Why Hashtags May Be Hurting Your LinkedIn Reach (And What to Use Instead)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever carefully selected 10-15 hashtags for your LinkedIn post, convinced that more hashtags meant more reach.

We’ve all been there.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: that advice is outdated. LinkedIn made significant changes in 2024 that fundamentally altered how hashtags work—and if you’re still using the old playbook, you might actually be hurting your reach instead of helping it.

What LinkedIn Actually Changed

In 2024, LinkedIn quietly dismantled much of the hashtag infrastructure:

• Hashtag following was removed — Users can no longer follow specific hashtags to see related content
• Hashtags disappeared from profiles — They no longer display on your profile or contribute to discoverability
• Search bar integration ended — Hashtags no longer appear in the dropdown search suggestions

The platform shifted from hashtag-based discovery to keyword-driven algorithms and SEO integration. The change rewards content quality and relevance over category tagging.

Pause and let that sink in. The entire premise of “more hashtags = more reach” was built on a system that no longer exists.

The Data: When Hashtags Help vs. Hurt

Here’s what current research shows:

The sweet spot: 1-3 hashtags

• LinkedIn officially recommends 3-5 hashtags maximum per post (Source: Hootsuite)
• Many LinkedIn experts now suggest 1-3 hashtags is optimal (Source: Neal Schaffer)
• For smaller accounts, even one relevant hashtag can boost interactions by up to 50% (Source: Sarah Marsh-Collings)

When hashtags start hurting:

• Posts with 4+ hashtags see little to no additional benefit
• More than 5 hashtags can trigger spam filters and actively reduce reach (Source: SourceGeek)
• Generic hashtags like #Marketing, #Leadership, and #Business are so oversaturated they provide almost zero discovery value

Think of it like this: adding hashtags to your post used to be like putting your shop sign in a busy market. Now it’s more like whispering into a crowded room where nobody’s listening.

A Real-World Test

Kavya runs a freelance content writing business in Bangalore. For months, she ended every LinkedIn post with 8-12 hashtags—a mix of broad ones (#ContentMarketing, #Freelance) and niche ones (#B2BWriting, #SaaSContent).

Her average post reached about 600 impressions.

Then she tried an experiment. For four weeks, she dropped hashtags entirely. Instead, she focused on: • Stronger opening hooks • Keywords naturally woven into her post body • Ending with questions that invited comments

Her average impressions jumped to 1,800. Same network. Same posting frequency. No hashtags.

The hashtags weren’t helping. They were just… there. (Illustrative case)

What Actually Drives Reach in 2025

If hashtags aren’t the answer, what is? LinkedIn’s algorithm now prioritises three things:

1. First-line hooks that stop the scroll

Your opening line matters more than ever. The algorithm tests your post with 5-10% of your network first. If they engage, it pushes wider. If they scroll past, your post dies.

Strong hook example: “I lost my biggest client last month. Here’s what I learned.”

Weak hook example: “Excited to share some thoughts on client retention!”

2. Comments over likes

Comments are worth 2x more than likes in LinkedIn’s algorithm calculation (Source: AuthoredUp). Content that sparks discussion—questions, contrarian takes, vulnerable stories—gets rewarded.

3. Keywords in your content body

Instead of tagging #DigitalMarketing at the bottom, weave “digital marketing” naturally into your post. LinkedIn’s algorithm now reads and categorises your content based on the actual words you use—not the hashtags you append.

The Right Way to Use Hashtags Now

Hashtags aren’t completely dead. They’re just… different. Here’s the updated approach:

Use 1-3 highly relevant hashtags• Pick hashtags directly related to your specific topic • Avoid broad, oversaturated tags • Place them at the end or naturally within the text

Prioritise niche over popular• #SaaSMarketing (smaller, targeted audience) beats #Marketing (millions of posts, zero signal) • Industry-specific tags outperform generic professional ones

Stop treating hashtags as a reach strategy• They’re now closer to categorisation labels than discovery tools • Think of them as a small signal, not the main driver

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using 10+ hashtags — Looks spammy, triggers algorithm filters, and rarely helps reach
2. Copy-pasting the same hashtag set — LinkedIn notices patterns; vary your tags based on content
3. Using only mega-popular hashtags — #Leadership has millions of posts; your content gets buried instantly
4. Putting hashtags in the first line — Wastes your most valuable real estate; hooks should be there
5. Expecting hashtags to fix weak content — No amount of tagging saves a boring post

Key Learnings

• LinkedIn removed hashtag following and search integration in 2024—the old discovery model is gone
• The optimal hashtag count is now 1-3 (max 5); anything beyond can hurt reach
• Keywords in your content body now matter more than hashtags at the bottom
• Comments are worth 2x likes—write content that sparks discussion
• Strong first-line hooks drive initial engagement, which determines algorithmic distribution
• For smaller accounts, one relevant hashtag can boost interactions by 50%

The Bottom Line

The hashtag-heavy strategy that worked in 2022 is now actively working against you.

LinkedIn’s algorithm has moved on. It cares about keywords, expertise, and content that generates conversation—not a wall of blue tags at the bottom of your post.

The good news? This levels the playing field. You don’t need to research 30 trending hashtags anymore. You need to write posts worth reading and responding to.

Which matters more: the hashtags you append, or the words you actually write?

What’s your experience with hashtags lately? Have you noticed the shift? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear what’s working for you.