Playbook: run a clean hashtag-vs-SEO test

Playbook: run a clean hashtag-vs-SEO test
Keyword captions now drive 2.3x the search-tab reach of hashtags (n=180 posts, 60-day window). Test it yourself without contaminating results.
—
Split 20 posts: 10 with 5 niche keywords in caption + alt text, 10 with 20 hashtags.
—
Match posting time (±2h) and format — only the variable changes.
—
After 14 days, read 'reach from search' in insights, not total reach.
Search-tab share:
Keywords: ██████ 9.1% | Hashtags: ███ 3.9%
So what: hashtags aren't dead, but caption keywords compound. Front-load your primary term in the first 40 characters.