Hashtags have become one of the most important ways to discover and organize content on social media. Whether you’re running a campaign, following a trend, or trying to reach new audiences, hashtags can play a big role in how visible your content becomes, especially on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).
But simply adding a few hashtags to your post isn’t enough. To get the most value, you need to know which hashtags are actually performing well, which ones are picking up momentum, and which ones are just noise. That’s where hashtag tracking tools come in.
These tools help you monitor the popularity of specific hashtags over time, spot trending tags before they peak, and get insights into what kind of content or conversations are associated with them. For brands, influencers, and marketers, that kind of data can be a game-changer.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what hashtag tracking tools actually do and why they’re useful, and share a list of 15 tools – both free and paid – that are worth checking out. Some are simple and perfect for quick insights, while others are more advanced and built for full social media campaign analysis.
Let’s start with the basics.
What is a hashtag tracking tool?
At its core, a hashtag tracking tool helps you analyze how specific hashtags are performing on social media.
While some tools focus purely on metrics like how often a hashtag is used, others go deeper, showing how engagement levels change over time, where in the world a hashtag is trending, or which influencers are driving the most attention to a tag.
Here’s what you can typically expect from a solid hashtag tracking tool:
Popularity over time – View historical trends to see when a hashtag spiked or dropped.
Real-time usage – Track how many people are using the tag right now.
Engagement data – See how many likes, shares, or comments posts with that hashtag are getting.
Audience insights – Find out who’s using the hashtag and where they’re based.
Related hashtags – Discover other tags often used alongside it.
This data is useful whether you’re planning a social campaign, working with influencers, or just trying to make sure your content shows up in the right conversations.
Some tools specialize in one or two platforms, like Instagram or X, while others offer broader coverage that includes TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, or even blogs and forums. Many come with free plans or trials, but the most detailed insights are usually found in paid versions.
With that in mind, here are 10 hashtag tracking tools to consider.
Top 15 hashtag tracking tools
1. HypeAuditor
HypeAuditor’s hashtag tracking tool provides a range of useful features for analyzing hashtag performance, with a strong focus on global coverage. Users can search and track hashtags by country, with support for virtually every region – a helpful feature for brands or creators working across multiple markets.
The tool shows hashtag popularity over different timeframes: 1 week, 2 weeks, or 4 weeks. This makes it easier to spot both fast-rising trends and tags that perform consistently over time. For each hashtag, users can see the number of posts it’s been used in, as well as how many individual users have included it in their content.
One of the practical features is the ability to select hashtags using checkboxes. Selected tags are added to a field that allows for quick copying, up to 20 at a time, which can be pasted directly into a caption or post planner.
A range of hashtags is available even without creating an account, and registering for a free account unlocks access to a broader set of data. All features are available for free.
Key features:
Global hashtag tracking with country-specific analysis
Popularity metrics over 1, 2, or 4 weeks
Displays the number of posts and unique users per hashtag
Select and copy up to 20 hashtags for easy use
2. Sprout Social
Sprout Social is a social media management platform that includes robust hashtag tracking capabilities. Its Tag Report feature allows users to monitor and analyze the performance of specific hashtags across multiple social networks from a centralized dashboard. This saves time by eliminating the need to run analytics natively on each platform.
Users can track frequently used hashtags and assess their engagement levels, helping to identify which hashtags resonate most with their audience. Additionally, Sprout's Listening tool enables deeper exploration into conversations surrounding specific hashtags and keywords, providing valuable insights into audience sentiment and emerging trends. This information is crucial for refining content strategies and enhancing audience engagement.
Key features:
Centralized monitoring of hashtags across multiple social networks
Tag Report feature for assessing hashtag engagement levels
3. Iconosquare
Iconosquare provides a dedicated Hashtag Tracking section that offers detailed analytics on specific hashtags, particularly for Instagram and Facebook. Users can monitor data over the past 30 days, including the number of media posts (photos, videos, and carousels) associated with a hashtag, the frequency of these posts, and engagement metrics such as total likes and comments.
The tool also identifies the top 10 media posts for a given hashtag and provides a breakdown by media type. This granular analysis helps users assess the effectiveness of their hashtag strategies and make informed adjustments to enhance campaign performance.
Key features:
Tracks the number and frequency of media posts per hashtag
Identifies the top 10 media posts associated with a hashtag
4. StarNgage
StarNgage offers a free Instagram hashtag search and tracking tool designed to assist marketers in enhancing their influencer campaigns. The tool provides accurate, real-time analytics of any hashtag, including data on Instagram posts and videos published with the specified hashtags, along with the number of likes and comments each post receives. This functionality allows users to monitor the performance of specific hashtags before and after running campaigns, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
Additionally, StarNgage's tool can generate a list of relevant Instagram hashtag ideas, serving as an alternative to influencer search tools and aiding in competitor analysis.
Key features:
Real-time analytics of Instagram hashtags
Data on posts and videos using specific hashtags
5. BrandMentions
BrandMentions offers a Hashtag Tracker that aggregates mentions from X, Instagram, and Facebook into a single data stream, providing a comprehensive view of hashtag performance across multiple platforms. The tool delivers real-time notifications whenever new mentions or links are detected, granting instant access to critical data related to the tracked hashtags.
Users can quickly research any brand or topic, gaining insights into competitors' strategies and audience engagement. This real-time monitoring and performance analysis enable users to assess the reach and engagement of specific hashtags, informing strategic decisions and optimizing social media campaigns.
Key features:
Aggregates hashtag mentions from X, Instagram, and Facebook
Real-time notifications for new mentions or links
6. Brand24
Brand24 is a comprehensive social listening and media monitoring tool that offers robust hashtag tracking capabilities. It allows users to monitor and analyze hashtag performance in real-time across various platforms, including social media, blogs, forums, and news sites.
Users can track metrics such as the volume of mentions, social media reach, sentiment analysis, and identify the most influential profiles using specific hashtags. Additionally, Brand24 provides insights into trending hashtags, enabling users to stay ahead of industry trends and optimize their social media strategies.
Key features:
Real-time monitoring of hashtag performance across platforms
Identifies influential profiles using specific hashtags
7. Keyhole
Keyhole is a real-time hashtag tracking and analytics tool that provides insights into hashtag performance across platforms like X and Instagram. Users can monitor metrics such as reach, impressions, and engagement, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of a hashtag's impact. Keyhole also offers historical data analysis, enabling users to assess trends over time.
Its user-friendly dashboard presents data in an easily digestible format, making it accessible for users of all experience levels. Additionally, Keyhole provides influencer tracking, helping brands identify key contributors to hashtag conversations.
Key features:
Real-time tracking of hashtags on X and Instagram
Metrics on reach, impressions, and engagement
8. Mentionlytics
Mentionlytics is a comprehensive social media monitoring tool that includes robust hashtag tracking capabilities. It allows users to monitor hashtags across various platforms, providing insights into their popularity, reach, and engagement. The tool also offers sentiment analysis, helping users understand the public perception associated with specific hashtags. Mentionlytics' intuitive interface and detailed reports make it a valuable asset for brands aiming to optimize their hashtag strategies.
Key features:
Monitors hashtags across various platforms
Provides insights into hashtag popularity, reach, and engagement
9. Locobuzz
Locobuzz is a holistic platform offering strong hashtag tracking and analysis features. It provides insights into hashtag performance, helping businesses optimize their social media strategies. Locobuzz's advanced capabilities and customizable features allow users to gain a deep understanding of their audience, monitor competitors, and improve overall social media performance.
Key features:
Tracks hashtag performance across social media channels
Monitors competitors' hashtag strategies
10. Agorapulse
Agorapulse is an all-in-one social media management tool that includes features such as publishing, engagement, monitoring, and reporting. Its built-in hashtag tracking capabilities allow users to monitor complex searches with multiple hashtags and set language and location preferences.
Agorapulse also links hashtag results back to the profiles responsible for each post, providing deeper insights into audience engagement.
Key features:
Monitors complex searches with multiple hashtags
Links hashtag results to originating profiles
11. RiteTag
RiteTag provides instant hashtag suggestions for images and text on desktop and mobile devices. It offers real-time engagement analytics for hashtags, allowing users to choose the most effective tags for their posts. RiteTag integrates with various social media management tools, streamlining the process of optimizing posts for maximum reach.
Key features:
Instant hashtag suggestions for images and text
Integration with various social media management tools
12. BuzzSumo
BuzzSumo is a content research and performance analysis tool that includes hashtag tracking features. It enables users to discover the most shared content and associated hashtags across various platforms. By analyzing the performance of content linked to specific hashtags, BuzzSumo helps users identify trending topics and optimize their content strategies.
Additionally, it offers insights into competitor strategies and audience engagement, aiding in the development of effective marketing campaigns.
Key features:
Discovers the most shared content and associated hashtags
Provides insights into competitor strategies
13. Determ
Determ is a real-time media monitoring and analytics platform that includes a dedicated hashtag tracking solution. The tool allows users to track hashtags across social media, news, blogs, and forums. You can monitor brand mentions, track campaign hashtags, and measure performance metrics, including reach, sentiment, and engagement, all through a clean, customizable dashboard.
Key features:
Tracks hashtags across social media, news, blogs, and forums
Provides real-time alerts and live sentiment analysis
14. Later
Later’s hashtag tool focuses on suggesting effective hashtags based on your post content and account activity. It analyzes your Instagram content and offers personalized recommendations to improve reach and engagement. While the main focus is on suggestions, it also includes performance indicators so you can track which hashtags deliver the best results over time.
Key features:
Smart hashtag suggestions tailored to your Instagram posts
Analytics on hashtag performance and engagement
15. Talkwalker
Talkwalker offers a free hashtag tracking tool that monitors online mentions across social media, news sites, forums, and podcasts. It provides in-depth metrics, including engagement, sentiment, and potential reach, covering a wide range of languages. Users can track hashtags across various platforms, gaining insights into their performance and the conversations surrounding them.
The tool also offers competitive analysis features, allowing users to benchmark their hashtag performance against competitors.
Key features:
Monitors online mentions across social media, news sites, forums, and podcasts
Why brands should care about hashtag tracking tools
Hashtags are a fundamental part of how people discover and engage with content across social media platforms. Whether you’re on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok, hashtags are a core part of how social media users search, connect, and participate in conversations.
But just using hashtags doesn’t mean you’re using them effectively. These dedicated hashtag tools help you analyze, monitor, and measure how hashtags perform across different platforms – and give you the insights needed to make smarter, more strategic marketing decisions.
Let’s break down why a good hashtag tracking tool is something every brand should seriously consider.
Hashtags are how your content gets found
At their core, hashtags are search tools. They’re how users find hashtags tied to topics they care about – from #fitness to #smallbusiness to the latest event hashtags. For brands, that means using the right hashtags isn’t just good practice; it’s essential for discovery and reach.
But without a hashtag monitoring tool, it’s nearly impossible to know which tags are actually working. A good tool shows you hashtag metrics like post volume, engagement, reach, and even how those numbers trend over time. Instead of guessing which hashtags are hot, you’ll be able to see which ones are bringing in results.
Whether you're chasing top trending hashtags, niche tags, or branded hashtags, this level of visibility is a game-changer.
They help you spot trends early and act fast
Tracking hashtags over time gives you the ability to spot trends before they go mainstream. And nowadays, getting in early is crucial to success.
Let’s say you’re in fashion, and you notice that #SummerOOTD is picking up steam. With a hashtag analytics tool, you can jump in early, creating content, campaigns, or even products that tap into that momentum. Many platforms even allow for trend tracking by country or region, which helps if your audience is spread out globally.
This type of trend analysis isn’t just for big brands. Even small teams can benefit by getting ahead of the curve and building relevance before the feed is flooded with competition.
They let you measure branded campaigns effectively
Branded campaigns often revolve around a campaign hashtag – something specific that ties together all the content you and your audience are posting. But how do you know if it’s working?
That’s where hashtag analytics come in. The right social media analytics platform will show you:
How many social posts used your hashtag
Who used it (including influencers and key contributors)
Engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments
Sentiment and context
Instead of relying on gut feeling, you’re working with actual data. That means better reporting, better decision-making, and clearer ROI for your marketing campaigns.
You learn what your audience actually cares about
Sometimes, the most valuable thing you can track isn’t performance – it’s conversation. With hashtag tracking, you can dig into what people are saying and sharing under certain hashtags and even discover related hashtags that are gaining traction.
This gives you a clearer view of your target audience, such as what they’re interested in, what they’re talking about, and how they respond to your brand. That insight feeds directly into your social media content strategy, helping you post things that actually resonate.
It’s more than just finding the most popular hashtags. Sometimes, it’s about identifying a good hashtag with strong engagement in your niche – one that helps you show up in the right places.
You can learn from your competitors
Here’s an underrated use of hashtag tracking tools: competitor analysis. If another brand in your space is running a campaign with a unique or trending hashtag, you can track it, just like your own.
See how many people are using it. Watch which posts are getting traction. Look at how engagement compares to your own efforts. You can even see if they’re getting picked up by influencers or featured in user-generated content.
This kind of hashtag research helps you sharpen your competitive edge – no guesswork required.
It makes content planning and publishing easier
Once you start using a tool for hashtag analysis, you’ll notice something: patterns. You’ll see which tags drive engagement, which ones perform better on specific days or platforms, and how people respond to different types of content.
From there, you can build a smarter content calendar, use branded hashtags more effectively, and ensure every post is aligned with current trends or seasonal conversations. Many tools even offer hashtag relationship analysis, so you can discover related hashtags that tend to be used together, helping you build better tag sets for each post.
And if you’re using a free hashtag tracking tool like HypeAuditor, you can do all this without cutting into your budget
It’s essential for influencer and UGC campaigns
Running an influencer campaign or looking to boost user-generated content? Most of these strategies involve a branded or campaign hashtag.
With a hashtag analyzer, you’ll be able to measure:
Who’s actually participating
How their posts are performing
Whether your message is spreading or stagnating
You’ll also be able to see which social media channels are driving the most action – is it Instagram, X, or TikTok?
This is especially important if you’re using a paid tool for influencer partnerships. You want to know what you’re getting in return, and tracking hashtag performance is the best way to make that visible.
Conclusion
Hashtags play a bigger role than most people realize. Yes, they can help with reach, but let’s not forget about relevance, timing, and connection. For brands serious about building visibility across multiple social media channels, using a tool for hashtag analysis is no longer optional.
A solid hashtag tracking tool helps you do more than track posts. It supports hashtag research, shows how tags perform across platforms, and reveals related hashtags that can boost discovery. From branded hashtags to event hashtags, being able to monitor performance, analyze trends, and discover what resonates with your target audience gives you a competitive edge.
And the best part? There are free hashtag tracking tools that offer real value, especially if you're just starting out. Whether you're focused on X, Facebook, or Instagram, these tools can help you find popular hashtags, uncover hashtag trends, and connect your content to the conversations that matter most.
