LinkedIn hashtags have undergone a dramatic transformation in 2025. What once served as a primary discovery tool has evolved into a more nuanced component of LinkedIn’s content strategy. With over 1 billion professionals actively using the platform, understanding how to leverage hashtags effectively can still make the difference between your content reaching dozens or thousands of relevant professionals.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about LinkedIn hashtags in 2025, from the recent algorithm changes to industry-specific strategies that work. You’ll discover how to adapt your hashtag strategy to LinkedIn’s new reality.
LinkedIn Marketing
Establish your brand’s profile on LinkedIn by consistently posting engaging content and engaging with the community.
Get Started for FREELinkedIn hashtags are keywords or phrases preceded by the ‘#’ symbol that categorize content and make it discoverable through search. Unlike their cousins on Instagram or Twitter, LinkedIn hashtags serve a more professional purpose, connecting industry insights, career advice, and business solutions with the right audience.
When you include #DigitalMarketing in your post, you’re essentially filing your content in LinkedIn’s vast library under that category. Users searching for digital marketing content can find your post, even if they’re not in your network.
LinkedIn’s algorithm has evolved significantly. According to recent platform updates, the system now relies more heavily on natural language processing (NLP) and AI to understand content context, rather than depending solely on hashtags for categorization.
Here’s what happens behind the scenes when you post with hashtags:
The shift from hashtags to keywords represents LinkedIn’s maturation as a content platform. While hashtags remain clickable and searchable, the algorithm now prioritizes:
For example, a post about “remote work productivity tips” will be understood and categorized correctly, even without the #RemoteWork hashtag, although adding relevant hashtags can still boost discoverability through search.
The LinkedIn platform underwent transformative changes in late 2024 and early 2025 that fundamentally altered how hashtags function within its ecosystem. Understanding these changes is crucial for adapting your content strategy and maintaining visibility in an increasingly competitive professional network.
One of the most significant changes is that users can no longer follow hashtags. Previously, following #ArtificialIntelligence meant related posts would appear in your feed. The removal of this feature signals LinkedIn’s shift toward AI-curated content discovery.
LinkedIn officially retired Creator Mode in early 2025, removing the “Talks About” section that displayed hashtags on profiles. This change affects how professionals showcase their areas of expertise.
Before: Profiles displayed up to 5 hashtags like #ContentStrategy #B2BMarketing
After: Expertise is inferred from post content and profile keywords
LinkedIn’s investment in AI has fundamentally changed content distribution. The platform now uses sophisticated algorithms to:
Still effective |
No longer effective |
Hashtags in search functionality (users can still search #Leadership) |
Hashtag stuffing (using 10+ hashtags) |
3-5 strategic hashtags for SEO benefits |
Following hashtags for feed curation |
Industry-specific hashtags for niche targeting |
Relying solely on hashtags for reach |
Branded hashtags for campaign tracking |
Generic hashtags without context |
Strategic hashtag placement extends far beyond simply adding them to your posts. LinkedIn offers multiple touchpoints where hashtags can enhance your visibility and professional presence, each with unique benefits and best practices.
This comprehensive guide explores every opportunity to leverage hashtags effectively, helping you create a cohesive hashtag strategy that works across all aspects of your LinkedIn presence.
In posts: Place hashtags at the end of your post to maintain readability. This approach keeps your message clean while ensuring discoverability.
Example of effective placement: “Just launched our new AI-powered customer service platform. After six months of development, we’ve reduced response times by 78% while maintaining a 95% satisfaction score. Innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about solving real problems.
#CustomerExperience #AIInnovation #SaaS
In articles: For LinkedIn articles, integrate hashtags naturally within the text or add them at the end. Articles have different indexing priorities, focusing more on keywords within the content.
An underutilized strategy involves adding hashtags to your comments on your posts. This technique can boost visibility without cluttering your original message.
Example strategy:
LinkedIn transformed company page hashtags into “Specialisms” in late 2024. Companies can add up to 20 specialisms that function like hashtags but appear more professional.
How to add Specialisms:
Example: A digital marketing agency might add: “content marketing,” “SEO services,” “social media management,” “brand strategy”
Personal profiles now use “Skills” instead of hashtags. While these aren’t clickable like traditional hashtags, they aid in profile discovery during searches.
Optimization tip: Align your skills with the hashtags you frequently use in posts for consistency.
The key isn’t just the number—it’s selecting the right hashtags that genuinely relate to your content and resonate with your target audience. This section breaks down the science behind hashtag quantity and provides a framework for making strategic decisions about how many hashtags to include in your posts.
Research from multiple LinkedIn experts and platform data consistently points to an optimal range of 3-5 hashtags per post. This sweet spot strikes a balance between discoverability and professionalism.
Here’s the breakdown based on 2025 performance data:
The quality of your hashtags matters more than quantity in 2025. LinkedIn’s algorithm now evaluates hashtag relevance about your content. Using #Innovation on a post about innovative HR practices makes sense; adding it to a generic company update doesn’t.
Real example: Diego Rodriguez, a financial advisor, tested two approaches:
Result: Post B received 3.2x more engagement from relevant professionals despite using fewer hashtags.
Unlike Instagram (up to 30 hashtags) or Twitter (1-2 hashtags), LinkedIn occupies a middle ground:
Platform |
Optimal hashtags |
Character limit |
Primary purpose |
|
3-5 |
No limit |
Professional discovery |
|
10-30 |
No limit |
Maximum reach |
Twitter/X |
1-2 |
Counts toward limit |
Trend participation |
|
1-3 |
No limit |
Minimal impact |
Using hashtags effectively on LinkedIn can change your content from invisible to influential. These six proven practices will help you maximize your reach and connect with the right professional audience.
LinkedIn’s algorithm favors posts with 3-5 hashtags. Using more than five can make your content look spammy, while using fewer than three means missing out on potential visibility.
Posts with 3-5 hashtags get 2x more engagement than those with 10+ hashtags. LinkedIn’s system identifies excessive hashtags as a spam signal, which reduces your reach.
Example in action: Instead of: #marketing #digitalmarketing #contentmarketing #socialmedia #business #entrepreneur #success #growth #strategy #branding
Use this: #DigitalMarketing #ContentStrategy #B2B
Don’t guess which hashtags your audience uses—find out for sure. Spend 15 minutes researching what hashtags appear in your ideal customers’ posts and profiles.
Real example: A consultant targeting HR directors discovered that they use #PeopleFirst and #EmployeeWellbeing more than generic #HR, leading to three times more qualified connections.
Think of hashtags like fishing nets—you need different sizes to catch various fish. Popular hashtags cast a wide net, while niche ones target specific audiences.
Why this works: Popular hashtags give you reach, niche hashtags bring quality engagement, and ultra-specific ones establish your expertise.
Example combination: For a post about AI in healthcare:
Your message should be easy to read without distractions. Place all hashtags at the end of your post, after a line break.
The right way: Write your complete message first. Share your insights, ask your question, then add a line break and place your hashtags.
Visual example: To all my remote work friends out there: How many hours do you spend each week explaining the same processes to your team?
What’s your biggest remote work productivity challenge?
#RemoteWork #TeamManagement #Productivity
What works for others might not work for you. Track which hashtags drive the most views, engagement, and profile visits to your content.
Simple tracking system: Every Friday, spend 10 minutes reviewing:
How to improve:
Success metric: If a hashtag doesn’t improve your reach after 4 weeks of testing, replace it with something new.
Having pre-planned hashtag sets saves time and ensures consistency across all platforms. Create different sets for different types of content you share.
Build your hashtag library:
For educational posts:
For industry news:
For company updates:
Why this works:
Finding the right hashtags is like finding the right keywords for Google—you need ones that people search for but aren’t so competitive that your content gets lost. The good news?
You don’t need expensive tools or hours of research. With these simple techniques, you can discover hashtags that connect your content with the right professional audience. Let’s explore practical methods that anyone can use to identify effective hashtags.
LinkedIn’s search bar is more powerful than most people realize. While you can’t see follower counts anymore (LinkedIn removed this in 2025), you can still gather valuable insights about which hashtags are worth using.
Your competitors have already done the hard work of testing hashtags. Why not learn from their successes (and failures)? This isn’t about copying—it’s about understanding what works in your industry and finding opportunities they’ve missed.
Don’t just look at direct competitors. Study:
Every industry has its own hashtag culture. What works in tech might fail in healthcare. Understanding your industry’s unique hashtag ecosystem enables you to speak the right language and join the relevant conversations.
Finding your industry’s unique language:
Every industry has insider terms that become hashtags:
Tech industry examples:
Marketing industry examples:
Finance industry examples:
Based on current platform data and engagement metrics, here are the most effective general hashtags:
Core marketing:
Specialized marketing:
Emerging marketing:
Sales fundamentals:
Advanced sales:
Business development:
Core technology:
Artificial intelligence:
Emerging tech:
Traditional finance:
Modern finance:
Investment specific:
Healthcare industry:
Wellness focus:
Core HR:
Modern HR:
Traditional education:
Professional development:
Real estate basics:
Specialized real estate:
Startup ecosystem:
Growth & funding:
Remote work:
Career growth:
In the competitive LinkedIn landscape of 2025, hashtag generator tools have evolved from simple suggestion engines to sophisticated AI-powered platforms that analyze context, predict performance, and optimize for engagement.
These tools save hours of research time while providing data-driven insights that manual research simply can’t match. Here are the five most effective free tools, with ContentStudio leading the pack.
ContentStudio’s hashtag generator stands out as the most comprehensive free tool available, combining AI intelligence with deep LinkedIn analytics to deliver highly targeted hashtag recommendations.
ContentStudio’s generator utilizes advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze the context, industry relevance, and target audience of your content. Unlike basic keyword matchers, it understands the nuanced relationships between hashtags and content performance on LinkedIn specifically. The tool processes millions of LinkedIn posts daily to identify trending patterns and emerging hashtags before they become saturated.
Key Features:
Best For:
ContentStudio is ideal for serious LinkedIn marketers, social media managers, and businesses that view LinkedIn as a primary growth channel. It’s particularly powerful for:
Hootsuite’s generator represents years of social media intelligence gathering. The tool processes content from millions of LinkedIn posts to understand what makes hashtags successful. Its AI has been trained on engagement patterns across industries, making it particularly effective at predicting which hashtags will resonate with professional audiences.
Key Features:
Best For:
Hootsuite’s generator excels for users who:
Planable’s generator stands out for its focus on brand voice consistency. The AI learns from your previous posts to suggest hashtags that maintain your professional tone while maximizing reach. This tool is particularly sophisticated in understanding the subtle differences between B2B and B2C LinkedIn content, adjusting suggestions accordingly.
Key Features:
Best For:
SocialPilot’s generator excels at understanding cultural context and language nuances. It doesn’t simply translate hashtags—it identifies which hashtags native speakers use in different markets. This cultural intelligence makes it invaluable for companies expanding internationally or professionals working across borders.
Key Features:
Best For:
Mention’s generator focuses on currency and relevance. Its AI monitors LinkedIn conversations in real-time, identifying hashtags that are gaining momentum before they peak. This predictive capability helps you ride trends early, when competition is lower but interest is building.
Key Features:
Best For:
LinkedIn hashtags in 2025 require a more sophisticated approach than ever before. While the platform has shifted its focus from hashtag-following to AI-driven content discovery, strategic hashtag use remains valuable for enhancing search visibility, categorizing content, and effectively reaching your target audience.
Remember: Success on LinkedIn isn’t just about hashtags—it’s about creating valuable content that resonates with your professional community. Hashtags are simply the signposts that help the right people find your insights.
Yes, but differently than before. While you can’t follow hashtags anymore, they still aid in search discovery and content categorization. The key is using 3-5 relevant hashtags strategically rather than relying on them as your primary growth strategy.
No, LinkedIn removed the hashtag following feature in late 2024. The platform now uses AI to surface relevant content based on your interests and engagement patterns, making manual hashtag following unnecessary.
Place hashtags at the end of your post for optimal readability. This keeps your message clean and professional while maintaining searchability. Only integrate hashtags within your text when they naturally fit the sentence flow.
Hashtags are clickable, categorized markers (like #DigitalMarketing), while keywords are natural language terms throughout your content. LinkedIn’s 2025 algorithm prioritizes understanding your entire content context through keywords, with hashtags serving as supplementary categorization tools.
Monitor these indicators:
Yes, but it’s only effective for branded campaigns or events. Creating random hashtags won’t help discoverability since no one is searching for them. Stick to established hashtags unless you’re launching a specific campaign with promotional support.
Yes, hashtags in comments are indexed and searchable. This is an underutilized strategy—add 1-2 relevant hashtags in your first comment to boost discoverability without cluttering your main post.
Specialisms (company pages) and Skills (personal profiles) replaced traditional profile hashtags. They’re not clickable like hashtags but help with search discovery. They appear more professional and are limited to 20 per company page.