Those little pound signs once ruled the social media kingdom, turning ordinary words into clickable gold. But here we are in 2025, and one can’t help but wonder: are hashtags still the life of the digital party, or have they become the wilted wallflowers of our feeds?
Meta Platforms: #StillInTheGame?
Once upon a time, Facebook and Instagram were the playgrounds where hashtags frolicked freely (remember those IG captions that were exclusively hashtags?). But as the digital landscape evolved, so did the hashtag’s role.
Gone are the days of hashtag stuffing (ew). In 2025, it’s all about subtlety. Using 1-2 relevant hashtags can enhance your post’s discoverability without making it look like a desperate cry for attention. Use your judgment!
While Instagram still happily accommodates the hashtag, the emphasis has shifted towards content quality and engagement. A strategic selection of 3-5 pertinent hashtags can complement your post, but the era of 30-hashtag posts is as outdated as duck-face selfies (for most people, we hope).
Using 1-2 relevant hashtags can enhance your post’s discoverability without making it look like a desperate cry for attention.
LinkedIn: #ProfessionalTagging
LinkedIn, the classy cocktail party of the professional world, has seen a nuanced approach to hashtags.
A 2024 Statista report analyzing over 2,000 LinkedIn posts found that those using 1-3 hashtags received the highest average engagement (14.7 likes per post) compared to 10.8 likes for posts with no hashtags at all. Engagement dropped for posts with upwards of 6 hashtags — going as low as 8.4 likes per post on average.
This suggests that LinkedIn users still respond positively to well-placed, relevant hashtags, but overuse might reduce clarity and perceived credibility. Let’s keep it professional, guys.
LinkedIn users still respond positively to well-placed, relevant hashtags, but overuse might reduce clarity and perceived credibility.
TikTok: #TrendSetter
TikTok, the platform where creativity knows no bounds, continues to embrace hashtags as a means of unfettered content discovery.
Pending any future TikTok bans in the United States, incorporating trending and niche hashtags can catapult your content into the limelight. However, authenticity is key, especially if you’re managing a corporate or small business account instead of a personal one. Jumping on a hashtag bandwagon that doesn’t align with your brand’s content might end up backfiring, so being a little bit picky isn’t a bad thing!
Authenticity is key, especially if you’re managing a corporate or small business account instead of a personal one.
Some Best Practices: #MasterTheHashtag
It can be tough to keep your hashtag game strong and avoid social media faux pas, so consider some of these platform-specific tips as you move forward.
Use 1-2 relevant hashtags to enhance discoverability without appearing gross and spammy.
Opt for 3-5 strategic hashtags that align with your content and audience.
Stick to 1-3 professional hashtags to maintain credibility and boost your engagement.
TikTok
Mix trending and niche hashtags that resonate with your brand’s content, ensuring authenticity and relevance.
It can be tough to keep your hashtag game strong and avoid social media faux pas.
Let’s Make You #Strategic
The verdict is in!
#HashtagsLiveOn
While the social media landscape has transformed, hashtags remain a valuable tool when used strategically. They’ve matured from their wild, carefree days into refined instruments of engagement and discoverability… so, wield them wisely!
Navigating hashtags in the ever-shifting sands of social media can feel a little bit like chasing a constantly moving train. What worked yesterday might fall flat today and figuring out which platform wants what is enough to make anyone second-guess a post.
At Dovetail, we’re ready to help brands not only show up on feeds but show up with purpose. Whether you’re building a full-fledged social media plan from scratch or just wondering what hashtags actually make sense for your audience, we can bring clarity, structure, and a bit of fun to the process!
Our secret sauce? It’s called FUEL. It’s our proven process to craft content that’s fresh, engaging, and long-lasting — exactly the kind of work that connects with audiences and keeps working long after it’s posted. From defining a content strategy to planning monthly calendars, writing scroll-stopping copy, and yes, picking the right hashtags, we make sure every piece of content has a job to do.
So if you’re sick of posting into the void — or just want to make sure you’re keeping up with the trends — we’re here to make it a whole lot easier (and smarter).