The right hashtags can put your art in front of thousands of potential buyers. The wrong ones? They'll bury your posts in a sea of spam. This guide gives you research-backed hashtag strategies, copy-paste hashtag sets for different art styles, and tips to actually get discovered by collectors — not just other artists.
1. Hashtag Strategy That Actually Works
Instagram's algorithm has changed significantly. Here's what works in 2025:
The 5-15 Rule
Instagram allows 30 hashtags, but research shows 5-15 highly relevant hashtags often outperform 30 generic ones. Quality beats quantity.
The Size Mix Strategy
Use a mix of hashtag "sizes" to maximize your reach:
| Category | Post Volume | How Many | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large | 500K - 5M | 2-3 | Brief exposure |
| Medium | 50K - 500K | 5-7 | Good discoverability |
| Niche | 5K - 50K | 3-5 | Targeted reach |
Hashtags like #artistsoninstagram are followed mostly by other artists. To reach buyers, use hashtags collectors follow: #artcollector, #interiordesign, #homedecor.
2. Copy-Paste Hashtag Sets by Style
Click "Copy" to copy all hashtags, then paste into your Instagram post.
3. Hashtags for Selling Art
Location-Based Hashtags
Add your city/region to reach local collectors:
- #[city]artist (e.g., #denverartist, #austinartist)
- #[city]art (e.g., #nycart, #laart)
- #madein[city] (e.g., #madeinbrooklyn)
Instagram bans hashtags that attract spam. Avoid: #art (too broad), #like4like, #followforfollow. Check if a hashtag is active before using it.
4. Common Hashtag Mistakes
❌ Using the Same Hashtags Every Post
Instagram may flag this as spam. Create 3-5 different sets and rotate them.
❌ Only Using Huge Hashtags
Tags like #art (1B+ posts) are too competitive. Mix in smaller, niche hashtags.
❌ Irrelevant Hashtags for "Reach"
Using #cute on your oil painting won't attract buyers. Irrelevant engagement hurts your algorithmic ranking.
5. The First Comment Strategy
Many artists put hashtags in the first comment instead of the caption:
- Cleaner captions — your story isn't cluttered with hashtags
- Same reach — Instagram confirms hashtags work equally in comments
- Easy to update — delete and re-add without editing your post
Add your first comment within 30 seconds of posting. Have your hashtags copied and ready to paste before you hit "Share."
✨ Generate Captions + Hashtags Automatically
Our AI Caption Generator creates platform-optimized captions with smart hashtag suggestions for your artwork.
Try Caption GeneratorFrequently Asked Questions
Research shows 5-15 highly relevant hashtags often perform better than 30 generic ones. Focus on a mix of popular, medium, and niche hashtags.
Both work equally well for reach. First comment keeps your caption clean. If using caption, add line breaks to separate them.
Effective selling hashtags: #artforsale, #artcollector, #buyart, #originalart, #affordableart, #artprints, plus medium-specific tags like #oilpaintingforsale.
Rotate between 3-5 different sets. Customize each based on the specific artwork. Update your sets every few months as trends change.