Do hashtags work on LinkedIn?

Remember when hashtags on LinkedIn were all the rage?

Turn on Creator Mode, and there it was - the shiny “Talks about #marketing” or “Talks about #leadership” badge at the top of your profile, like a badge of honour. Hashtags felt like an easy way to get noticed.

But things have changed, and if you’re still expecting hashtags to work their old magic in 2024, it’s time to face the music – they don’t. Not like they used to, anyway.

What happened to hashtags on LinkedIn?

Back in the golden days of Creator Mode, hashtags were everywhere. They made your posts feel like they had extra oomph, helping people find you and giving others the ability to follow topics you talked about. It was a nice little boost.

Then, without much fanfare, LinkedIn quietly shelved Creator Mode. Hashtags? They got shoved to the back. Now you can’t follow them anymore, and you’ve no clue how many people are following them. The “Talks about” section? Disappeared like an old LinkedIn contact you haven’t heard from in years.

LinkedIn has moved on, and so should we. Sure, hashtags still exist, but they’re no longer the cool kids in town.

Hashtags now - a gentle nudge, not the golden ticket

Hashtags aren’t entirely useless. They still work, just not in the grand, fireworks-and-fanfare way they used to. In 2024, they’re more like a gentle nudge. A polite suggestion. “Hey, maybe check out this post?”

If you’re using hashtags strategically, they might help your content get seen by people in specific industries or niche areas. But if you’re hoping they’ll bring a flood of engagement? Nope. LinkedIn isn’t hashtag-driven anymore. It’s all about keywords, content quality, and actual human interaction.

So yes, keep using hashtags - just don’t overdo it. Three to five relevant ones will do. More than that and you start to look like you’re trying too hard. LinkedIn’s a professional space, so let’s keep it classy, yeah?

Finding hashtags has become a wild goose chase

Even if you want to use hashtags properly, LinkedIn’s made it pretty tricky. Gone are the days when you could track a hashtag’s follower count or see how many people were interested. Now, if you search for a hashtag, LinkedIn will just give you a keyword search result. Helpful, right?

It used to be so simple. Follow a hashtag, gauge its popularity, and use it to your advantage. Now? You have to stumble across a post that already uses the hashtag, click it, and hope it leads somewhere useful. It’s like a treasure hunt, but without the treasure.

Why LinkedIn hashtags are a shadow of their former selves

The fact that LinkedIn ditched the “Talks about #marketing” badges speaks volumes. They’ve moved on, and it’s clear that hashtags are no longer central to the platform’s strategy. Now, it’s all about keywords - the ones embedded in your content.

Let’s face it - people aren’t using LinkedIn to search for hashtags anymore. They’re searching for real insights, useful content, and relevant connections. Think about it - when was the last time you actively searched for a hashtag on LinkedIn? Exactly. It’s all about the meat of your content, not the garnish.

What should you do instead?

So, does this mean we should throw hashtags into the bin? Not quite. But let’s manage expectations here. This is what works now:

• Use hashtags sparingly: Three to five relevant hashtags will do the job. They’ll help guide your post towards niche audiences, but don’t expect them to move mountains.

• Prioritise keywords: LinkedIn loves keywords now. Make sure your content is packed with strong, relevant keywords. That’s what’s going to catch people’s attention.

• Quality matters: Hashtags won’t save a bland post. Focus on delivering valuable, insightful content that gets people talking. If your post doesn’t make people pause and think, hashtags won’t help.

Hashtags won’t hurt - but they’re not your saviour

Look, hashtags on LinkedIn are not going to make or break your post. They won’t hurt, but they’re not your ticket to viral fame either. Think of them as a little compass - steering your content in the right direction. But don’t expect them to carry your content to the top of everyone’s feed. That’s just not how LinkedIn rolls anymore.

The bottom line? Hashtags are no longer the main attraction. LinkedIn has changed, and the people who are thriving on the platform are the ones creating genuinely valuable content. Forget relying on a handful of hashtags to do the hard work for you - it’s your insights and the conversations you spark that make the real difference.

Do hashtags work on LinkedIn?

Hashtags still have a role, but it’s a minor one. LinkedIn has stopped putting hashtags front and centre, their influence has plummeted. You can still use them, but they’re not going to boost your post like they might have in the past. Millions of people join LinkedIn every year, so those hashtags are become less and less relevant.

LinkedIn is all about content now. High-quality posts, solid keywords, and genuine engagement. So yes, hashtags can still work on LinkedIn - but don’t expect them to carry your content to the promised land. It’s your words, your insights, and your ability to connect with people that will make the difference.