You’ve probably noticed that the LinkedIn feed has changed.
Some people still use hashtags, while others have completely moved away from them. This raises a key question: are hashtags still relevant?
To answer that, it’s essential to understand how LinkedIn’s algorithm works, how it has evolved, and what strategies are effective today.
We'll dive into whether hashtags still play a role in your content strategy and how you can (or shouldn’t) use them to enhance your reach.
TL;DR: Hashtags on LinkedIn still enhance visibility, but they’re no longer as crucial. LinkedIn’s algorithm now prioritizes profile optimization, high-quality content, and keyword-focused posts. Use hashtags strategically (2-5 per post) to support your content.
What Are LinkedIn Hashtags?
First, let’s start with the basics.
If you’re new to LinkedIn or missed the era when every post seemed to include 2 to 5 hashtags, let me explain what they are and why people used them.
Hashtags on LinkedIn are keywords or phrases preceded by a “#” symbol.
They were originally designed to help organize content on the platform, making it easier for users to discover posts related to specific topics.
For example, if you included #Marketing in your post, it would become part of a larger conversation about marketing on LinkedIn, making it easier for your post to be recommended to profiles that follow or engage with marketing-related content.
Other users searching for or following that hashtag could see your content, potentially increasing your visibility.
While this strategy worked effectively in the past, the real question is whether hashtags are still as impactful today.
How to Choose the Right Hashtags
Now that you know hashtags can help categorize your content, the next step is mastering how to choose the right ones.
Keep in mind that while hashtags can enhance your post’s visibility, they’re not the only factor influencing LinkedIn’s algorithm.
Other elements, such as the quality of your post, how consistently you address a specific topic, and your perceived expertise, also play critical roles.
When choosing hashtags, make sure they align with your topic and area of expertise.
Using relevant and targeted hashtags not only boosts discoverability but also strengthens your credibility within your niche.
Adding irrelevant trending hashtags might increase impressions, but these are unlikely to engage your target audience or result in meaningful interactions.
Another technique is to experiment with different combinations of hashtags to see which ones perform best.
Repeating the same set of relevant hashtags over time can help LinkedIn’s algorithm better understand who your content is intended for and increase its reach to the right audience.
Finally, limit yourself to no more than five hashtags per post.
Overloading your content with hashtags can dilute its focus and make it too generalized, reducing its impact
The Pros and Cons of Using Hashtags on LinkedIn
Understanding how hashtags work and seeing how some creators use them while others avoid them is important for weighing their pros and cons.
This will help you decide whether incorporating hashtags into your LinkedIn content strategy aligns with your goals.
The Pros
Hashtags on LinkedIn offer several benefits:
Enhanced discoverability: Hashtags categorize your content, making it easier for users to find posts related to their interests or professional needs.
Stronger personal branding: Using relevant hashtags consistently helps reinforce your personal or professional identity on the platform.
Audience relevance: By selecting targeted hashtags, you increase the chances of attracting viewers who are genuinely interested in your expertise, boosting engagement.
The Cons
However, hashtags are not without their downsides:
Cluttered posts: Adding too many hashtags can make your content appear unprofessional.
Limited impact: High-quality content and consistency in your strategy are more important for long-term success.
Not always necessary: Posts tailored to a specific or niche audience may not benefit significantly from hashtags.
While hashtags can be a useful addition to your strategy, they should not be the focal point of your LinkedIn content.
Instead, prioritize content quality, storytelling, and consistency.
Consider hashtags as a supplementary tool to enhance visibility.
Thoughtfully using hashtags can complement your efforts, but over-reliance on them may limit your growth.
3 Best LinkedIn Hashtag Generators
If you decide to use hashtags but aren’t sure where to start, here are a few of the best hashtag generators available to help you get started.
Content Studio
Content Studio offers a hashtag generator that allows you to input keywords and provide a brief description of your post.
The more specific and detailed you are about your content, the more relevant the suggested hashtags will be.
From the list of hashtags it generates, be sure to prioritize the ones most relevant to your post, exercising discretion to ensure they align with your target audience.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite offers a free hashtag generator that works across multiple social media platforms, including LinkedIn.
It allows you to define your network, language, and description, while also giving you the option to manually add your own keywords.
Although not exclusively designed for LinkedIn, it can still be a helpful tool for identifying relevant hashtags.
Keep in mind that it's important to review the suggested hashtags carefully and gradually build your own tailored list over time.
OneUp
OneUp is another free tool that I find to be more comprehensive than others.
It allows you to specify the details of your post and provides relevant hashtag suggestions.
One feature I particularly like is the option to select the number of hashtags, with a recommendation to keep it between 2-5.
Although you can choose more, I recommend staying within this range to prevent overloading your post.
Verdict: Are Hashtags Still Useful on LinkedIn?
To conclude, I’m not going to give you a magic answer or be drastic, but the answer to the question is: it depends.
While hashtags are not as crucial as they once were for increasing visibility on LinkedIn, they still serve a purpose—especially since many people continue to use them.
That said, top content creators like Lara Acosta often don’t use hashtags, and they’ve had no trouble growing their audience or attracting clients.
The focus of your content should be on performance.
Today, LinkedIn’s algorithm places greater importance on profile optimization and high-quality content.
A well-optimized profile and posts that are keyword-driven and resonate with your audience are far more important than the number of hashtags you use.
In other words, you can include as many hashtags as you want, but if your content lacks substance or doesn’t address your audience’s needs, it won’t perform well.
Hashtags can still help boost traffic, but the content itself—optimized for your audience and relevant keywords—remains the most critical factor for success on LinkedIn.
Ultimately, focus on creating valuable, well-targeted content and use hashtags strategically to support that content, rather than relying on them to boost visibility on their own.
Verdict: Are Hashtags Still Useful on LinkedIn?
To conclude, I’m not going to give you a magic answer or be drastic, but the answer to the question is: it depends.
While hashtags are not as crucial as they once were for increasing visibility on LinkedIn, they still serve a purpose—especially since many people continue to use them.
That said, top content creators like Lara Acosta often don’t use hashtags, and they’ve had no trouble growing their audience or attracting clients.
The focus of your content should be on performance.
Today, LinkedIn’s algorithm places greater importance on profile optimization and high-quality content.
A well-optimized profile and posts that are keyword-driven and resonate with your audience are far more important than the number of hashtags you use.
In other words, you can include as many hashtags as you want, but if your content lacks substance or doesn’t address your audience’s needs, it won’t perform well.
Hashtags can still help boost traffic, but the content itself—optimized for your audience and relevant keywords—remains the most critical factor for success on LinkedIn.
Ultimately, focus on creating valuable, well-targeted content and use hashtags strategically to support that content, rather than relying on them to boost visibility on their own.
Verdict: Are Hashtags Still Useful on LinkedIn?
To conclude, I’m not going to give you a magic answer or be drastic, but the answer to the question is: it depends.
While hashtags are not as crucial as they once were for increasing visibility on LinkedIn, they still serve a purpose—especially since many people continue to use them.
That said, top content creators like Lara Acosta often don’t use hashtags, and they’ve had no trouble growing their audience or attracting clients.
The focus of your content should be on performance.
Today, LinkedIn’s algorithm places greater importance on profile optimization and high-quality content.
A well-optimized profile and posts that are keyword-driven and resonate with your audience are far more important than the number of hashtags you use.
In other words, you can include as many hashtags as you want, but if your content lacks substance or doesn’t address your audience’s needs, it won’t perform well.
Hashtags can still help boost traffic, but the content itself—optimized for your audience and relevant keywords—remains the most critical factor for success on LinkedIn.
Ultimately, focus on creating valuable, well-targeted content and use hashtags strategically to support that content, rather than relying on them to boost visibility on their own.
Verdict: Are Hashtags Still Useful on LinkedIn?
To conclude, I’m not going to give you a magic answer or be drastic, but the answer to the question is: it depends.
While hashtags are not as crucial as they once were for increasing visibility on LinkedIn, they still serve a purpose—especially since many people continue to use them.
That said, top content creators like Lara Acosta often don’t use hashtags, and they’ve had no trouble growing their audience or attracting clients.
The focus of your content should be on performance.
Today, LinkedIn’s algorithm places greater importance on profile optimization and high-quality content.
A well-optimized profile and posts that are keyword-driven and resonate with your audience are far more important than the number of hashtags you use.
In other words, you can include as many hashtags as you want, but if your content lacks substance or doesn’t address your audience’s needs, it won’t perform well.
Hashtags can still help boost traffic, but the content itself—optimized for your audience and relevant keywords—remains the most critical factor for success on LinkedIn.
Ultimately, focus on creating valuable, well-targeted content and use hashtags strategically to support that content, rather than relying on them to boost visibility on their own.
Verdict: Are Hashtags Still Useful on LinkedIn?
To conclude, I’m not going to give you a magic answer or be drastic, but the answer to the question is: it depends.
While hashtags are not as crucial as they once were for increasing visibility on LinkedIn, they still serve a purpose—especially since many people continue to use them.
That said, top content creators like Lara Acosta often don’t use hashtags, and they’ve had no trouble growing their audience or attracting clients.
The focus of your content should be on performance.
Today, LinkedIn’s algorithm places greater importance on profile optimization and high-quality content.
A well-optimized profile and posts that are keyword-driven and resonate with your audience are far more important than the number of hashtags you use.
In other words, you can include as many hashtags as you want, but if your content lacks substance or doesn’t address your audience’s needs, it won’t perform well.
Hashtags can still help boost traffic, but the content itself—optimized for your audience and relevant keywords—remains the most critical factor for success on LinkedIn.
Ultimately, focus on creating valuable, well-targeted content and use hashtags strategically to support that content, rather than relying on them to boost visibility on their own.
