LinkedIn Hashtags 101: Everything You Need to Know in 2026

LinkedIn hashtags are keywords preceded by the # symbol that categorize your posts and make them discoverable to professionals searching for specific topics. When you add a hashtag like #DigitalMarketing or #Leadership, LinkedIn's algorithm surfaces your content in topic feeds and search results, extending your reach beyond your existing network.

The catch? Using hashtags effectively requires more than copying popular tags from a competitor's post. This guide covers how hashtags work on LinkedIn, which ones perform best by industry, and the practices that separate strategic hashtag use from wasted effort.

What Are LinkedIn Hashtags

LinkedIn hashtags are clickable keywords preceded by the # symbol that categorize your posts and make them discoverable to professionals searching for specific topics. When you add #DigitalMarketing or #Leadership to a post, LinkedIn's algorithm files that content under topic feeds, connecting you with users who follow or search for those terms.

Think of hashtags as digital labels that group conversations under one searchable tag. They serve three core functions:

• Categorization: Groups your content by topic or industry so it appears alongside related posts
• Discoverability: Helps users find your content through hashtag search, even if they're outside your network
• Community building: Connects you with professionals who share common interests, from #RemoteWork advocates to #FinTech enthusiasts

One quick distinction worth noting: hashtags (#keyword) categorize content by topic, while tags (@name) notify and link to specific people or company pages. Both increase visibility, but they work differently.

Do Hashtags Still Work on LinkedIn

Yes, hashtags remain effective for increasing post reach and engagement on LinkedIn, with posts incorporating hashtags receiving up to 30% more engagement than those without. The platform's algorithm actively uses hashtags to surface content in topic feeds and search results, which means a well-chosen hashtag can put your post in front of thousands of professionals you're not connected to.

Here's why hashtags still matter:

• Visibility boost: Your content appears in feeds of users who follow specific hashtags
• Conversation access: You can participate in discussions around popular topics like #FutureOfWork or #AI when they're gaining momentum
• Network expansion: A first-degree connection might have 500 contacts, but a popular hashtag like #Innovation has over 38 million followers

That said, hashtags work best as part of a broader content strategy. Research analyzing 991 LinkedIn posts confirms that quality content with relevant hashtags outperforms mediocre content stuffed with trending tags every time.

How to Add Hashtags on LinkedIn

Adding hashtags is straightforward: type the # symbol followed by your keyword with no spaces. As you type, LinkedIn suggests popular hashtags based on what you've entered, which helps you discover tags with larger followings.

How to add hashtags to LinkedIn posts

1. Click "Start a post" from your LinkedIn homepage
2. Write your post content
3. Type # followed by your keyword (for example, #ContentMarketing)
4. Select from LinkedIn's suggestions or finish typing your custom hashtag
5. Place hashtags within your text for a natural feel, or group them at the end

How to Add Hashtags to LinkedIn Articles

LinkedIn articles handle hashtags differently than regular posts. When you publish an article, you'll see a dedicated hashtag field during the publishing process. Add your tags there rather than embedding them in the article body.

How to Add Hashtags to LinkedIn Comments

Hashtags work in comments too, and they can increase your comment's visibility within a discussion. This approach makes sense when you're adding genuine value to a conversation, not when you're dropping hashtags just to be seen.

How to Add Hashtags to LinkedIn Company Pages

Company page admins can add hashtags to posts the same way individuals do. Beyond posting, company pages can also "follow" up to three hashtags, which surfaces relevant content in the page's feed and helps admins monitor industry conversations.

How to Find the Best Hashtags for LinkedIn

Effective hashtag research means finding the right balance between popular tags (high reach, high competition) and niche tags (targeted reach, less competition). A mix of both typically delivers the best results.

Use the LinkedIn Search Bar

The simplest research method is LinkedIn's native search. Type a hashtag into the search bar, and you'll see the number of followers that hashtag has. A tag with 10 million followers offers massive potential reach, while one with 5,000 followers targets a more specific audience.

Use Social Listening Tools

Social listening platforms track trending topics and hashtags across your industry in real time. Tools like Eclincher's social listening features can monitor hashtag performance across multiple channels from a single dashboard, revealing which hashtags are gaining momentum before they peak.

Research Competitor Hashtags

Look at which hashtags successful competitors and industry leaders use in their highest-performing posts. Document the patterns you notice, since certain hashtags may consistently appear in posts that generate strong engagement.

Use a LinkedIn Hashtag Generator

Hashtag generator tools suggest relevant tags based on your content topic or keywords. They're especially useful during content planning when you're batching posts and want quick suggestions without manual research for each one.

Most Popular LinkedIn Hashtags by Category

Broad hashtags offer wide reach but more competition, while niche hashtags attract smaller, more targeted audiences. Understanding the difference helps you build a balanced strategy.

General Hashtags

High-follower hashtags that work across industries:

• #Innovation (38+ million followers)
• #Management (36+ million followers)
• #Technology
• #Entrepreneurship
• #Marketing
• #Leadership
• #Business
• #Careers
• #Networking
• #Motivation

Niche Hashtags

Tags that attract more specific professional audiences:

• #PersonalBranding
• #RemoteWork
• #ContentMarketing
• #Sales
• #Sustainability
• #AI
• #StartupLife
• #SmallBusiness
• #DigitalTransformation
• #B2B

Trending Hashtags

Trending hashtags shift based on current events, seasons, and industry news. Check LinkedIn's feed regularly to spot timely opportunities. Some consistently relevant examples include #FutureOfWork, #OpenToWork (for job seekers), and #Hiring (for recruiters).

Top LinkedIn Hashtags by Industry

Industry-specific hashtags help you reach professionals in your exact field.

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LinkedIn Hashtag Best Practices

Strategic hashtag use matters more than quantity. The following practices help you get the most from every tag you add.

1. Keep Hashtag Count Between Three and Five

LinkedIn's own guidance suggests three to five hashtags per post, with data showing posts containing one to three hashtags achieve 14.7 likes on average. Using too many can appear spammy and dilute your focus. A tight selection of relevant tags outperforms a long list of loosely related ones.

2. Mix Broad and Niche Hashtags

Pair a popular hashtag for reach with niche hashtags for targeting. For example, combine #Marketing (broad, millions of followers) with #B2BContentStrategy (niche, more specific audience).

3. Place Hashtags at the End of Your Post

Placing hashtags at the end keeps your post readable while still gaining discoverability benefits. Some users prefer weaving them naturally into the text, and both approaches work.

4. Use Relevant Hashtags Only

Resist the temptation to use trending but irrelevant hashtags just for visibility. Irrelevant tags can hurt engagement and credibility when users realize your content doesn't match what they expected.

5. Create Branded Hashtags for Campaigns

Companies can create unique hashtags for campaigns, events, or brand identity. A branded hashtag like #EclincherTips helps track campaign engagement and builds community around your content.

6. Format Hashtags for Accessibility

Use CamelCase (capitalizing each word) to improve readability and screen reader compatibility. #DigitalMarketing is easier to read than #digitalmarketing, and it's more accessible for users with visual impairments.

7. Test and Rotate Hashtags Regularly

Experiment with different hashtag combinations to see what drives engagement. Track your results over time and adjust your strategy based on performance data.

How to Track LinkedIn Hashtag Performance

LinkedIn's native analytics show post impressions and engagement, which can indicate hashtag effectiveness. However, isolating the impact of specific hashtags requires more detailed tracking.

• LinkedIn post analytics: Review impressions, clicks, and engagement rate for posts with different hashtag combinations
• Third-party tools: Social media management platforms offer more detailed analytics to compare hashtag performance over time. Eclincher's advanced analytics, for instance, let you track which posts perform best and correlate that with your hashtag choices
• Manual tracking: Create a simple spreadsheet logging which hashtags you use and their corresponding engagement metrics

Consistent tracking over weeks and months reveals patterns that help refine your hashtag strategy.

How to Follow Hashtags on LinkedIn

Following hashtags helps you stay current on industry trends and discover content ideas. Here's how:

1. Search for a hashtag using LinkedIn's search bar
2. Click on the hashtag to view its feed
3. Click the "Follow" button on the hashtag page

Followed hashtags appear in your feed alongside posts from connections. This is also useful for hashtag research, since you can see what content performs well under specific tags and get inspiration for your own posts.

Streamline Your LinkedIn Hashtag Strategy with Eclincher

Managing hashtags across multiple accounts and platforms gets complicated fast. A social media management platform can centralize your publishing, track performance, and help you refine your hashtag strategy over time.

Eclincher brings together the tools teams use to manage LinkedIn alongside other social channels:

• AI-powered content creation: Generate post copy and get hashtag suggestions without switching between tools
• Unified publishing: Schedule LinkedIn posts alongside other social channels from one dashboard
• Advanced analytics: Track post performance to identify which hashtags drive results
• Social listening: Monitor hashtag trends and brand mentions across platforms in real time

FAQs

Can I Edit Hashtags After Publishing a LinkedIn Post?

Yes, you can edit LinkedIn posts after publishing to add, remove, or change hashtags. Click the three dots on your post and select "Edit post." Keep in mind that significant edits may affect how the algorithm treats your post.

What Is the Difference Between Hashtags and Tags on LinkedIn?

Hashtags (#keyword) categorize content by topic for discoverability, while tags (@name) notify and link to specific people or company pages mentioned in your post. Use hashtags to reach topic-based audiences and tags to engage specific individuals or brands.

Do Hashtags Work in LinkedIn Newsletters?

Hashtags in LinkedIn newsletters have limited functionality compared to regular posts. Newsletters rely primarily on subscriber distribution, so hashtags don't significantly boost discoverability the way they do for feed posts.

Mastering LinkedIn Hashtags in 2026

Hashtags remain a powerful tool for expanding your reach, connecting with niche audiences, and building professional communities on LinkedIn in 2026. While popular tags can increase visibility, strategic hashtag use, combining broad, niche, and branded tags, ensures your content reaches the right people without appearing spammy.

By researching trending hashtags, testing different combinations, and tracking performance with analytics, you can refine your strategy and make every post work harder for you. Platforms like Eclincher streamline this process, offering AI-powered suggestions, scheduling, and advanced analytics so you can focus on creating meaningful content while staying visible, relevant, and engaged in your industry.

With a thoughtful approach, LinkedIn hashtags aren’t just labels, they’re a bridge to the audiences and opportunities that drive professional growth.