Mastering LinkedIn hashtags: a guide to boosting visibility and engagement

In the fast-paced world of social media, hashtags have become an essential tool for users to cut through the noise and get their content noticed. LinkedIn, the world's largest professional networking platform, is no exception when it comes to hashtags.

Whether you're sharing industry insights, promoting your business, or searching for new job opportunities, using relevant hashtags in your LinkedIn posts can help you reach a wider audience and increase your visibility.

In this blog post, we'll dive into the best practices for using hashtags on LinkedIn, explore popular hashtags in different industries, and share tools and tips for finding the most effective hashtags for your content.

Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing the visibility of your content on LinkedIn. Before diving into how to use hashtags, let's quickly look at why using them is essential:

1. Increase your visibility. When you use hashtags, your posts are more likely to appear in LinkedIn search results, making it easier for people to find your content. Additionally, LinkedIn users can follow specific hashtags, meaning your posts will appear in their feed if they follow the hashtags you use.

2. Reach a wider audience. Using hashtags can help you reach people who may not be connected to you or your network. When someone searches for a hashtag, they'll see a list of posts that include that hashtag, even if the posts are from people they're not connected to. This means that using relevant hashtags can help you expand your reach and connect with new people.

3. Establish yourself as an expert. When you use hashtags relevant to your industry or area of expertise, you can establish yourself as an expert in that field. By consistently posting high-quality content with relevant hashtags, you can build a following of people interested in what you say.

Why hashtags matter

How to use hashtags on LinkedIn?

Now that we understand the importance of hashtags on LinkedIn let's dive into the best practices for using them effectively. Here are some tips to help you select and use hashtags on LinkedIn.

Selecting hashtags. When selecting hashtags, choosing ones relevant to your content and target audience is essential. You can use LinkedIn's search bar to find relevant hashtags or look at the hashtags other people in your industry use. It's also a good idea to use a mix of broad and specific hashtags to increase your reach while still targeting your ideal audience.

Here’s how different hashtags perform, based on their followers’ number:

💡400-800 followers / +7% engagement 
💡800-1.500 followers / +12% engagement 
💡>2.000 followers / +15% engagement

The number of hashtags to use. While there is no magic number of hashtags to use, it's generally recommended to use 3-5 relevant hashtags per post. Using too many hashtags can come across as spammy, while using too few may limit the reach of your post. Experiment with different numbers of hashtags and see what works best for your content.

💡Less than 3 # reduce reach by 40%. 
💡More than 5 # reduce reach by 20%. 
💡More than 9 # reduce reach by 35%.

Creating your own hashtag. Creating your own hashtag can significantly increase brand awareness and engagement if you have a brand (#linkedist) or specific campaign (#linkediststory) you want to promote. Ensure your hashtag is unique, memorable, and relevant to your brand or campaign. You can include your hashtag in your LinkedIn profile, your posts, and any other marketing materials you use.

One of the simplest ways to find relevant hashtags on LinkedIn is by using the platform's search bar. 

Here’s how to do so:

1. Enter the hashtag you’d like to find (e.g., #Leadership) in the  Search bar.

2. Click on a hashtag that'll take you to the hashtag’s feed where you can see content related to the hashtag topic.

3. Click Follow to follow the hashtag.

While third-party hashtag research tools are available, it is essential to use them cautiously, as the information they provide may not always be accurate or relevant to your specific audience. Therefore, we highly recommend you use the LinkedIn search bar as your primary tool for finding relevant hashtags.

How to find relevant LinkedIn hashtags?

Using popular LinkedIn hashtags

Using popular hashtags on LinkedIn is a great way to increase the visibility of your content and connect with like-minded professionals.

At the beginning of 2023, sendible.com collected a list of the most frequently used hashtags on LinkedIn. Here’s a sneak peek of them:

1. #innovation - 38,673,144 followers

2. #management - 35,871,964 followers 

3. #digitalmarketing - 27,291,348 followers

4. #technology - 26,347,886 followers

5. #creativity - 25,114,957 followers

6. #futurism - 23,402,629 followers

7. #startups - 21,168,624 followers

8. #marketing - 20,304,916 followers 

9. #socialmedia - 19,634,079 followers

10. #socialnetworking - 18,978,383 followers

Below, you can find some of the hashtags our team at Linkedist recommends using to maximize your reach and visibility.

• #Leadership. This hashtag is great for management, leadership, and career development content. If you're sharing tips on being a better leader or insights into the latest trends in management, this hashtag can help you connect with other professionals in your field.

• #Marketing. If your content is related to marketing, advertising, or branding, using the #marketing hashtag can help you connect with other marketing professionals and potential clients. Share your latest campaigns, insights into marketing trends, and tips for building a memorable brand.

• #Entrepreneurship. This hashtag is perfect for anyone starting or running their own business. Share insights into what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, tips for building a startup, and stories of your successes and challenges.

• #Technology. If your content is related to technology, using the #technology hashtag can help you reach other professionals in the tech industry. Share your thoughts on the latest innovations, insights into new software or hardware, and tips for staying up-to-date in a constantly-evolving field.

• #Jobsearch. If you're searching for a job or looking to connect with recruiters, using the #jobsearch hashtag can help you get noticed by potential employers. Share your resume, insights into your job search process, and tips for landing your dream job.

When using these popular hashtags, it's essential to remember that many other professionals frequently use them. To stand out, make sure your content is high-quality, relevant, and provides value to your audience. 

You can also experiment with using a combination of popular and niche hashtags to increase the visibility of your content to a more specific audience.

How to take advantage of community hashtags on LinkedIn?

Community hashtags are hashtags that are created and promoted by LinkedIn groups, organizations, or communities.

Bottom line

In conclusion, using hashtags effectively on LinkedIn is a powerful way to increase the visibility of your content, reach a wider audience, and engage with other professionals in your industry. 

Using relevant hashtags, you can ensure that the right people see your content and increase the likelihood of it being shared and commented on. You can also find more info of the best practices of hashtags in one of the LinkedIn guides.

Applying the tips mentioned in this blog post, you can leverage the power of hashtags to maximize your impact on LinkedIn and achieve your professional goals.

Struggle to find the right hashtags for your content?

These hashtags are used to connect professionals who share a common interest, passion, or profession. By using community hashtags, you can find and engage with people who are interested in the same topics as you, and build relationships with them.

Using community hashtags on LinkedIn can also help you increase the visibility of your posts. When you use relevant community hashtags, your posts are more likely to be seen by people who are interested in the same topics. This can lead to more likes, comments, and shares on your posts, which can help you reach a wider audience and increase your influence on the platform. Choose them wisely!