A Deep Dive into Social Media Growth Strategies.

For years, hashtags have been the go-to tool for social media discovery. From #ThrowbackThursday to #DigitalMarketingTips, these tiny symbols have shaped online conversations and brand visibility.

But as social media algorithms evolve, one big question lingers: Are hashtags still relevant, or have SEO-friendly keywords and other engagement strategies taken over?

In this article, we’ll break down the effectiveness of hashtags in 2025 across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, compare them to SEO-friendly keywords, and explore the best ways to gain attention on social media today.

The Evolution of Hashtags:
From Must-Have to Optional?

When Twitter first introduced hashtags in 2007, they became a revolutionary way to categorise content and help users discover posts related to their interests.

Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn quickly followed suit. For years, the more hashtags you used, the better your reach—until algorithms got smarter.

In 2025, social media platforms prioritise content quality, engagement, and intent over the number of hashtags used.

Hashtags are no longer the ultimate visibility hack, but they still hold value when used correctly.

Let’s take a closer look at their impact across different platforms.

Instagram: Do Hashtags Still Work?

Instagram still remains as the most hashtag-friendly platform, but the rules have changed. Back in the day, brands stuffed captions with 30 hashtags, hoping to maximise reach.

Now, Instagram encourages users to focus on relevance over quantity.

How Hashtags Work on Instagram Today:

• Instagram prioritises SEO-friendly keywords in captions rather than relying on hashtags.

• Posts with 5-10 strategic hashtags perform better than those overloaded with 30.

• Branded hashtags (#NikeAir, #HPLGrowth) help build community-driven engagement.

• Hashtags in captions are now favoured over hashtags in comments.

• Niche hashtags (#DigitalMarketingForSMEs) often work better than broad ones (#Marketing).

Instagram Pro Tip:

Want to boost visibility? Optimise your caption with relevant keywords.

Instead of writing “#SocialMediaMarketing is key for growth”, try “Looking to grow your business through social media marketing? Here’s how!”—Instagram’s algorithm now ranks content based on keywords in captions and profiles.

Hashtags on Instagram? Still useful, but SEO-friendly captions matter more.

Facebook: Are Hashtags Worth Using?

Unlike Instagram, Facebook has never fully embraced hashtags. While you can use them, they have minimal impact on reach.

Why Hashtags Don’t Work Well on Facebook:

• Users don’t search for content via hashtags as they do on Instagram or Twitter.

• Facebook’s algorithm prioritises content engagement (likes, shares, comments) over hashtags.

• Hashtags often make posts look spammy, reducing their effectiveness.

When Hashtags Work on Facebook:

• Trending topics or campaigns (#WorldCupFinal, #BlackFridayDeals).

• Community-driven discussions in Facebook Groups.

• Branded campaigns where businesses encourage customers to post using specific hashtags.

Facebook Pro Tip:

Instead of relying on hashtags, focus on compelling content and high engagement. Ask questions, share relatable memes, and use Facebook’s keyword-rich descriptions to appear in search results.

Hashtags on Facebook? Not essential. Keywords and engagement are king.

LinkedIn: Do Hashtags Help with Visibility?

LinkedIn is a unique case. While it’s not as hashtag-heavy as Instagram, hashtags still play a role in content discovery—especially for professionals and thought leaders.

How Hashtags Work on LinkedIn:

• Posts with 3-5 relevant hashtags perform better than those without.

• LinkedIn uses hashtags to categorise content (e.g., #MarketingTrends will push your post into relevant discussions).

• Using industry-specific hashtags can help content trends within a topic.

• Hashtags in articles and posts still get traction, but overusing them looks unprofessional.

LinkedIn Pro Tip:

Use a mix of broad and niche hashtags. Instead of just #Marketing, try #B2BMarketingTrends or #SEOForStartups to target a specific audience.

Hashtags on LinkedIn? Still useful, but keyword-rich, value-driven posts matter more.

SEO-Friendly Keywords vs. Hashtags: Which One Wins?

Why SEO Matters More Than Ever

Social media is becoming more like a search engine. Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn all prioritise content that matches user intent. Instead of users searching hashtags, they type in queries like:

• “Best social media strategy for small businesses”

• “How to improve Instagram engagement”

• “SEO tips for startups”

This means optimising your posts with SEO-friendly keywords can give you longer-lasting visibility than hashtags.

So, Are Hashtags Dead?

Not exactly. They still have a supporting role in discovery, but relying on them alone won’t guarantee success. A mix of SEO-friendly content, engagement-driven posts, and strategic hashtags is the way forward.

The Best Ways to Gain Attention on Social Media in 2025

If hashtags alone aren’t enough, what should businesses focus on? Here are three powerful ways to gain traction:

1. Optimise for Social SEO

• Use keywords naturally in captions, bios, and video descriptions.

• Make sure your profile name and username are search-friendly (e.g., “HPL Digital Marketing” instead of just “HPL”).

• Write descriptive captions rather than relying on hashtags alone.

2. Prioritise Engagement & Community Building

• Encourage comments by asking questions.

• Use interactive content like polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions.

• Reply to DMs and comments quickly to boost your post in algorithms.

3. Leverage Video Content & Reels

• Short-form videos (Reels, Shorts, TikTok) get higher organic reach than static posts.

• Use captions with strong SEO keywords rather than stuffing with hashtags.

• Add subtitles to make videos more accessible and engaging.

Final Verdict: Hashtags vs. SEO vs. Engagement

Hashtags still work, but only when used strategically (especially on Instagram and LinkedIn).

SEO-friendly keywords in captions, profiles, and video descriptions are more important than ever.

Engagement, authenticity, and video content drive the highest reach and conversions.

If you’re wanting help to improve your social media marketing AND create more conversion opportunities, contact us to arrange a chat, and let’s see how we can get you moving forward in the right direction.

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