Hashtags are a cornerstone of social media, and are one of the few tools that haven’t been removed or altered very much compared to many others over the years. But here’s the catch – there are many hashtags that have been banned from social platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and among the banned bunch is anything related to marijuana. This leaves plenty of users wondering, what are the best marijuana hashtags? How can you get around the rules to still be able to promote your page?
Hashtags are used as a categorization system, helping users find posts related to their interests. When you click on a hashtag, you’ll be taken to relevant posts, and you’ll then be able to engage with others who share your same interests.
From a business point-of-view, hashtags are crucial in driving traffic and promoting products. Hashtags help you grow your profile by allowing more people to discover what you’re all about.
While advertising marijuana on social media has gotten a little easier now than in the past, you still need to be wary of how you’re using your hashtags. If you don’t use any at all, then you’re missing out on a lot of engagement and potential sales. And if you’re using the wrong marijuana industry hashtags that can get you banned, well, then you won’t be able to use platforms at all.
Today we’re uncovering the best marijuana industry hashtags to grow your cannabis dispensary. Used properly, these tips will help increase your social media presence, so you can reach more people and boost you profile.
What is a Hashtag and Why Use it?
A hashtag on social media platforms is a word with the hash symbol (#) in front of it. Instagram, Facebook, and other social networks use hashtags to categorize certain topics or themes.
For everyday users, hashtags help them find posts relevant to topics they like. For example, someone might love cars, so they’ll search car-related hashtags in the search bar to then see posts that have used those car-related hashtags in their descriptions. From there, they’ll be able to interact with other people who love cars. They’ll also discover new accounts that they’ve probably never seen before.
For businesses, hashtags are a marketing tool. They are used to basically “tag” a profile to a particular topic or theme, making themselves visible to the public and therefore driving traffic to their profile. The more people see your posts within hashtag categories, the more likely you’ll gain exposure and consequently, more followers. You’ll need to follow several other important steps when marketing your dispensary on social media, but hashtags are one of the most important.
Hashtag Fast Facts
- A way to categorize/group themes and topics.
- Words that start with the hash (#) symbol and don’t work with spaces or punctuation.
- Can work with emojis.
- Only public accounts can show up within hashtags.
- Short hashtags gain the most engagement.
- Instagram has never confirmed, however using up to 30 hashtags can get you the most engagement.
What Has Changed About Instagram Hashtags?
Instagram’s algorithm has changed a lot over the years, and how we’re told to use hashtags for best engagement practices has been a huge part. Not so long ago, users wouldn’t stop hearing about the detriments of using the 30-hashtag post limit. As a result, they turned to three or five hashtags per post.
Well, times are changing once again, and now users have discovered that posts gain the most engagement when they use the full 30-hashtag limit. Why? It seems that the more hashtags you include, the higher the chances that people will find your content. And the more people that see your post, the more Instagram will push it onto their Explore Page.
Essentially, it’s just one massive cycle that when utilized well, works like a dream for your profile engagement. Here are the most recent updates to Instagram hashtags:
- Use up to 30 hashtags for heightened engagement.
- Put the hashtags in the caption, rather than in the comments.
- Some hashtags have been banned to stop false information from spreading.
On the other hand, if you don’t do your research and use the wrong hashtags, you run the risk of getting shadowbanned, or banned from the platform altogether.
What is a Shadowban?
If you are shadowbanned, this means that Instagram has hidden your profile from others. In other words, you’ve been restricted. You can still post content, but it wont appear on anyone’s feed, on the Explore Page, or within any hashtags.
It’s quite a sneaky system because Instagram doesn’t inform a user that they’ve been shadowbanned. Usually, you’ll be able to tell yourself if you’ve been shadowbanned if your engagement suddenly drops. This system helps to filter out any inappropriate or dangerous Instagram accounts that don’t comply with their terms of service.
To prevent being shadowbanned, don’t use any broken or banned hashtags, take a break from using the account, and continue posting whilst strictly following Instagram’s terms.
What Are the Best Marijuana Industry Hashtags to Use on Instagram?
Finding the best hashtags to use to promote your dispensary isn’t a one-time thing. You’ll need to be doing frequent research – at least every month or so – to not only find the hashtags with the highest engagement, but also to know which ones to avoid if they’ve been banned. Sometimes a hashtag will be banned without you even knowing.
To give you a general idea, you can typically post using the following hashtags on Instagram:
- #cannabisindustry
- #cannabisphotography
- #cannabislove
- #cannabisart
- #cannabislifestyle
- #cannabisconnoisseur
- #highlife
- #weedgrinder
- #weedqueen
- #420
- #420memes
- #420art
- #blunt
- #hightimes
- #cannabiscup
- #cannabiscommunity
- #hydroponic
- #growbox
- #growyourown
- #weedwednesday
- #hemp
- #hempoil
- #maryjane
- #cbd
Be careful when using any of these hashtags, even though they haven’t been banned (yet, fingers crossed). Never post any content containing marijuana or someone consuming it, and keep your content engaging and informational.
Marijuana Industry Hashtags to Avoid Getting Banned
Steer clear of anything that directly states “cannabis”, “marijuana” or “weed” on its own, as these are already banned. In fact, try to type “marijuana” into the Instagram search bar right now. Instagram will tell you, “This May Be Associated with the Sale of Drugs” and you won’t be able to view any hashtags at all.
Hashtags Aren’t the Only Way to Grow
While marijuana industry hashtags are a major factor in boosting your presence on social media, there are a plethora of other things your business should be doing in order to get noticed. We know how overwhelming it can feel trying to navigate around social media and digital marketing in general to get your voice heard. That’s why we are dedicated to helping your small business grow with strong strategies tailored to your needs. Let’s talk.
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