Ah, hashtags. The little pound signs that have been haunting our captions since 2010. Are they still relevant? Do they still work? Or are they just digital relics of a bygone era? Let's break it down.
Instagram: Hashtags Are Kinda Overrated (But Not Useless)
In February 2025, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri dropped this little tidbit of infomration: hashtags don’t boost reach or engagement. (Cue marketers clutching their pearls.) Instead, Mosseri suggests focusing on content that aligns with what both you and the platform want.
But before you start deleting every hashtag from your drafts, hear me out. Hashtags still serve a purpose:
They help Instagram’s algorithm understand your content.
Users can follow hashtags, making niche ones great for building a community.
They’re useful for organizing user-generated content (UGC) and campaigns.
Best Practices for Instagram Hashtags:
Stick to 3-5 quality hashtags. Less clutter, more impact.
Go niche. Generic hashtags like #love or #instagood won’t do much.
Think of them as SEO, not exposure hacks. They help categorize, not catapult.
Bonus Instagram Pro Tips:
Trial Reels (released December 2024) let you test content with non-followers before showing it to your audience.
Carousels get better reach than single-image posts.
First three seconds of a reel? Make them count.
TikTok: Hashtags Are Still a Thing (For Now)
While Instagram is cooling on hashtags, TikTok is still very much in on the game. Why? Because TikTok is basically the new Google. Users are searching for everything—from product recommendations to how-to videos—right on TikTok.
Best Practices for TikTok Hashtags:
Use 1-4 hashtags. More isn’t necessarily better.
Mix it up: trending hashtags + niche hashtags + seasonal ones.
Optimize for TikTok SEO—use keywords people actually search for.
Check TikTok’s Creative Center for trending hashtags.
Bonus TikTok Pro Tips:
Hook people fast. Start with a bold claim, question, or shocking fact.
Captions matter. Many users watch on mute, plus captions help TikTok’s algorithm categorize your content.
Use TikTok’s search bar for content ideas. What’s autofilling? That’s what people are looking for.
The Verdict: Should You Still Use Hashtags?
Yes, but strategically. Hashtags won’t magically make your content go viral, but they can help get your content in front of the right people—especially on TikTok. So instead of spamming #blessed on every post, think of hashtags like seasoning: a little goes a long way.
Now, go forth and hashtag wisely. #YouGotThis
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