It is 2025, and hashtags are still one of the key tools that can help you gain visibility on Instagram. When you choose a set of viral hashtags carefully,it can help you reach the target audience. This will get you more likes, shares, and saves. Viral hashtags for Instagram can help your content land on the explore pages.
But remember, only viral hashtags are not sufficient to become popular. You also require relevance, variety, and strategies. In this blog, we will explore the 19 viral hashtags that you can use. Let’s get started.
What Makes Viral Hashtags for Instagram
Before we jump into the list of viral hashtags, let’s understand what makes a hashtag “viral.” Given below are the key points that make a hashtag viral online:
Greater usage
There are many posts that already have that hashtag, i.e., many posts already use it
Trending categories
The hashtags are relevant right now. This means at the present time it is very popular. For example, a current theme, event, or season
Good Recognition
The people around you know the niche of your content.
Flexible Genre
The category works for a large type of content, such as photos, videos, reels, etc.
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19 Viral Instagram Hashtags You Should Know
Given below are the 19 Viral hashtags for Instagram that have a strong engagement. These hashtags are the key to gaining more followers and likes in 2025. Check them out from the list below to align with your content.
| # | Hashtag | Where It Works / Why It’s Viral |
| 1 | #reels | Because Reels are central to Instagram’s algorithm now, using these signals, your content is in that format. |
| 2 | #trending | General, but let people know your content is part of what’s current/popular. |
| 3 | #style | Fashion/style content always gets traction; it’s broad and visually appealing. |
| 4 | #ootd (“Outfit of the Day”) | For fashion bloggers or anyone sharing clothes/outfit content. Immediate recognition. |
| 5 | #makeup | Beauty tutorials, transformations — strong niche + mass appeal. |
| 6 | #model | Great for influencers, photographers, and fashion content. |
| 7 | #foodie | Almost always works if your post involves food — people love visuals and recipes. |
| 8 | #nails | Nail art, manicure posts; nice niche + beauty overlap. |
| 9 | #outfit | A bit broader than #ootd; works for outfit style posts, fashion combos. |
| 10 | #nailart | Specialized beauty content tends to get engagement from people interested in pretty visuals. |
| 11 | #kids | Family, parenting content; home-life or cute kids do well. |
| 12 | #healthylifestyle | Wellness, fitness, routine posts; growing interest globally. |
| 13 | #skincare | Beauty + self-care is a strong trend; people love how-to, product recommendations. |
| 14 | #reelsvideo | More specific than just #reels — signals your post is a video / short video clip. |
| 15 | #business | Especially relevant if you share entrepreneurial, brand, or scale-up content. |
| 16 | #fashionstyle | Combines fashion + style; helps you target those interested in curated looks. |
| 17 | #healthyfood | For posts about nutritious meals, recipes, and diet tips — combines food + wellness. |
| 18 | #realestate | If you’re doing property, home design, interiors — very visual, aspirational. |
| 19 | #creative | Broad, but useful when you want to emphasize originality/artistry. |
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Why Virality ≠ Success (But It Helps)
Although viral hashtags for Instagram are a pathway to more shares and likes, they still do not guarantee it. And here are the reasons why:
- Viral tags mean tough competition. In such cases, your content needs to be visually stronger and more engaging.
- The timing also matters. Posting it when your audience is active makes a lot of difference.
- The algorithm also favours user retention. The likes, shares, and saves are good. But for how long the users watch it matters even more.
- Authenticity of your content. Any overuse of hashtags or tags can affect negatively. Keeping your content authentic is essential for a good reach.
Wrapping it up
Viral hashtags for Instagram are a powerful way to increase popularity. In the given blog, we came across 19 viral hashtags that can increase your reach online. These hashtags, when combined with relevant content, can create magic.
If you are someone who is trying to make it to the top online, using hashtags can really make a difference. So, the next time you post, make sure you know the viral hashtags to pair it with!
