Remember When Hashtags Were the Key to Social Media Success?
Back in the day, hashtags were like magic spells. Slap on #blessed, #nofilter, or #instagood, and boom—instant engagement. Fast-forward to now, and things feel… different. Some people say hashtags are dead, others swear they still work, and most of us are just confused.
So, do hashtags actually help your posts get seen anymore? Or are we just adding #marketing out of habit? Let’s break it down.
1. Yes, Hashtags Still Matter—But Not Like Before
Hashtags can still help you reach new people—but not in the same way they did five years ago. Social media algorithms have changed, and hashtags aren’t the primary way platforms decide what to show users anymore.
✅ Do this:
- Use hashtags strategically, not randomly.
- Focus on niche hashtags that attract the right audience.
- Mix popular and low-competition hashtags to increase visibility.
🚫 Avoid this:
- Dumping 30 random hashtags on a post and hoping for the best.
- Using super generic hashtags like #love or #happy (millions of posts = your content gets lost).
- Assuming hashtags alone will make you go viral.
Example:
Instead of #fitness, try #beginnerworkouttips—fewer posts, but way more targeted engagement.
2. Instagram Hashtags: Do They Still Work?
Short answer: Yes, but they’re not as powerful as they used to be.
Instagram now prioritizes SEO and keywords in captions over hashtags. That means:
- Your caption and profile keywords are more important than your hashtags.
- Hashtags help a little, but they won’t make or break your reach.
✅ Do this:
- Use 5–10 well-researched hashtags, not the full 30.
- Place hashtags at the bottom of your caption for a cleaner look.
- Make sure your caption contains searchable keywords (like “best social media marketing tips”).
🚫 Avoid this:
- Using 30 hashtags just because Instagram allows it.
- Burying important keywords in hashtags instead of your caption.
Example:
Instead of:
❌ “#socialmediamarketing #marketingtips #growth #businesssuccess”
Try:
✅ “Want to grow your business on social media? Let’s break down some simple strategies that actually work. 👇 #socialmediatips #smallbusinessgrowth”
See how the main message is in the caption, not just the hashtags? That’s what works now.
3. TikTok Hashtags: Should You Still Use Them?
TikTok is all about the algorithm, not hashtags. While hashtags can help, they aren’t what makes videos go viral.
✅ Do this:
- Use 3–5 targeted hashtags that describe your content.
- Focus on keywords in your caption and spoken words—TikTok’s AI listens!
- Try #fyp or #foryoupage only if they make sense (they don’t guarantee virality).
🚫 Avoid this:
- Using only generic hashtags like #viral—TikTok cares more about content quality.
- Thinking hashtags are the reason a video takes off (it’s watch time and engagement that really matter).
Example:
Instead of:
❌ “#viral #trending #funnyvideo”
Try:
✅ “POV: You just realized hashtags don’t matter as much as you thought. 😂 #TikTokGrowth #SocialMediaTips”
See the difference? Hashtags support your content, but they aren’t the main driver of success.
4. LinkedIn Hashtags: More Important Than You Think
Unlike Instagram and TikTok, LinkedIn still heavily relies on hashtags for content discovery. Posts with 3–5 hashtagstend to get higher reach and appear in more search results.
✅ Do this:
- Use industry-specific hashtags like #MarketingStrategy or #EntrepreneurTips.
- Stick to 3–5 hashtags—LinkedIn prefers fewer but relevant ones.
- Place them at the end of your post for a clean, professional look.
🚫 Avoid this:
- Overloading posts with hashtags—LinkedIn sees this as spammy.
- Using overly generic hashtags like #success (millions of posts = your post disappears).
Example:
Instead of:
❌ “Want to grow your business? Here are my top tips! #business #marketing #growth”
Try:
✅ “Want to grow your business? Here’s what’s actually working in 2024. 👇 #MarketingStrategy #SmallBusinessTips”
Hashtags on LinkedIn = useful, but in moderation.
5. Twitter/X Hashtags: Still Relevant, But Less Essential
Twitter (or X, if we’re being fancy) originally invented hashtags, but they’re not as crucial as before. Now, keywords in your tweet matter more than the hashtags themselves.
✅ Do this:
- Use 1–2 hashtags max—too many hurts engagement.
- Focus on trend-related hashtags when appropriate.
- Prioritize keywords in your tweet—they count for search too.
🚫 Avoid this:
- Stuffing tweets with hashtags—it looks desperate.
- Using irrelevant trending hashtags just to get attention.
Example:
Instead of:
❌ “Social media growth is key for any business! #marketing #growth #socialmedia #digitalmarketing”
Try:
✅ “Want to grow your business on social media? Focus on engagement, not just followers. #MarketingTips”
Less is more on Twitter.
Final Verdict: Should You Still Use Hashtags?
Yes—but use them smarter, not more.
🚀 Instagram: 5–10 targeted hashtags + SEO-friendly captions.
🚀 TikTok: 3–5 hashtags + keyword-rich captions & voiceovers.
🚀 LinkedIn: 3–5 industry-specific hashtags.
🚀 Twitter/X: 1–2 hashtags max, but focus on searchable tweets.
The Big Takeaway?
Hashtags won’t make or break your success, but when used strategically, they can still help the right people find your content.
