If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether hashtags are still relevant — or if you’re just slapping a few on your posts and hoping for the best — it might be time for a little hashtag reality check.
At Reimagine Main Street, we get asked this question all the time: “Do hashtags actually help my business?”
The answer? It depends on the platform. We break down the hashtags “dos” and “don’ts” below.
Facebook: The hashtag mirage
Facebook is the wild card when it comes to hashtags. While you can use them, they don’t really offer much return. The platform’s algorithm doesn’t prioritize hashtagged content in any meaningful way, and users typically don’t search by hashtag here. In fact, adding too many hashtags on Facebook can actually decrease engagement — it looks cluttered, impersonal and often signals overly “salesy” content.
Our take? Ditch the hashtags on Facebook and focus on strong copy, compelling visuals, and strategic tagging instead.
Instagram: Hashtags are your SEO
Instagram is still one of the most hashtag-friendly platforms around. Why? Because hashtags are searchable — and they feed the algorithm.
When you use relevant or trending hashtags, you’re helping Instagram understand what your content is about and who should see it. It increases your chances of being discovered by new audiences, landing on the Explore page, or getting picked up by niche communities.
Pro Tip: Use a mix of branded, trending, and industry-specific hashtags. Just avoid going overboard — 10 to 15 quality hashtags are better than stuffing your caption with 30 (which is also the max number of hashtags you can use on the platform per post.)
X (formerly Twitter): Less is more
Hashtags are still effective on X, especially for trending topics, news or events. They can help your content join real-time conversations and increase visibility, but the platform moves fast — so timing and relevance matter. Keeping it simple and using 1-2 strategic hashtags per post is usually best.
LinkedIn: Professional and powerful
Yes, hashtags work on LinkedIn — and no, you don’t have to be boring about it. In fact, using a few well-chosen hashtags can expand the reach of your post beyond your immediate network. The platform also encourages hashtag use by suggesting them when you’re drafting a post.
Think industry keywords, thought leadership tags (#MarketingTips, #Leadership, #SmallBusiness), and trending business-related topics.
Why do trending hashtags matter?
Trending hashtags give your content a chance to ride the wave of what’s already gaining traction. When used strategically, they can boost reach, attract engagement and position your business in the middle of popular conversations.
Our advice? Just don’t use them blindly. Make sure your content actually fits the conversation. Hijacking unrelated trends is a fast track to losing trust (and followers).
Our last piece of advice is to use hashtags as a strategy — not just a piece of spam. Hashtags are a tool — not a magic wand. The key is using them strategically, platform by platform and always with intention.
If you’re not sure what hashtags to use or how to find trending ones that make sense for your business, we can help. From building hashtag sets to crafting platform-specific strategies, Reimagine Main Street is here to help you get seen by the right people, in the right places.