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At first glance, hashtags seem simple — just a word or phrase preceded by a symbol. But for travel photographers, they’re powerful tools for discoverability and connection. When used with intention, hashtags can help your best images reach fellow creatives, potential clients, editors, and fans of the places you photograph.
What Do Hashtags Actually Do?
Hashtags act as searchable labels that organize content by topic. When you include a hashtag in your post, it becomes part of a larger conversation — and visible to anyone searching or following that tag. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube use hashtags to recommend content based on user interests and browsing behavior.
How to Start Smart:
- Tag the location. Use specific place names that people actually search for — like #BanffNationalPark, #VietnamTravel, or #Istanbul.
- Tag the style. Use technique-based tags like #TravelPhotography, #Cityscapes, or #GoldenHourPhotography to connect with your visual niche.
- Tag the community. Join ongoing conversations through broader tags like #VisualStorytelling, #CanonPhotography, or #JustGoShoot.
Avoid Banned or Spammy Tags
Even innocent-looking hashtags can be suppressed if they’ve been misused or flooded with low-quality content. Tools like Flick or Later can help you research what’s working — and what to avoid.
Be sure to rotate your own hashtags. Repeating your hashtags too often can look like spam to algorithms. Mix it up based on your subject, tone, and location and aim for 3–7 highly relevant tags per post.
Hashtags aren’t just metadata; they’re guideposts. Used well, they help the right audience find your work and help your content travel farther than you ever imagined.
