Depop hashtags guide to attract more buyers (2026)

Many sellers either overload listings with irrelevant tags or avoid Depop hashtags entirely. Both approaches hurt listing visibility. Use up to 5 relevant hashtags describing your item's type, style, material, and aesthetic to reach buyers beyond your followers. Don’t use generic or misleading tags. 

I’ll explain why Depop hashtags matter and how to use them to attract more buyers.

What Depop hashtags are and why they matter: In 30 seconds

Depop hashtags serve as additional keywords for your listings. They increase the likelihood that your listings will appear in relevant search and browse results when shoppers search for specific styles, brands, or aesthetics. 

When you choose accurate, descriptive tags, you increase the chances that people beyond your existing followers will see your items.

What are Depop exposure tags?

Depop exposure tags function similarly to hashtags by acting as additional keywords that help describe an item. However, exposure tags are part of Depop’s tagging system and are not guaranteed to work exactly like social media hashtags on other platforms.

How Depop decides which tags your listing gets

Depop analyzes multiple signals from your listing to help decide when it should appear in search and how relevant it is to each buyer’s query. To understand what you are selling and match it with buyer intent, the platform’s software analyzes the following information:

Title and description

Depop’s search system prioritizes overall relevance, matching the buyer’s search terms with the first words of your description. Brand names, sizing, and color should be accurate and clearly visible in your listing, as Depop matches buyer searches to the brand field and description when ranking results.

The takeaway: Focus on a few accurate, relevant keywords rather than stuffing unrelated terms. Placing key descriptors such as “vintage” at the beginning of your description helps Depop’s search algorithm “understand” where your items should appear.

Hashtags

The platform allows up to 5 hashtags per item. Depop treats hashtags as searchable keywords, so relevant phrases can help buyers find your item. However, Depop discourages spammy or misleading keywords and tags. If you use irrelevant tags or other spam-like tactics, the platform can reduce your visibility or remove listings.

Key takeaway: Use no more than 5 hashtags that accurately describe your item’s style, brand, or category. Irrelevant tags trigger spam filters, which hide your listings from search results and reduce your shop’s overall reach.

Category and style selections

Depop reads your category and style selections to understand what you're selling and where to display it. Choosing precise terms like “Jackets & Coats” instead of “Tops” helps your item appear when buyers filter by outerwear. Gender selection (e.g., Menswear or Womenswear) also affects where your item appears when buyers filter by those categories.

Key takeaway: Choose the most specific category, style, and gender options before publishing. Double‑check gender selection and subcategories so your item appears in the filtered searches and recommendations where buyers are actively looking for that type of piece.

Best tags to use on Depop

The best Depop tags balance specificity with searchability, connecting your item to buyers actively looking for what you’re selling. Focus on tags that describe your product accurately while addressing popular search terms and trending aesthetics.

Item-based tags

Start with tags that describe what you're actually selling: item type, material, fit, and condition. For instance, tag a “vintage Levi's denim jacket” with #denim, #jacket, and #vintage to cover the basics. Functional tags like #oversized or #cropped also help buyers filter by fit.

Condition tags like #likenew or #vintagecondition set clear expectations and attract shoppers who care about item quality.

Depop only allows up to 5 tags, so don’t use all 5 to describe the item. Pick only the top 3 or 4 features that best illustrate your listing that buyers will find most helpful. Use the final 1 or 2 for describing your listing’s trend and style. 

Style and trend tags

Aesthetic tags connect your item to specific subcultures, styles, and trends. For instance, a floral dress might fit #cottagecore, while a band tee belongs in #emocore or #Y2K. Depop also allows buyers to browse by aesthetics, so tags like #cottagecore or #Y2K can help your item appear in those aesthetic-focused searches. 

Trend-relevant tags improve visibility when movements like #balletcore or #indiesleaze peak, but only use them if your item genuinely fits the style. Overall, dedicate no more than 2 hashtags to style and trend.

Common Depop tagging mistakes

Adding incorrect tags to your listings can reduce visibility and frustrate buyers. Here are 2 common errors to avoid:

Error 1: Copy-pasting tag blocks across listings

Using the same 5 tags on every listing creates duplicate signals that confuse Depop's algorithm about what makes each item unique. Your denim jacket and silk skirt shouldn't share identical tags. Adding identical tags reduces how well the platform can differentiate and categorize your inventory. 

Repeated generic tags dilute your listings’ individual relevance, making it harder for the right buyers to find specific items.

Error 2: Adding irrelevant or misleading tags

Tagging a basic tee with #designer or #luxury when it is neither misuses important search terms and disappoints buyers who expect high‑end pieces. For example, someone searching #goth will not appreciate finding pastel sundresses. 

Misleading tags can frustrate buyers and hurt engagement, which may reduce how often your listings appear in relevant searches over time. Using only accurate, relevant tags helps protect your visibility and keeps you in line with Depop’s policies against misrepresentation.

Depop tag examples by item type

Different item types perform best with tailored tags that match how buyers search for specific products. Using category-appropriate tags helps your listings appear in the right searches and reach interested shoppers.

Tags for vintage and secondhand items

Vintage and secondhand pieces benefit from tags that highlight the following:

• Era clarity: Decade tags like #80s, #90s, or #Y2K communicate the era and aesthetic your piece fits, helping buyers who search by decade. Pairing era tags with style movements, such as #90sgrunge or #70spreppy, helps attract shoppers who know the exact vibe they want. 
• ​Material emphasis: Many vintage-focused buyers search or filter by fabric because materials like denim, wool, silk, and leather are associated with durability and higher quality. Tags such as #denim, #wool, #silk, or #leather can help buyers who prioritize feel, longevity, and sustainability.
• ​Style precision: Specific style tags like #grunge, #preppy, #boho, or similar aesthetics connect your item to recognizable style movements. Buyers browsing tags like #90sgrunge or #70sboho usually have a clear style in mind. 
• ​Buyer intent: Vintage shoppers on Depop often seek authentic or clearly era-inspired pieces. Terms like #truevintage or #originalvintage are best reserved for genuinely older garments, aligning with guidance to avoid misrepresentation in listings. 

Tags for trend-driven items

Trend-driven pieces benefit from tags that clearly reflect current aesthetics and style movements that buyers actively search for. Keep the following in mind when tagging for trends:

• Trend specificity: Use precise aesthetic tags like #coquette, #balletcore, or #indiesleaze instead of vague terms like #trendy or #stylish. Buyers searching for specific aesthetics usually have a clear vision and are more prepared to purchase items that closely match that look.
• ​Category crossover: Many trend-driven pieces can sit within several aesthetics, so your tags can reflect that versatility as long as each tag is honest and relevant. A slip dress, for example, might suit #Y2K, #coquette, or #fairycore, depending on color, fabric, and styling details.
• ​Time sensitivity: Aesthetic trends peak and fade quickly, so periodically updating your tags is important if you want older listings to stay aligned with buyer demand. Refreshing outdated trend tags and adding newer, relevant ones keeps your listings connected to active searches instead of styles buyers have largely moved past.
• ​Exposure optimization: Combining one or two current trend tags with broader descriptors, such as color or general style words, helps balance short‑term spikes with long‑term discoverability. For instance, a #balletcore item tagged with #pink and #feminine can remain findable via color or vibe searches. 

Final thoughts: A simple tagging framework

Use our simple tagging framework to remove guesswork and help you list consistently across your entire inventory. Follow these steps for optimal tagging on Depop:

Step 1: Write a precise title

Lead with brand, product type, and key attributes like color or style to match how buyers search and scan listings. Use an AI tool like Nifty that generates tags, titles, and descriptions that are optimized for Depop’s search results. 

Step 2: Create clear, natural descriptions

Cover material, fit, condition, and style in full sentences. Avoid keyword stuffing so both buyers and search systems read it as high quality.

Step 3: Add focused supporting tags

Use a small set of highly relevant tags that reinforce your title and description. Avoid using unrelated or trend-chasing terms.

Step 4: Select the most accurate category

Choose the correct category and subcategory so your item appears in the right filters and browsing paths, and you don’t give buyers the wrong information. 

Step 5: Monitor listing performance

Watch impressions and clicks over time. If a listing underperforms, refine tags rather than rewriting everything at once.

Step 6: Adjust for changing buyer trends

Update tags when styles, aesthetics, or search behavior in your niche clearly shifts.

Step 7: Refresh older listings periodically

Revisit older items to test accurate, current keywords and metadata that reflect how buyers search today, which can improve your listings’ SEO.

Sell more Depop listings with Nifty

Now that you know how Depop hashtags work, it's time to simplify listing creation with Nifty. Nifty is an automation and crosslisting tool that handles description and tag writing as well as crosslisting on other platforms.

Here's why more sellers go with Nifty:

• AI listing creation: Snap a pic and let Nifty's AI build listings with optimized titles, descriptions, and trending hashtags tailored to each platform. Depop gets its 5 tags, Poshmark gets different ones, and you save hours of valuable time.
• Crosslist now: Post your items across Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, Depop, and Etsy with a couple of clicks. Nifty automatically adapts your tags to fit each platform's search rules and character limits.
• Automatic delisting? Handled: When you make a sale on Depop, Nifty's sales detection auto-delists that item from every other marketplace. No double-selling disasters or awkward “sorry, it's already gone” messages.
• Bulk tools = no busywork: Update tags, refresh listings, or test new hashtags across dozens of items with just a few clicks. Schedule changes to go live while you sleep so your shop stays optimized.
• Analytics and profits are real: Track which tags and platforms drive the most sales. See what's working, what's stalling, and where to focus your tagging strategy for maximum visibility.

See why over 10,000 sellers trust Nifty and start your 7-day free trial.

FAQs

1. Do hashtags actually help on Depop?

Yes, hashtags help on Depop by making your listings more discoverable in search results and feeds. They function as additional keywords that match what buyers type or tap when searching for specific styles, brands, or aesthetics. Relevant hashtags, such as #vintage or #Y2K, can help your listing appear in search results for those terms.

2. How many hashtags should I use on Depop?

Depop allows you to use up to 5 hashtags per listing. You should also select your item's brand from the dropdown menu. To avoid spam detection, limit brand name mentions to 2 or fewer across your entire description and tags. Focus on accuracy and clarity by choosing hashtags that reflect your item’s style, brand, material, fit, or aesthetic instead of adding unrelated or misleading tags. Filling all available hashtag slots with well-chosen, descriptive keywords can increase your chances of appearing in relevant searches, while spammy or off-topic tags may hurt performance or buyer trust.

3. Where should hashtags go in a Depop listing?

Hashtags should be placed in your Depop item description, either integrated into sentences or grouped at the end as a short block of tags. Many sellers first write a clear description that covers key details such as brand, condition, material, fit, and measurements, then add hashtags afterward to keep the text readable while still making those tags searchable.