Hashtags: Useful Tool or Digital Deadweight in 2025?

Once upon a time (aka 2016), hashtags were the social media equivalent of fairy dust. Sprinkle #MotivationMonday or #InstaGood on a post and voilà, likes, followers, and maybe even a viral moment. But fast-forward to 2025, and we need to talk.

Spoiler alert: Hashtags are not dead… but they are definitely not what they used to be. In fact, some of you are still stuffing 30 hashtags at the bottom of your posts like it’s a digital Christmas pudding. Let’s sort that out, shall we?

When Hashtags Still Work (Yes, sometimes they do!)

1. Community and niche content

Hashtags like #BookTok or #IndieBusinessUK still have life in them. They work because they’re not generic and because the people who use them are part of actual communities, not just chasing clout.

-Use 2–5 relevant hashtags.

-Focus on specific, niche, or community-based tags.

-Place them at the end of your caption or naturally within the text.

Example: A craft beer brand might use #UKCraftBeer or #ManchesterBrewers. These are much more useful than #Beer (which is just a spammy mess of shirtless lads in Ibiza and badly filtered pints).

2. Campaigns or events

Running a competition? Hosting a local event? Promoting a product launch? A branded hashtag can help track UGC and build buzz.

-Make it memorable, short, and brand-linked

-Encourage your audience to use it (and reward them when they do!)

Example: A food festival in Manchester

Your event: Food Festival

Your hashtag: #ManchesterEats – tidy, searchable, and easy to monitor.

3. LinkedIn (but go easy)

Hashtags on LinkedIn still have a small role to play. Think of them as signposts for thought-leadership content.

-Use 3–5 professional tags (e.g. #MarketingStrategy, #DigitalSkills)

-Avoid the cringe (looking at you, #WorkHardPlayHard and #BeYourBestSelf)

When Hashtags Are Just Wasting Space

1. Instagram for reach? Nope.

Even Instagram’s head honcho Adam Mosseri said it:

“Hashtags don’t boost reach anymore.”

So if you’re still dropping 30 tags like #Tag #Tagging #TagsForLikes, you’re not helping your post, you’re just making it look desperate.

-Don’t expect more reach

-Don’t use spammy or overly broad tags (#Love, #FYP, #Happy)

-Don’t tag just for tagging’s sake

Instead:

• Write captions with actual keywords
• Add Alt Text (yes, for search AND accessibility)
• Use geo-tags (location still works)

2. Facebook: Don’t bother

Let’s be honest — hashtags on Facebook are like MySpace friend requests in 2025. Pointless.

-They don’t help reach

-They’re rarely clicked

-They can make posts look outdated

Unless it’s a branded campaign hashtag or something truly niche, skip it.

3. TikTok: Use sparingly, use smartly

Hashtags still have some role here, especially for trending challenges or communities but stuffing your caption with 20 hashtags is a fast track to looking like an amateur.

-Stick to 3–5 tags

-Use one or two trending ones if relevant

-Don’t overdo it. If your video’s good, the algorithm will find its people.

The New Rules of Hashtags (2025 Edition)

Final Thoughts…

In 2025, it’s not what you tag, it’s what you say. Hashtags are no longer a silver bullet. They’re like the seasoning on your social media dish, a sprinkle helps, but a whole jar? You’re ruining the recipe.

So next time you’re tempted to add #SocialMedia #Growth #Success #MarketingLife #EntrepreneurGoals #DoWhatYouLove at the end of your caption — stop, breathe, and ask: Would I click on this? Would anyone? If the answer’s no, ditch it. Instead, spend that time writing better captions, starting better conversations, or posting content your audience actually cares about.

Need help rethinking your content strategy? Get in touch. I promise not to judge your past hashtag sins.

📩 jo@smms.guru
🌐 www.socialmediamakessense.co.uk