Hey there, my friend, welcome to episode 346 of the Small Business Made Simple Podcast.

Thanks for leading me your ears right now – I know you have lots of other things you could be doing or listening to – so I appreciate you.

Today the episode is looking at whether using hashtags on our social media platforms really still work at all or whether we should just give up using them!

But before we get to destroying the use of Hashtags, did you have a chance to listen to last week’s episode? We built a micro funnel together in the simplest way possible. If you’re not sure about funnels and if you need one or how to build one, that episode is for you. Take a listen to episode 345 here: www.socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/345

Have you got your ticket yet? Tickets to THE Social Media and Marketing Conference that you MUST attend in 2025 are now on sale!  Head to www.socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/conference to get your tickets today!  You’ll also see the amazing speaker line up and all the deeds – but the date is Friday 29^th August, and the place is 700 Bourke Street, Melbourne. It’s THE conference to come to and bonus is that we get to hang out!

Okay, onto today’s episode.

Hashtags in 2025: Should You Still Bother?

today we’re diving into one of the most-asked, most-Googled, and most frustrating parts of social media marketing…

Hashtags.

Are they dead?
Are they still worth using?
Are they just taking up space in your captions now?

If you’ve been wondering whether you should still be using hashtags in 2025—or if you’re just throwing #blessed and #smallbizlife on your posts out of habit—this episode is for you.

Because spoiler alert: hashtags don’t work the way they used to. But they’re not totally useless either.

So, let’s talk what’s changed, what still works, and what’s worth doing instead.

Let’s rewind a little.

Hashtags used to be one of the best ways to get found on Instagram. You could slap 30 of them on your post, and with a bit of luck and algorithm fairy dust, you’d land on the explore page or get discovered by a new audience.

TikTok? Same deal—hashtags could help your content trend and show up in relevant feeds.

LinkedIn and Facebook were always a bit behind, but even there, hashtags had a moment.

But fast forward to 2025, and things look a little different.

Why?

Because algorithms have gotten smarter.

They’re now reading your actual content—your captions, your voiceovers, your visuals, and even the comments and keywords in your replies.

So, while hashtags still play a role, they’re not the hero they once were. Think of them as the support act, not the main event.

Here’s the real talk: yes, hashtags can still be useful—but only if you use them strategically. And sparingly.

Let’s look at the platforms:

Instagram in 2025

• The best results come from 3–5 highly relevant hashtags
• They should be niche, not generic (#womensupportingwomen = too broad)
• Instagram is pushing more content based on your caption context, engagement, and video content than your tags
• BUT: Hashtags still help Instagram understand the category of your content, especially for Reels and new accounts

TikTok in 2025

• TikTok is favouring keywords in your captions over hashtags
• That said, hashtags like #foryou and #fyp are basically noise now
• Use 1–3 very specific hashtags related to your niche or industry
• Better strategy? Say your keywords in your video and add them to your on-screen text

LinkedIn in 2025

• Hashtags still have some life here—especially for helping content get categorised
• Use 2–5 hashtags max
• Include industry or topic-based tags like #Leadership, #MarketingTips, or #SmallBusinessAustralia
• Avoid using hashtags as jokes or for fluff—they don’t help and make you look out of touch

Facebook in 2025

• Honestly? Meh.
  Facebook never really got on board with hashtags in a meaningful way
• You can use 1 or 2 if it’s part of your cross-platform strategy—but don’t expect massive reach

If you’ve been relying on hashtags to grow, it’s time to shift your strategy.

Here’s what to focus on instead:

1. Keyword-Rich Captions

Write for the algorithm and the human. Use the words your audience is searching for—especially on Instagram and TikTok. Think:
“How to style a winter capsule wardrobe” vs. “Cute jumper for cold days”

If you want to know more about why you should be using keyword rich captions – take a listen to podcast episode: 315 – www.socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/315

2. Strong Hooks in the First Line

Grab attention in that first sentence. Make them stop scrolling and engage. The algorithm rewards that pause.

3. Encourage Saves and Shares

Forget likes—focus on saves, shares, and comments.
End your posts with prompts like:

• “Save this for later”
• “Tag a friend who needs this”
• “Which one would you choose?”

4. Use On-Screen Text with Keywords

Especially on Reels and TikTok’s. The algorithm reads this, and it helps categorise your content. Bonus: it makes your video more accessible, too.

5. Consistency Over Hashtag Strategy

Seriously. Show up with great content consistently, and the algorithm will notice. A smart post with zero hashtags will always beat a meh post with 30.

So… are hashtags dead?
No. But they’re no longer the main strategy.

They’re like seasoning in a good recipe—helpful, but not the whole meal.

Your 2025 Hashtag Takeaways:

1. Use fewer, better hashtags—think 3–5 per post, tops
2. Focus on content, context, and keywords instead
3. Don’t stress if hashtags aren’t bringing in traffic—the algorithm is watching everything else too

And just remember, friend—your message, your voice, and your value matter way more than the little pound signs at the end of your post.

If you’re rethinking your social media strategy after this episode and wondering “What should I actually be doing instead?”—you are so not alone.

Come join me in the Like Minded Business Owners Facebook group and let’s chat about what’s working now. Or book an Hour of Power with me and we’ll map out a strategy that’s actually built for 2025.

Until next time, keep it simple, stay in action, and as always—make marketing a priority in your business.

Thanks for tuning in,

If you’re enjoying this podcast, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode and share this with a friend.  And maybe leave me a rating and a review wherever you listen in.  Those things are like gold for podcasters like me!  PS – you can leave more than one rating and review – just saying!

If we aren’t hanging out on social media then let’s get social on social – you’ll find me on Instagram, Facebook, and my fav LinkedIn.

But whatever you do,

…….. remember small business peep, as my opening song says, there’s no point in dreaming small!