Blog Post

Let’s be honest: most people treat hashtags like salt. Just sprinkle a few on and hope for the best. But what if you had a system—one that consistently puts your content in front of more eyes?

That’s where hashtag stacking comes in.
No, it’s not some shady growth hack. It’s a strategic way of grouping and layering hashtags to maximize reach, visibility, and relevance—without looking spammy.

I’ve used this method across industries—from SaaS to skincare—to help clients grow smarter and faster. In this post, I’ll show you how to do the same.

• What hashtag stacking actually is (and why it works)
  
• The three levels of hashtags I use in every post
  
• How I customize stacks for Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok
  
• A plug-and-play stacking formula you can start using today
  
• Common stacking mistakes to avoid
  

Hashtag stacking is the practice of combining hashtags with different reach levels—from broad to niche—to increase your content’s discoverability. It’s a way to cast a wider net without using irrelevant or high-competition tags.

Think of it like this:

• Large hashtags = reach volume
  
• Mid-size hashtags = visibility in your category
  
• Niche hashtags = precision targeting
  

Use them all together, in the right order, and you’ve built a hashtag stack.

Most platforms (especially Instagram and TikTok) use hashtags to sort content and decide who should see it.
If you only use large-volume tags like #Marketing or #BusinessTips, your post will disappear in seconds.

But when you layer in mid-range and niche tags, you give your post more longevity, visibility, and context.

It’s not about going viral. It’s about getting seen by the right people.

If you’re new to hashtag targeting, check out my industry-specific guide first.

Here’s the formula I use in most client campaigns (especially on Instagram):

Volume: 500K+
Goal: Massive reach, explore page potential
Examples: #DigitalMarketing, #EntrepreneurLife, #FitnessMotivation

These fade fast—but if your post takes off early, they help it go big.

Volume: 50K–500K
Goal: Consistent visibility, category targeting
Examples: #SaaSContent, #SocialMediaTips, #WomensFitnessOver40

This is where most engagement comes from. Don’t skip this.

Volume: Under 50K
Goal: Precision targeting, audience alignment
Examples: #EmailMarketingForCoaches, #EcoFriendlyJewelry, #PetGroomingPro

These hashtags often have loyal followers and better engagement rates.

Let’s say you’re a fitness coach for women 40+.
Your stack might look like:

• Tier 1: #FitnessMotivation #WorkoutOfTheDay
  
• Tier 2: #FitOver40 #WomensHealthTips #StrengthForLife
  
• Tier 3: #FitnessForBusyMoms #40PlusFitnessCoach #HormoneHealthJourney
  

See how that hits volume and relevance?

• Max: 30 hashtags
  
• Use in caption, not comments (yes, that’s changed)
  
• Aim for 2–3 broad, 8–10 mid, and 5–7 niche
  

• Keep it shorter (4–6 total)
  
• Mix 1 trending tag + 2 niche + 1 branded
  
• Timing and content relevance matter more than volume
  

• Use 3–5 max
  
• Prioritize niche and industry terms
  
• Branded and thought-leadership tags work best here
  

Want more platform-specific advice? Here’s my full 2025 hashtag strategy guide.

• Campaign content:
  Refresh your stack weekly based on current trends.
  Layer in seasonal or event-based tags. (e.g., #BlackFridayMarketing)
  
• Evergreen content:
  Build stacks around brand values, services, and expertise.
  Rotate niche tags for audience testing.
  

Need help planning seasonally? I covered that in my hashtag planning article.

Every month, I run a simple audit. Here’s what I measure:

• Which hashtags brought new impressions
  
• Which ones drove clicks, saves, or shares
  
• What stacks performed best by format (Reels, carousels, etc.)
  

Pro tip: label stacks (A, B, C) in your planner. Test them against each other.
Small change, big impact.

If you’re tracking trends in real time, this becomes even more powerful. Read how I do it here.

Let’s make sure your efforts don’t go to waste:

You’re competing with influencers and media pages. Hard pass.

“#Marketing” isn’t going to get you as far as “#MarketingForTherapists” will if that’s who you serve.

The algorithm sees it. The audience sees it. And both get bored.

Hashtag stacking isn’t about using more. It’s about using them better.
Layering the right tags creates a funnel for your content:
From mass exposure → to targeted reach → to engaged eyeballs.

My advice?
Stack it. Track it. Tweak it. Repeat.If you need help building stacks for your industry—or auditing your current tag strategy—you know where to find me.