The Best Hashtags for UGC Creators

Beyond follower count, using hashtags smartly can make your UGC posts go viral more consistently.

After brainstorming, writing, dressing up, doing multiple takes, and editing your video, the last thing you want is for that video to go unseen.

Or not seen enough.

You know hashtags will help increase your reach, but do you have a strategy? Or do you just post, hope, and pray?

Let's fix that.

In this blog, we put you on the best hashtag game to increase the chances of your UGC going viral and attracting brands every time you post.

Different Types of Effective Hashtags

Hashtags come in different types, each serving a unique role in boosting your content's reach.

Trending Hashtags

These are the hashtags currently popular across social media. Using them will give your content a visibility boost by linking it to larger conversations.

They’re great for getting eyeballs but keep them relevant to your post to avoid looking spammy.

General UGC Hashtags

• #UGCCreator

• #UGCCommunity

• #UGCContent

• #UGCMarketing

• #UserGeneratedContent​

High-Intent Hashtags for UGC Creators

• #UGCForBrands: Showcases content tailored specifically for brand use, highlighting a creator's adaptability and understanding of brand needs.​

• #HireUGC: A direct call-to-action indicating a creator's availability for hire, making it easier for brands to identify and reach out to potential collaborators.​

• #PaidUGC: Emphasizes that the creator is seeking compensated partnerships, setting clear expectations for professional engagements.

Platform-Specific Hashtags

TikTok: #FYP, #UGCExample, #ViralUGC (prioritize trending sounds)

Instagram: #UGCreator, #Ad (for paid partnerships), #UGCCommunity

Twitter: #UGCJobs, #BrandCollab (low competition, high brand visibility)

Tailoring your hashtag strategy to fit platform-specific norms enhances your content's visibility and engagement.

And if you’re looking for more ways to boost your creative outreach, you might find our tips on tailoring UGC pitches for brand collaborations handy.

Niche-Specific Hashtags

These are tailored to your specific content area or industry.

Using niche-specific hashtags attracts followers who are genuinely engaged with your content.

For example:

Beauty & Skincare:

• #UGCBeauty

• #SkincareUGC

• #BeautyContentCreator

Fashion:

• #FashionUGC

• #StyleContentCreator

• #OOTDUGC​

Tech:

• #TechUGC

• #GadgetContentCreator

• #TechReviewUGC​

Fitness & Wellness:

• #FitnessUGC

• #WellnessContentCreator

• #HealthUGC​

Branded Hashtags

These include the brand’s name or campaign-specific tags.

Branded hashtags help in building recognition and can often lead to direct brand engagements.

For example:

• Coca-Cola's #ShareACoke

• Calvin Klein's #MyCalvins

• Red Bull's #PutACanOnIt

• Airbnb #WeAccept

• KitKat's #MyBreak

• Starbucks' #RedCupContest

• Herschel's #WellTraveled

Location-Based Hashtags

Useful if your content is tied to a specific place.

These hashtags increase your local audience in a particular location and are especially beneficial for local collaborations or events.

For example:

United States

• #NYC​

• #LA​

• #ChicagoLife​

United Kingdom

• #LondonLife​

• #ManchesterVibes​

Canada

• #TorontoViews​

• #VancouverLife​

Australia

• #SydneySunset​

• #MelbourneEats

Choosing the Right Hashtags for Engagement

Good hashtags boost engagement for UGC creators.

It's all about making your content visible to the right crowd.

Here's how you can nail your hashtag game:

1. Research Competitors: Check out what hashtags your industry competitors are using.

   Their successful posts give you insight into effective tags. Don't copy them directly—just learn what works for your shared audience.

2. Use Analytics Tools: Leverage social media analytics to identify which hashtags perform best.

   Tools like Instagram Insights or third-party apps show you which tags drive the most engagement. This helps you spot what's working.

3. Understand Your Audience: Learn what your audience likes. What interests them? Where do they hang out online? Use hashtags they're already engaging with. This gets your content in front of the right people.

How Many and Where to Place Hashtags

Generally, for any platform, use the following:

The 5-3-2 Rule:

• 5 Broad (e.g., #UGC, #ContentCreator)

• 3 Niche (e.g., #SkincareUGC, #TechUGC)

• 2 Branded (e.g., #PitchBrandCreator, #[BrandName]Partner)

You can vary this rule as you like, but here's some advice on placement by platform.

Instagram

Instagram lets you use up to 30 hashtags, but going overboard will harm engagement.

Aim for 3-5 or 5-10 relevant hashtags. This keeps your post looking clean and focused.

• Placement: Put hashtags in the caption for immediate visibility. If you prefer a cleaner look, add them in the comments section. This way, they remain effective without cluttering your post.

Twitter

Twitter's character limit means you need to be concise. Use 1-2 hashtags to keep your message clear and impactful.

• Placement: Integrate hashtags into the tweet itself. This ensures they are part of the conversation and easily noticed.

Facebook

Facebook posts with hashtags perform less well than those on other platforms. Use them sparingly—around 1-2 hashtags are enough.

• Placement: Keep hashtags at the end of your post. They work as a subtle addition without disrupting the flow.

TikTok

TikTok thrives on trends, so hashtags are crucial. Use 3-5 trending and relevant hashtags to increase your content's reach.

• Placement: Include hashtags in the caption to align with trending topics. This helps your video pop up in relevant searches.

ance your visibility and create more opportunities for collaboration.

Hashtag trends are crucial for UGC creators aiming to expand their reach. Keeping up with these trends lets you tap into active conversations and connect with a broader audience. When hashtags trend, they attract a swarm of attention. Using them in your content can help you ride the wave of visibility and engagement.

To effectively use trending hashtags, creators should stay informed about what's hot on social media. This means regularly checking platforms like Instagram and TikTok for emerging trends. Tools and analytics can also help identify which hashtags are gaining traction, ensuring your content stays relevant and visible.

Creators should also consider how trending topics align with their content. Relevance is key. It's not just about jumping on every hashtag bandwagon but choosing those that fit your brand and message. This alignment enhances authenticity and engagement with your audience.

Engaging with trending hashtags can also introduce your content to new followers who might not have discovered it otherwise. It opens doors to potential collaborations with brands that are also participating in these trends. By strategically leveraging hashtag trends, UGC creators can cultivate a strong presence and foster genuine connections in the digital space.

Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

• Irrelevant Tags: Pick tags that match your post's theme to keep your message clear and reach the right people.

• Spammy Behavior: Using >10 hashtags per post lowers engagement by 14%

• Stale Hashtags: Using the same hashtags repeatedly limits your reach. Refresh your tags regularly to keep them dynamic and help your content find new audiences.

• Ignoring Performance: Failing to track hashtag performance wastes opportunities. Check analytics to see which tags drive engagement so you know what works.

• Shadowban Triggers: Overused tags like #LikeForLike or #FollowMe

• Brand Red Flags: #Gifted or #FreeProduct may deter paying clients

If you're looking to sharpen your overall UGC strategy, you might find our step-by-step guide on becoming a UGC creator packed with insights to help build a content portfolio.

Tailoring your hashtag strategy to fit platform-specific norms enhances your content's visibility and engagement. And if you’re looking for more ways to boost your creative outreach, you might find our tips on tailoring UGC pitches for brand collaborations handy.

Testing and Refining Your Hashtag Strategy

Start by using a mix of trending, niche, and branded hashtags. Observe which combinations generate the most engagement.

It's about finding the right balance that resonates with your audience.

Try placing hashtags in different sections of your posts.

For example, test putting them in the caption versus the comments. See which placement garners the most interaction and keeps your posts looking clean.

Use social media analytics to assess the impact of your hashtags.

Platforms like Instagram Insights provide data on engagement and reach, helping you identify high-performing tags.

Regularly review your analytics to spot patterns. If certain hashtags consistently perform well, incorporate them more often. If others lag, consider replacing them with new options.

Keep an eye on emerging trends and adapt your hashtags accordingly. Staying relevant with your hashtags ensures your content remains visible and engaging.

For additional ideas on building an effective social media strategy, explore our overview of top UGC platforms for creators to see practical examples of strategic planning in action.

Using hashtags effectively can transform a creator's audience from passive viewers to active participants. It's about creating spaces where both creators and audiences feel connected and engaged, ultimately building a thriving community. If you're looking to harness your community impact and connect directly with brands, consider registering on PitchBrand for tailored brand opportunities.

engagement, enabling you to adjust your approach effectively.

If you want to optimize your outreach even further, access your personal PitchBrand account on our sign in page to manage all your creative campaigns and insights in one place.

Before you go, remember...

1. Use the 5-3-2 rule for balanced reach.

2. Prioritize brand-attracting tags like #PaidUGC.

3. Avoid banned tags and overposting.

Don't always wait for brands to come to you; find and pitch them to close more UGC deals.