How To Use Hashtags on LinkedIn in 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Are you ready to take your LinkedIn marketing game to the next level this year? Hashtags are a powerful tool to boost your visibility, reach, and engagement on the platform – but only if you know how to use them effectively.

In this ultimate guide, we‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about LinkedIn hashtags in 2024, from the basics of adding and following hashtags to advanced strategies for hashtag analytics and optimization. Plus, we‘ll share expert insights and real-world examples to inspire your own hashtag campaigns. Let‘s dive in!

Why Hashtags Matter More Than Ever on LinkedIn

First, let‘s look at some eye-opening data that underscores the importance of hashtags on LinkedIn:

  • LinkedIn has over 700 million users globally, with 40% accessing the platform daily. (Source: LinkedIn)
  • Posts with hashtags get 50% more engagement than those without. (Source: LinkedIn)
  • Hashtagged posts are 13.2% more likely to be seen by LinkedIn members not connected to the poster. (Source: Hootsuite)
  • Profiles that include hashtags are 11 times more likely to be viewed than those without. (Source: Relevanza)
  • Hashtags in LinkedIn posts can increase the number of shares a post receives by up to 25%. (Source: Social Report)

Clearly, hashtags are a game-changer for getting your content discovered and engaged with on LinkedIn. But with millions of hashtags in use, how do you cut through the noise and find the right ones for your brand or business?

How to Find the Right Hashtags for Your LinkedIn Content

Before we dive into the mechanics of using hashtags, let‘s cover some strategies for discovering the most relevant and effective hashtags for your content:

1. Use LinkedIn‘s Hashtag Suggestions

When you start typing a hashtag in your LinkedIn post composer, the platform will auto-suggest popular hashtags that match your text. These suggestions are a great starting point, as they reflect the most frequently used and searched-for hashtags related to your topic.

2. Check Out LinkedIn‘s "Discover More" Page

Click on "Discover More" at the bottom-left of your LinkedIn homepage to see a curated feed of trending content, topics, and hashtags tailored to your interests. Look for hashtags that align with your niche and target audience.

3. Do a Hashtag Search

Use LinkedIn‘s search bar to find relevant hashtags by keyword. Type in a term related to your industry or content theme, then select the "Hashtags" filter to see a list of hashtags containing that keyword, along with their follower counts.

4. Analyze Your Competitors and Influencers

Take a look at the hashtags being used by thought leaders, influencers, and high-performing brands in your space. Note which hashtags they use consistently and which ones tend to drive the highest engagement on their top posts.

5. Use Hashtag Research Tools

Tools like Hashtagify, RiteTag, and All Hashtag can help you discover trending, related, and high-traffic hashtags based on your keywords or industry. Some also provide data on hashtag popularity, reach, and engagement across different social platforms.

Now that you know how to find the right hashtags, let‘s look at how to incorporate them into your LinkedIn content for maximum impact.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Hashtags on LinkedIn

Here‘s a quick rundown of how to add, follow, and engage with hashtags on LinkedIn:

Adding Hashtags to Your Posts

  1. Start typing your post in the "Start a post" box at the top of your LinkedIn feed.
  2. Include relevant hashtags in your post copy by typing the "#" symbol followed by your keyword or phrase (e.g., #ContentMarketing).
  3. LinkedIn will suggest popular hashtags as you type. Select the most relevant ones or finish typing your own.
  4. Aim to include 1-3 hashtags per post for optimal reach and engagement. Any more can look spammy and dilute your message.
  5. Place your hashtags strategically within your post copy, either at the end of a sentence or paragraph, or woven naturally into the text.
  6. You can also add hashtags in the first comment of your post after publishing if you prefer a cleaner look.

Here‘s an example of a LinkedIn post with hashtags:

🔥 Hot off the press: our latest State of B2B Content Marketing Report is here! 📊 Dive into the key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry in 2024. 

👉 Get your free copy now: [link]

#B2BMarketing #ContentMarketing #MarketingResearch #LinkedInMarketing

LinkedIn post with hashtags example

Adding Hashtags to Your Articles

  1. Write your article in LinkedIn‘s publishing tool.
  2. In the "Tell your network what your article is about" box, add 1-2 relevant hashtags.
  3. You cannot add clickable hashtags within the body of your article, so make sure to include them in the header or footer.

Here‘s an example of an article with hashtags in the header:

# 5 Data-Driven Strategies for B2B Lead Generation in 2024 

Discover proven tactics to attract, engage, and convert more qualified leads this year. Feat. insights from top B2B brands and exclusive data from our 2024 Lead Generation Benchmark Study. 🚀

#B2BLeadGen #DemandGeneration #MarketingStrategies

Adding Hashtags to Your Company Page

  1. Go to your company page and click on "Edit Page" in the top-right corner.
  2. Scroll down to the "Hashtags" section and click "Add hashtag."
  3. Type in up to 3 hashtags that are most relevant to your brand and content. Choose a mix of broad and niche hashtags.
  4. Click "Save" at the bottom of the page.

Here‘s an example of a company page with branded and industry hashtags:

LinkedIn company page with hashtags

Following Hashtags

To stay up-to-date on the latest content and conversations around your topics of interest, you can follow relevant hashtags on LinkedIn. Here‘s how:

  1. Type the hashtag into LinkedIn‘s search bar.
  2. Select the hashtag from the dropdown results. This will take you to the hashtag‘s feed.
  3. Click the "Follow" button in the top-right corner of the hashtag feed.

Once you follow a hashtag, you‘ll start seeing top posts containing that hashtag in your main LinkedIn feed. You can always unfollow a hashtag by clicking the "Following" button again.

Engaging with Hashtagged Content

To boost your visibility and build relationships within your target hashtag communities, make a habit of engaging with other users‘ hashtagged posts. Here are some tips:

  • Like, comment on, and share posts that use hashtags you follow or are trying to target.
  • Join conversations by adding value, asking questions, and sharing your own insights or experiences.
  • Mention other users and tag them in your comments to foster connections and encourage further engagement.
  • Use hashtags in your own comments to increase their discoverability and context.

By consistently participating in hashtag feeds and discussions, you‘ll not only boost your own brand‘s reach and credibility, but also gain valuable insights into your audience‘s interests, pain points, and content preferences.

Measuring Your LinkedIn Hashtag Performance

Of course, hashtags are only effective if they actually help you achieve your LinkedIn marketing goals. That‘s why it‘s crucial to track and analyze your hashtag performance over time. Here are some key metrics to measure:

  • Impressions: The number of times your hashtagged posts or articles were seen by LinkedIn members. Use this to gauge the reach and visibility of your content.

  • Engagement rate: The number of interactions (likes, comments, shares) divided by the number of impressions. This measures how well your hashtagged content resonates with your audience.

  • Follower growth: Track how many new followers you gain before and after implementing a hashtag strategy. An increase in followers can indicate that your hashtagged content is attracting relevant audiences.

  • Website traffic: Use UTM parameters and Google Analytics to track how much traffic your hashtagged LinkedIn posts or articles are driving to your website or landing pages.

  • Leads and conversions: Monitor how many leads, email sign-ups, or sales you generate from your hashtagged LinkedIn content. This is the ultimate test of your hashtag strategy‘s ROI.

To access these metrics, use LinkedIn‘s built-in Analytics dashboard for your personal profile, company page, or articles. You can also use third-party social media management and analytics tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or Agorapulse for more advanced tracking and reporting.

Hashtag Best Practices and Pro Tips for LinkedIn

As you experiment with LinkedIn hashtags, keep these best practices in mind:

  1. Use a mix of broad and niche hashtags. Broad hashtags (e.g., #Marketing) have a wider reach but more competition, while niche hashtags (e.g., #B2BContentMarketing) attract a more targeted audience. Use a combination of both for optimal results.

  2. Create branded hashtags. Develop a unique hashtag for your brand, campaigns, or events to encourage user-generated content and build community. Promote your branded hashtag across all your marketing channels.

  3. Jump on trending hashtags. Keep an eye out for trending hashtags related to your industry or current events, and join the conversation when relevant. This can help you piggyback on popular topics and expand your reach.

  4. Align hashtags with your content pillars. Map out your key content themes or pillars, and create a list of go-to hashtags for each one. This helps keep your hashtag use focused and consistent.

  5. Monitor your competitors‘ hashtags. Use social listening tools to track the hashtags your competitors are using and analyzing their performance. This can spark ideas for new hashtags to target or content gaps to fill.

  6. Don‘t overdo it. Stick to 1-3 hashtags per post to avoid looking spammy or desperate. Focus on quality over quantity.

  7. Participate in hashtag chats. Join or host regular LinkedIn chats around specific hashtags to foster community, share insights, and build thought leadership. Promote the chat hashtag to your network to drive participation.

Examples of LinkedIn Hashtag Strategies in Action

Need some inspiration for your own LinkedIn hashtag campaigns? Check out these examples from top brands and influencers:

Adobe: The creative software giant uses a combination of branded hashtags (#AdobePartner, #CreatewithCreativeCloud), industry hashtags (#Creativity, #DesignInspiration), and event hashtags (#AdobeSummit) to connect with its community and promote its products and resources.

Drift: The conversational marketing platform uses niche hashtags like #ConversationalMarketing, #RevenueLostPodcast, and #B2BSales to reach its target audience of sales and marketing professionals. They also created a successful branded hashtag campaign, #NoForms, to challenge traditional lead gen tactics.

Goldie Chan: Known as the "Oprah of LinkedIn," this top LinkedIn influencer uses hashtags strategically in her viral posts and videos. She often combines broad hashtags (#personalbranding, #thoughtleadership) with more specific ones (#linkedinvideos, #executivepresence) to maximize reach while still attracting her ideal audience.

By studying these and other successful examples, you can gain valuable insights and ideas for your own LinkedIn hashtag strategy.

Advanced LinkedIn Hashtag Strategies to Try in 2024

Looking to take your LinkedIn hashtag game to the next level this year? Try these advanced tactics:

  1. Host a hashtag takeover. Partner with a relevant brand or influencer to "take over" a popular hashtag for a day or week. Plan a series of coordinated posts, videos, and live streams around the hashtag to drive engagement and cross-promote your brands.

  2. Create a hashtag challenge. Launch a user-generated content campaign that challenges your audience to post content around a specific theme or hashtag (e.g., #MyRemoteWorkSetup). Offer prizes or recognition for the best submissions.

  3. Develop a hashtag hub. Create a dedicated landing page or microsite that aggregates all the content and conversations around your branded hashtag. This can help drive traffic, engagement, and conversions from your LinkedIn hashtag campaigns.

  4. Integrate hashtags with your content calendar. Plan your LinkedIn content and hashtags in advance, aligning them with key dates, events, and campaigns. Use a content calendar tool like Trello or CoSchedule to map out your hashtag strategy and ensure consistency.

The Future of LinkedIn Hashtags

As LinkedIn continues to evolve and expand its features, we can expect to see even more opportunities to leverage hashtags on the platform. Here are some potential developments to watch for:

  • Enhanced hashtag analytics and insights. LinkedIn may roll out more detailed and customizable hashtag analytics, allowing users to track performance, demographics, and competitor data.

  • Hashtag-based ad targeting. Similar to other social platforms, LinkedIn could introduce the ability for advertisers to target users based on the hashtags they follow or engage with.

  • Hashtag-triggered content recommendations. LinkedIn‘s algorithm may start suggesting content, people, or companies to follow based on the hashtags a user interacts with most frequently.

  • Hashtag-powered events and networking. LinkedIn could launch features that allow users to discover, attend, and connect at virtual or in-person events based on shared hashtag interests.

By staying on top of these trends and adapting your hashtag strategy accordingly, you can continue to drive meaningful results from LinkedIn in 2024 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

Hashtags are a powerful tool for amplifying your reach, engagement, and impact on LinkedIn. By following the strategies and best practices outlined in this guide, you can:

  1. Discover the most relevant and effective hashtags for your brand and content
  2. Incorporate hashtags naturally and strategically in your posts, articles, and pages
  3. Engage with and contribute to hashtagged conversations to build community and credibility
  4. Measure and optimize your hashtag performance using key metrics and analytics
  5. Experiment with advanced hashtag tactics to stand out and drive results
  6. Stay ahead of the curve on LinkedIn hashtag trends and features

Whether you‘re a B2B marketer, thought leader, recruiter, or small business owner, mastering LinkedIn hashtags can help you achieve your goals and grow your presence on the world‘s largest professional network. So go forth and #HashtagIt!

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