Throwing a bunch of hashtags onto a post and hoping for the best? We've all been there. But here's the thing – those days of hashtag guesswork are behind us.

Without a clear strategy, hashtags won’t drive the engagement or visibility you’re aiming for. This article will show you tried-and-true hashtag tactics that get your posts seen by the right people. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a business owner or a content creator; the right hashtag strategy can boost your reach like never before.

Why Hashtags Are More Than Just Social Media Glitter

Sure, hashtags add some flair to your posts, but they do much more than that. You can think of them as arrows that lead people to your profile.

People who search for #FitnessTips or #MondayMotivation aren't just scrolling aimlessly. They’re looking for something specific.

The beauty is that hashtags connect you with people who are already interested in what you're talking about. Without them, your amazing content might never find its way to the people who'd appreciate it most.

Hashtags basically turn social media from a collection of separate posts into a network of information that can be searched and linked. Using them strategically can have a big effect on your online profile and help you reach your social media goals.

Three Levels of Hashtag Strategy

Most of us treat hashtags as an afterthought or like a last-minute sprinkle on top of our posts. Sometimes, we just add them before hitting “post.” That’s a mistake many social media users make.

To boost engagement and visibility, a three-level hashtag strategy is the most effective.

Broad/High-Traffic Hashtags

These are the hashtags that get millions of posts, like #Travel, #Fitness, and #Food. Most broad hashtags give your post a quick boost in visibility, especially in the initial moments after posting.

Yes, they will give you some exposure, but because everyone is using them, your post might get buried fast. Your content can easily get lost in the deluge of posts and end up getting low engagement rates.

For your strategy, use these popular tags sparingly. You can add 1-2 broad hashtags per post and combine them with niche and branded tags.

Niche Hashtags

This is where magic happens. Niche hashtags connect you with people who are actually interested in your content. Niche hashtags are moderately popular tags that are specific enough to attract the right audience.

Examples of niche tags are #SustainableFashionTips, #HomeBrewingCommunity, and #DigitalMarketingStrategy.

Finding effective niche hashtags doesn't have to be complicated:

• Use social media analytics tools to identify relevant niche hashtags.

• Take note of hashtags used by influencers and competitors.

• Start typing a hashtag into the search bar of the social media platform and see what other related hashtags are suggested.

• Test different combinations and track your results.

The sweet spot is finding hashtags popular enough that people are searching them, but specific enough that your content won't immediately get buried.

Branded Hashtags

Think of branded hashtags as your signature.

Even if you're not a big brand, creating your own hashtag gives your audience a way to find all your related content and creates a community when others start using it too. Your branded hashtag should be short but memorable enough. You can display it everywhere – your bio, captions, and marketing materials.

What’s great about this three-layer approach is how it balances immediate visibility with long-term community building. The popular tags might get you some quick eyes, but it's those niche and branded tags that will connect you with people who actually stick around.

How Many Hashtags Should You Use?

Source: Freepik

Remember back in 2016 when everyone would cram 30 hashtags into their Instagram posts? That’s no longer effective nowadays.

Every platform has its sweet spot. Here’s the general rule of thumb:

• Instagram: 3-5 hashtags (niche and targeted tags)

• Twitter/X: 1-2 hashtags (ideally between 21 and 25 characters)

• LinkedIn: 3-5 hashtags (broad and niche tags)

• Facebook: 2-3 (highly relevant, specific tags instead of 20+ generic ones)

• TikTok: 3-6 (trending and niche hashtags, including #fyp and #trending)

Make Hashtags Work for You With Loopify

Hashtags aren’t magic, but when used right, they can do some serious heavy lifting for your social media growth. And with Loopify, managing them is effortless.

Loopify makes social media easier by automating your schedule, making sure your hashtags are used in the best way possible, and giving you real-time analytics to help you improve your strategy. Loopify makes sure that your posts get to the right people without the manual guesswork. Get started now!