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Hashtag Strategy for Social Media 2024

Want better social media results in 2024? Here's exactly how many hashtags to use on each platform:

PlatformBest NumberWhat Really Works
Instagram3-5Mix broad + niche tags
TikTok3-5#fyp + topic tags
X (Twitter)1-2Industry + trending
LinkedIn2-3Professional terms
Facebook1-2Keep it minimal

Key Facts:

  • Posts with hashtags get 2x more engagement

  • Adding just one hashtag boosts engagement by 12.6%

  • 75% of social users search with hashtags

Here's what's changed in 2024:

  • You need WAY fewer hashtags than before

  • Each platform has different rules

  • AI now understands your content without tons of tags

Quick Platform Tips:

  • Instagram: Put tags in first comment

  • TikTok: Mix #fyp with niche tags

  • X: Keep it super simple

  • LinkedIn: Use industry terms

  • Facebook: Less is more

The bottom line? Use fewer, better hashtags that match what your audience actually searches for. Don't chase numbers - chase the right eyes on your content.

Want proof? #Entertainment on TikTok pulled in 535 billion views. But that only worked because it matched what users wanted to find.

Related video from YouTube

Today's Hashtag Basics

The hashtag game has changed since Twitter's 2007 launch. Here's what you need to know:

PlatformPast UseCurrent Use (2024)
Twitter (X)Group discussionsBrand campaigns, news
Instagram30+ tags per post3-5 targeted tags
TikTokDidn't existDiscovery, challenges
LinkedInBarely usedProfessional networking

How Hashtags Drive Marketing in 2024

Smart brands use hashtags to connect with their audience:

PurposeExampleResults
Brand Building#ShotOniPhone (Apple)Gets customers to share content
Customer Finding#asos (ASOS)Helps people find products
Team Culture#LifeAtUbi (Ubisoft)Boosts employee sharing

For video creators, it's a whole new game. Video Tap lets you add specific hashtags to each clip when you split longer videos - so every piece hits the right audience.

Finding Content With Hashtags

Here's how people ACTUALLY use hashtags in 2024:

User BehaviorPercentage
Search on social vs search engines15%
Find answers to questions31%

Want better results? Here's what works:

  • Pick 1-3 specific tags (not broad ones)

  • Use tags people actually search for

  • Skip the clever, hard-to-spell stuff

  • Test different options

But the data tells a different story. They matter - just not like they used to. Focus on fewer, better tags that match how people search.

Basic Rules for All Platforms

Here's what you need to know about hashtags in 2024, based on data from the big social platforms.

Think of hashtags like GPS coordinates for your content. They help people find what they're looking for. But here's the thing: each platform plays by different rules.

What Makes Hashtags Work

Let's break down what the data shows:

ElementWhy It WorksExample
LengthShort beats long#SEO vs #SearchEngineOptimization
ClarityEasy to readUse #BlackFriday not #BF2024Sale
RelevanceMatches content#Photography on photo posts
NumbersPlatform limits30 max on Instagram, 2-3 on X

Platform-Specific Sweet Spots

Here's exactly how many hashtags drive the best results:

PlatformBest NumberResults
Instagram9-12+12.6% engagement
X (Twitter)1-22x engagement
Facebook1-2Less = better
LinkedIn3-521% more reach
TikTok2-3Depends on content

Platform Requirements

Each platform has its own rules:

PlatformMust-Know RulesWhat Works Best
Instagram30 tags maxTags in first comment
TikTok2,200 char limitMix #FYP with niche
X (Twitter)Keep it shortIndustry tags work
LinkedIn10 tags maxProfessional terms
FacebookMinimal tagsStick to 1-2 tags

Here's the bottom line: 75% of social media users search with hashtags. But don't just throw them around. Test different combinations and watch what works for YOUR audience.

Quick tips that work everywhere:

  • No spaces or special characters

  • Always start with #

  • Keep accounts public

  • Mix popular and niche tags

  • Skip vague terms

Hashtag Tips by Platform

Here's what works on each social platform in 2024:

TikTok Hashtags

TikTok's all about trends and discovery. Here's what the data shows:

Content TypeBest Hashtag MixResults
Regular Posts#memecut + niche tag18M posts, 45B views
Growth Content#growmyaccount + topic12M posts, 52B views
Brand Posts#contenido + brand tag6M posts, 53B views

Stick to 4-6 hashtags per post. Mix hot trending tags with specific ones that match your content.

Instagram Hashtags

Instagram's hashtag game has changed:

PlacementMax TagsImpact
Caption30+12.6% engagement
First Comment20Best reach rate
Stories10Higher visibility

Want the best results? Use 20 hashtags in your first comment. That's what Later found after studying 18M+ posts.

X (Twitter) Hashtags

X keeps it simple:

TypeNumberEffect
Regular Posts1-22x engagement
Brand Posts1-21.5x engagement
News/Events1Best results

LinkedIn Hashtags

On LinkedIn, it's all business:

PurposeTag CountBest Practice
Industry Posts3-521% more reach
Company Updates1-3Better engagement
Personal Brand3-5Higher visibility

Facebook Hashtags

Facebook likes it light:

Post TypeTag CountResults
Business Posts1-2Better reach
Group Posts2-3More engagement
Events1-2Higher visibility

Drop your hashtags at the end of your post - not in between.

For video content? Video Tap users can tweak their hashtags for each platform while reusing their content.

Advanced Hashtag Methods

Here's how to pick the right hashtags for different content in 2024:

Content TypeBest Hashtag MixResults
Product PostsBrand + Industry42% more reach
Behind-the-scenesCompany Culture + Industry31% higher engagement
Customer StoriesBrand + Success + Industry27% more shares
News UpdatesBreaking + Topic38% more comments
Live EventsEvent + Location45% better reach

Want better results with video hashtags? Here's what works on each platform:

PlatformTop Video TagsImpact
TikTok#fyp + niche2.3x more views
Instagram Reels#reels + topic1.8x more reach
YouTube Shorts#shorts + subject2.1x more clicks
LinkedIn Video#video + industry1.5x more plays

Video Tap lets you add specific hashtags when you turn long videos into short clips. This means each piece of content finds its target audience.

Here's how to switch up your hashtags when posting across platforms:

From → ToHashtag ChangesWhy It Works
TikTok → InstagramCut to 3-5 tagsBetter engagement
Instagram → LinkedInKeep industry tagsMore professional
LinkedIn → TwitterPick 1-2 main tagsClean look
Twitter → FacebookUse brand tag onlyPlatform preference

Here's what works:

  • Mix popular and niche hashtags

  • Monitor your best performers

  • Follow each platform's rules

  • Try different tag spots

  • Check your numbers weekly

Tools like RiteTag and Keyhole help you pick hashtags that work. They show you which tags get attention and help you avoid the bad ones.

Types of Hashtags to Use

Here's what works for hashtags in 2024:

Hashtag TypeWhat It DoesExampleResults
BrandMakes your posts findable#JustDoIt (Nike)Connects user content
CampaignMeasures marketing#OptOutside (REI)16.8M Instagram posts
IndustryReaches your field#webhostingFinds professionals
TrendingJoins hot topics#WimbledonQuick reach boost
LocationFinds local people#NYCLocal visibility
EventBuilds event hype#Glastonbury2024Links attendees

How to Use Each Type

Brand Hashtags

Keep it simple. #restenthusiast works for Flax Home's bedding posts because it's easy to remember and helps collect customer photos.

Campaign Hashtags

What You're DoingHow to Build ItReal Example
Launching ProductsBrand + Product#AudiRSQ8
Running ContestsAction + Prize#FreeCheeseFriday
Supporting CausesAction + Goal#PlateupForThePlanet

Industry Hashtags

Pick what fits your work:

  • Design work? Try #graphicdesign

  • Tech stuff? Use #webhosting

  • Fashion? Go with #clothingboutique

Trending Hashtags

When to PostWhat to UseExamples
Daily PostsRegular tags#MondayMotivation
Weekly PostsTheme tags#ThrowbackThursday
News TopicsCurrent tags#pridemonth

Location Hashtags

WhereHow to TagExample
Cities#CityName#Cardiff
Areas#AreaLife#FloridaLife
Places#PlaceName#PrincipalityStadium

Event Hashtags

EventTag StyleExample
Contests#contestalert#instagiveaway
SportsEvent name#Wimbledon
BusinessBrand + Event#SamsungUnpacked

Video Tap helps add hashtags when you turn long videos into social clips.

Quick Tips:

  • X and Facebook: 2-5 hashtags

  • Instagram: up to 15 tags

  • Mix different types

  • Check what works weekly

Hashtag Tools and Tracking

Here's what you need to know about finding and tracking hashtags that work:

Top Tools for 2024

ToolWhat It DoesMonthly Cost
RiteTagShows hashtag popularity with color codes + browser add-on$65
HashtagifyFinds trending and related tags + shows top influencers$19
LaterBreaks down Instagram stats + helps schedule postsCustom
Brand24Tracks mentions + measures how far posts spread$99-$499

Measuring What Works

Want to know if your hashtags are working? Here are the numbers that matter:

Number to TrackWhat to CountWhy You Should Care
PostsHow many use your tagShows if people pick it up
UsersDifferent accounts postingTells you who's joining in
EngagementLikes + shares + clicksShows if people care
ReachNumber of feeds shownTells you how far it spreads
ViewsTotal times seenShows overall exposure

Real Success Stories

Here's what works in the real world:

Who Did ItWhat HappenedMain Lesson
#ShotoniPhone150,000+ posts in 30 daysKeep it simple and clear
Instagram Business12.6% more engagementMix big and small tags

Quick Tips:

  • Check Instagram Insights if you have a business account - it's free

  • Pick different tracking tools based on what you need

  • If a hashtag doesn't work after 30 days, drop it

  • Look at what your competitors do each week

For videos, Video Tap helps figure out which hashtags work best when you break up longer videos for social media.

By the Numbers:

  • 39% of companies skip social tracking because they lack tools

  • Adding hashtags boosts engagement by 12.6%

  • Give each hashtag 30 days before you decide if it works

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Keeping Hashtags the Same Everywhere

Here's what the top brands do with their hashtags:

BrandMain HashtagResultsPlatforms
Adidas#ImpossibleIsNothingUsed in 85% of postsInstagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
Coca-Cola#ShareACoke500,000+ photos, +2% salesAll major platforms
Starbucks#RedCupContest40,000+ entries, +13% online salesInstagram, Facebook

Make Your Hashtags Match Your Brand

Want your hashtags to work? Keep them simple:

Do ThisDon't Do This
Use your brand nameMix different versions
Pick clear termsMake up complex words
Check spellingChange capitalization
Test on each platformCopy competitors

Smart Ways to Use Hashtags

Here's what works:

  • Pick 3-5 main hashtags for ALL your posts

  • Add 2-3 tags that work best on each platform

  • Drop in 1-2 tags about your post topic

For videos? Video Tap helps you keep your hashtags consistent when you split longer videos into short clips.

Platform-Specific Tips

PlatformMax TagsBest Practice
Instagram30Mix brand + niche tags
Twitter2-3Focus on trending topics
LinkedIn3-5Use industry terms
Facebook1-2Stick to campaign tags
TikTok3-5Add trending + niche tags

Quick Tips:

  • Test your hashtags on each platform

  • Keep a list of your go-to tags

  • Check your strategy every 3 months

  • Track which tags get more engagement

Video Content and Hashtags

Here's how to get more views on your videos across different platforms:

Video Hashtags by Platform

Each platform needs its own hashtag strategy:

PlatformTag LimitBest PracticesTop Tags to Use
TikTok3-5Mix trending + niche#fyp, #viral, #trending
YouTube Shorts3-4Start with #Shorts#Shorts, #YouTubeShorts
Instagram Reels5-7Add industry tags#reels, #instareels

Reusing Video Content

Want to get more from your videos? Here's what works:

  • Turn TikToks into Instagram Reels (15 seconds work best)

  • Break up longer videos into short series

  • Delete platform watermarks before reposting

  • Write fresh captions for each platform

Video Tap Tools

Video Tap helps you share content faster:

FeatureWhat It Does
AI ClipsMakes videos the right length for each platform
Auto-CaptionCreates subtitles automatically
Format ConvertChanges video size to fit each platform
Content SuggestPicks hashtags based on your video

Want proof this works? Check this out:

Make Your Hashtags Work Better:

  • Mix up different tag combinations

  • Look at which tags bring in views

  • Get new tags each month

  • Drop tags that don't work

Pro Tip: Hit up TikTok's Creative Center to find what's trending in your field. It's worth checking every week.

Checking Your Results

Want to know if your hashtags actually work? Let's look at the numbers that matter.

Track These 3 Things

MetricWhat It ShowsWhy It Matters
ReachPeople who saw your postShows if your hashtags help spread content
UsageTimes people use your tagsTells you if your hashtags catch on
EngagementLikes, comments, sharesShows if people care about your content

Platform Tools That Help

Each social network gives you free data:

PlatformWhere to LookWhat You Get
InstagramBusiness ProfileTop hashtags and their reach
TikTokCreator ToolsViews from hashtag clicks
X (Twitter)AnalyticsHow many saw your hashtags
LinkedInPost AnalyticsReach per hashtag

Want more data? Here are some paid options:

Fix What's Not Working

Check these signals each month:

If You SeeDo This
Low viewsTry new trending hashtags
High engagementKeep those hashtags
No clicksTest different combinations

Here's proof it works:

Some quick facts:

  • TikTok brands see 5.8% engagement per view

  • Popular hashtags pack a punch - #ItEndsWithUsMovie reached 578,649,350 people

Bottom line: Look at your data often. If something's not working, change it up. That's how you win the hashtag game.

What's Next for Hashtags

Let's look at how hashtags are changing in 2024 and beyond.

New Social Media Sites

Threads is leading the charge among new platforms. Here's what works where:

PlatformHashtag LimitBest Practice
ThreadsNo limit set2-3 topic tags
BeRealNo hashtagsFocus on captions
Mastodon3-5 maxUse local tags

New Tools

AI is changing how we pick hashtags:

ToolMain FeaturePrice/Month
Brand24Real-time tracking$63
SocialPilot AIAuto-tag generator$50
Video TapVideo content tagsCustom

Future Changes

The numbers tell an interesting story:

TrendCurrent StatsExpected Impact
Search behavior94.6% use social vs 81.8% search enginesMore keyword-based tags
Brand engagement33% more retweets with hashtagsFocus on fewer, targeted tags
Video content73% prefer short videosPlatform-specific video tags

Here's what the data shows:

  • Posts with hashtags get 2x more engagement on Twitter

  • Brands see 1.5x better results when using top tags

  • #JustDoIt from Nike hit 41,000 uses in just 30 days

For video creators, tools like Video Tap now convert long videos into social clips with AI-picked hashtags. This makes it WAY easier to post across different platforms.

Fixing Common Problems

Here's what you need to know about hashtag rules and how to fix the most common issues:

Platform Limits

Each social network has different hashtag rules:

PlatformHashtag LimitBest Practice
Instagram30 per post5-10 hashtags
Twitter140 characters1-2 hashtags
LinkedIn30 per post5-10 hashtags
FacebookNo limit1-2 hashtags
Pinterest20 per pin2-5 hashtags

Content Rules

Here's what can mess up your hashtag game:

IssueFix
Private accountSwitch to public for hashtag reach
Banned hashtagsCheck tags in platform search first
Hashtag wallsPut tags in first comment
Mixed symbolsRemove spaces and punctuation

Making Tags Work Better

The numbers don't lie:

ActionResult
Using 1-2 hashtags on Twitter21% more engagement
Adding hashtags to tweets2x more engagement
Including hashtags in retweets40% higher retweet rate

Want better results? Here's what to do:

  • Mix big and small hashtags (don't just chase the trending ones)

  • Track which combos work best for you

  • Update your hashtags monthly

  • Use Video Tap's AI suggestions for video content

And some quick fixes that work:

  • Blend hashtags into your text naturally

  • Double-check if tags are banned

  • Keep track of your winning hashtags

  • Drop tags that don't perform after 2-3 posts

Look at how the pros do it: Sephora builds buzz with #SephoraSquad, while Google jumps into conversations like #PiDay without going overboard.

Wrap-Up: Better Social Media with Hashtags

Here's what works right now for hashtags on each platform:

PlatformBest PracticeImpact
Instagram9-12 hashtagsPosts get 29% more interactions
X (Twitter)1-2 hashtags21% higher engagement
LinkedIn2-3 hashtagsProfessional reach boost
Facebook1-3 hashtagsFocused audience targeting
TikTok3-5 hashtagsMaximum content discovery

Make Your Hashtags Work:

Mix broad tags with niche ones. Nike does this well - they pair #JustDoIt with specific tags like #NikeRunning.

Watch your numbers. ASOS saw big wins by tracking posts with #asos.

Check your hashtag list every month. What worked last quarter might not work now.

The Numbers Don't Lie:

ActionResult
Using hashtags on Twitter2x more engagement
Adding one hashtag on Instagram12.6% engagement increase
Business tweets with hashtags33% more likely to get retweets

For Video Posts:

  • Drop Instagram hashtags in the first comment

  • Use Video Tap's AI to make platform-specific clips

  • Test different hashtag sets for each video

Do This, Not That:

Do ThisNot This
Use 1-3 main hashtagsPack posts with 30+ tags
Research before usingChase every trend
Keep brand voice consistentMix random popular tags
Track performance weeklyPost and hope

Bottom line: Good hashtags connect you with YOUR people. Bad ones waste time. Keep it simple, track what works, and stick to it.

FAQs

What is the best hashtag strategy?

Here's what works in 2024:

PlatformTag CountBest Practices
Instagram3-5Mix broad and niche tags
X (Twitter)1-2Focus on trending topics
LinkedIn2-3Use industry-specific tags
Facebook2-4Keep it simple and focused
TikTok3-5Include trending + niche mix

Want better results? Here's what to do:

1. Track what works

Look at your analytics. See which hashtags bring in the most likes, comments, and shares.

2. Balance your approach

Combine popular hashtags with specific, niche ones. Think big AND small.

3. Build your core tags

Pick 5-10 hashtags that match your content. Use them often.

4. Keep testing

Try different combinations. Stick with what gets results.

For videos, here's what to use:

Content TypeTag Tips
Short clipsUse platform-specific trending tags
Long videosAdd industry + topic tags
Live streamsInclude event-based hashtags

Quick tip: Need help finding good hashtags? Try RiteTag or Hootsuite's hashtag generator. They'll show you what's working RIGHT NOW.

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