Social Toolkit

Use tools as guidance—but always prioritize relevance to your audience and niche.

Tracking and Evaluating Hashtag Performance

Your hashtag strategy requires ongoing analysis. Track:

• Reach (discoverability)
• Impressions via hashtags
• Engagement rate
• Save & share performance
• Follower growth tied to specific posts

When you notice patterns—positive or negative—adjust accordingly.

Turn top hashtags into a reusable bank.
Archive weak performers.

Why Brands Trust Increditors for Video + Hashtags Growth

Even the most researched hashtags fail if paired with unpolished content.

That’s why brands partner with Increditors — experts in high-impact video that drives meaningful engagement.

Increditors Specialties:

• Premium video editing services
• Results-driven corporate video editing
• Engaging 2D explainer video creation
• Dedicated YouTube video editing services for creators and brands
• Full-scale video editing agency capabilities for social content

• With compelling visuals and the right hashtags, brands:
• Grow faster
• Build credibility
• Convert more viewers into customers

Final Takeaway

Hashtag Research: The Complete Hashtag Guide comes down to three priorities: Understand how hashtags work
Use data-driven research to guide selection
Pair your hashtag strategy with high-quality content

Hashtags help people find your content.
Professional video helps people remember your brand.

With the right partner—like Increditors, a leading video editing agency known for excellence in YouTube video editing services, corporate video editing, and 2D explainer videos—your social media content can thrive across all platforms.

Ready to improve your reach and engagement?

Start today with professional editing from Increditors
A content strategy built for growth.
A team built for your success.