Hashtags have become a ubiquitous part of social media, allowing users to categorize posts and making content more easily discoverable. On platforms like Twitter and Instagram, hashtags are immediately clickable, turning any word or phrase prefixed with the # symbol into a link that shows other posts using the same tag. This ability to search hashtags makes them highly useful for finding content around specific topics and events. But what about on LinkedIn? As a platform oriented around professional connections and career development rather than general socializing, does LinkedIn also support searching hashtags in the same way?
Can You Search Hashtags on LinkedIn?
The short answer is yes, it is possible to search hashtags on LinkedIn to find relevant content. LinkedIn rolled out support for clickable hashtags back in 2015. Since then, hashtags have been fully integrated into the LinkedIn experience just like on other social networks. Any hashtag included in a post becomes tappable and searchable.
To search a hashtag on LinkedIn, simply type it into the main search bar at the top of LinkedIn’s website or mobile app, just as you would search for a person, company, or other keyword. For example, searching for #marketing will display results for the marketing hashtag. Tapping on a hashtag search result will show you a feed of all public posts on LinkedIn using that specific tag.
Benefits of Hashtag Search
Enabling hashtag search brings LinkedIn some of the same benefits that the feature does on sites like Twitter and Instagram:
- Helps users easily follow topics of interest. Searching hashtags related to your industry or profession is an easy way to get real-time updates on those subjects.
- Surfaces relevant content. Hashtags essentially categorize posts by topic so you can filter for posts discussing a certain theme.
- Provides opportunities to join the conversation. If you have insights to share on a particular hashtagged topic, searching it gives visibility into what others are posting.
- Allows targeted audience reach. Including relevant hashtags can help get your posts seen by people tracking those tags.
Best Practices for Using Hashtags on LinkedIn
To leverage LinkedIn hashtags effectively, keep these tips in mind:
Use Popular and Niche Hashtags Strategically
Research hashtags commonly used in your industry as well as niche hashtags relevant to your content. Include a targeted mix to reach both broad and specific audiences.
Choose Hashtags Carefully Based on Your Goals
Are you trying to boost visibility, network within your field, or establish thought leadership? Select hashtags aligned with your objectives.
Insert Hashtags Organically
Hashtags should fit naturally within your content and not seem forced or excessive. Typically 3-5 per post is sufficient.
Monitor Performance and Iterate
Analyze which hashtags best help your posts get engagement. Double down on those while phasing out underperforming ones.
Participate Selectively in Trending Conversations
Jumping on viral hashtag trends can expand your reach, but ensure relevance before hashtag hijacking.
Do People Actually Search Hashtags on LinkedIn?
While LinkedIn’s algorithms favor organic engagement over hashtags, people absolutely do search hashtags on the platform. Here are some key signs that hashtag search gets used:
LinkedIn Added an Option to Follow Hashtags
In late 2019, LinkedIn enabled the ability to follow specific hashtags similarly to how you follow people or companies. The addition of this feature indicates LinkedIn saw enough hashtag search volume and engagement to warrant building it out as its own tool.
Some Hashtags Consistently Trend on the Platform
Certain hashtags perpetually rise to the top of LinkedIn’s trending hashtag list and search autosuggestions. Examples are #hiring, #jobs, and #careeradvice. The consistent popularity of these tags shows use in search.
Users Mention Using Hashtags for Discovery
Within groups and posts, many LinkedIn members note that they found relevant content and communities by looking up industry-related hashtags.
Influencers Leverage Hashtags Heavily
Thought leaders and creators on LinkedIn strategically include niche hashtags in their posts to make them more findable to their target audiences.
Some Companies Run Sweepstakes Requiring Hashtag Search
Contests that ask entrants to post with a unique hashtag or find posts with a campaign hashtag demonstrate expected search behavior.
Tips for Successfully Searching Hashtags on LinkedIn
To maximize your hashtag search results on LinkedIn, keep these tips in mind:
Use Double Quotes for Multi-Word Hashtags
Searching for #socialselling will miss posts tagged #socialselling. Enclose the full tag in quotes like “#socialselling” to find them.
Sort Posts Chronologically
LinkedIn defaults to showing top hashtag search results by relevance, but changing to chronological order shows the most recent conversations.
Refine with Additional Filters
Narrow results by time frame published, content type, author industry or location filters on the left sidebar.
Follow Your Target Hashtags
Following relevant tags ensures you see new posts with those hashtags at the top of your LinkedIn feed.
Check Related and Suggested Hashtags
On hashtag search pages, LinkedIn surfaces similar hashtags to discover adjacent conversations.
Potential Downsides of Hashtag Search on LinkedIn
While hashtag search enables content discovery, overuse on LinkedIn can have negatives:
Hashtag Stuffing Looks Spammy
Including an excessive amount of hashtags looks promotional rather than adding value for your audience.
Niche Discovery May Have Limited Reach
Hyper-targeted hashtag conversations likely reach a smaller audience compared to sharing on general professional topics.
Some Fields Don’t Leverage Hashtags Heavily
For serious industries like finance or healthcare, hashtag use remains relatively low compared to marketing.
Algorithms Favor Relationships Over Hashtags
LinkedIn’s feed curation puts visibility on content from your connections first before hashtagged posts.
Over-Participation in Trending Tags Can Backfire
Jumping on every hot hashtag can make you appear disingenuous if the topics are not well-aligned.
Tracking Hashtag Performance on LinkedIn
To assess the effectiveness of your hashtag strategy on LinkedIn, track these key metrics:
Impressions
The number of times posts containing your target hashtags are shown to users in their feeds.
Engagement Rate
The percentage of impressions that result in reactions, comments, shares or clicks. Calculate by dividing engagement by impressions.
New Followers
Follower growth resulting from increased visibility through hashtagged posts.
Mentions
How often other accounts tag your brand handle or mention you in their posts with your tracked hashtags.
Lead Generation
Leads captured and sales opportunities created from hashtag searchers engaging your content.
Conclusion
Hashtag search allows discovering a world of niche conversations and relevant content on LinkedIn. While not as widely adopted as on social media, hashtags still provide value when used strategically. Include relevant tags aligned with your goals to extend your reach and position your brand as an industry thought leader. Track performance metrics to refine your approach over time. With the proper hashtag strategy, you can boost engagement and connect with the right audiences through search.