The Ultimate Guide to Hashtags for Food Bloggers

Organically grow your Instagram following with these food-related hashtags and strategies. Perfect for food bloggers and food photographers a like!

Dear lovely readers who are only here for the yums,

I have no baked yumminess for you today. No recipes or new foodie photos. But I promise in just a few short days to present you with new, yummy edible goodness. Until then, consider class dismissed early today. Maybe grab that carton of half-eaten ice cream hidden in the back of your freezer (it's ok, I won't tell anyone) or whip up some sweet dessert goodness of your own (might I suggest some no-bake strawberry margarita cheesecake or black forest brownie ice cream). You deserve it!

For my bloggy and social media readers, pull up a chair. Class is now in session!

Why Instagram hashtags are important

Did you know 95 million photos are posted to Instagram every day?! With that much content coming in on the daily, Instagram needs a heavy duty system for sorting and cataloging photos so it can deliver the right content to the right people.

Enter the hashtag.

That's not to say that hashtags are the end-all-be-all or that they'll propel you to insta-fame overnight. Rather, by knowing how the system works and knowing how to work with it, you can help Instagram serve your content to the people most interested in seeing it. Win win!

Now that you know what hashtags are and why you should use them, the big question becomes: "Where the heck do I find them?" and "Which ones should I use?"

And those are great questions.

With more-hashtags-than-we-can-count currently in use on Instagram, finding hashtags and then identifying the ones that are best for you account and your goals can seem like quite a near impossible task.

So let's break it down into more manageable chunks:

Which hashtags to use

While we might naturally gravitate towards the hashtags with the biggest numbers, they might not be the ones we really want to use.

Because these hashtags have so many post associated with them, the competition for views is high. Really high. If you want to stand out, and reach and engage new viewers, it's better to use hashtags with a more moderate number of posts. Hashtags with 10,000-500,000 posts is the sweet spot.

One way to do this: Get specific! Rather than using #foodie (119m posts), try #pnwfoodie (17.6k posts). Instead of #cake (69.9m posts), try #chocolatecheesecake (83.6k posts).

Less competition also increases your chances of landing a much coveted position in the "top" section of a hashtags, which means more eyeballs for you content.

Where to find hashtags

Look to others in your niche
If you're a foodie like I am (and given the title of this post, I'm going wager you are, too) what are other people in your niche using? Look for other accounts similar to your own that are getting good engagement on their posts and see what they're using.

Use the related hashtag feature
Did you know Instagram has a related hashtag feature? Just click the little microscope icon at the bottom of your Instagram app, type in a hashtag and click on it. Along the top of the hashtag page will be a bar that says "Related." Scroll through these to see if there are any others that might work for your photo.

Check out the explore page
The posts you'll find on the explore page are ones that are trending, meaning they're highly engaging. Look for posts similar to your own and check out which hashtags those posts are using.

Other resources
Still looking for more resources for your hashtag research? Here are some popular tools you can try:

• All Hashtags (free)
• Keyword Tool io (first 5 results of each search are free)
• Seek Metrics (free)
• Display Purpose (free)

How many hashtags to use

Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags on your posts and up to 10 hashtags in your stories, but does that mean you have to max out your hashtags every time? Well, no but also maybe...?

Some people swear by using just a handful of hashtags to to keep their posts from "looking spammy" while others suggest 11 or more hashtags get the best engagement.

At the end of the day, you'll find what works best for you by experimenting to see what works best for your account and by looking at other accounts in your niche who are of a similar size.

If you're just starting out, try using 30 hashtags and check your analytics regularly to see how it effects your engagement and reach.

Where to put Instagram hashtags

While there's no difference in terms of functionality, I prefer to add my hashtags to the post caption. This is because I schedule my posts in advance using a paid scheduling platform, and adding the hashtags directly to my caption means I don't have to be right there when the post publishes to drop them in a comment.

While many Instagrammers use periods, dashes, lines or emojis to create new paragraphs and space down to add hashtags, you can use this Instagram Line Break website to add line breaks without needing some sort of placeholder.

Tracking Instagram hashtag effectiveness

Got an Instagram business profile? Boy, does Instagram have some analytics for you!
Under each of your photos, you'll see blue text that says "View Insights." Click on that and you'll see some basics stats for that post like number of likes, comments, saves, profile visits and reach.

Swipe that little menu up, scroll down to the "Discovery" section and under "Impressions" you'll find how many people you reached from you hashtags.

If you find the hashtags on a particular post are driving a large amount of the impressions and reach, it's worth experimenting further with those hashtags to see what's working so well for you.
Tracking this kind of information can really help you level up your hashtag game.

Tips for Instagram success

Change up your tags: Just as your photos change, so should your hashtags. If you're using the same hashtags for every single photo you share, you're missing out on specific, more targeted hashtags that could reach new followers.

Stay away from banned tags: Did you know Instagram bans hashtags? In an effort to keep content in line with its terms of use and to prevent overuse, Instagram will "ban" hashtags, effectively preventing them from appearing in search results.

To see if a hashtag is banned, check out IQ Hashtag's banned hashtag search function. You can search 40 hashtags an hour with a free account.

Tag your location: Another great way to get discovered: Tag your location! This could be your city, county, state or even the specific store you're in.

Hashtags to organically grow your audience

While this is by no means an exhaustive list of hashtags that a food bloggers might use, here are some of my favorite and most tried and true hashtags to get you started.

Day of the Week Hashtags
#MondayBlues #MotivationalMonday #MondayMemories #MondayFunday #MondayMorning #MondayMood #MondayVibes #MondayMadness #MondaysSuck #WeekendOver #MondayInspo

#TransformationTuesday #TrendyTuesday #TipTuesday #TopicTuesday #TuesdayTasting #GoodNewsTues #TakeMeBackTuesday #TastyTuesday #TuesdayVibes #TuesdayTreat

#WellnessWednesday #WayBackWednesday #WisdomWednesday #HumpDay #Winesday #WineWednesday #WednesdayFeels #WednesdayMotivation #WednesdayWords #WednesdayGrind

#ThrowbackThursday #tbt #tbtphoto #ThankfulThursday #ThursdayThoughts #ThirstyThursday #ThoughtfulThursday #TGIT #ThursdayMood #ThursdayFun #ThursdayGrind

#FlashbackFriday #FeelGoodFriday #FeatureFriday #FoodieFriday #FridayFun #FridayNight #FactFriday #TGIF #WeekendIsComing #FridayFeeling #FridayNightDinner #FridayFood

#SocialSaturday #ShoutoutSaturday #SaturdayShoutout #SmallBusinessSaturday #SaturdaySweets #SaturdayNight #SaturdayMorning #SaturdayLunch #SaturdayLife #SaturdayFeels

#SundayFunday #WeekendVibes #SundaySweets #SundayBrunch #SundayMorning #SundayMood #SundayDinner #SundayRoast #WeekendBrunch

Hashtags for Features/Community Hashtags
#bhgfood #bhgbaking #f52gram @f52gram #huffposttaste #foodgawker #thekitchn #feedfeed #thebakefeed #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #buzzfeeddiy (if your tutorial is equal parts diy and recipe) #sweetmagazine #droolclub #foodprnshare #kitchenbowl #gloobyfood #forkfeed #flatlayforever (flat-lay only photos) #flatlaytoday #cupcakeproject #myfoodgasm #donutscookiesandcream #teamchomp #beautifulcuisines #spoonfeed #sugarandclothloves #abmlifeissweet #abmfoodie #show_me_your_food #bakemag #eater #thebakefeed #tastemademedoit #tastingtable #bakeyourworldhappy #imsomartha #TOHfoodie #nytfood #geniuskitchen #foodblogfeed #todayfood #foodfluffer #youmakeitamazing #sweettoothforever #FoodiesOfInstagram #FoodWineWomen #BakeAndShare #FoodBlogEats #SugarRebelSquad

Hashtags by Meal
#Breakfasts #BreakfastIdeas #BreakfastFood #BreakfastPorn #BreakfastGoals #BreakfastInspo #BreakfastOfTheDay #BreakfastTime #BreakfastGram #BreakfastOfChampions

#Brunching #BunchParty #BrunchGoals #BrunchIdeas #BrunchLover #BrunchBuffet #BrunchTime #BrunchFood #BrunchVibes #BrunchLife #BrunchSoHard #BrunchPorn

#LunchIdeas #LunchBoxIdeas #LunchBag #HealthyLunchIdeas #LunchBoxes #LunchPrep #ToddlerLunch #KetoLunch #PackedLunch #HealthyLunches #Whole30Lunch #LeftoversForLunch #KidsLunch #Lunches #Lunchy #BentoLunch #LunchToday #WWLunch

#DinnerIdeas #Dinner_Time #Dinners #DinnerTonight #DinnerTable #WeeknightDinner #DinnerInspo #PaleoDinner #HealthyDinner #DinnerForTwo #LowCarbDinner #Whole30Dinner #KetoDinner #EasyDinner #QuickDinner

#DessertPorn #DessertPic #DessertBae #DessertHeaven #DessertMasters #DessertGram #KetoDessert #KetoDesserts #DessertPics #DessertTime #DessertOfTheDay #DessertArt #DessertCups #DessertLovers #InstaDessert #DessertsOfInstagram #DessertLove #DessertBuffet #DessertIdeas #InstaDessert #DessertFirst #SweetToothSatisfied

Food Photography Hashtags
#FoodPhotographer #BehindTheScenes #bts #FoodEntrepreneur #PhotoShoot #OnSet #FoodStyling #FoodStyle #Solopreneur #IShootFood #FoodStylingAndPhotography #FoodPhotographyAndStyling #FoodPhotographyProps #FoodPhotography101 #PhotographyFood #FoodPhotographyTips #DarkFoodPhoto #PhotoFood #FoodPhotograph #FoodPhotos #FoodPhotoADay #FoodPhotoOfTheDay #FoodPhotoNonStop #FoodPhotographers #FoodPhotoBlog #PlayingWithFood

Seasonal Hashtags
#SeasonalFood #EatTheSeasons #EatSeasonal #SeasonalEating #EatRealFood #FreshBaking
#SpringFood #SpringEats #SpringVeggies #SpringCake #AsparagusSeason #SpringSalad #SpringBaking #EasterDessert #EasterBaking #EasterCupcakes #EasterEggCookies #EasterCake #EasterFood #EasterBakes #MothersDayCupcakes #MothersDayCookies #MothersDayBrunch #MothersDayTreat #MothersDayCake

#SummerFood #SummerRecipes #SummerSalad #SummerTreat #SummerTreats #FrozenTreats #SummerFood #SummerFoods #FathersDayCookies #FathersDayCake #FathersDayDinner #FathersDayBBQ #4thOfJulyCake #4thOfJulyCookies #4thOfJulyFood

#FallBaking #FallFood #FallFoods #FallEats #FallFoodies #HalloweenTreats #HalloweenFood #October #HalloweenTime #HalloweenIdeas #HalloweenCookies #HalloweenVibes #HalloweenSeason #ThanksgivingDinner #ThanksgivingCookies #ThanksgivingTable #ThanksgivingFood #ThanksgivingRecipes #ThanksgivingFeast #ThanksgivingPrep #ThanksgivingTurkey

#WinterBaking #WinterVibes #WinterFood #WinterFoods #WinterComfortFood #ChristmasCake #ChristmasMood #ChristmasCheer #ChristmasBaking #ChristmasCookies #ChristmasFun #ChristmasVibes #HanukkahCookies #HanukkahRecipes #HanukkahFood #ValentinesDay #ValentinesDayCookies #ValentinesDayIdeas #ValentinesDayCake #ValentinesDayDinner #ValentinesDayTreats

Special Diets
#VeganBaking #VeganRecipes #VeganRecipe #VeganIsEasy #VeganFoodLove #VeganInspiration #VeganFoodShare #BestOfVegan #VeganGoodness #VeganDinner #VeganBreakfast #VeganIdeas #PlantBasedVegan #WhatVegansEat #HealthyVeganFood #VeganRecipeShare #VeganFoodPhotography #FeedFeedVegan

#OrganicFood #OrganicLife #OrganicTea #OrganicKitchen #OrganicLiving #GreenFood #OrganicFruit #NaturalFood #OrganicVeggies #FreshFoods #OrganicProduce #HomeGrown #OrganicVegetables

#Vegetarian #VegetarianRecipes #VegetarianFood #VegetarianMealPrep #VegetarianLife #VegetarianEats #VegetarianMeals #VegetarianRecipe #VegetarianLunch #VegetarianDinner #VegetarianFoodPorn #VegetarianDiet #Vegetarianism #VegetarianBreakfast #VegetarianFoodShare #VegetarianKeto #VeggieRecipes #MeatFreeMonday #PlantBasedFoodie #PlantBasedFoods #PlantBasedPower

#KetoDiet #KetoMealPrep #KetoRecipe #KetoBreakfast #KetoSnacks #KetoRecipes #KetoAdapted #KetogenicFood #KetoFriendly #KetoForBeginners #KetoDesserts #KetoBaking #KetoAF #KetoTreats #KetoSweets #KetoMealt #KetogenicLife #KetoInspiration #KetoEats #FatIsFuel #SimpleKeto #KetoKitchen

#GlutenFree #GlutenFreeRecipes #GlutenFreeVegan #Gluten_Free #GlutenFreeLifeStyle #GlutenFreeBreakfast #GlutenFreeDairyFree #GlutenFreeMeals #GlutenFreeEats #GlutenFreeCooking #GlutenFreeBlogger #GlutenFreeDinner #GlutenFreeFoods #GlutenFreeFoodie #GlutenFreeBaking #GlutenFreePorn #GlutenFreeLiving #GlutenFri #GlutenFreeBread #GlutenIntolerance #GlutenFreeDiet #GFree #AllergenFriendly

#DairyFreeLife #LactoseFree #DairyFreeRecipes #DairyFree #DairyFreeFood #DairyFreeLiving #DairyFreeKeto #DairyFreeDessert #DairyFreeCake #DairyFreeMeals #DairyFreeDiet #DairyFreeBaking #DairyFreeIceCream #DairyFreeChocolate

#Whole30Recipes #Whole30Approved #Whole30Breakfast #Whole30Food #Whole30Dinner #Whole30Meals #Whole30LifeStyle #Whole30Life #Whole30Lunch #Whole30Recipe #Whole30Snacks #Whole30Compliant #HealthyFats

#PaleoEats #GrainFreeLiving #PaleoDinner #PaleoIsh #PaleoDiet #PaleoRecipes #PaleoLifeStyle #PaleoBreakfast #PaleoDessert #PaleoSnack #PaleoFoods #PaleoBread #PaleoMeals #PaleoCooking #PaleoEating #PaleoLife #PaleoGrubs #PaleoFoodShare #PaleoMeal #PaleoTreats

A Few Hashtags by Dish That I Often Use
#CakeStyling #CakePhotography #Cakestagram #CakeTips #CakeGuide #CakeMaking #CakeDecorating #CakeItOrLeaveIt #CakesTV #EdibleArt #CakeOfTheDay #CakeGoals #InstaCakes #CakeArt #CakeCakeCake #CakeGram #IGCake #CakesOfIG #BeautifulCakes #CakeIdeas #InstaCakeDesign #ButtercreamCake #PrettyCakes #CakeLove #CakeStyle

#CupcakesDaily #InstaCupcakes #CupcakesForDays #Cupcaker #CupcakeTime #CupcakeStyles #CupcakeLove #CupcakeDesign #CupcakeOfTheDay #CupcakeDecorating #CupcakeArt #PrettyCupcakes #ButtercreamCupcakes #CupcakeDecorados #CustomizedCupcakes #CuteCupcakes

#DecoratedCookies #CustomCookies #CookieDecorating #CookieArt #InsaCookie #CookieMaking #CookiesOfInstagram #CookieArtist #CookieDesign #CookieGram #CookieCutter #CookieRecipe #DecoratedSugarCookies #CookieLove #CustomSugarCookies #CookiesDecorados #CustomCookies

Did you like this post? You might also like...

• 10 props for food photography you already own
• 5 food photography tips
• 6 pro tips for photographing foods that melt

Update Notes: This post was originally published in September of 2015 but was republished with more up-to-date information and strategies in May 2019.