Changing the hashtags you use in your LinkedIn posts can help you better target your desired audience and increase engagement. Here are some tips for updating your hashtag strategy on LinkedIn.
Why use hashtags on LinkedIn?
Hashtags on LinkedIn allow you to categorize your content and make it more discoverable. When you include relevant hashtags, your posts will show up in those hashtag searches, expanding your reach. This exposes your content to new people who may not already be following you.
Hashtags also help you connect with the right people. If you use niche hashtags related to your industry or role, you can attract engaged followers who are interested in those topics. Similarly, by using popular hashtags, you can jump into larger conversations and gain more general exposure.
When should you update your LinkedIn hashtags?
It’s a good idea to reevaluate your LinkedIn hashtags if:
- You’ve expanded into new topics, industries, or audiences
- You’ve noticed low engagement on recent posts
- You want to start conversations about new subjects
- Your content focus has shifted
- You’ve taken on a new role or new responsibilities
- You want to connect with different groups of professionals
Refreshing your hashtags ensures they align with your current goals and the themes you’re posting about. This prevents your posts from feeling outdated or irrelevant.
How to find new LinkedIn hashtags to use
Here are some tips for finding relevant, high-performing hashtags to incorporate:
- Look at hashtags used by industry leaders you admire and want to emulate
- Search hashtag ideas related to your topics, interests and target audience
- Use LinkedIn’s search bar to see which hashtags are generating conversations
- Try hashtags used at relevant conferences or events
- Research hashtags commonly used in your profession or niche
- Check hashtag suggestions from LinkedIn when creating a post
- Use hashtags your ideal clients or partners are following
Best practices for using LinkedIn hashtags
To maximize the impact of your LinkedIn hashtags, keep these tips in mind:
- Use 5-10 relevant hashtags per post. Too many can look spammy.
- sprinkled in with regular text to keep your writing natural.
- Place most hashtags at the end of your post for optimal visibility.
- Mix niche and more general hashtags to reach both targeted and broad audiences.
- Use conversational hashtags to connect with groups, not just share content.
- Stay on brand and focus on hashtags tied to your expertise and offerings.
- Avoid using only extremely popular hashtags – blend with some long-tail, niche tags.
- Leverage trending hashtags when appropriate to ride specific waves of interest.
- Be consistent with a few core hashtags so followers recognize your content.
- Research which hashtags drive the most engagement in your industry.
How to transition to new LinkedIn hashtags
To smoothly switch your hashtag strategy on LinkedIn, follow these steps:
- Gradually introduce a few new hashtags into your posts, while still using old ones.
- Increase the frequency of new hashtags as you decrease use of outdated ones.
- Let each hashtag phase out naturally instead of abruptly dropping them.
- Use LinkedIn analytics to see which new hashtags get the best response.
- Consider explaining why you’re transitioning hashtags to your followers.
- Closely monitor engagement and follower growth as you test new hashtags.
- Make tweaks and refinements based on social listening and metrics.
With a thoughtful, strategic approach, you can seamlessly evolve your LinkedIn hashtags without alienating your current audience. Move deliberately, analyze the data, and keep honing your hashtag selection.
Common LinkedIn hashtag mistakes to avoid
When updating your hashtag approach on LinkedIn, be sure to steer clear of these common pitfalls:
- Using too many hashtags – This looks spammy and won’t boost engagement.
- Selecting irrelevant, random hashtags – Align hashtags with your content’s topic and goals.
- Mixing niche hashtags with extremely broad ones – Find a strategic balance for best targeting.
- Changing all hashtags suddenly without warning – Take time to transition tags to retain followers.
- Using hashtags no one follows – Thoroughly research which hashtags are popular and useful.
- Failing to use any hashtags – You’ll miss key discoverability and targeting opportunities.
- Using hashtags inconsistently – Regular core hashtags help followers recognize your content.
- Ignoring hashtag suggestions from LinkedIn – Lean on their data for proven, relevant hashtags.
- Forgetting to update hashtags as your content focus evolves – Hashtags must align with your topics.
Avoiding these missteps will lead to an effective, optimized hashtag approach on LinkedIn.
Tools to identify the best LinkedIn hashtags
Several helpful tools can be used to find the right hashtags for LinkedIn:
LinkedIn Analytics
Dive into your LinkedIn page analytics to see which hashtags have driven the most clicks, reactions, shares, and followers. Evaluate performance metrics to double down on what’s working.
LinkedIn Search Bar
Use LinkedIn’s built-in search to explore hashtag ideas. Try industry terms, current events, location names, job titles, skill sets, brands and more.
RiteTag
This AI-powered platform generates targeted hashtag recommendations based on keyword analysis of your content.
Display Purposes
Plug in a list of your top keywords and Display Purposes will suggest relevant hashtags to reach your intended audiences.
Tagboard
See real-time hashtag data on Tagboard to tap into larger conversations and trends happening on LinkedIn.
Keyhole
Analyze the performance of different hashtags and learn the optimal mix to drive engagement on your LinkedIn posts.
Socialinsider
This social media analytics tool provides insights on the best hashtags to use on LinkedIn based on your target demographics.
Leveraging tools like these can take the guesswork out of which LinkedIn hashtags to use and when. The data will point you towards top-performing options aligned with your goals.
Conclusion
Updating your hashtag strategy is crucial for maximizing your LinkedIn impact over time. As your brand evolves, use relevant data and testing to adapt your hashtags – but make transitions gradually. With the right hashtags, you can boost content discoverability, spark engaging conversations, and connect with your ideal audiences.
Hashtag Type | Example Hashtags | Benefits |
---|---|---|
Industry Terms | #SaaS, #fintech, #edtech | Target professionals in your niche. |
Job Titles/Roles | #developer, #projectmanager, #designer | Attract those in relevant positions. |
Skills/Expertise | #socialmediamarketing, #leadership, #python | Showcase thought leadership. |
Brand Names | #Slack, #Hootsuite, #Mailchimp | Engage users of key tools. |
Location Names | #BayArea, #NYC, #London | Connect locally. |
Events/Conferences | #SXSW, #CES, #Dreamforce | Join event-related discussions. |
This table showcases different types of hashtags you can use on LinkedIn and the key benefits of each. Industry terms, skills, and events help establish thought leadership. Job titles and brands show you understand roles and tools used by your audience. Location names give a local angle.
Conducting thorough hashtag research, tracking performance data, and staying agile will enable you to maximize your LinkedIn reach. Test new hashtags, analyze what resonates, and always keep your audience and goals in mind as you post. Refine over time, being careful not to veer drastically off-brand. With an optimized, evolving hashtag strategy, you can spark meaningful connections on LinkedIn.
Here are some additional tips for fine-tuning your approach:
Monitor Trending Topics
Keep an eye on LinkedIn’s trending hashtag list and news section to capitalize on hot topics and insert your voice into rising conversations.
Study Competitors
See which hashtags those in your space are using successfully to identify options aligned with your industry and audience.
Ask for Feedback
Solicit input from your followers and connections on LinkedIn to learn what hashtags and topics resonate most.
Promote Hashtag Use
Proactively encourage your audience to use branded hashtags so a community forms around them.
Cross-Promote Across Channels
Use consistent hashtags across your LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and other social accounts to expand reach.
Try Real-Time Marketing
If a relevant cultural moment or news event occurs, rapidly publish a post with time-sensitive hashtags.
Testing and optimizing your hashtags will lead to impactful connections on LinkedIn. But don’t forget the most important element: providing value through compelling content. Great hashtags may get more eyes on your posts initially, but content quality ultimately drives sharing, reactions and long-term followers.