How to build a working hashtag setLesson 2 of 5

Geotags: when yes, when no

The “I’m here” signal

A geotag isn't decoration. It's a signal: “my content is useful for people here.”

When a geotag slaps

  • Offline service: salon, café, photographer, trainer in a city
  • Local event, place, “where to shoot / where to go”
  • Content clearly about a neighborhood, city, or country as the topic
Example: nails in Austin → #austinnails, #austinbeauty make sense.

When a geotag is almost useless

  • You're an online expert “for everyone” with no place attached
  • The post isn't about location at all (just “eh, throw in New York”)
  • Geo eats a slot that a narrow topic tag would use better
If your audience is in different cities and the post is about a skill, not a place — geo is often extra.

Instagram: location ≠ hashtag

In a post you can tag a place (location) separately from hashtags. Different things:

  • Location — a map pin / place
  • Geotag — a text #austin in the caption
Sometimes one location + topic tags is enough — no #city in your five.

The rule

Geo rule

Add geo only if someone from that place would say: “oh, this is about me / my city.”

Check yourself

When is a geotag usually most useful?

  1. Always — it never hurts
  2. When the content or service is truly tied to a place
  3. Only on TikTok; geo doesn't work on Instagram
  4. Instead of niche tags, to “reach wider”
Explanation: Geo boosts local search and community. On global expert content with no place tie-in, it often just burns a slot.