Finding the right hashtags for your Instagram content can be tough work. After all, the platform has been around for over 15 years, which means there’s a practically endless supply of tags to choose from, each one with its own history, meaning and subtext. So, how do you know what’s effective and what’s not?

An Instagram hashtag generator is one of the simplest ways to find the right trending hashtags as a creator, brand or influencer. Instead of going in blind, use one of these handy tools to generate hashtags that’ll instantly boost your discoverability and engagement on Instagram.

Just like hashtags, there are tons of hashtag generators on the market now, all aimed at making creators’ lives easier. We’ve rounded up our top picks, along with some must-know tips to ensure you’re getting the absolute most out of your chosen tool.

Linktree’s Hashtag Generator is 100% free to use and takes just seconds to set up. Join Linktree today and curate a bulletproof list of hashtags that’ll help you achieve your social media goals, from increasing your engagement to expanding your reach.

Why use an Instagram hashtag generator? 

It’s totally possible to do your own Instagram hashtag research as a creator, but thanks to the platform’s popularity, this takes a lot of time and effort. 

By using an Instagram hashtag generator to do the heavy lifting, you’ll: 

• Save yourself time: No need to waste hours scrolling through the app to find the right trending hashtags for your content. With a hashtag generator, you can receive a fully researched list in just seconds, tailored specifically to your niche.
• Improve your reach: Though hashtags have taken a nosedive on some platforms, they’re still critical for discoverability on Instagram. By posting under the right tags, you’ll improve your chances of being seen by users who are likely to follow you or engage with your content.
• Discover niche tags: Some tags are vastly overused, which means your chances of reaching new audiences are diluted from the get-go. Hashtag generators can pick out new hashtags and those rising in popularity, giving you an edge as an early adopter.
• Avoid banned hashtags: Did you know that hashtags can be banned by Instagram? This often happens when the content posted under that specific tag is inappropriate, or when the post volume is simply too high. A hashtag generator will ensure you’re only using approved, active hashtags that can increase your visibility on the platform.

What to look for in the best Instagram hashtag generator

As Instagram has grown, so have the third-party tools available to help you optimize your content on the platform. With lots of different options to choose from, here’s what you should be looking for when selecting a hashtag generator: 

1. Real-time data and trend analysis: The best hashtag generators are totally up-to-date, utilizing real-time data to make their recommendations. They analyze the latest trends and provide broad-spectrum overviews of what’s performing well on Instagram, including specific metrics around the number of lifetime uses and usage patterns over time.
2. AI or keyword-based suggestions: AI has proven to be an effective addition to the social media space, and it’s especially useful when generating content like hashtags en masse. Modern AI hashtag generators automate the process based on your provided keywords or categories, which can save you time and potentially even money when compared to non-AI tools. Alternatively, look for a keyword-based tool that takes your input and scans for the most relevant hashtags used on posts containing that word or phrase.
3. Easy export and copy features: Once you’ve got a list of hashtags, you’ll need to put it to good use by exporting it from your hashtag generator into a file like a .csv. This is a critical feature of a hashtag generator, as without it, you’re forced to manually copy across tags, which defeats the purpose of a time-saving tool. Save them to a bank for future use and never search for Instagram hashtags again! 
4. Filtering by niche or engagement level: When selecting a hashtag generator tool, look for something that permits filtering across a number of different categories, including niche, engagement level (how many uses that hashtag has received), and recency. This additional functionality will let you drill down on the exact hashtags you want to use and make informed decisions rather than just seeing what sticks.
5. Value for money: Of course, any third-party tool you choose should fit with your budget as a brand or creator. Some Instagram hashtag tools are free, whereas others come as a package deal with paid social media management or social listening programs. While your budget is your own, always weigh up the value for money. If you’re paying a monthly fee, ensure your chosen hashtag generator ticks all of your boxes.

Linktree’s Hashtag Generator is 100% free to use and takes just seconds to set up. Join Linktree today and curate a bulletproof list of hashtags that’ll help you achieve your social media goals, from increasing your engagement to expanding your reach.

The best Instagram hashtag generators in 2026

No need to scour the internet for recommendations. We’ve done all the work for you and found five of the best tools for Instagram hashtags in 2026. Let’s break each one down:

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How to use Linktree’s Hashtag Generator for the best results

Linktree’s Hashtag Generator tool is simple, keyword-driven, and based on trending data. Here’s how to make it work for you:

Step 1: Add your content details

Enter keywords about your content or a brief content description to tell the Hashtag Generator what to search for. For example, if you’re a food creator, you might choose to feed in a range of terms that apply specifically to your content (e.g., ‘easy home cooking’ or ‘dinner party ideas’), or alternatively, describe the exact post you’re working on (e.g., a foolproof recipe for the perfect roast chicken).

Step 2: Select your platform 

Linktree’s Hashtag Generator provides curated results based on your chosen platform. Select from Instagram, TikTok or YouTube to receive a list that considers exactly what works for that specific platform, rather than a broad-strokes approach.

Step 3: Generate hashtags 

Hit ‘Generate’ and you’ll be presented with a list of hashtags recommended for that particular content idea and platform.

Step 4: Review and reiterate 

Review the list you’ve received from Linktree’s Hashtag Generator and, if needed, repeat the above steps to add more. If you’ve got the time, you can do manual research on the front-end of Instagram (or any other platform) to check a hashtag’s popularity and see what content currently appears under that tag. Weed out the ones you don’t like, and take note of the ones you do.

Step 5: Import into Linktree’s Social Planner

Once you’re happy with your new hashtag bank, directly add it into Social Planner (our built-in social media scheduling tool) so you can start using it right away!

Common mistakes to avoid when using hashtag generators

Every good tool should be paired with best practice tips to ensure you get the best possible return on investment. Before you start using a hashtag generator, consider these common mistakes and corresponding quick fixes: 

• Always copy-pasting the same hashtags: Instagram thrives off variety, so if you’re using the same hashtag list every time you post, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. This is where a hashtag generator comes in handy. Generate a range of lists for different types of content, or create a bigger bank that you can randomize or choose from with each post you create. This will increase your chances of getting seen by new audiences and help you cut through the digital noise.
• Using only high-volume hashtags: There’s more to a good social media hashtag strategy than just high-volume, dare-we-say overused hashtags. Just like you would when crafting an SEO keyword strategy, use a balance of popular and emerging hashtags to cover all your bases. When you use lesser-known hashtags, your audience may be smaller, but your content is more visible. 
• Ignoring analytics and post insights: Once you’ve crafted a hashtag strategy, always test and iterate to ensure you’re actually achieving good results. If you notice that some hashtags perform better than others, use them more frequently in your content, and reduce hashtags that don’t get as much uptake.
• Not regenerating your lists frequently: Social media moves fast, and new hashtags pop up every single day. Aim to create a new list using your chosen hashtag generator every few weeks to keep your content fresh and tap into new, trending hashtags. When you use Linktree’s Hashtag Generator, you can automatically feed these into our social media scheduler and start using them right away. 

A hashtag generator is one of the most useful Instagram growth tools around. By adding Linktree’s Hashtag Generator into your rotation, you’re not only saving yourself time, but you’re also staying ahead of trends and tapping into new audiences.

Linktree’s Hashtag Generator is 100% free to use and takes just seconds to set up. Join Linktree today and curate a bulletproof list of hashtags that’ll help you achieve your social media goals, from increasing your engagement to expanding your reach.

Read more about hashtags:

• What is a hashtag
• Popular trending hashtags on Instagram
• Music hashtags for Social Media
• How to find popular trending hashtags on TikTok