#ToHashtagOrNotToHashtag

Ah, the hashtag. The most argued-about punctuation mark of the 2021st century that isn't even really punctuation. Should you use them? How many? Is #blessed still cool? (Nope).

Here's the good news: hashtags aren't a guessing game once you know the rules. And the rules change depending on where you're posting. Let's break it down.

First, the Quick Answer:

More Details

Instagram: Quality Over Quantity

• Sweet spot is 2-5 hashtags (the platform currently allows up to 30, but more isn't better)
• Keep them relevant, not generic. #washington and #river tell the algorithm nothing about you
• Caption or first comment, doesn't matter which
• Don't copy paste the same five hashtags onto every single post forever
• Types worth using: niche, location, and branded hashtags

Facebook: Mostly Just... Don't

• 0-3 hashtags, and honestly you can skip them entirely
• If you do use one, weave it naturally into the sentence instead of stacking a hashtag block at the end
• Best used for event or campaign hashtags, not general discovery
• Facebook just isn't built to reward hashtag hunting the way Instagram or TikTok are

LinkedIn: Think Topic, Not Trend

• 2-5 hashtags, placed naturally or grouped lightly at the end
• Skip the hashtag pile up, it reads more spammy than strategic here
• Best categories: industry, topic, and branded hashtags
• This is a "help people find the conversation" platform, not a "go viral" platform

TikTok: The One Platform That Actually Cares

• 3-6 hashtags works best
• Hashtags here genuinely help the algorithm figure out who should see your video
• Skip the #fyp and #viral tags. They don't do what everyone thinks they do
• Best bets: niche, descriptive, trending, and branded hashtags
• Avoid stuffing your caption full of them, TikTok can tell the difference between strategic and desperate

Hashtags aren't dead, but they're also not a magic wand. Think of them less like glitter you sprinkle on every post and more like a label on a filing cabinet. Used well, they help the right people find the right content. Used poorly, they just make your caption harder to read.

When in doubt: fewer, more specific hashtags beat a giant pile of vague ones, every single time.

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