Stop dumping 30 generic tags like #foodie or #instafood into your captions. Most pizzeria owners treat hashtags like a junk drawer, but when you use the wrong ones, you're competing with millions of accounts in Italy or New York while your actual customers are 2 miles down the road. Local search is the only thing that pays the rent.
Getting seen on Instagram isn't about "hacking the algorithm"—it's about signaling to the app exactly who should see your food. If you’re in Chicago, a #PizzaLover tag from someone in London doesn't help you sell a single slice. You need a mix of hyper-local tags, process-driven tags that show your craft, and high-intent tags that trigger a craving.
Reality check: If your hashtags aren't bringing people through the front door, they are purely vanity. Focus on the 5-mile radius around your oven, not global reach.