Yes, hashtag marketing is a free traffic source you should use correctly.
Our tip for Instagram users is to pick two to three hashtags that reflect the main subject of an Instagram account and another two to three location-related hashtags with all the rest being relevant to the specific post.
Using most popular hashtags doesn’t always bring the best results. What matters is being featured among top posts by hashtag because in this case a post will be shown to a larger number of potential followers.
A smart approach to using hashtags is critically important because Instagram algorithms rank posts based on location and hashtags, i.e. anticipating what content may be of interest to users.
We advise that you include in a hashtag set at least 12-15 niche or rare hashtags. Never repeat the same combinations from post to post.