Hashtags and Growth: What Changed?
Hashtags used to be something you could add to not-so-subtly trick the algorithm into showing your content to EVERYONE. (#fyp)
You would add the MAXIMUM thirty hashtags to every post and not doing so was an absolute no-no.
Do you remember that? If you asked someone to check out your social media the first thing they would point out…..”you aren’t using hashtags. you need to use all 30”.
THIRTY. F*ck.
If you are still using hashtags, like, at all, you need to know what has changed and what is actually worth your time…
Platforms are consistently changing and as much as we like to blame those who manage social media platforms or “the algo” it is because USERS have changed. The way people search for what they are interested in or engage with content has changed…
The problem most people run into is they treat hashtags like those beans from Jack & The Beanstalk, like if they pick the right combination 💣 views. followers. followers. growth. magiccccc.
Hashtags don’t create interest. They organize it.
That’s not an opinion…that’s literally how they work.
GROWTH isn’t something that is triggered when someone finds a post through a hashtag. Growth happens when people watch longer, click, share, save, comment, DM…
Statistically, posts that get saved and shared signal stronger relevance. Platforms reward engagement not discovery. What you need to be responsible for is triggering that engagement after someone has found you.
STOP….
overusing hashtags. You’re using too many broad hashtags that have nothing to do with what you are talking about.
Your hashtags act like SEO keywords, adding a small dose of additional information for platforms to categorize your content.
Hashtags won’t drive growth.
In 2026 platforms are literally STOPPING YOU from overusing hashtags
Instagram = limit of 5 hashtags per post
TikTok = limit of 5 hashtags per post
Facebook = 1-2 hashtags per post
Threads = 1 hashtag per post
(while Linkedin doesn’t have an official limit they recommend 5-7 tops)
Growth happens when someone stays to read, resonates with your content and feels connected to you.
Add VALUE to your captions, don’t be like me and add three emojis to your caption and call it good. Value added captions allow you to connect with your current and future audience AND they allow you to get as many keywords in there as possible without the support of hashtags.
You can use a hashtag or two if you truly could not naturally get a word or phrase in there without sounding like a complete weirdo.
You don’t need more hashtags. Just be yourself, connect with your crowd and create community that consistently engages with your content.
