LinkedIn hashtags were introduced back in 2018, and while you may have an idea on how to use hashtags on Instagram and Twitter, using hashtags on LinkedIn is a little different from other popular social media networks.
For those who aren't too familiar with what a hashtag is, a hashtag is a combination of letters, numbers, or emojis that follow the # symbol. For example: #TipTuesday
But why use hashtags on LinkedIn? By including hashtags in posts or LinkedIn articles, your content will become more discoverable and will help you connect with other users interested in your business, product or industry. But it's important to remember, LinkedIn is a professional platform so any hashtags used need to be carefully thought about ensuring they are appropriate.
In this blog, I will cover the basics of how hashtags can be used on LinkedIn, useful tips and tricks as well as sharing with you some of the most popular hashtags being used on the platform.
How to use LinkedIn Hashtags
You can include hashtags in your LinkedIn posts (also known as updates) and LinkedIn articles. Adding hashtags to your LinkedIn updates and articles gives them a higher chance of being discovered by other LinkedIn users who follow or search for that specific hashtag you've used.
You may also see people including hashtags in their profile Headline or Summary. This is something that you can do but these hashtags function the same way non-tagged keywords do so it doesn't really matter either way.
LinkedIn Hashtags Tips and Tricks
1. Always Prioritise Copy
You might nail your hashtag game when posting on LinkedIn but well written, engaging copy should always be the priority. I would always recommend including at least one line of descriptive copy when sharing a video or image.
Hashtags can be placed after copy, or embedded within copy (as long as it makes sense to do so.) Personally, I prefer including my hashtags at the end of a post, I think it looks neater. If you want to embed your hashtags within your post, write your copy first then see which keywords can be made into hashtags. DO NOT hashtag every word though. It's pointless tagging words that aren't important, it can make your post hard to read and can look like spam.
2. Don't Overdo It
When including hashtags in your LinkedIn posts, it can be tempting to include everyone hashtag that pops into your head but don't overdo it! I would recommend including no more than five hashtags within any post, if you do, the LinkedIn algorithm may see your post as spam.
3. Use Punctuation Correctly
As already mentioned, a hashtag is a combination of letters, numbers, or emojis that follow the # symbol. This means any spaces or symbols used within the tag will break the link so the inclusion of apostrophes, commas, exclamation points, or hyphens is a big no-no.
Here are some of the other punctuation does and don't.
Don't add spaces. When including multiple words within a hashtag, never use spaces. For example, #socialmediamarketing not, #social media marketing. Can you see how using a space breaks the link?
Do capitalise multi-word hashtags. When using multiple words within a hashtag, it can be a good idea to capitalise the beginning of each word e.g #SocialMediaMarketing vs #socialmediamarketing. By doing this, it can make your hashtags easier to read and less likely to be misread. There have been some terrible hashtag fails that included people misreading multiple word hashtags like #nowthatchersdead or #Susanalbumparty
Don't use symbols or punctuation marks within your hashtags. Some may feel funny about removing punctuation from words like I'd or you’re, but hashtags operate under their own rules. If you include punctuation in your hashtags, again, it will break the link.
4. Use LinkedIn’s Suggested Hashtags
LinkedIn will automatically suggest relevant hashtags when you begin to write a post. If they seem like a good fit, include them, as these hashtags are likely to be more popular or more widely searched for. But don’t add them just for the sake of it, only ever use hashtags that are relevant to your post.
Popular LinkedIn hashtags
Don't be afraid to use popular hashtags in your LinkedIn posts or articles as you are more likely to be found by other users interested in your businesses, product or industry. If you would like to see how many people are following a specific LinkedIn hashtag, simply enter the hashtag in the header search bar. The results will show how many members are following the tag. Here are some of the most popular hashtags used on LinkedIn.
General
Social Media and Marketing
Personal Networking Tags
#ONO (Open to new opportunities)
Thanks for reading my Avem blog! If you need any help with your social media or content marketing, get in touch! You can call us on 01423 714984 or drop us an email: hello@avemmarketing.com.