Should Etsy sellers still use Instagram hashtags in 2026 to promote products?

Hi! Yes—hashtags are still worth using in 2026, but mostly as a light discovery/categorization tool (helping Instagram understand what your post is about and showing up in search/hashtag pages), not as a primary way to “go viral” or dramatically boost reach. So I wouldn’t skip them entirely; I’d just stop treating them like the main growth lever.

A good 2026 approach for an Etsy seller is: use a few very specific hashtags (think 3–5), then put most of your effort into keywords and content signals that Instagram is clearly prioritizing now—clear text in your caption, strong hooks on Reels, saves/shares, and consistent engagement.

If you keep using hashtags, do it like this:

• Use 3–5 max, highly relevant (avoid huge generic ones like #handmade if you can go more specific)
• Mix: 1–2 product/category tags + 1–2 niche/style tags + 1 branded tag
  Example pattern: #silverstackingring #minimaljewelry #madeincolorado #etsyseller #YourShopName
• Add a location tag if local buyers matter (city/state + niche)
• Don’t copy-paste the exact same set every post—rotate a few small sets based on what that item/post is about

What to focus on instead (this usually moves the needle more for Etsy traffic):

• Keyword-rich captions (without being salesy): Your “process” captions are perfect—just weave in what it is and who it’s for (materials, style, use case).
  Example: “Hammer-texturing a sterling silver stacking ring…”
• Reels + carousels: quick “making of” reels, then a carousel with finished glam shots + scale/fit + packaging.
• Strong first line + on-screen text: tell Instagram and humans what they’re watching (“Making a sterling silver moss agate pendant”).
• Collabs + UGC: partner posts with creators, boutiques, or customers (even tiny accounts can convert well).
• Clear path to buy: use your bio + pinned posts to point people to your Etsy shop, and mention “listed in my Etsy shop” naturally.

If you’re unsure, run a simple test: do 10 posts over the next month—5 with 3–5 targeted hashtags, 5 with none—then compare reach from non-followers and profile visits in Insights. In most niches, hashtags won’t be zero, but they also won’t outperform better keywords + better content packaging.

If you tell me what you sell (and your price range + target buyer), I can suggest a tight set of hashtags and caption keyword phrases that fit your exact Etsy products.