LinkedIn hashtags underwent significant changes in late 2024 that transformed how professionals should approach hashtag strategy in 2025. With the removal of hashtag following, profile listings, and dropdown suggestions, the platform now emphasizes quality over quantity more than ever.
Users who adapted to these changes report 40% better content performance when using strategic, focused hashtag approaches. Meanwhile, those still using outdated 2023 hashtag tactics see declining reach and engagement as LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes authenticity and relevance.
Removed features (late 2024):
What still works:
LinkedIn’s 2025 focus:
Before 2025: Mass hashtag approach (10-30 hashtags per post) 2025 strategy: Focused, strategic approach (3-5 highly relevant hashtags)
This shift aligns with the overall need for better content formatting and authentic engagement on the platform.
Results of strategic adaptation:
Tier 1: Industry-wide hashtags (40% of your hashtag mix)
These are broad, competitive hashtags with large audiences:
#DigitalMarketing
(5M+ followers)#Leadership
(8M+ followers)#Technology
(6M+ followers)#HumanResources
(3M+ followers)Benefits: Maximum reach potential Challenges: High competition, lower engagement rates Best use: Establishing topic relevance
Tier 2: Niche-specific hashtags (50% of your hashtag mix)
More targeted hashtags with smaller, engaged communities:
#ContentStrategyTips
(50K-100K followers)#RemoteTeamBuilding
(30K-80K followers)#B2BSalesAutomation
(20K-60K followers)#FinTechInnovation
(40K-90K followers)Benefits: Higher engagement rates, qualified audience Challenges: Limited reach potential Best use: Connecting with ideal audience segments
Tier 3: Branded/Company hashtags (10% of your hashtag mix)
Unique hashtags specific to your brand or campaigns:
#LifeAtCompanyName
#YourBrandValues
#CompanyInsights
#TeamCompanyName
Benefits: Brand community building, content organization Challenges: Very limited reach initially Best use: Building brand awareness and internal campaigns
2025 best practice: 3-5 hashtags per post
Quantity breakdown by content type:
Content Type | Recommended Hashtags | Strategy Focus |
---|---|---|
Thought leadership | 3-4 hashtags | Industry + niche focus |
Company updates | 4-5 hashtags | Branded + industry mix |
Personal insights | 2-3 hashtags | Niche + personal brand |
Educational content | 3-5 hashtags | Topic-specific targeting |
Industry news | 3-4 hashtags | Trending + industry focus |
End-of-post placement (most common):
Great insights from today's marketing conference...
[Post content]
Key takeaways for 2025 marketing strategies.
#DigitalMarketing #MarketingStrategy #B2BMarketing
Integrated throughout post (2025 trend):
The future of #DigitalMarketing lies in authentic storytelling.
Here's what we learned about #ContentStrategy...
[Post content continues with natural hashtag integration]
What's your experience with #B2BMarketing automation?
Comment section strategy: Add hashtags in the first comment to keep posts clean while maintaining discoverability:
Post: [Clean, hashtag-free content]
First comment: "Key topics: #Marketing #Strategy #Innovation"
Leadership and management:
#Leadership
- 8.2M followers#Management
- 4.1M followers#ExecutiveLeadership
- 150K followers#TeamLeadership
- 80K followers#ChangeManagement
- 200K followersInnovation and strategy:
#Innovation
- 6.5M followers#Strategy
- 3.2M followers#BusinessStrategy
- 400K followers#DigitalTransformation
- 800K followers#FutureOfWork
- 1.2M followersProfessional development:
#ProfessionalDevelopment
- 900K followers#CareerDevelopment
- 1.1M followers#SkillBuilding
- 300K followers#Networking
- 700K followers#PersonalBranding
- 450K followersTechnology and AI:
#AI
- 3.8M followers#ArtificialIntelligence
- 2.1M followers#MachineLearning
- 1.5M followers#DataScience
- 1.8M followers#Cybersecurity
- 800K followers#CloudComputing
- 600K followers#SoftwareDevelopment
- 950K followersMarketing and sales:
#DigitalMarketing
- 5.2M followers#ContentMarketing
- 1.8M followers#SocialMediaMarketing
- 2.1M followers#EmailMarketing
- 400K followers#B2BMarketing
- 650K followers#SalesStrategy
- 500K followers#CustomerExperience
- 700K followersFinance and fintech:
#FinTech
- 1.1M followers#Finance
- 2.8M followers#Investment
- 1.4M followers#Cryptocurrency
- 900K followers#BlockChain
- 700K followers#FinancialPlanning
- 300K followersHealthcare and life sciences:
#Healthcare
- 2.2M followers#HealthTech
- 250K followers#MedTech
- 180K followers#PublicHealth
- 400K followers#Telemedicine
- 150K followers#HealthcareInnovation
- 200K followersHuman resources and talent:
#HumanResources
- 3.1M followers#TalentAcquisition
- 400K followers#HRTech
- 180K followers#EmployeeExperience
- 250K followers#DiversityAndInclusion
- 600K followers#RemoteWork
- 1.3M followersSustainability and ESG:
#Sustainability
- 1.6M followers#ESG
- 300K followers#ClimateChange
- 800K followers#GreenTech
- 150K followers#SustainableBusiness
- 200K followersFuture of work:
#HybridWork
- 200K followers#WorkLifeBalance
- 900K followers#DigitalNomad
- 300K followers#FutureSkills
- 100K followers#WorkplaceCulture
- 250K followersLinkedIn native search:
Manual competitive analysis:
Research Process:
1. Identify 5-10 competitors or industry leaders
2. Analyze their last 20 posts
3. Document hashtag usage patterns
4. Track engagement rates by hashtag
5. Identify unique hashtag opportunities
Sprout Social: Starting at $249/month
Hootsuite with LinkedIn Hashtag Analytics: Starting at $99/month
Brand24: Starting at $79/month
Keyhole: Starting at $199/month
Engage AI Chrome Extension: Free
Third-party generators:
Reach and visibility metrics:
Engagement performance:
Hashtag-specific analytics:
LinkedIn native analytics: Access through LinkedIn’s built-in post analytics:
Advanced analytics platforms:
Sprout Social Key features:
Brand24 Key features:
Keyhole Key features:
Weekly hashtag analysis:
Track these key performance indicators:
Monthly hashtag strategy review:
Trending topic integration:
Event-driven hashtag strategy:
Conference Example:
Pre-event: #MarketingConf2025 #PreparingForConf
During event: #MarketingConf2025 #LiveFromConf #KeyInsights
Post-event: #MarketingConf2025 #KeyTakeaways #ConferenceReflections
Testing variables:
A/B testing framework:
Week 1: Test broad industry hashtags
Week 2: Test niche-specific hashtags
Week 3: Test mixed strategy (broad + niche)
Week 4: Analyze performance and implement winning strategy
Consistent series branding:
Example content series hashtags:
#MondayMotivation
+ #MarketingTips
+ #YourBrandTips
#TechTrends
+ #IndustryUpdate
+ #TechInsights
#TeamSpotlight
+ #CompanyLife
+ #MeetTheTeam
Location-based hashtag strategy:
#TechSeattle
#MarketingNYC
#StartupAustin
#SiliconValley
#WallStreet
#TechHub
#GlobalBusiness
#InternationalTrade
#EuropeTech
Demographic targeting:
#NewGrad
#MiddleManagement
#CLevel
#TechVeteran
#MarketingPro
#SalesLeader
#Startup
#Enterprise
#SMBusiness
Hashtag crisis response:
Be mindful that hashtag crises can sometimes lead to account restrictions if not handled carefully.
Reputation building hashtags:
#IndustryExpert
#ThoughtLeader
#InnovationLeader
#GreatWorkplace
#TeamFirst
#CompanyValues
#CorporateResponsibility
#CommunityFirst
#SocialImpact
Q1 (January-March):
#CES2025
#TechInnovation
#TechStrategy2025
#DigitalTransformation
#CyberSecurity
#DataProtection
Q2 (April-June):
#AIInnovation
#MachineLearning
#DevConf
#SoftwareDevelopment
#CloudFirst
#CloudStrategy
Q3 (July-September):
#EdTech
#LearningTechnology
#StartupLife
#TechStartup
#ProcessAutomation
#WorkflowOptimization
Q4 (October-December):
#Tech2026
#FutureTech
#TechGifts
#DigitalSolutions
#TechBudget2026
#ITStrategy
Ongoing trending topics:
#ContentStrategy
#ContentCreation
#Storytelling
#PaidAds
#SocialAds
#DigitalAdvertising
#EmailStrategy
#MarketingAutomation
#CustomerJourney
#MarketingAnalytics
#DataDriven
#ROIMeasurement
Stay informed about platform updates:
Flexible hashtag approach:
Long-term hashtag brand building:
Hashtag strategy documentation:
LinkedIn hashtags in 2025 require a strategic, focused approach that emphasizes quality over quantity. The platform’s evolution toward SEO-style discovery means your hashtag strategy should integrate seamlessly with your overall content strategy.
Key principles for hashtag success:
Remember the human element:
Behind every hashtag are real professionals looking for valuable insights, genuine connections, and meaningful business opportunities. Use hashtags to help these people find your content, not to game the system.
Whether you’re building thought leadership, generating leads, or growing your professional network, strategic hashtag use amplifies your content’s reach and impact.
The bottom line: LinkedIn hashtags are powerful tools when used strategically. Focus on serving your audience with relevant, valuable content, and use hashtags as signposts that help the right people discover your insights.
Great hashtag strategy supports great content – it doesn’t replace it. Invest in creating valuable content first, combine it with proper post formatting, then use strategic hashtags to ensure it reaches the professionals who need to see it most.
Ready to build a marketing team that understands LinkedIn strategy without the guesswork? FidForward delivers digital marketing professionals who know how to create engaging content and reach target audiences effectively, navigating beyond LinkedIn’s inherent limitations.