Do Hashtags Work on LinkedIn + How to Use Them Strategically

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You’ve put time and effort into creating engaging content for LinkedIn. You followed best practices and included relevant images and visual content. Yet, when you post your update, you feel like you’re shouting into the void. It’s disheartening.

That’s why many people turn to hashtags to boost their LinkedIn content strategy performance and help them go viral. But do hashtags work on LinkedIn? This guide uncovers how effective hashtags are on LinkedIn and how to boost your posts' performance. If you want to enhance your LinkedIn content strategy, you’re in the right place. Let's get started.

In addition to the tips in this guide, Megaphone's viral on-demand platform can help you reach your LinkedIn goals. With this tool, you can boost your content performance and go viral, all in a matter of days.

Do Hashtags Work on LinkedIn

The Lowdown on Hashtags and LinkedIn

Hashtags are words or phrases that categorize social media posts. They help users find content related to their interests and allow content creators to reach a broader audience beyond their followers. On LinkedIn, hashtags work similarly to other social media platforms. When you add a hashtag to your post, LinkedIn categorizes it and makes it discoverable to anyone searching for that hashtag. LinkedIn allows users to add up to 30 hashtags per post.

However, using only two to five relevant hashtags is recommended to avoid overstuffing your post. Using too many hashtags can make your post look spammy and unprofessional. It's essential to use hashtags strategically to increase your visibility and reach the right audience.

Boost Your Visibility with Hashtags

Using hashtags in your LinkedIn posts has numerous benefits, including increasing your visibility; hashtags help your posts reach a broader audience beyond your connections. When you use relevant hashtags, your posts become more discoverable to people searching for that topic. This can increase your visibility and attract potential clients or employers.

Build Your Brand with Hashtags

Using hashtags related to your industry or niche can help build your brand and establish you as an expert. Seeing your posts consistently appearing in their feeds can help build credibility and attract new followers.

Connect with Like-Minded Professionals

Hashtags can help you connect with other professionals in your industry or niche. Using hashtags related to your interests, you can discover and engage with other like-minded professionals, share ideas, and build relationships.

Monitor Industry Trends

Using hashtags related to industry trends can help you stay up-to-date with your field's latest news and developments. It can also help you monitor your competitors and stay informed about their actions.

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How to Use Hashtags on LinkedIn Strategically

1. Analyze LinkedIn Hashtags to Fine-Tune Your Strategy

Use LinkedIn analytics to enhance your hashtag strategy over time. These metrics reveal how your current hashtags contribute to your brand's visibility and engagement on the platform. For example, you can use LinkedIn’s built-in analytics tools or third-party software like Sprout to track the performance of posts with specific hashtags.

Then, tweak your hashtag choices for future content based on what the analytics reveal. For instance, you might discover that #digitalmarketingtips is more popular with your target audience than #marketingtips. Or, specific hashtags increase your reach while others get you higher engagement.

2. Use Hashtags Sparingly and Strategically

Avoid overloading your posts and articles with hashtags. Instead, mix niche and popular hashtags to balance reach and targeted engagement. In LinkedIn posts, we recommend using three to five hashtags most relevant to your content. Here’s an example of how Pipedrive does it.

3. Experiment with Different Hashtags

Growing on LinkedIn means you need to test and improve continuously. This includes experimenting with your hashtag strategy. For example, let’s say you’re in the financial sector and regularly use #finance. Introduce niche hashtags like #fintechinnovation or #wealthmanagementtips to posts and articles that align with these content themes to add depth, relevance, and reach.

The benefit of testing different hashtags is that you often stumble upon keywords that resonate highly with specific target audiences. You can also rule out hashtags that might not work as well as others, saving space for better ones.

4. Track Your Competitors

Keep an eye on your competitors to see which hashtags they use and which seem to work for them. Competitive monitoring gives you a window into trending topics and helps you find and incorporate relevant hashtags into your content. For instance, if you notice a competitor getting lots of engagement with #AIinMarketing, consider how you can use this hashtag in your posts.

Does the hashtag align with your planned blog post or article? Can you add a unique perspective to the conversation under this hashtag? Remember, the goal is not to copy but to find inspiration and identify trends that you can adapt to your strategy.

5. Don't Go Overboard

As mentioned above, LinkedIn's former senior director of product management, Pete Davies, recommends three hashtags. That should be enough to target the main keywords without looking spammy.

6. Hashtags Don't Replace Copy

Hashtags don't provide context; they should only be used to improve your discoverability. You should still have descriptions in everything you post.

7. Don't Just Use Popular Hashtags

When you only use popular hashtags, your content can get lost. If you go too niche, you may need to reach more people. Using a mix of niche and broad hashtags strikes the perfect balance.

Megaphone: A New Approach to LinkedIn Content Strategy

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How to Find Good Hashtags to Use on LinkedIn

1. Use Megaphone to Get More Exposure on LinkedIn

A sophisticated engagement network,

A private engagement pod service (coming soon),

Diverse creator partnerships for sponsored posts, X spaces, and newsletter ads (coming soon).

2. Explore the “Discover” Section to Find LinkedIn Hashtags

LinkedIn’s “Discover” section is a trending content and hashtag treasure trove. Click the hashtag symbol (#) in the top navigation bar to access it. This section provides a curated list of popular hashtags related to various topics, industries, and events. Browse these trending hashtags to identify relevant ones that align with your content and target audience.

3. Monitor Influencers and Industry Leaders for LinkedIn Hashtags

Industry influencers and thought leaders often use hashtags to share valuable insights and engage with their audience. By following these influential figures, you can stay updated with your industry's latest trends and popular hashtags. Pay attention to the hashtags they use in their posts and incorporate them into your content strategy when relevant.

4. Conduct Keyword Research for LinkedIn Hashtags

LinkedIn’s search bar can be used to find trending hashtags like any other search engine. Begin by typing keywords related to your industry or topic of interest. LinkedIn will display relevant hashtags along with the number of followers they have. Choose hashtags with a substantial following that is not excessively saturated, which can help your content stand out.

5. Analyse Successful Posts to Find Relevant Hashtags

Another effective way to identify trending hashtags is to analyze successful posts within your niche. Look for posts that have garnered high engagement, such as likes, comments, and shares. Examine the hashtags used in those posts and consider incorporating them into your content. This approach allows you to leverage the popularity of existing trends to increase your visibility.

6. Follow LinkedIn Influencer Blogs and Newsletters

LinkedIn influencers often share valuable tips, insights, and industry updates through blogs and newsletters. You can access helpful information about trending topics and hashtags following these resources. Watch for articles or newsletters highlighting popular hashtags, as they can inspire your content strategy.

7. Use LinkedIn Analytics to Track Hashtag Performance

If you have a LinkedIn Business or Premium account, you gain access to LinkedIn Analytics. This powerful tool offers valuable insights into your content performance, including which hashtags drive the most engagement and visibility for your posts. By analyzing these metrics, you can identify the hashtags that resonate with your audience and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Other Tips for Boosting Engagement on LinkedIn

1. Employ Megaphone to Amplify Your Reach

A sophisticated engagement network,

A private engagement pod service (coming soon),

Diverse creator partnerships for sponsored posts, X spaces, and newsletter ads (coming soon).

2. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Maximum Visibility

Your LinkedIn profile is like your very own professional branding page. If you’re wondering why your LinkedIn posts aren’t getting impressions, your LinkedIn profile could be better. These tips can help give you a head start: Optimize your LinkedIn profile URL by keeping it short and specific. Use keywords like your profession and services offered.

Use a high-resolution headshot as your profile picture and a rich banner. Precisely describe what you do and who I help in your professional headline. Have a short but engaging summary that tells what I do and whom I support. Don’t forget to add a CTA, for example, a link to book a call with you. Include your current and past work and my roles and responsibilities at each job. Certifications help add brownie points to my expertise. Add them to LinkedIn’s “Certifications and Licenses” section.

3. Create Engaging Content That Your Audience Cares About

Engagement is important. You can have a lot of impressions but reach people who need to be more relevant to your goals. People only engage with posts that are valuable to them - either entertaining or educational. Post content that aligns with your content pillars and positively showcases your brand. For example, you might post a funny cat GIF. Does that help me with my brand/business? I doubt it.

How do you write engaging content? I use active voice, write in a simple language that’s easy to skim through and use short sentences to make my posts more readable. Experiment with different content types for your industry/ audience (text only, video, image, pdf...) and measure what works best for YOU. At the end of the post, ask a relevant question. Tag 1-3 connections in the post or comments to ask for their opinion. Suppose they're influencers; even better! But make sure these people ARE going to comment (if they don't, you'll get dinged a bit).

4. Use Hashtags and Keywords Effectively

Effectively using hashtags and keywords is a game-changer for increasing the discoverability of your LinkedIn posts. By strategically placing relevant hashtags, you can tap into trending topics and niche communities, amplifying your content's reach.

How to Use Hashtags:

Identify Popular Hashtags

Research popular hashtags in your industry. For instance, hashtags like #ArtificialIntelligence, #Blockchain, or #CyberSecurity are widely followed if you're in tech.

Mix Niche and Broad Hashtags

Combine specific hashtags with broader ones to capture diverse audiences—for example, #DigitalMarketing (wide) and #SEOTrends (niche).

Limit the Number of Hashtags

Using too many hashtags can dilute your message. Stick to 3-5 relevant ones per post.

When in doubt, take the industry route. Portray your expertise by sharing industry insights. But not just any insights. Dig deeper into your industry and identify trends the typical audience needs to know. This is the best way to stand out and get more LinkedIn impressions. For example, if you’re a sales executive for a no-code platform, you could share exclusive tips on particular use cases of no-code, success stories, and personal productivity hacks to grab attention.

6. Increase Your Post Dwell Time

Dwell time is the time a user spends on your post-viewing it, reading the comments, etc. You want that time to be as long as possible. Why? Because it indicates LinkedIn that your content is relevant, it rewards you with more potential reach. How to increase the Dwell-time? Engage with the comments I receive - as quickly as possible. Avoid writing generic comments and replies - be more engaging, share valuable insights, ask open-ended questions, or compliment your audience.

Experiment with writing a little longer content - share an engaging story with a moral that everyone can take something away from, share a concept that you have a lot of opinions about, share detailed case studies, etc. Use line breaks to make your content readable and extend the scroll duration—leverage bullet points, shorter paragraphs, emojis, and format sentences with bold and italics when possible. A video, PDF carousel, or infographic might also increase the dwell time. You aim to grab the user's attention right at the beginning of a video/ pdf to make them click through.

Bonus tip

Add a call to action at the end.

7. Engage With Your Audience

Actively engaging with your audience is key to boosting your LinkedIn presence. Responding to comments and messages shows appreciation and fosters a community around your brand. This interaction can significantly enhance your social engagement and build valuable connections. How to engage with your audience:

Commenting

Regularly reply to comments on my posts.

Messaging

Send personalized messages when connecting with new contacts or following up on previous interactions.

Highlighting content created by my followers or customers promotes engagement and shows that I value their contributions.

Focusing on these interactions optimizes my LinkedIn profile's visibility and reinforces a positive brand image. Engaging with my audience isn't just about increasing numbers; it's about creating meaningful connections that enhance my social media presence.

8. Create Value-Packed Downloadable Lead Magnets

Give away your subject matter expertise by creating small lead magnets for free. This is one of the quickest ways to earn trust. And listen, the audience would love the free value-packed stuff, and before you know it, you’ll have hundreds of LinkedIn impressions of your post.

9. Leverage LinkedIn Features to Improve Engagement

Using LinkedIn features like LinkedIn Stories, Articles, and Groups can significantly improve visibility and interaction on the platform.

LinkedIn Stories

Share short, engaging updates to keep your audience informed and engaged. These stories appear at the top of the feed and create a sense of immediacy.

Articles

Craft in-depth articles to showcase your expertise. Long-form content can position you as a thought leader in your industry.

LinkedIn Groups

Join and actively participate in relevant groups. This fosters group engagement and helps grow your social media presence. Using these features, you optimize user engagement, strengthen your brand image, and boost your following on this media platform.

10. Join and Participate in Relevant Groups

LinkedIn groups have stood the test of time. They are one of the best tactics to get content traction and generate leads. How? Start joining LinkedIn groups in your industry or niche. For example, if you’re into the marketing niche, filter out groups on LinkedIn using keywords like marketing, digital marketing, advertising, and so on. You could also look for groups based on your interests, such as LinkedIn posting tips, local events, or favorite tools.

This way, you can meet many like-minded professionals to add to your network and post relevant content. Another key tactic is actively participating in your recently joined groups rather than being an onlooker. Contribute to group discussions and live meetings, and share your insights to increase your visibility amongst professional communities.

11. Expand and Nurture Your Network

Growing and maintaining a strong LinkedIn network is essential to boost your visibility and engagement. Here are some strategies to help you expand and nurture your network:

Optimize Your Profile

Ensure your LinkedIn profile is optimized with a compelling headline, detailed profile summary, relevant experience, and skills.

Reach Out

Contact professionals in your industry, alumni, or colleagues from previous roles.

Engage Meaningfully

Focus on building meaningful connections by engaging with their content through likes, comments, and shares.

Join Groups

Participate in LinkedIn Groups related to your industry or interests to meet like-minded professionals and expand your social connections.

Network Strategy

Develop a network strategy that includes regular interaction with your followers to maintain a dynamic social media presence. Implementing these strategies will help you enhance your professional network, leading to increased follower growth and a strong brand image on LinkedIn.

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Hashtags help LinkedIn understand what your post is about so it can show it to the right people. Hashtags also help users find content they’re interested in. When you use a hashtag on LinkedIn, your content gets associated with that hashtag and can show up in the feed of that hashtag’s followers. So, if you want to reach a targeted audience organically, using hashtags is a smart strategy.

How Many Hashtags Should You Use?

LinkedIn is different from other social platforms like Instagram and Facebook. While posts with 30 hashtags perform best on Instagram, using too many hashtags on LinkedIn can make your content look spammy. The sweet spot for LinkedIn is between three and five hashtags per post. This may help you reach a targeted audience without looking like a bot.

What Are the Best Hashtags for Your Content?

Not all hashtags are created equal. Some are super popular, while others are niche. When choosing hashtags for your LinkedIn posts, you’ll want to mix both. Popular hashtags will help you reach a large audience quickly. However, your content will only get associated with that hashtag briefly before it gets lost in the feed.

Niche hashtags will help you reach a smaller, more targeted audience. Using these will help you connect with users who are genuinely interested in your content and will stick around for the long haul. Do your research to find the right hashtags for your posts. You can even follow specific hashtags on LinkedIn to see what others are posting and find similar posts.